The heart of the Explorer system is a tough heavy-duty steel pump operated by a pull-up manual piston, no batteries requiredKatadyn Group

Portable modular system filters dirt, germs and viruses for clean water wherever you are

by · New Atlas

Swiss outdoor kit specialist Katadyn has launched a state-of-the-art modular outdoor water filter system that uses a combination of three sophisticated filtration processes.

Katadyn’s Explorer Water Filter and Purifier Series is serious professional expedition-quality gear. This probably isn’t designed for your next trip to the beach or picnic by a mountain stream.

Built with a heavy-duty steel pump piston and reinforced housing, it’s a water filter system engineered to withstand frequent use in seriously harsh terrain and deals with the most unappetizing silty stagnant water.

Extra hoses and state-of-the-art filters are available as part of the modular systemKatadyn Group

The units offer the chance to combine field-cleanable ceramic and activated carbon filters with a hollow fiber membrane for virus removal. That’s going to give you safe clean water wherever you are – and the prices give you a hint of the sort of pro expeditions that are going to be excited by Katadyn’s new system. The Explorer Microfilter is US$199.95 and the Explorer Pro (which adds the virus filter) is a hefty $449.95.

The technologies used are fairly established high-end outdoor stuff but the combination of choosing the filters you want in a modular design is new.

Users can just opt for the ceramic/carbon combo in the Explorer, which is based on Katadyn’s legendary indestructible 1950s ceramic pump. The Pro’s extra virus-grade membranes can be combined from the start or added later. Mix and match your filter systems. A carrying case, hose kits and replacement cartridges for the virus membrane, ceramic filter and activated carbon are also available.

The cartridge can be cleaned and stored dry between usesKatadyn Group

The long-life ceramic filter is designed "to remove bacteria, protozoa and particulates" from water in the wild. The activated carbon meanwhile is a chemical sponge made from organic materials like coconut shells and uses its voracious absorption properties to pull chemicals (like chlorine) out of the water. It’s particularly good at making water taste fresher.

Finally, adding in the virus filter makes for a very significant filtration system. Most standard backcountry filters are fine enough to catch bacteria and protozoa but are too large to stop viruses. The hollow fiber tech involved uses much smaller pores (typically 0.02 microns) to physically block viruses.

The Explorer system lets you choose which of the filters you need for each trip and all the bits can be dismantled and stored dry and mold-free between trips. The heavy-duty manual steel pump piston offers a flow rate of a liter per minute. A ceramic filter should be good for up to 20,000 liters, the carbon can treat 500 liters before a replacement is needed, and the virus membrane lasts around 10,000 liters.

The Explorer system has a simple functional look that says ’this is high-end kit for serious expeditions’Katadyn Group

Katadyn has impressive pedigree in this field. From humanitarian response, disaster relief and professional operations to outdoor and expedition use, it is a source of gear that gives people water they can trust, effective food for the backwoods and reliable gear for all conditions.

Readers with a long memory however will recall a less impressive launch by the company back in 2009. We reported on the indignation that greeted its attempt to introduce powdered beers and wines for backwoods adventurers. European wine makers in particular were horrified.

Source: Katadyn Group

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