- HydraPak UltraFlask+ 500ml - Filtered, Compressible Soft Flask Water Bottle for Hydration Vests and Running Packs with Integrated Water Filter (500ml / 17oz)

Just got back from a 9 day backcountry hike and i really loved having this. Glad I got this last minute. It spared me from having to use my normal gravity filter setup which does work great and is reliable but this is half the weight, a third of the bulk, much faster, easier and clutter free. It worked the whole time, not a glitch to be found. I think these types of flter do slow down and need maintenance to keep them going well but with my constant use for all those days I noticed it stayed flowing very well. I usually use an inline carbon filter but here I used just this and the taste was great. Of course, it was Adirondack water, but it did filter most of the tannens and I didn't get sick from all the beaver activity in the vicinity. So taste was great and I didnt notice any plastic taste at any time by the way. I liked that this could stand up on its own like a bottle if I wanted and it fit into my rather small backpack strap stretch mesh. I could just drink straight from it but i preferred just taking it out and putting it back in when done and it had just the right rigidity to push right in but still be flexible when needed. Another great creature was the little bite nozzle pulled off so that I could squeeze water into another bottle which I used for shaking up a coffee or electrolyte drink. The nozzle fits right back on and doesn't come off unintentionally. To drink is easy and just a bit of pressure gives water. Most of the water in the bottle squeezes out so there's not a whole bunch of wasted space and doesn't need too many dips to get the amount of water needed. I'd say about 2 of these full would squeeze out around 20 ounces. If you're ultralight hiking like I was, I highly recommend you spend the extra couple of bucks on this one because for that slight bit more you get perfection.

It works but is difficult to use.

Fantastic for my hiking pack! Easy to use, weightless and saves space in my pack for other essentials. Perfect security for the back country, I don't have to worry about having enough essential water! I use it to fill my hydration bladder.

Used in a recent unsupported 50k race, No issues, worked as expected. (You can take the bite valve off to make pouring filtered water into other containers faster and easier).

Not sure if our tap water is so disgusting that no filter can help it or what, but this filter does not seem to be effective for our tap water. Water tastes as disgusting as when it comes out of the tap.