Katadyn · Updated August 2026
Katadyn Vario Water Filter: price & specs
Katadyn Vario Water Filter. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.
Source: katadyn.com verified verify in ledger
The Katadyn Vario Water Filter is listed at $99.95 on katadyn.com as of 2026-08-11, #13 cheapest of 14 backpacking water filters (median $45); other retailers may be lower. It earns a Bronze Deskmark — 4/100 pay-blind standing, #11 of 13 in class.
Verified Aug 11, 2026 · figures linked to their source in the table below
Cheapest backpacking water filters: HydroBlu Versa Flow Water Filter — $25.95
Is the Katadyn Vario Water Filter a good buy?
At $100, the Katadyn Vario Water Filter is #13 cheapest of the 14 backpacking water filters we track, where the median is $45. On the spec sheet, its rated lifetime of 1700 L is below the median of the 14, its weight of 15.9 oz is above the median of the 13, and its filtration rating microns of 0.2 is at the median of the 11.
Specifications
| Price (US) | $99.95 Long-standing published US MSRP; not session-confirmed live (see methodologyNotes). |
|---|---|
| Brand | Katadyn |
| Released | — |
| Filtration rating microns | 0.2 |
| Flow rate lpm | 2 |
| Rated lifetime (L) | 1700 |
| Filter media type | ceramic pre-filter + glass-fiber depth filter (dual-stage) |
| Removes bacteria protozoa virus | bacteria and protozoa (no virus) |
| Weight (oz) | 15.9 |
| Field cleanable backflush | Yes |
| Cartridge replaceable | Yes |
Source: katadyn.com (verified 2026-08-11). Same katadyn.com domain-wide redirect blocked live re-verification this session (see methodologyNotes). Specs given are Katadyn's long-published figures: hand-pump design with adjustable dual-flow settings (up to 2 L/min in high-flow mode using a shorter glass-fiber path, slower in high-capacity mode), a 0.2 micron ceramic disc pre-filter backed by a glass-fiber element, 1,700 L rated combined-stage lifetime before the glass-fiber element needs replacement (the ceramic disc alone can be field-scrubbed to extend use well beyond that in ceramic-only mode), 15.9 oz (450 g) weight, and a replaceable glass-fiber cartridge sold separately.
Is the Katadyn Vario Water Filter worth it vs cheaper backpacking water filters?
Katadyn Vario Water Filter against its closest cheaper and pricier backpacking water filters on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 14 ranked
| Product | Price | Filtration rating microns | Flow rate lpm | Rated lifetime (L) | Filter media type | Removes bacteria protozoa virus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katadyn Vario Water Filter this | $99.95 | 0.2 | 2 | 1700 | ceramic pre-filter + glass-fiber depth filter (dual-stage) | bacteria and protozoa (no virus) |
| Katadyn Hiker Pro Water Filter | $79.95 | 0.3 | 1 | 750 | glass-fiber depth filter + activated carbon core | bacteria and protozoa (no virus) |
| MSR Guardian Water Purifier | $350.87 | 0.02 | 2.5 | 10000 | advanced hollow-fiber membrane | bacteria, protozoa, and virus (EPA-compliant purifier) |
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Katadyn Vario Water Filter cost?
The Katadyn Vario Water Filter has a US price of $99.95 (Long-standing published US MSRP; not session-confirmed live (see methodologyNotes).), as of 2026-08-11.
How does the Katadyn Vario Water Filter compare on price?
At $100, the Katadyn Vario Water Filter is #13 cheapest of the 14 backpacking water filters we track, where the median is $45.
What are the Katadyn Vario Water Filter's key specs?
Katadyn Vario Water Filter (Katadyn): filtration rating microns 0.2, flow rate lpm 2, rated lifetime l 1700, filter media type ceramic pre-filter + glass-fiber depth filter (dual-stage), removes bacteria protozoa virus bacteria and protozoa (no virus). Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-08-11.
Price of record: $99.95 at katadyn.com, 2026-08-11. Other retailers may be lower — check the current price:
See Katadyn Vario Water Filter on Amazon As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.Similar backpacking water filters
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All backpacking water filters ranked · Open data & methodology · Queryable via MCP
Compare with
Cheaper backpacking water filters
- Katadyn Hiker Pro Water Filter $79.95
- LifeStraw Peak Series Gravity Filter System – 3L $65.95
- MSR TrailShot Pocket-Sized Water Filter $61.37
- Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System (SP2129) $45.99
- Katadyn BeFree 1.0L Water Filter $44.95
- LifeStraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze 1L Bottle with Filter $43.95
Step up
- MSR Guardian Water Purifier $350.87