MSR TrailShot vs MSR Through-Hyperlink: Water Filter Comparability

Weight, ease of use, packability, and worth are the 4 most vital components I take into account when choosing a water filter. I really like having a wide range of water purification choices obtainable and selecting the very best one to go well with every journey. For instance, I’ve discovered that high-volume gravity filters are completely superb for leisurely backpacking journeys with massive teams, whereas smaller techniques like the favored Sawyer Squeeze are perfect for solo endeavors whereas pushing miles. This fall, I added two extra filters to my rotation.

I attempted two ultralight filters from MSR: the TrailShot and the Through-Hyperlink. Whereas they’ve very totally different filtering strategies, they’re each best for lengthy path runs, day-hikes, or fast-packing journeys. Each filters excel the place athletes want small quantities of water shortly and infrequently whereas protecting weight as little as doable. Let’s check out their similarities and variations.

Circumstances of Overview

Over the previous few fall months, I’ve examined each of those filters on a wide range of lengthy path runs and hikes. I primarily targeted on ease of use, velocity, packability, and weight in my comparability. These filters are each nice choices for quick and light-weight solo journey.

MSR TrailShot

At-a-Look

MSR TrailShot vs MSR Through-Hyperlink comparability: the MSR TrailShot.

• $49.95 MSRP
• 5 ounces
• 2.4 x 6 x 6 inches
• 1 liter/minute move
• Subject washable

Leap to the MSR Through-Hyperlink At-a-Look.

Preliminary Impressions

Filtering straight into my bladder mid-run in a notoriously “gross” Wasatch lake.

“Wow, for those who’re going to drink out of THAT then you will need to imagine within the filter.” My first expertise with the MSR TrailShot was on an extended path run with a bunch of associates. In an try to sustain with these velocity demons, I traveled as gentle as doable and threw a filter in my pack as an alternative of an additional liter of water. Proper out of the field I discovered the TrailShot extraordinarily easy and easy to make use of. It reliably filters water straight into any container, although it requires a little bit of bodily effort to pump.

I really like how simple it’s to stash the TrailShot when not in use. It suits into principally any backpack pocket, together with hip belt, shoulder, or fanny pack pockets. Moreover, it both filters into any container or straight into your mouth. For trails the place water is plentiful, hikers might in concept go with out water and simply cease to drink straight from the supply through the TrailShot.

Whereas I really like the simplicity and packability of the TrailShot, the filtering course of does require a little bit of finesse. First, you must discover a spot the place you may squat down whereas balancing the filter in a single hand and your water container in one other. Conserving all the things in place whereas vigorously pumping the filter took a little bit of observe, however by my second run with the TrailShot it already felt simpler.  Total, it’s an especially environment friendly strategy to filter water the place the aim is to hold much less water and cease to filter extra incessantly.

TrailShot Professionals and Cons

Extra time spent actively filtering the water additionally means colder fingers within the winter.

Professionals 

• Light-weight & stashable anyplace, would slot in a fanny pack or hip belt pocket
• Versatility; simply filters into any container (tender flasks, bladders, Nalgenes, and so forth.)
• Able to exit of the field

Cons

• Filtering requires bodily effort
• May be tough in shallow/soiled water
• Heavier than the Through-Hyperlink

Store the MSR TrailShot Filter

MSR Through-Hyperlink

At-a-Look

MSR TrailShot vs MSR Through-Hyperlink comparability: The MSR Through-Hyperlink.

• $39.95
• 2.5 ounces
• 7.5 x 1.6 x 1.6 inches
• 1.5 liters/minute move
• Subject washable

Leap to the MSR TrailShot At-a-Look.

Preliminary Impressions

The Through-Hyperlink makes the filtering course of take so long as it takes to refill your bladder. Excellent for quick hikers and path runners.

The Through-Hyperlink is a novel in-line filter that attaches on to your hydration bladder. It requires no lively filtering and supplies a gentle stream of unpolluted water with each sip. It’s best for hikers, runners, and fast-packers who already use a hydration bladder and need to spend as little time filtering as doable. Whereas it could actually additionally *technically* be used as a gravity filter, you must maintain down repeatedly on the chunk valve for this to work. This makes the Through-Hyperlink a much less versatile filter than different choices.

Filters available on the market with a comparable weight (just like the Sawyer Micro or Mini) require much more work. The Through-Hyperlink is a viable possibility for an FKT try or long term (like Rim to Rim to Rim) the place you need to spend as little time stopping and filtering as doable. All you must do is replenish your bladder, be sure that the filter is connected, and preserve trekking.

I didn’t learn the directions for the Through-Hyperlink and popped it into my operating vest for my first use. Had I gone via the guidelines beforehand, I might have seen the majority and awkwardness of the filter connected to my operating vest bladder, and trimmed the straw. Nevertheless, even when I had reconfigured, the Through-Hyperlink is awkward with smaller packs. Ideally, I might need to use it with a trampoline-style suspension (like an Osprey daypack).

Through-Hyperlink Professionals and Cons

I by no means discovered a strategy to get the filter to put comfortably with my operating vest.

Professionals 

• Extraordinarily light-weight
• Requires little or no time when stopping to “filter” water
• Appropriate with any bladder

Cons

• Requires a little bit of setup earlier than use
• Feels cumbersome with out the appropriate pack
• Each sip requires a *skosh* extra effort
• Much less versatile than the TrailShot

Store the MSR Through-Hyperlink Filter

MSR TrailShot vs MSR Through-Hyperlink: Which Do I Select and When?

Due to their totally different kinds, I select the Through-Hyperlink for hikes and the TrailShot for path runs. I do my finest to drink on the go whereas operating, and the additional effort required to pump the Through-Hyperlink whereas ingesting was too strenuous for a constant move whereas operating. Additionally, I by no means discovered a method for the Through-Hyperlink to put comfortably whereas utilizing my operating vest. A bigger day-hiking pack has far more room to stash the filter. Nevertheless, I’ve had a ton of success utilizing the Through-Hyperlink on lengthy hikes the place my tempo is extra manageable and I don’t need to cease for prolonged durations of time for filtering.

The TrailShot is my go-to for larger coronary heart charge actions, like fast-packing, lengthy path runs, or all-day mountain bike rides. Primarily, it’s as a result of I’m capable of take brief and frequent breaks and carry simply how a lot I would like at a time. And, after I’m accomplished filtering, I don’t have to fret about utilizing additional effort to pump the filter via a straw.

Closing Ideas

Whichever filter you select, it’ll pair completely with lengthy days within the mountains.

There are such a lot of water purification choices available on the market. Every one has very particular execs and cons, and it’s troublesome to pinpoint which one is good for you. Two of MSR’s ultralight filters, the TrailShot and the Through-Hyperlink, are superb choices for hikers and athletes who journey quick and light-weight. One liter of water weighs 2.2 kilos. So bringing a filter weighing in at lower than half a pound and constantly carrying much less water makes a lot sense. With both of those two filters and on a path with plentiful water, I really feel assured carrying lower than one liter at a time.

Store the MSR TrailShot Filter

Store the MSR Through-Hyperlink Filter

The MSR TrailShot and Through-Hyperlink filters have been donated for objective of overview/

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