Katadyn Vario Water Filter, Dual Technology Microfilter for Personal or Small Group Camping, Backpacking or Emergency Preparedness
Original price was: $99.95.$94.00Current price is: $94.00.
Price: $99.95 - $94.00
(as of May 17, 2025 21:01:41 UTC – Details)
The Vario Microfilter combines efficiency with the simplest handling. The technology consists of three filter levels: a high-performance glass fiber filter, a ceramic pre-filter that can be adjusted to the cloudiness of the water, and active charcoal for eliminating odors. Cleanable ceramic disc lengthens life of microfilter, 0.2 Micron high surface area pleated glass-fiber microfilter removes waterborne bacteria. Replaceable carbon core reduces chemicals, pesticides and bad taste in water.
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
Product Dimensions : 16 x 12 x 4 inches; 1.66 Pounds
Item model number : 8014931
Department : unisex-adult
Date First Available : August 12, 2008
Manufacturer : Katadyn
ASIN : B000KUVVY4
Dual pumping modes
Removes particles
Activated Carbon reduces chemicals
Suitable for backpacking
Glass fiber filter
A simple turn engages a ceramic pre-filter for long life in dirty water or a pleated glass fiber filter in normal conditions
Produces up to two quarts per minute in the faster flow mode and one quart per minute in longer life mode
Replaceable carbon core keeps water tasting fresh; reduces chemicals, odors, and toxins throughout the life of the cartridge
Dual piston technology provides maximum output with minimum effort
Adapter base attaches directly to water bottles or an output hose can be used to fill hydration systems or larger containers
Customers say
Customers find the water filter performs well, delivering clean water that tastes great. They appreciate its lightweight design, easy setup, and comprehensive instructions, with one customer noting it works particularly well with CamelBak products. The filter produces enough water and is easy to clean, coming with cleaning supplies. Durability receives mixed feedback – while some say it’s reasonably well made, others report it breaking during first use.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
8 reviews for Katadyn Vario Water Filter, Dual Technology Microfilter for Personal or Small Group Camping, Backpacking or Emergency Preparedness
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Original price was: $99.95.$94.00Current price is: $94.00.
Vine Reviews –
Fast and doesn’t clog easily
When I purchased this filter (about 6 months ago) I was torn between this item and MSR HyperFlow Microfilter… so I bought this one and my hiking buddy bought the MSR. We took them on two overnights on the AT and then one week long trip camping on a lake in Maine near Mt. Katadyn. They are both great products and each has their own pros and cons.For the Vario Multi Flow:Pros:Fast. Water goes through the pump on both the up and down strokes. Easy to pump, but you can easily over pump it, which is bad because you’ll have more pressure than water that is able to pass through the ceramic filter. I’ve only used this filter in the “longer life” setting, as it’s the one that has the water pass through the ceramic filter first.No field maintenance needed for a week long trip, pumping 5 liters a day in questionable lake water.Prefilter at collection side of the hose is very effective at keeping garbage out and has a good weight to keep the water flowing in.Cons:Big, Bulky (compared to MSR) but not too heavy.Small leaks around the top sometimes.MSR Hyperflow:Pros:Great size, portability.Easy to keep in side pocket of pack for fill-ups at the stream, I’d be rummaging in my pack for 3 minutes while my buddy was already filling up his canteen.Decent flow rate.Comes with it’s own canteen top that fits nalgeen and camelback bottles, making fill up to the bottle hassel free. (the Vario connects too, but you need to take the bottle top off first)Cons:Filter gets clogged pretty quickly, needs to be “back flushed” to clear it out. During the week long trip it needed to be unclogged several times.Collection filter is designed to float, and collect water from one side, but it seems to always flip over to the other side while you are pumping, and needs to be constantly reset.If you are pumping a lot of water (like cooking for 4 people) you need to put your muscles to work.All in all I am very happy with the Vario and it’s perfect for me.
mjamazon –
Perfect water filter
I love this filter! I take about 4-6 backpacking trips every year and this filter always comes with me, except when it is below freezing. I always use the ceramic filter just to be safe, which still provides a fairly quick flow rate. I always look for the cleanest water possible and take care to avoid sediment as much as I can. Sometimes I will fill a separate bottle, let the sediment fall to the bottom, and then only pump the clean water down to an inch or so. I’ve never had a problem with sickness or foul-tasting water. Sometimes I get a little odor depending on the source, but it’s hardly worth mentioning.This filter is light weight and easy to pack just about anywhere. Very easy to use, simple to clean and attaches to wide mouth water bottle threads, like a Naglene. Or pair this with an MSR dromedary bag with the same threading and you’re set.I know there are people that just throw the tube into the water and pump like mad, which will evenually cause you problems. Take a few extra minutes and set up the tube away from sediment and the bottom of the stream, pond, etc. Simply putting a stick in a pond at an angle and letting the tube hang from that is a good way to pull clean water while the prefilter is suspended in water, keeping it off the floor and surface of the water.This is a great product and has served me well for 3 years now. I’m still using all the original parts since I only pump 5-8 gallons each year. Clean and store per manual instructions and you won’t have any problems. I’m afraid most of the negative reviews could have been avoided had the users cleaned the ceramic disc properly, spent more time preparing when drawing water, or bypassed the ceramic disc if necessary.
juka –
Best filter Iâve used
For the past 11 years I have spent 8 days a year hiking/camping with buddies. I have gone through numerous pumps and this is my favorite. The msr mini is more durable and the filter lasts a lot longer but it pumps super slow. This baby can fill my water bottle really fast. It costs more fire the replacement filters as well (mini is $40) by $12 but Iâm still ok with that. The one thing I donât like about this filter is the paper filter doesnât last at all. If the water is really harsh the paper filter will only last about two weeks on the slow mode. For me it is still worth it solely based on how fast and easy it pumps. You have to lube up the rings regularly but this filter is really reliable. A couple friends have it as well and no one has had a problem at all. Oh yeah another difference between the mini and this filter is the mini starts pumping slow when you need to clean the filter and this one leaks around the middle. I can pump one liter with the mini between cleaning the filter and two with this filter. Saves me a little time and makes it less annoying to get water. Iâve never gotten sick with any of the filters Iâve used. The base camp is garbage and so is any filter that only has a paper cartridge. They donât last and get clogged way too easily. If you go on a trip where you are totally dependent on a filter to clean your water you must have a ceramic cartridge. Hope this review helps.
Martin –
Great product I heard some great reviews and they wernt wrong.Thanks for such a great deal, highly recomended.Good for camping etc
Mb01 –
Broke on third use, cutting camping trip short.
Julio Rodriguez –
Excelente compra pero encontrar cómo se ensambla ya que el mÃo cuando llego fugaba y encontrar cómo se colocaban correctamente los orring fue tardado pero una vez que encuentras cómo funciona es magnifico
Just Me –
I have had this filter for some time and it stays in my day back pack as those way I donât have to carry a lot of weight in water and just get it from almost any source along the trail.Does need to be cleaned periodically as the filter does plug up but definitely recommend.
Ranger –
Lieferzeit promt , Ersatzdichtungen und Silikontube beigefügt , sehr stabil gebaut , gute Funktion, aber leider noch nicht im Einsatz getestet.