With products that have been designed with the outdoor adventurer in mind, Katadyn is a reputable, reliable company that is popular amongst hikers, ramblers, backpackers and marine enthusiasts around the world.

This Swiss brand is a market leader for portable water treatment, with a wide range of top quality products aimed to meet the hydration needs of the outdoor and marine enthusiast. With more than eighty years’ experience, Katadyn also plays a key role in providing clean drinking water during relief organizations around the world.

Katadyn has dominated the water market for quite some time, and it does not look like they are ready to give away top spot just yet. If there is one water filter to rule them all, the Hiker Pro would probably be it. This filtration device is exemplary of Katadyn’s commitment to ensuring ease of access to water wherever you are, with a design that is tough enough to stand up to the elements.

The Pro still features all of the qualities that made you fall in love with the Hiker but has been updated with a few extras. For example, it now has a clear body so you can see when you need to clean your filter and watch your water go through the more motions. It also includes a new removable filter protector which improves longevity and durability and the ultra-versatile spill- free Quick Connect fittings.

There are several components of the Hiker Pro, which all work together to provide you with fresh, safe water, including:

Pre-filter: The pre-filter prevents large particles from getting into the filter itself, making the whole process more efficient and improving the longevity of the device.

Filter: Bring some clarity to your water treatment process, with a glass fibre filter that removes dangerous bacteria to the size of 0.2 microns. The use of pleats increases the surface area and makes the filter more effective and the making the filter out of glass means that it will not freeze, ensuring that it is suitable for use in just about any environment.

Charcoal: The Hiker Pro also includes activated carbon- charcoal which serves to remove any odours and bad tastes, leaving behind great tasting H2O.

Exterior: The clear exterior of the Hiker Pro is made from BPA free ABS plastic. The addition of a see-through design transforms the Pro, as you can now clearly see how the whole thing works and when it needs to be cleaned.

Hose: The hoses with the Katadyn Hiker Pro are much longer than other models, which mean that you are able to get into even the tightest of spots. The pre-filter is situated inside the hose itself; just attach the Easy Fill bottle adaptor to the other end to connect it with your drinking vessel.

Handle: The handle has been designed to be ergonomic and tough. It is easy to pump and can be operated with just one hand.

It is always important to be aware of what is safe and what’s not when it comes to water, as even water that looks clean can house dangerous micro-organisms that can make you sick. Water treatment is never fun, but it is certainly essential, and a decent filtration device is a must-have for anyone serious about surviving the outdoors.

Filtering out the bacteria, including giardia, cryptosporidium, and salmonella, and providing excellent clarity of water after use, this is a hydration device that is safe and reliable. Making sure that you can access drinkable water in all manner of locations, the Hiker Pro is a product that you are likely to use for years to come. The filter is replaceable, with an 1150 liter capacity, and the long tube and small intake mean that you can access a wide range of water sources.

It is important to note that the Katadyn Hiker Pro is not a purifier, and it does not have the ability to eliminate viruses. However, if you are exploring the backcountry, there are very few viruses that are a concern in North America and the Pro will still get rid of 99.9% of bacteria and pathogens.

Whether you are camping, hiking, fishing, or just want to be prepared, the Hiker Pro is a popular choice. This is a well-designed pump, but it is definitely suited to solo missions and small group outings. If you consider the fact that it takes around 48 strokes per liter of water, pumping much more than this could be time intensive and hard work. As a result, filtering large quantities of water using the Hiker Pro is just not feasible. Although, other online users have said that they have used one pump for groups of five to six people with no issues at all.

Katadyn is a Swiss brand that is well-known for creating durable water treatment for the outdoors, and the Hiker Pro is certainly a product that instills confidence. It is lightweight and reliable, built to stand up to the elements to ensure that you can access clean drinking water, whatever your environment. Their patented AntiClog pleated cartridge filter is designed to last. It is easy to replace, with Katadyn recommending that you swap it for a new cartridge after around 650 liters.

