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Outdoor

Katadyn Pocket Water Filter

Ironclad
Ironclad
Typical: $350-400Confidence: medium

Why It Lasts

The filter element is 0.2-micron silver-impregnated ceramic — ceramic doesn't degrade chemically over time the way hollow-fiber or activated carbon filters do. The ceramic element is rated for 50,000 liters before replacement and can be field-cleaned by scrubbing with the included brush to restore flow rate. The silver impregnation inhibits bacteria growth inside the filter. The aluminum body is anodized, not coated, and won't chip or peel. Katadyn has been making these in Switzerland since 1928. Humanitarian organizations use the Pocket because it works for decades in the field without specialized maintenance.

Known Weaknesses

Slow flow rate — about 1 liter per minute, which is tedious compared to hollow-fiber squeeze filters. Heavy (550g) compared to a Sawyer Squeeze (90g). The ceramic element is brittle and will crack if frozen while wet or dropped on rock — treat as fragile despite the rugged aluminum housing. The pump action requires some physical effort over extended water collection. At $380, the initial cost is extremely high — the value proposition only makes sense over 15-20 years of use.

Durability Breakdown

Warranty
7.1
materials
6.3
communitySentiment
7.3
brandReputation
7.5
Repairability
6.5

Data Source

View community discussion →

Quick Stats

Overall Score71.0/10
TierIronclad
BrandKatadyn
CategoryOutdoor
Price Range$350-400
Confidencemedium
Data Points/5

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