MSR Guardian Grav­i­ty Puri­fi­er: A Nomad Lifesaver

Portable and Travel Friendly

For me, portability is a key requirement, a product that's a hassle to pack or carry just won't cut it. One of the main benefits of the Guardian Gravity Purifier is how compact and light it is. It fits in my carry-on and doesn’t break my back, so moving it from place to place isn’t an issue. Its size is a huge plus for nomads who move around frequently or backcountry campers and hikers who have to carry all their gear.

Minimal Maintenance Needed

Opening the purge hose flushes the system and maintains the filter's flow, which doesn’t even feel like cleaning. The only other requirement for the purifier is disinfecting it before long-term storage (15 days or more). This is very simple and step-by-step instructions can be found in the official MSR instruction manual.

Long Life Span

The filter cartridge can purify 3,000+ litres before needing a replacement. Everyone’s needs are different but as an example, I use about 6 litres a day, so I’ll get 500 days out of the filter before needing a new one. That's almost a year and a half!

Good Taste

One feature of the purifier that I really appreciate is the activated carbon in the filter, which improves the taste of the water. So far, I’ve used the Guardian Gravity Purifier every day for 7 months and filtered 1450 litres of water. I’ve even used it in places where the water has a high mineral content and usually has a metallic taste. Thankfully after filtering, I couldn’t taste it.

Filter Vs. Purifier

I chose a purifier over a filter because I’m frequently in areas where water treatment isn’t at a high standard. The following explanation from MSR helped me understand the difference between the two options:

“The main difference lies in the level of protection they provide. Generally speaking, a water filter is designed to remove waterborne protozoa and bacteria, but not viruses. A water purifier is designed to combat all three classes of microbes, including viruses”.

High and Heavy

To get the water flowing at top speed, you want the dirty water bag hanging about 6 feet above the container you're filling up. I struggle to lift a full 10-litre bag to that height, obviously, this won’t be a problem for everyone, but it’s something to consider. I get around this by filtering smaller amounts at a time to keep the flow fast, or if I'm not in a rush, I'll hang the full bag a bit lower and leave it for a little longer.

Breakable

MSR’s claim that the Guardian Gravity Purifier could handle "the abuse of travel” really sold me on the product. But I think that gave me the wrong impression about its durability. After I had my filter for about a month it fell out of a cupboard onto a kitchen counter and developed a tiny leak around the filter’s seal. I carried out MSR’s recommended integrity test and thankfully, the purifier still worked. But it made me realise the Guardian is more delicate than I thought. Anyone who’s been travelling knows that bags get thrown around in transit, so I assumed a few small knocks would be covered under the "abuse of travel” claim. Now, I’m not so sure that would be the case.

Watch MSR’s video on how to perform an integrity test if you have any doubts about your Guardian Gravity Purifier.

Conclusion

The MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier is fast and efficient. If you use it a lot, it ends up being very cost-effective. I paid £202, and with its 3000-litre lifespan, that works out to just 7p per litre. That's insanely cheap! Plus, it’s helped me reduce plastic waste since I’m not buying bottled water anymore. I’d say it’s the best choice for backpackers, campers, or nomads who might not have access to safe drinking water for a while. Just remember to store and transport it carefully and don’t let it fall out of a cupboard.

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