Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter - Gear Review

If I were to list the worst things about getting water in the wilderness with a traditional pump-action filter, it would certainly include:

1) Time: having to spend a half hour squatted down pumping water for dinner

2) Energy: expending countless calories on pumping instead of fishing

3) Risk: focusing on pumping instead of watching for bears

4) Muscle cramps: there is no comfortable position in which to pump water from a stream

5) Inconvenience: not being able to hold your cup of wine while doing so!

I'm sure you could add a few more of your own. However, on our last trip to the BWCA, the Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter eliminated all of the above.

The most beautiful thing about this filter is its ability to clean 4 liters of filthy in under 3 minutes. That was fast enough for no one in our group of 7 to have to pump once during the trip. As you can see in the picture above, the GravityWorks is designed use force of gravity to move the water through the filter. You simply detach the "dirty" bag from the line, fill it up from a nearby water source, reconnect it, backwash it to remove air bubbles, and position the "clean" bag lower than the "dirty" one to get things moving. Once filtered, you disconnect the "clean" bag from the filter, and you're good to go. A nifty little clamp is provided to prevent spilling.

The GravityWorks uses hollow fiber technology to filter down to 0.2 microns, which is small enough to remove any bacteria or protozoans that may float your way. The specs are available here.

All-in-all, this is an incredible filtration system. The folks at Cascade Designs have been around for 35 years, producing quality goods manufactured only in the Seattle, USA and Cork, Ireland. Their dedication to quality shows in the Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter.

MSRP: $109.95

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