Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Hydrapak Seeker+ 3L and 28mm Filter Kit Review
Released earlier this year as part of their new water filtration lineup, the Hydrapak Seeker+ 3L is an ultralight water storage bag with an integrated filter for purifying dirty water. Following a several months of testing a Seeker+ 3L with the thread-on 28mm Filter Kit, Miles shares his review here…
As someone with a few Hydrapak soft-sided flasks lying around, I was excited to see Hydrapak enter the water filtration game earlier this year. Having a reliable way to filter water while bikepacking is crucial when resupply points are limited or when traveling in remote areas, and I’ve tried many of the options out there, from portable filters like the MSR Trailshot and Sawyer Squeeze to larger pump-style devices that are normally reserved for paddling trips. Some work better than others, but in the end, I’ve come to appreciate the simplicity of the thread-on squeeze style filters like those from Katadyn, Sawyer, and now Hydrapak.
Best known for their collection of soft-sided flasks and water storage options, Hydrapak now offers a complete line of water filtration devices. The lineup includes two thread-on filters and three soft-sided storage flasks with integrated filters. I got my hands on the mid-sized Seeker+ 3L and thread-on 28mm Filter Kit just before I took off to Australia and have been using them both fairly regularly for the past two months.
Hydrapak Seeker+ 3L Review
Sitting in between the Flux 1.5L and the Seeker 6L, the Hydrapak Seeker+ 3L is a water storage bladder with built-in filtration. The Seeker itself is constructed from a lightweight TPU material with RF-welded seams. It’s 100% BPA and PVC free, can be frozen, and has a few lash points for carrying or to set up a gravity filter system at camp. It comes with Hydrapak’s new 42mm filter cap, which threads directly onto the bladder and is also compatible with all of Hydrapak’s 42mm bottles, including the smaller 1.5L Flux, UltraFlask, and SkyFlasks. The beauty of the entire lineup is that everything is cross-compatible, so you can use the Hydrapak bottles you already own with the new filters.
The filter itself removes waterborne bacteria, such as E. coli (99.9999%) and parasitic cysts (99.999%) per EPA Guide Standards and NSF P231 and microplastics (99.999%). It uses a single-stage < .2 micron hollow fiber filter, and because it threads onto the inside of the cap, it's protected while not in use. Filtering water was quick and pain-free at the beginning, but like most filters, the flow rate quickly slowed. By the end of our Australia trip, it required some mild squeezing to keep the flow rate up, and relying on gravity resulted in only a little more than a trickle.
Overall, I found the Seeker+ to be the perfect addition to our six-week Australia tour. It was nice knowing we had a large-capacity bladder for stretches without resupply or natural water sources, and it was handy to have 3L of water at camp ready to go for the mornings. On one particularly hot and dusty evening, we even took turns using the bladder as a shower, which was equal parts romantic and functional.
- Material: TPU, PP, TPU Coated Nylon Fabric, POM, ABS, Hollow Fiber
- Weight: 127g (4.5 oz)
- Place of Manufacture: China
- Price: $60 USD
- Manufacturer’s Details: HydraPak.com
Hydrapak 28mm Filter Kit Review
The Hydrapak 28mm filter is an inline water filter that threads directly onto the popular 28mm bottle opening or flask. It uses Hydrapak’s Plug’n’Play connect system to connect with various adapters and caps, reservoirs, bladders, and bottles. The filter itself shares the same specs as the Seeker+, removing 99.99% of E Coli and Parasitic cysts and filtering approximately 1,500 liters of fresh water at a rate of > 1L/minute.
I’ve found the 28mm filter to be great for smaller bottles and solo outings when carrying lots of fresh water isn’t essential. On a recent overnighter, I simply rolled the filter up in my 1L Hydrapak Stow flask, creating a portable and lightweight filtration system that easily tucked away into the depths of my frame bag. The 28mm thread size is also compatible with many common plastic bottles, including SmartWater and other single-use options, which provides some reassurance in the unlikely event that your main flask/bottle is damaged.
Although I didn’t have a chance to try the 28mm filter inline with a bladder and hydration hose, I could see that setup being useful for anyone who likes drinking from a bladder on the go. The various add-ons and adapters make it a neat little system, and the fact that it can work with other bladders and bottles with a 28mm threaded opening is the cherry on top.
- Material: PP/POM, EPDM, Silicone, Hollow Fiber
- Weight: 47g (1.6 oz)
- Place of Manufacture: China
- Price: $40 USD
- Manufacturer’s Details: HydraPak.com
Wrap Up
Hydrapak’s new water filtration system is impressive. Neil and I have both had the opportunity to test out some of the filters, and we’ve had similar experiences. Collapsible water storage is great while bikepacking as the bottles pack down small when you don’t need them but can easily expand when you do. For long-distance bikepacking trips, it’s incredibly handy to have a 3L+ bladder on hand. The addition of an integrated filter like the one found on the Seeker+ levels the whole system up, too. Neil and I both found the filters required some pressure to move the water through the filter, but they’re easily cleaned by swishing them and rinsing in clean water. I’m looking forward to using Hydrapak’s filters on many more bikepacking trips in the summer ahead.
Further Reading
Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info...
Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.
Share This
