MSR Hyperflow Microfilter Review

Reliability/Effectiveness
The hollow fiber filter in the MSR Hyperflow Microfilter is effective against bacteria and protozoa, but not viruses. It does filter out particulate and requires a rather involved back-flushing process.

Weight
The Hyperflow is the lightest and most compact filter system, weighing 9.5 oz. including the storage bag, so it is the most desirable to carry if your preferred method is a pump.

Time Before Drinking
Only requiring one minute 30 seconds to pump a liter, this pump is fast with a decent flow rate.

Ease of Use
The pump itself is simple to use, and feels like pumping a Super-Soaker Water Gun. The pre-filter seems to flip upside down easily rather than staying facedown in the water, but this is minor. Where this filter stops being incredibly simple is the back-flushing, which involves unscrewing it in two places and removing and reversing small valves. Normally this maintenance would not be that big of a pain, except that it is recommended to be done every eight liters, which is very frequent and becomes a drag on a long or multi-day hike.

Durability/Uses Before Maintenance
There are a lot of user reviews online that complain about this filter getting clogged easily and not working. MSR issued a recall of filter cartridges in 2009 to improve the flow of the cartridges, which may have solved the problem. In our experience with the Hyperflow, we have not had troublesome clogging and have found the system to flow quite well. If you have used the Hyperflow please leave a user review comment, because we are very interested in how it is performing for others.

On one hand, we love that the Hyperflow can filter 1000 liters before needing a replacement cartridge. But on the other hand, the backflush process in this baby is rather complicated, involves small parts that are easy to lose, and is frustrating. It is suggested that this be be done every eight liters, which is quite often and would be tedious on a long distance hike.

Taste
The taste of the water remains unchanged.

Best Application
Since this filter is so light, it is the best pump to carry on long hikes or backpacking trips where weight is a concern. Often people forego carrying a filter because they are too heavy, and the Hyperflow makes a case for bringing one anyway to keep yourself from getting sick.

Value
At $100, this filter is slightly more expensive than the standard pumps like the MSR Sweetwater Microfilter and the Katadyn Hiker Pro and less than the nifty UV purifiers like SteriPEN Journey LCD or a gravity-fed filter like the Platypus Gravityworks Water Filter.