Platypus Gravity Works Water Filtration System 2L&4L *Updated*

Platypus Gravity Works Water Filtration system.

Platypus Gravity Works Water Filtration System, USE TEST REVIEW

Editor: Cory McLaughlin

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Just the Facts:

Update: Below

PRODUCT DETAILS 2L

An ultralight and versatile water filter that makes it easy to treat water for 2-4 people on backpacking, hiking, and backcountry trips, the pump-free GravityWorks 2.0L Complete Kit filters up to 1.5 liters a minute. Plus, it comes with a complete range of adapters, and a high-capacity collapsible bottle, for easy tailoring of the system to meet different needs on different trips.

• Complete Kit: Easily configure the system to your needs with the included 2.0L flexible water bottle and adapters* for maximum versatility and adaptability.
• No pumping: Just fill the dirty reservoir, hang it, and let gravity do the hard work—yep, filtering water can be as easy as fill, hang, relax.
• Fast: Filters up to 1.5 liters per minute; microfilter lifetime up to 1,500 liters of water.
• Effective: Every microfilter is individually tested to ensure it meets EPA & NSF guidelines for the removal of 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.9% of protozoa**.
• Ultralight & Ultracompact: System can weigh as little as 6.3 oz. (180 g) and stows smaller than most 1L bottles (depends on configuration).
• Field-cleanable: Microfilter can be easily backflushed in 4 seconds to maintain filter performance.
• Hollow Fiber Advantage: Hundreds of tiny, hollow fibers, enable the microfilter to filter water faster than traditional filter media.
• Easy collecting & dispensing: Collecting water is easy—simply open the top, scoop water, and close; control delivery of filtered water with hose shutoff clamp.

PRODUCT SPECS 2L

PRODUCT DETAILS 4L

Filtering up to 1.75 liters a minute without any pumping, the high-capacity GravityWorks 4.0L water filter is one of the easiest and fastest ways to get filtered water in the backcountry. Ideal for bigger backpacking groups or basecamps, the system has an 8 liter total capacity, easily supplying filtered water for drinking, washing up, cooking, and cleaning.

• No pumping: Just fill the dirty reservoir, hang it, and let gravity do the hard work—yep, filtering water can be as easy as fill, hang, relax.
• Fast: Filters up to 1.75 liters per minute; microfilter lifetime up to 1,500 liters of water.
• Effective: Every microfilter is individually tested to ensure it meets all EPA & NSF guidelines for the removal of 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.9% of protozoa*.
• Light & Compact: System weighs 11.5 oz. (326 g) and stows smaller than most 1L bottles.
• Group-ready: 8 liter (4.0L filtered + 4.0L unfiltered) total capacity easily supplies water for groups.
• Field-cleanable: Microfilter can be easily backflushed in 4 seconds to maintain filter performance.
• Hollow Fiber Advantage: Hundreds of tiny, hollow fibers, enable the microfilter to filter water faster than traditional filter media.
• Easy collecting & dispensing: Collecting water is easy—simply open the top, scoop water, and close; control delivery of filtered water with hose shutoff clamp.

Comes with: 4.0L Clean reservoir, 4.0L Dirty reservoir, Hollow Fiber microfilter, hoses, shutoff clamp, and storage sack.

*This includes Giardia, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Salmonella and Cholera.

Made in U.S.A. of U.S. and Imported Materials

PRODUCT SPECS 4L

My Story:
Water. Water is arguably the most important substance on earth. Without water nothing can live and that would pose a very large problem for us humans. No water means no food. Ironically it is the lack of water that will kill you before the lack of food. Water is literally the element of life. Without it, we are dust. So, being that water is so vital it is hard to believe that it can also be very detrimental to ones survival. The water is not the problem as much as all the little fun bacteria and protozoa that also enjoy it’s ability to sustain life. Again, it’s not the water as much as the little buggers that live suspended in it. When we find ourselves ravaged by an insatiable thirst they are the last thing on our minds. Unfortunately, that can cause our fragile immune systems some serious trouble. So what are we to do with all the lakes, ponds, creeks, and rivers, out there teasing us with that cool clear delicious nectar? Well, to that I say… Drink up my friends!
No, I’m not trying to make you sick. I do not delight in the torment and discomfort of others. I say drink because I have the knowledge. Knowledge as you know is power. I have the power to drink from the life’s blood of the earth without fear of the bugs that may live suspended within. I have a filter that uses the two most powerful forces on earth. What are they? Why, water and gravity what else?
I had a backpacking trip in the works and was searching the web for a water filtration device. I came across the Platypus Gravity Works 2L Water Filtration Kit. I arranged to have a product sent to me for testing and review. When the box arrived on my door I had only a few days before my trip and thus begins my journey.
The Gravity Works Water Filter is about as simple as it gets. The kit comes with two large clear containers. One is the 2L dirty water bag with a drain and zip-top closure and the other is the 2L Platy Bottle. There are two sections of clear tubing on shorter than the other and equipped with a quick connect fitting. There is one Gravity Works Filter and two different bottle attachments for both larger Nalgene type bottles Platy Bottles. All this comes in a nice two sided zippered case that comes to a surprisingly light weight of 11.5 ounces.
I was taking my wife to a local hiking trail that we had not yet had the pleasure of walking. The trip was relatively short, only 5 miles each way, but we were going to have a late start and that was about as far as we could make it with the daylight we had. Friday was upon us and it was hot, sweltering painfully hot. The bank sign read 110 degrees F as we passed by it. What a day to choose to go for an overnight packing trip. Water was going to be an absolute must and as luck would have it this trail followed the Sothern fork of the Walla Walla River. Finding water was going to be no trouble at all.
We hit the trail at a good pace trying to make sure we could get to our camp before dark. The heat was parasitic as it seemingly sucked the sweat and energy out of me. It was not long before we needed to refill our water bottles. I took the Gravity Works Water Filter kit out of my pack and found an easy access to the river. Now, I have used many water filters in the past and this is not my first rodeo with a gravity filter either. I have to say that Platypus has outdone themselves with this dirty water bag. It is fantastic! Not only does it fill quickly it does so effortlessly. The wide opening allows for the bag to take in a large amount of water while the plastic material is just stiff enough to hold shape and not collapse as it enters the water. This is truly a great aspect of this system. Now that I had a bag full of cool river water it was time to make it safe to drink.

