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

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.