Platypus Quickdraw Ultralight 1 Liter Backpacking Water Filter System

Easy to use. Fast and a great value. Fill a liter of water in a few seconds.

The Platypus QuickDraw is one of the best overall water filters I’ve tested. I’m using it daily to filter all of my drinking water (even tap) for medical reasons, so it’s getting constant use alongside the Katadyn BeFree, LifeStraw stainless, Solo Peak, and Sawyer Squeeze.Taste-wise, this is much better than the Katadyn BeFree. Like all 0.1–0.2 micron filters, it has a slight chemical taste when the filter is dry—but it clears quickly. After running maybe 10–15 liters through it early on, the worst of it faded. Now I just run half a bag of water through after it’s been sitting dry, and the taste improves immediately. No strong plastic flavor like Katadyn.Flow rate is solid, slower than Katadyn by about 30–50%, but noticeably better than LifeStraw stainless or Sawyer Squeeze. For me, it's totally acceptable for daily use.Design is excellent:– Comes with a universal bottle adapter– Flip top on the clean end is very secure– Dirty end has a protective cap– Compact and easy to stash in a bag or travel pouchSome people report leaking—I think that’s due to under-tightening. The threads take more turns than you’d expect to seal. You think it’s tight, but you can usually get another half turn in. Once sealed properly, mine hasn’t leaked.What really stands out is the durability.Compared to the Katadyn—which looks like a beefed-up SmartWater bottle—the Platypus just feels rugged. It has a military-grade vibe, especially the quickdraw reservoir. I don’t know how it’ll hold up long-term, but so far, so good.That said, a reminder for all these filters: the internal membranes are delicate.– They can’t freeze (or be exposed to temps even close to freezing)– They shouldn’t be dropped– You need to integrity test them regularlyI keep mine indoors, test them about once a week, and try to prevent drops... though the cats occasionally push them off the counter. So far, none have failed.To test integrity: try pushing air through the filter. You shouldn’t be able to—only water should pass. If you can blow air through, the membrane is compromised.Final thoughts:If Katadyn fixed their taste issue, that’d be my #1 for sheer ease and speed. But until then, Platypus wins on flavor, build quality, and versatility. I could easily see using this filter at home, while traveling, or outdoors—and trusting it every time.

I love(d) my Sawyer water filter, and just assumed that the difficulty in filling the bladder and squeezing the water was the price I had to pay. These bladders are so much easier to use! I understand that there is a minuscule difference between the two brands in the microns of the filters, and perhaps that's why the Platypus is easier to squeeze. But I'm hiking in mountains with pretty pure water to begin with, and I've had zero issues (even in areas with beaver activity). The Platypus is easier to fill, faster to filter. No leaks, light enough.This filters bacteria and protozoa. Nothing will filter viruses, you need a UV light filter for that, which is important to understand. The Platypus does not come with a syringe for cleaning/back-washing, like the Sawyer. I will use it until it becomes clogged/hard to use and then replace the filter itself.

Best filter I’ve used so far! First off the speed of water is crazy! You can let it drain out a good bit or if you squeeze you get a lot more flow rate! I filled 1L in like 30 sec or so. The weight is perfect for backpacking and it fairly lightweight. Durability seems very good the plastic body is very robust not flimsy. For the money def gonna recommend it!

Used on a quick overnight on Blood Mountain, Georgia. Easy to use even when the stream was running slow. Quickly filled 2 of our 1 liter bottles. Stores small in the pack. Must have for backpacking or camping or in your emergency stash.

Very easy to use and the filter flow is good.

Fantastic filter system. No tedious pumping, super light, and packs down small. 10/10 would recommend

Light weight, compact, and fairly easy and quick to use. I use the Platypus bicycle-camping by hand-holding it and squeezing into a standard bike bottle rather than using the fancy threaded adapter for common water bottles.I can’t attest to effectiveness of the filtered water, other than I haven’t been sick. Some mom & pop campgrounds with well water are a little spooky, and the Platypus gives peace of mind if nothing else.

The fastest filter on track - everyone using a Sawyer Squeeze is asking what this is and how it’s so fast.

The water bag is pretty durable and the filter works great and surprisingly fast. For the price, this filter is hard to beat

Exquisit product, even its package and its directions of use are premium!! lightweight and yet robust, it is a guarantee for drinking clear water in the backcountry

Essais concluants

Really fast flow easy too use and fairly lightweight rolls up easy too pack small great edition to camping and hiking kit