Platypus QuickDraw Microfilter

2023-09-11T20:00:00

This thing is awesome. I used it archery hunting and it filters fast. There was other people filtering the same time as me and I filtered mine and my friends bladder before anyone was done. I used it all week and had no issues. Easy to clean and maintain. Took up no room in my bag. Was able to fill my bladder and drink water on the spot. Highly recommend this product.

Brian K.

Originally posted at

2023-09-09T20:00:00

I purchased this filter on 5/30/22 ? I used it on 10 backpacking trips and it worked great. Following each trip, I followed Platypus' directions on cleaning, properly storing and performing the integrity-check. However, after this last backpacking trip, I did all 3 steps again and the filter did NOT pass the integrity-check. There was a solid stream of bubbles from multiple spots in the filter filaments. I have been extremely careful as to NOT dropped this filter and have never had it be used in the field in below-freezing conditions, nor have I ever stored it in below-freezing conditions. Therefore, with the filaments compromised, I can no longer use this filter. Before failing its integrity-check, I LOVED this filter and really had a good experience. The only reason it is receiving anything less than 5-stars is for the sheer fact that it is not a durable filter.

Susi A.

Originally posted at

2023-01-24T19:00:00

Great flow volume! The size and weight make it perfect for tossing in the backpack.

Paul A.

Originally posted at

2022-09-03T20:00:00

I've done many long distance back country trips, and through the years have used multiple filters and chemical treatments. The last few years I've been using either Aquamira or the Sawyer filter. This is by far my favorite method. Compared to the Sawyer, it's very fast. I used mine for the first time on a thru-hike of the Great Divide Trail. I was amazed how quickly it filtered in the beginning all the way through to the end. (I always tried to find reasonably clean water, avoiding muddy or glacial water, and I'd back-flush once every couple of weeks or so.) Very satisfying to see the fast flow rate after weeks of daily use. This filter is a huge improvement over the Sawyer because of the flow rate, the fast flow rate lasting, the ability to back-flush with a bottle with compatible threads, the caps at each end that allow me to throw it in my sleeping bag to prevent it from freezing (with the Sawyer I needed a Ziploc). The gasket is a vast improvement over the Sawyer, whose gasket tends to fall out or leak from over-tightening. The Quickdraw is much faster than Aquamira and properly used should be somewhat more effective against giardia, my primary concern. Two criticisms of the QuickDraw: the end cap should be attached or a bright color. Get in the habit of watching where you put your filter and bottle caps. Also the OUTSIDE threads are a weak spot if you're using the "System." However, the INSIDE threads were bomber for me when using a smartwater bottle. Many other 28mm bottles also fit. The QuickDraw is my answer to water filtering.

Buck N.

Originally posted at

2022-04-29T20:00:00

This thing puts out water quick. Big difference from the Be Free. Super light, and added bonus that is has a closable cap so there's no water dripping out when you're done. I used to be adverse to using squeeze method for water, but I'm on board now, considering how fast this fills a jug. I use a 3L Platy to squeeze into my ultra light 48oz Nalgene (which I now use in place of a clunky bladder, by using a Swig Rig), and it takes no time at all. Great filter!

alex a.

Originally posted at

2022-04-27T20:00:00

I have had lots of water filters (pump and gravity) and will boil water at camp when I don't want to carry a filter - which seems to be the case more often than not. This filter has changed the game for me. Because of the small size, light weight and ease of use, I am more likely to bring this with me now instead of carrying more water than I need to on the trail, or even on trips where water weight is less of an issue. I will always bring my gravity system for car camping or multiday river trips, but this gets tossed into my day bag as an on-the-go filter while floating a river or for refilling along the trail. I haven't been drawn in by the other squeeze filters in the market...they seem cheap which makes them feel untrustworthy to me. I know there were some defective quickdraws that went out (slow flow) but I know that issue has been solved and mine is fast and one of my new favorite pieces of gear.

Audrey

Originally posted at

2021-12-18T19:00:00

Leagues better than the Sawyer. I picked up one of these from a local shop when my Sawyer unexpectedly failed alongside multiple Sawyer bag failures. The Quickdraw has held strong for 8 months and keeps going! I ditched the Platypus squeeze bag, it was worth it's salt, but I prefer my Vecto 3L for filling my three 1L Vesica's. I love that I don't have to carry around a syringe to backwash it. I've used it more times than I can count and have spent a total of 60 days on the trail using it exclusively. I watched a video by "Senior Hiker 77" on YouTube about the Quickdraw and it was extremely useful for learning more about the filter, especially to clearly check if it's still safe to use. I highly recommend this filter to everyone!

Bishop

Originally posted at

2021-10-23T20:00:00

Time will tell regarding its longevity (i.e. loss of flow rate with time), but the filter works well. The flow rate is a tad better than the Sawyer Squeeze at the expense of a larger pore size in the hollow fibers, but it's plenty small to get the bacteria/parasites and no filter is small enough to get all the viruses anyway. Extremely easy to shake/backflush to keep the flow rate consistent. Used it in the Rockies without issue.

Brian C.

Originally posted at

2021-08-30T20:00:00

Used it for 5 days on the Lake Superior Coastal trail: very easy to use, fills up a litre quickly, and compact enough to keep in my pack?s hip belt pocket. Only 4 stars because I haven?t found a ?dirty? bladder that is easy to fill without dunking my whole hand in the ?dirty? water (I?ve tried Platy Soft Bottle and SmartWater bottle)

Sophie B.

Originally posted at

2021-05-31T20:00:00

I recently took the QuickDraw on a 3 day backpack in the Trinity Alps and it came in clutch all weekend! This thing was pretty much a constant carry while hiking, scrambling and fishing the streams and lakes. Everyone in my party was using it constantly to fill their bottles or drink from directly. The reservoir is the perfect size for packability.

Wag

Originally posted at

2021-05-09T20:00:00

I've used just about every lightweight filter on the market and I think the QuickDraw might be my new go-to water treatment for three-season backpacking. It's been a while since there's been much innovation in the lightweight filter market, but the fact that this filter has caps on both ends of it (making sleeping with it to prevent freezing painless) and that it can be field-tested to see if it has been compromised are two great innovations on a hollow-membrane filter. I used this filter for the entire length of the Arizona Trail (AZT) and filtered everything from cow pond water to scummy wildlife tanks with it. The flow rate diminished with use, but it bounced back with cleaning/backflushing (although it never returned to its original rate - which is to be expected with a hollow-membrane filter). Overall, very excited to see a new product in this space and very happy with its performance. Note: I was given a QuickDraw by Platypus for testing and reviewing purposes.

Tyler F.

Originally posted at

2021-05-09T20:00:00

I used the filter for a 3-day trip to Yosemite. The flow rate is awesome. The dirty water bottle is easy to fill in both streams and lakes. The only issue is the threads on the dirty water reservoir. Instead of using normal threads that you can start at any rotation, it has two protruding plastic pieces that you need to align precisely. Attaching the filter to the reservoir is very finicky and requires more force than feels comfortable. If you mis-thread the filter (which you will do 3 times before getting it right), you end up damaging the threads on the filter. Mine broke after only 3 days.

Marcus

Originally posted at