Product review (5 stars): Works very well, we presoaked as instructed and never run the humidifier dry...
This wicks very well.  We soaked it by immersing it fully in water first, then used it in the Holmes humidifier, and it's astonishing how fast the humidifier goes through a tank of water.  We make sure not to run the tank dry (so we don't dry out the filter and have to re-soak it).  I'll report back if it doesn't last as long as it should, but right now it's been working well for about a month.