Mountain Hideaway Blog

MSR Autoflow Gravity Filter Review:

I was in the market recently for a new water filter and debated for a long time on what to get.  I started out with the Hyperflow, but the initial production of it rendered some flaws.  So 3 replacements later, I decided to go with the autoflow and was very happy with my decision.  (As a side note, MSR recalled all of their hyperflows and fixed the problem)

What I really like about the autoflow is the convenience of it.  I can go down to the stream, take up 4-6 liters of water, carry it back up to camp and filter it till I run out.  If I don’t have 4-6 liters of water that needs to be filtered, I can just let it hang there until I do need some more filtered water.  Very convenient when your camp is 1/2 mile away from the water source.

I also like the fact that is weighs almost nothing, 10.5 ounces.  This is great because I don’t feel like I am carrying a big bulky water filter anymore.  The Autoflow packs down to a 7inch by 4 inch bag and has mesh on it to allow for drying.

The only down side I can see to it, if it is even that, is that you are recommended to backflush it every 8 liters.  You only have to backflush it a half a liter and if it pretty simple.  I really do give  it a 10 out of 10, because MSR has made a filter that is easy, light, and super conveniant.

Until the next product,
Dan the Man

Ah… spring is a bloomin’ and people are starting to itch that scratch to enjoy the great outdoors. We wanted to tell you about some of the outdoor gear and clothing that we recommend for any of your outdoor activities. Technology has evolved enough that you can now stay protected from the elements and be comfortable, without your outdoor gear waying you down.

Clothing and Outerwear

Our #1 rain jacket for most spring and summer activities would hands down be the Marmot Precip Jacket. Not only does this jacket provide amazing waterproof protection, but it is extremely breathable too. It allows the water vapor to escape from your body, so that you don’t end up as wet inside as you are on the outside (thank you Long John Silver Raincoats). Weighing in at a whopping 14 oz., this jacket is a must for any outdoor activities you might be encountering.

Our Patagonia Eshie dress is just one of dresses that we are carrying this is just one of the beautiful spring season. Although it may not be outdoor gear, it is definitely something to tell you about. It is comfortable, stylish, and a head turner. Not only that, but you cant get free shipping on it. Check it out and see what you think.

Footwear and the Like
New to our stores this season is the Salomon XT Wings. These shoes are Salomon’s fastest, most-versital trail running shoe yet. It was designed to not only handle the trail with ease, but the concrete as well. A great shoe for those mixed terrain runners.

Outdoor Gear
Osprey has now upgraded their top of the line Crescent series backpack. It has now been replaced with the Argon series, which has brought some much needed improvements with a lower price tag. It still features the BioForm hipbelt and the detachable top loader that converts to a hipack. The changes made to it have made it even better. It now longer has the mesh backpanel, but instead it sports a cooler Airscape backpanel. It also has some extra convenient zippers, and neat little features like the detachable water hydration holder for your quick mid-day summits from basecamp. This is a definate purchase to consider if you want a backpack that will last you a life-time, and is custom molded to you for maximum comfort.

That’s right folks!  We finally have the MSR Hyperflow in stock. We know you have been waiting for a long time to get this water filter and now the wait is over.  This water filter, we believe, is one of the most amazing water filters on the outdoor gear market to date. It can pump 3 liters a minute and it only weighs 7.4 ounces. This is a major step up compared to previous ultralight water filters, which average about 1 liter a minute and weight twice as much.  It has a quick connect bottle adapter that lets you filter water directly into various containers, including MSR water bladders and Naglean bottles.

So how fast is 3 liters a minute?
Will think of it this way.  If you’ve taken a group of four people on a backpacking trip, and each of those people is carrying three water bottles that is well water bottles that you have to fill.  If it is your job to fill up those water bottles with an old water pump at 1 liter a minute, you’re looking at roughly 15 minutes (which includes changing bottles) to hand pump water for your group.  That is a lot of pumping and some very tired arms.  Many of our staff have done that before and it is no fun.
Now let’s consider the MSR Hyperflow water filter.  You have the same amount of bottles (12) but your time is now greatly reduced.  With a 3 liter a minute pump you can tackle all 12 bottles in roughly 6 minutes. That is a pretty big cut in time.  Not only that, but you do not walk away from it with an arm that feels like rubber.

Are you feeling lazy?
If you really don’t feel like pumping at all MSR has made the water filter for you.  Your sister filter coming out with the Hyperflow is the MSR Autoflow.  Although it does not have a 3 L/minute filtering rate, it still beats out old filters at 1.5 L/minute.  This water filter has the same filtering core, but consists of two water bladders and some tubing.  You don’t have to do any pumping at all.  You simply put your dirty water into the dirty bladder, hang up in a tree, and let it filter into the clean water bladder.
The only problem right now is that this item is still on backorder with MSR.  The Autoflow is not expected to hit stores until the beginning of June, which may or may not happen depending on production and shipping with their overseas factories.