Often-times, Outdoor Retailer can become mundane… more of the same old stuff, but in new-for-next-season colors. Don’t get me wrong, wall-to-wall outdoor gear is enough to excite even the most weathered journalist, but at times it’s difficult to find the truly innovative products from the sea of the same old products in new-for-next-season color schemes. There are great new products to be found around every corner, it’s just a matter of digging. This year, I didn’t have to do so much digging because even before the show, the buzz was already out on the streets of Salt Lake City. That buzz was “check out the new MSR HyperFlow water filter… that thing is awesome.”
Luckily, I already had a scheduled appointment with Kerri Dellisanti, Media Relations Specialist for Cascade Designs, parent company to MSR. So, one of the first things I told Kerri was that I needed to see the new filters because the word was they were sweet.
Did the MSR HyperFlow MicroFilter live up to the hype?
Without a doubt… there’s no question about it… the MSR HyperFlow MicroFilter was the coolest and most innovative product from this year’s show. Never before had I considered carrying a water filter on backcountry ski trips, quick day hikes, or even on mountain bike rides. Now, the thought of going into the backcountry without this little gem seems silly. The pump is so small and so lightweight that it can be packed anywhere without much trouble.
I’m now re-thinking water filtration and how important it always is to at least have the ability to pump our own water at a moment’s notice. In the spirit of emergency preparedness, the MSR HyperFlow should fit into everyone’s budget, backpack and 72-hour kit without too much trouble.
Using the pump was super easy and the thing pumps out clean, drinkable water as fast as the best and biggest water pumps in the industry. With just 20-30 quick strokes, you can have one liter of safe drinking water. All that from a unit the same size as my Blackburn Shorty bike pump. Keeping in line with the quick and easy to use pump, the MSR HyperFlow also includes a simple locking nozzle and cap that fits on top of a standard-sized water bottle (Nalgene, etc.). Just a quick drop and twist results in both a secure water bottle and a stable platform for pumping.
Specs of the MSR HyperFlow MicroFilter
- Weight: 7.7 oz
- Dimensions: 7 x 3.5 inches
- Filter Matrix: Hollow Fiber
- Filter Pore Size: 0.2 micron
- Flow: 2.75 liters per minute
- Strokes: 20-30 strokes per liter
- Filter Life: 1000 liters (That’s 30,000 strokes if you want to count them.)
- Expected Release Date: April 14, 2008
Overall, I look for the MSR HyperFlow to quickly become required gear on any outing into the backcountry–no matter how short that outing is supposed to be. MSR has long been a leader in the water filter market and the HyperFlow firmly entrenches MSR as the one to beat.
This little filter changes the game when it comes to personal and backcountry preparedness and I consider it the most innovative product I saw at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2007.
4 Comments
Just a quick update on the MSR Hyperflow. I stopped at the MSR booth at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market just last week. They are getting super close to a release date on this puppy, but I’ve been told to say “Spring 2008.” Stay tuned for updates!
Does anyone know of an adapter for the MSR Hyperflow that will screw onto a Gatorade bottle?
Nalgene bottles weigh 8 oz empty. Gatorade bottles are less than 2 ounces.
I’m not aware of any, but that sounds like a great idea. Have you reached out to MSR? I can at least ask my contacts to see how much they have fiddled with different bottle diameters and such.
Brian… The MSR Universal Adapter may do the trick: http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/water-treatment-and-hydration/water-treatment-and-hydration-accessories/universal-bottle-adapter-cleanside-cover/product