MSR Hyperflow Microfilter

by MSR

• Microfilter utilizes Hollow Fiber Technology and advanced engineering to make water treatment highly mobile and easy to use
• Ergonomic design, diminutive size and tool-free maintainability make it just as appropriate on day trips as it is on multi-day excursions
• Filtration rate of three liters per minute; includes Quick Connect bottle adaptor, allowing direct connection to all MSR hydration products and a variety of other "wide mouth" containers
• Hollow fiber filter with 0.2-micron pores, effective against protozoa, bacteria, and particulate; three liters per minute flow and 20 strokes per liter of water
• Includes limited lifetime manufacturer's warranty; made in Seattle, WA

Product Description

The HyperFlow microfilter utilizes the latest Hollow Fiber Technology and our most advanced engineering to make water treatment so small and so easy to use, it will change the way you travel in the backcountry. Its ergonomic design, diminutive size and tool-free maintainability make it just as appropriate on day trips as it is on multi-day excursions. Add a filtration rate of 3-liters per minute and you?ve got the most efficient microfilter ever created. Also included is a Quick Connect bottle adaptor?allowing direct connection to all MSR? hydration products and a variety of other ""wide mouth"" containers?and an advanced prefilter to prolong the life of your filter. High Flow Rate: Pumps more than 3 liters per minute or one liter every 20 strokes. Ultralight: Just 7.4 oz. (209 g). Ultra-small: Just 7x3.5 in. ( 17.8 x 8.3 cm) makes it easy to take along even when space is at a premium. Field-Maintainable: Can be cleaned repeatedly for flow recovery without tools. Super Convenient: Quick Connect bottle adapter lets you filter water directly into a variety of containers, including all MSR hydration products and other wide-mouth containers. Weight 7.8 oz / 221 g. Width 3.5 in / 8.3 cm. Length 7 in / 17.8 cm. Filter media Hollow Fiber. Filter pore size 0.2 microns. Flow (L/min) 3 liters per min. Flow (strokes per liter) 20. Cartridge life ~1000 liters.

Product Details

• Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies
• ASIN: B002IAMMVA
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 62 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Fast and light, but read the directions! March 11, 2010

By C. Leonard

Color Name:Red| Size Name:7x3.5 inches|Amazon Verified Purchase

(Read my review update at the bottom)

(Read my review update at the bottom)

I'm trying to love this filter. It takes patience and practice to get this filter to work without frustration, the pay off is a very light filter that filters water fast.

If you have done any research on this filter you have come across a list of complaints. I've had similar performance issues as other reviewers but I've learned that every complaint but two are from user error. The pump is a bit finicky and it's tough to learn how to use perfectly with a little piece of paper as your guide. If you had a friend next to you with the same filter that knew how to use it properly then you could learn all the details to trouble free use without frustration.

Most filters you pump until they stop flowing well then you wipe the filter element down and start pumping again no instruction necessary (sort of). This leads to the first of the only 2 legitimate complaints, 1) the Hyperflow is kind of a pain in the butt to clean compared to other filters, and 2) you must protect the filter from freezing. I've had to wake up in the middle of the night more than once and stick the filter in my sleeping bag because I forgot to do it before I went to bed.

Once you purchase this filter I recommend filtering and back flushing the cartridge at least 5 times standing in front of the kitchen sink to get the hang of it. I use a pot of water to draw from so I do not have the hose flopping around in the kitchen. If you try to learn this in the field you will be very frustrated and nobody will want to be near you for an hour or two. The #1 thing you need to know when back flushing the filter is it MUST be wet, this filter hates air, so pump some water into it before you reverse the valves, if you try this when it's dry it will lock up and you will be tempted to smash it with a hammer.

I like the Nalgene/MSR compatible cap for the filter however the down side is you either have to hold everything up in the air and pump with the weigh of the water flopping around or you have to squat on the ground precariously close to the stream while you steady your bladder with one hand and pump with the other. This is fine for a liter but if you are at camp pumping water for dinner and breakfast it's very uncomfortable. I recommend getting a couple feet of tubing just like the one attached to the prefilter and use it to fill whatever container you want to fill, this allows you freedom of movement and greater flexibility of containers to fill. Plus the included cap can be hard to open.

Here's my recommendation:
If you want fast and light and can deal with learning and dealing with extra steps get the MSR Hyperflow.
If you want easy maintenance and high reliability and don't care much about weight get the MSR Miniworks
If you can't decide which of the top 2 you want get the MSR Sweatwater.

Update: Last week on a backpacking trip my pump failed after 1 liter of water and filter cartridge had only been used 3 times. After a few strokes the pump became harder and harder to pump until it completely locked up. I back flushed the pump a few times but for some odd reason it did not help. My wife and I had to abandon our multi day trip and hike back to the car so needless to say I can no longer recommend this pump. Buy the MSR mini works I've had one 15 years and its never let me down.

63 of 69 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Manufacturer Comments March 26, 2009

By Cascade Designs, Inc.

Color Name:Red|Size Name:7x3.5 inches

Note from the manufacturer: We have identified a flow performance issue with some of the hollow fiber filter cartridges contained in MSR HyperFlow microfilters. The performance issue DOES NOT affect the product's ability to filter safe drinking water but can be frustrating as the flow rate of the filter may not perform to product specifications. The issue has been rectified and all filter cartridges currently in production for the MSR HyperFlow microfilter perform to flow specifications.

It is our goal to provide you with the most innovative and reliable outdoor gear available when you need it most. You can be confident in the efficacy of the hollow fiber filter technology, but if you are experiencing a less-than-expected flow rate on the MSR HyperFlow microfilter right out of the box or after back flushing, we want to know. Please contact our Customer Service Department at Cascade Designs, Inc. by calling 1.800.531.9531, and we will send you a valid replacement filter element at no charge for any filter cartridge manufactured prior to November 11, 2008. Please have your filter cartridge element handy as we will ask for the serial number for our records and manufacture date verification.

Please also check www.msrgear.com for improved MSR HyperFlow microfilter instructions and an instructional video on proper back flushing of the unit.

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Not Ready For The Back Country September 8, 2008

By R. Humphreys

Color Name:Red|Size Name:7x3.5 inches

I just returned from a 7 day trip to the Sky Lakes Wilderness in Southern Oregon. Three of us had purchased MSR Hyperflow filters for the trip. We are all planning on returning them. Each of us had done some brief testing at home and all seemed well, but in the field all three were almost useless by the end of the week. One failed on the first day. It pumped 3 or 4 liters as advertised, but quickly became very hard to pump. It was back flushed, but this didn't help. It could be used, but took a lot of pressure to pump and was very slow. The other two filters experienced similar problems throughout the week. We back flushed frequently, but the Hyperflows were all extremely hard to pump, and therefore very slow.

The filter element seems far too fragile for backcountry use. It can't be frozen, and requires a lot of care. It is too bad because I love the design of this filter. It is compact and lighter than any other filter I have owned. Until the filter element is re-designed, I would not recommend this filter to anyone.