Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter | Gear Review

We are such huge fans of our Platypus Gravityworks water filter that we wanted to provide a comprehensive review.  But this post is in no way sponsored by Platypus. The Platypus Gravityworks water filter system is so convenient and efficient compared to other water filtration systems.

As the name suggests, it uses gravity to move water through the filter.  Most other systems require you to pump the water manually, and the progress is usually slow and tedious. 

Gravity filtration is a breeze when compared to the hassle of squatting down by the water source and pumping every ounce.

I love being able to hang it and then focus on other tasks, or relax in my hammock while gravity does all the work. It has become a staple of our backpacking checklist.

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Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter

This 4-liter model is the size that Emily and I use for our backpacking trips.  We find that it’s the perfect size for 2 people (though it can easily be run a couple cycles if we need more water, or if are with friends).

Check Price on: REI.com | Amazon.com

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Stats:

Weight: 11.5oz

Filter pore size: 0.2 microns

Filter Media: Hollow fiber

Flow Rate: 1.75L/min

Cartridge Life: 1500 Liters

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How To Use A Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter

The first step is taking the “dirty” water bladder to the water source and filling it up.  It has a wide mouth opening that makes filling it up relatively easy.

Next, you connect it to the clean bladder via the tubes provided, with the filter in between.

To start the flow, you simply elevate the dirty bladder above the clean bladder.  The most common method is to find two tree branches and hang the bladders accordingly.  Each bladder has a buckled strap that makes them easy to hang.

Then just wait until gravity pushes all the water into the clean bladder.  Once it’s finished, you can just leave the clean bladder hanging and then dispense clean water via the hose. 

There is a little clip that works as an on/off valve to let you close and open the flow of water with one hand.  This is really helpful because you don’t need two people just to fill a water bottle, or fill a pot for cooking, etc.

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Testing The Filter Integrity

It’s recommended to check the integrity of the filter every time you use it by doing a quick backflush.  To do that, set up the filter normally as if you were about to filter a full bladder.  Then you simply let gravity filter about a ½ liter of water into the clean bladder and then reverse the flow by lifting the clean bladder above the dirty bladder.  This will backflush the water back into the dirty bladder.

After the clean bladder is empty again, disconnect the hose from the clean end of the filter.  Then try to blow air through the filter.  If it is airtight, then the filter is intact and you can continue filtering confidently. 

If you can blow air through the filter and see bubbles coming through the hose on the other side, then the filter has been compromised.

This backflushing process does require a little extra work, but it’s good to have reassurance.  Also, most filters of this type require similar tests, so it’s not exclusive to the Platypus Gravityworks Water Filter system.  And the amount of time and effort saved filtering with gravity far outweighs any inconvenience of the test. 

{Yes, you can use the filter without running the test, but you just run the risk of drinking from a compromised filter}

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Other Models

The Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter System has 4 different models, a 6-liter, 4-liter, 2-liter, and the 2-liter Bottle Kit.  I personally have the 4-liter model and find it to be a great size for Emily and I.

The first three systems come with a bladder for collecting “dirty” water, the microfiber filter, all hoses needed, a carrying case, and a clean water bladder that serves as a great reservoir for dispensing clean water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.  However, the 2-liter clean reservoir doesn’t have a strap for hanging, so you can just lay it on a table, stump, rock, ground or have a friend hold it while you dispense water.

The most different model is the 2-liter Bottle Kit, because is designed for people who want to filter water directly into their bottle or hydration bladder.  It doesn’t have a 2-liter clean bladder, so it’s the lightest in the Platypus lineup. 

Instead, it comes with a set of adapters to most common bottles and bladders (“Adapters interface with all Platypus bottles, push-pull sport bottle caps, and most bottles from Nalgene®, Klean Kanteen®, CamelBak® and many more”).  

So only purchase this one if you are absolutely sure that you only want to directly filter into a third-party container.  The other 2-liter Complete Kit comes with both the clean bladder, and the bottle adapters, so it is the most flexible option.

6-Liter System

6-Liter:

Check Price on: Amazon.com

4-Liter:

Check Price on: REI.com | Amazon.com

2-Liter Complete Kit:

Check Price on: REI.com | Amazon.com

2-Liter Bottle Kit:

Check Price on: REI.com | Amazon.com

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What We Love About the Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter

We love how fast and easy it is to filter 4 liters of drinking water.  Using gravity to do the work is just far more enjoyable than the other methods.

Once the water has been filtered, the clean bladder serves as a great reservoir for camp.  You can leave the bladder hanging in a tree and then use gravity to quickly fill water bottles, hydration bladders, or for cooking/cleaning.  And the dispensing valve can be used with one hand, so it’s easy for one person to operate.

The filter is effective against the most common contaminants that we encounter in North America.

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What We Don’t Love About The Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter

The clean reservoir only has a tiny hole, so it’s hard to clean/dry for storage. Luckily it only ever has clean water in it, so it’s not a huge concern. My solution is to use a paper towel on the end of a coat hanger. It’s the only way I have found to reach all the way inside the bladder to dry it out.

The 0.2 micron filter pores mean that it’s not effective against viruses and chemicals/toxins. Luckily we do most of our backpacking in the US where water sources are generally pretty clean. But if we were to travel to other countries, we may have to consider a different filter.

Occasionally the water flow doesn’t operate at its maximum flow. I think it may have to do with air bubbles getting into the filter. But this is usually fixed by just reversing the flow for a second to “reset” the system.

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Conclusion: Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter

We love our Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter!

It’s been totally reliable and easy to use whenever we need to filter water on our backpacking trips. You’ll be the envy of your friends while they are stuck down by the river laboriously pumping every ounce of water, while you kick back at camp with a glass of wine while gravity filters all your water for you. 

Trust me, after hours on the trail, you want to be the guy/gal relaxing, not the guy/gal crouching at the water’s edge getting an unwanted forearm workout.

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