I found a nice tree to hang the bag from. The clear tubing is very soft and easily connects to the nipples on either side of the filter. The quick connect fitting snapped into the dirty bag and flow started. I chose to use the large bottle adapter as it was the best choice for what I was filling up. The Filter preformed just a touch slower than advertised filtering the first 1.5 liters in about 1 minute 12 seconds. Still not to shabby. Once our first refill was complete the filter was packed up and we were on our way again. I have to say that in the intense heat that we were experiencing I was very happy not to be down on my knees pumping water out of the river. Gravity has no concept of heat thus making it a far better laborer in the task of water filtration.

We stopped and filled our water once more before camp. Once at camp we dumped our water out in the river and refilled with new cold water. I really could not get over how nice the dirty water bag was sand how simple it was to fill. I also very much enjoy the water bottle attachment as it leaves very little room for error of spilled water.
This cycle was my third cycle without a backflush and though I did not notice a great decrease in flow I decided to backflush the filter anyway. This is the only part of this system that I find to be a little troubling as the recommendations are to backflush every 2-4 liters though it is a simple procedure. It is done by simply lifting the clean water bag above the dirty water bag and allowing clean water to run back through the filter dislodging any debris that might be slowing the flow. I also, was a bit concerned by the filters life of only 1,500 liters. Admittedly this is a large quantity of water but for a system that seems to have really done so well in all other aspects this is a slight shortfall.
The filter itself is rated to .02 microns which means that ALL those nasty little bugs, Bacteria and Protozoa, including Giardia, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Salmonella and Cholera are doomed to be caught within and never make it into your clean bottle. This filter is not rated for chemicals so if you have bad water that has been contaminated by chemicals you will need to go find another source. The filter is also not rated for viruses. Though the risk for viruses in North America is very low you will want to research the area and take necessary precautions.
This Gravity Works Water Filter system does do its job. What more can you ask for? It takes water that is dangerous and makes it safe. It requires no real physical exertion to use and is faster than many of the other pump filters. It is a great hands free alternative to those pesky pumps and is extremely lightweight. If you are in the market for a water filtration kit The Platypus Gravity Works Water Filter should definitely be on your radar. It is a great system with a filter that will provide you with nearly 400 gallons of clean drinking water.

UPDATED FOR 2018 and the 4L version!

Platypus has done it again! If you ready the above review you would have noticed that I am awfully fond of this great water filter. The only thing I ever wanted out of this was a bit more water. Well, thank goodness that Platypus makes a 4L version of this great system as well!

There are a few things that I think should be noted before you take this out into the field. If possible you are going to want to let you water settle out before you run the system. This will minimize the amount of sediment that you allow into the filter. I almost always stop the filtration process about an inch from the bottom and just discard the last bit of water so as to prolong the filter life. I also would suggest back flushing after each use. This is done by simply lifting the clean water bag above the dirty bag and applying a bit of pressure until you get a flow out of the filter in the opposite direction. This will also help keep the filter clean and at optimal performance.

Lastly you are going to want to make sure to burp the clean water bag. The water will eventually take over the bag and the air inside will compress and can stop the flow if it becomes excessive. Burping the bag is done by simply unscrewing the clean water end and allowing the air to escape. It is not necessary to do this every time but it will be clearly evident when and if it needs to be done.       

I was very excited to get my first use out of this filter during a backcountry shed hunting trip with my brother. We had hiked long and hard and our water was all used up. I loved that this system was large enough to replenish our supply with just one fill up. There is something to be said about a simple design that not only saves time but works flawlessly.

The next testing area was out on a great backpacking trip to Hells Canyon. The weather was hot and the water was going fast. There were 4 of us on this trip and the extra 2L that this system offered were very useful as we were able to get out bottles and bladders full quickly and then get back on the trail.

The last test of what had already proven to be a fantastic filter came when I was on a hiking trip with my daughters in Oregon’s Eagle Cap Wilderness. I was again blessed with great success and also a bit of entertainment as my girls really like using this filter and kept finding reasons to go get us more water. This last trip was the full seal stamp of approval from this reviewer and has officially made the Platypus Gravity Works 2l or 4L my go to filter of choice for all my adventures in the wild!

Find It Here:
https://www.platy.com/filtration/gravityworks-2l-complete-kit

https://www.platy.com/filtration/gravityworks-4-0l-filter

What can be done better?
This system is fantastic! There is not much room for improvement here. I will say that I would like to see the filter last a little longer. There are similar products in the same price range that advertise much longer filter life. Aside from that this is just a great system. You will not regret this purchase.