Katadyn Explorer Pro water filter: modular, tough and ready for adventure
20-5-2026
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
Pictures: Siri Schubert
Katadyn has developed a modular water filter system for multi-day hikes and expeditions that adapts to your needs – and won a European Outdoor Award for it.
If you’re an avid nature lover and often go exploring on foot, by bike or by kayak, you’re bound to have asked yourself the following questions: how much water do I need to bring along? Which filter system is powerful enough, yet won’t weigh me down? And with which filters do I risk gulping bacteria, parasites, viruses and microplastics?
These questions can quickly lead to an array of water purification devices piling up among your outdoor gear, from filter bottles, presses and the Steripen to UV light bottles and Micropur tablets. I’ve been there – I own quite the sizeable collection myself.
Katadyn, a company specialised in self-sufficient drinking water supply, unveiled a modular filter at the Outdoor Business Days in Riva del Garda. It can serve as a simple water filter, or as part of a comprehensive system in tandem with an additional virus and activated carbon filter. A major plus: the Explorer Pro can be taken apart and the parts stored separately to dry. Since the main filter is made of ceramic, there’s little risk of it getting mouldy.
Three independent filter technologies in one
At the heart of the Explorer Pro is a 0.2-micron filter that removes sediments, bacteria, parasites and other protozoa from the water. As it’s made of ceramic rather than hollow fibres, it’s easy to clean and keep dry. In areas where the water is relatively clean, this filter alone is often enough.
You can also insert the activated carbon roll to remove odours and unpleasant tastes from the water, such as those caused by chlorine.
For even more peace of mind, you can screw on a virus filter with a membrane. This also makes the Explorer Pro suitable for crisis zones and areas with questionable water quality, for example places without functioning wastewater treatment or struck by flooding. Even in Swiss rivers such as the Reuss (article in German), heavy rainfall can lead to contamination with noroviruses.
These features have earned the Katadyn Explorer Pro a European Outdoor Award. «The Explorer Pro addresses a real gap in the market by providing a system that adapts to the environment rather than forcing the user to choose between protection levels,» reads the jury’s statement on the product.
Who the system is suitable for
The Explorer Pro is designed for anyone heading out on multi-day tours without reliable sources of clean water, such as hikers on international long-distance trails, mountain sports enthusiasts and people on expeditions.
Even if you’re not quite so far from civilisation, the filter can come in handy. I can think of several situations where I’d have liked to have a filter like this with me – for example, on my multi-day water bike tour in the Netherlands, where the humidity and heat were quite high at times, and the headwind made the stages drag on. We were very thirsty, but for long stretches had no way of going ashore to get drinking water. In the end, a fisherman got us out of a tight spot by giving us water.
Durability, dimensions and weight
The Explorer Pro weighs 630 grammes and is around 30 centimetres long. Its ceramic filter is supposed to purify up to 20,000 litres of water. You should, however, replace the activated carbon filter after around 500 litres depending on the water quality. According to Katadyn, the virus membrane can be used for around 10,000 litres. The pump mechanism’s rod is made of steel and appears to be durable. Each individual module can be purchased separately, making the system suitable for long-term use.
At first glance, the Explorer Pro seems expensive. But when I look at my shelf teeming with filter bottles and systems – each of which cost me around 50 to 100 francs – the Explorer Pro’s price no longer seems quite so steep. I, for one, have a nagging fear of filters going mouldy, so I’m intrigued by the Explorer Pro. I’ll be testing it soon – stay tuned if you want to learn more.
Header image: Siri Schubert
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
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