MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter

I bought one of these years ago and they are great filters. Have used it many times and the filter still works great. The thing I like about it the most is how easy it can be cleaned up. The unit comes apart easily and has a gauge to measure your filter with. If your filter fits inside the gauge, then it is time to replace the filter. I typically clean it up after a longer trip and after it has sat for a period of time.

Our only water source on a 10 day hunt was a very clear (not dirty/foggy) yet yellow tinted pond. The first 2 liters pumped great although the color was still yellow. After that, the ceramic element had to be cleaned after every single liter or liter and a half or else it would pump about 6 oz. per minute if that. Drinking 4 liters a day and using some for food as well as brushing teeth, etc. combined we were using about 9 liters a day give or take which meant a ton of water pumping. If you cleaned the filter after it did a liter, it would pump fast again for about a liter then have to be cleaned again. We used water tablets as well so I'm not sure if we would've gotten sick with just using the filter but like I said, the water came out just as yellow as the pond was which was a bit off-putting and the time it took to get water every day was really annoying. Will be buying a different pump from goHunt before the next trip.

don't be steered astray by one review from someone who clearly doesn't know how to use this filtration system. i have had this filter for 4 years now and it's NEVER given me trouble and to mention i have never gotten sick. the water is clear, clean and smell free. i honestly trust this filter system. i will say the filter is a little bulky compared to others on the market but for me that isn't a factor. the filter screws directly to my nalgene bottle which is very convenient. muddy water can slow down clean water production but that can be said about any water filter on the market.

This was an upgrade from my original miniworks. And just like the miniworks the ex doesn’t disappoint. It’s a bit lighter and pumps a little faster.

I have one of these, though I didn't buy it here. This is a really good filter, in my opinion. But it doesn't perform all that well in very silty/muddy water. The pores in the ceramic filter get clogged and it must be cleaned with the included piece of scotchbrite. It can handle some dirt in the water, but not a whole lot. Having said that, I've found this to be a great little filter. Four stars