However, whilst the Katadyn Hiker Pro has been designed to be tough and durable, there have several reports online that have indicated some issues with the overall design. This is particularly in cases in which the reviewer has used the device in silty water. Katadyn does warn you about this, as frequent use in cloudy water can affect the overall durability of the filter. However, Katadyn’s AntiClog technology does reduce this to some extent, and one of the best things about this filter is how easy it is to clean and unblock in the field.

There have also been some suggestions that the inlet port is easily breakable, with quite a few customers reporting that this happened to them. If you are heading out for a couple of days, you may wish to take additional hose attachments just to be on the safe side. For extra peace of mind, the Katadyn Hiker Pro also comes with a 2-year warranty, with reviews online reporting that the company had sent out replacement parts for free after their inlet broke.

When you first take the Katadyn Hiker Pro out of the box, it can certainly be a little intimidating, and the most difficult part of using it is trying to figure out how to set it up. While assembly is a bit complicated, the Hiker Pro does come with easy to follow instructions. With lots of different pieces to accompany your purchase, you can mix and match to figure out the best setting for the environment that you are visiting. If you are looking for a set up that is a little less complicated, you could consider the Katadyn Pocket Microfilter, but this does not have the same capabilities of the Hiker Pro.

One of the best things about the Katadyn is its pure versatility. The Quick Connect fittings mean that you can easily attach most input and output hosts to a third party, and the Hiker Pro is compatible with the vast majority of water bottles and hydration bladders. The fittings offer a no-spill experience like no other due to its excellent design and range of convenient caps. Remember, before you use the filter for the first time, you will need to pump clean water through the device to prime the filtration media, which can take around 20 minutes.

However, although Katadyn claims that you will be able to pump a liter a minute, this may be a little bit over exaggerated. It is possible if you are in the mood for some hard work or exercise, but if you are taking it at a more normal pace, it is likely to take slightly longer. There have also been some indications that the Katadyn Hiker Pro gets more difficult to use as times goes on. Quite a few customers have reported that it gets significantly harder to pump the water through, with some suggesting that this begins after just a few liters. If your pump action is not as smooth as it once was, Katadyn states that this could be due to pumping silty water and they recommend using a small amount of lubrication on the mechanisms to ease up the process.

Overall, this is a solid piece of kit, and it is super easy to clean. The glass filter is not self- cleaning, and it does require a little maintenance, but you can rinse it through when you are out and about. When you get back from your trip, ensure that everything is cleaned and dried thoroughly before you put it into storage. There is also a more thorough cleaning process outlined on the Katadyn website. Applying Swiss quality to the water treatment market, this is an essentials piece of kit that will not let you down.

The Katadyn Hiker Pro is billed as a lightweight device that is easy to carry. However, 11 oz. could still be considered quite a bit if you have to carry your pack far. Furthermore, one user suggested that this did not include all of the hoses and connectors, and actually their entire set up weighed in at around 14.8 oz.

While this is only a couple of ounces, for those traveling light, a few pounds can make all the difference. For many hikers, pack space and weight are important, and there are definitely more lightweight options available, but clean water is essential, and you cannot really get any better than the Hiker Pro. One reviewer even stated that this water treatment device is worth its weight in gold.

If you prefer to explore off the beaten path, the Katadyn Hiker Pro is bound to impress. The vast majority of reviews online give the Hiker Pro five stars, with many users stating that they have been relying on this for clean water for several years. Removing 99.9% of impurities from the water, one user said that on an expedition to Africa, they were the only person in their group who didn’t get sick. It is important to remember that the Katadyn hiker pro is not a purifier, only a filter and yes, pumping water can get a little tedious.

The Hiker Pro would probably be better suited to smaller groups and solo hikers, and there have been some issues with durability. However, such problems are minimal and overall, the Hiker Pro is an excellent addition to your set up. Featuring a high output rate, longer cartridge life, and a user-friendly design, the Katadyn Hiker Pro is one of the most affordable filtration options on the market whilst still being one of the best.