Greatest Backpacking Water Filters of 2025

A bacteria-filled seashore. A muddy wetland. Glacial silt runoff. One of the best backpacking water filters have to have the ability to deal with some fairly gnarly water sources with out clogging or breaking. I examined the 20 backpacking water filters on this story by taking them to a few completely different water areas, pumping three liters of water via every filter. After every spherical, I timed how lengthy it took every filter to deal with a liter of faucet water earlier than persevering with to the following spherical. On the finish of all three rounds, I weighed every filter. 

Further enter on ease of use and sturdiness had been supplied by members of the Out of doors Life backpacking gear testing crew over three days of mountain climbing via the Goat Rocks Wilderness of Washington State. 

Greatest Backpacking Water Filters: Squeeze-Bag Filters

Greatest Total: Sawyer Squeeze

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Professionals

• Comes with a Cnoc bladder or bottle
• Reasonably priced
• Light-weight
• Nice efficiency throughout all situations

Cons

• Want to carry onto the plunger for periodic backflushing

Key Options

• Preliminary Weight:
  3 ounces
• Filters micro organism and protozoa
• Value:
  $65

Check Outcomes

• Time to Filter 1 Liter out of the Field:
  0:55
• Time to Filter 1 Liter at Finish of Check:
  0:45
• Weight at Finish of Check:
  5 ounces

For a very long time, it was arduous to decide on a winner between the Sawyer Squeeze, the Platypus QuickDraw, and the Katadyn BeFree. Every managed to barely one up the opposite in key classes, like weight, worth, and stream price underneath a wide range of situations. Nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient of a distinction to place a filter excessive. 

Sawyer modified all that by partnering with backpackers’ favourite water bottle model: Cnoc. Proper now you may select between a two liter bladder and their basic Vesica bottle (primarily a collapsible Smartwater bottle for the uninitiated). I examined each, and personally choose the bladder for its ease of use. Not solely was it simple to fill and straightforward to squeeze, I may even cling the bottle up on a low department because of the loop within the plastic closure, creating an impromptu gravity filter — which truthfully labored higher than a number of the precise gravity filters I examined. However most backpackers will doubtless choose the familiarity of the bottle, which you’ll be able to connect the filter to and simply drink straight out of. Simply notice that it’s noticeably extra annoying to make use of the Cnoc bottle to filter a number of liters of water at a time. 

The remainder of the Sawyer filter stays as wonderful as ever. It carried out effectively in my testing underneath a wide range of situations, from murky swamp water to silt-filled rivers. It’s simple, and fairly efficient, to backflush, shortly restoring stream. And it stays one of many extra reasonably priced choices I’ve examined. If you have already got a bottle system you want, or simply want to exchange the filter factor, Sawyer additionally sells a filter with none accompanying bag. 

Greatest Tasting: Katadyn BeFree AC

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Purchase Carbon Replacements

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Professionals

• Quick stream
• Light-weight
• Possibility so as to add a carbon filter to it for improved style

Cons

• Cap could be very troublesome to make use of
• Combined success with cleansing

Key Options

• Preliminary Weight:
  3.1 ounces
• Filters micro organism and protozoa, with an non-obligatory carbon factor that filters unhealthy tasttes
• Value:
  $50

Check Outcomes

• Time to Filter 1 Liter out of the Field:
  1:40 (with carbon); 0:40 (w/o carbon)
• Time to Filter 1 Liter at Finish of Check:
  0:50 (w/o carbon)
• Weight at Finish of Check:
  Testing outcomes to return

There’s a lot to love concerning the Katadyn BeFree AC. It’s been a standout performer throughout testing, dealing with each water supply I’ve thrown at it at a degree that may fulfill even the thru-hiking set. The Katadyn BeFree can also be very light-weight, and requires no instruments to scrub its filter past a bit of unpolluted water. The AC model of this filter can also be noticeable in which you can add a carbon factor to it that may enhance the style — fairly useful if you end up ingesting out of a cow trough one too many occasions. 

Whereas earlier iterations of this filter had a too-flimsy bottle cap (you might simply snap it off), this one errs too far within the different path. It’s very sturdy, however sadly, very troublesome to make use of. I nearly couldn’t flip it up simply utilizing my palms, and ended up resorting to leveraging it towards a desk, like I used to be opening a beer bottle. (My husband was in a position to open it with solely average effort, so that is clearly a hand power difficulty on my half.)

I’ve additionally had combined success with the “swishing” methodology for cleansing this filter prior to now. Typically it really works nice to revive stream; different occasions it makes stream worse. Anticipate to exchange this yet one more usually in comparison with the likes of a Sawyer Squeeze or Platypus QuickDraw. But when the place you’re headed to has questionable water choices, the choice to simply enhance style could also be price it.

Platypus QuickDraw

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Professionals

• The quickest filter I’ve examined
• Light-weight
• Sturdy
• Will be paired with a Smartwater bottle

Cons

• Backflushing is extra difficult than the Sawyer Squeeze or Katadyn BeFree

Key Options

• Preliminary Weight:
  3.4 ounces
• Filters micro organism and protozoa
• Value:
  $55

Check Outcomes

• Time to Filter 1 Liter out of the Field:
  0:35
• Time to Filter 1 Liter at Finish of Check:
  0:40
• Weight at Finish of Check:
  4.2 ounces

Whereas the Platypus QuickDraw was a hair behind the Katadyn BeFree (with out the carbon filter) after the preliminary spherical of testing, it was out in entrance of the pack on the finish of testing. The one spherical the place the QuickDraw struggled was within the mucky water of the wetland, though I didn’t backflush it till after the glacial runoff spherical as its stream was nonetheless forward of the vast majority of filters. As soon as backflushed, its efficiency was restored to shut to the extent that it had out of the field.

Not like the Sawyer Squeeze, you may backflush the Platypus QuickDraw with a Smartwater bottle. Whereas I appreciated that I didn’t want a separate device to backflush the Platypus QuickDraw (one thing I’m liable to dropping), I did discover that the cap to the filter prevented me from making a flush seal with the clear aspect of the filter.

Nonetheless, the gentle pliable materials of platypus soiled sack mixed with the positioning of the filter factor on the inside (quite than on the within of the bag), made this the second most nice filter to squeeze water out of in my take a look at (after the Sawyer Squeeze paired with the Cnoc bladder).

Greatest Light-weight: Sawyer Squeeze Mini

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Professionals

• Lightest filter in my take a look at
• Least costly filter in my take a look at
• Smallest filter in my take a look at

Cons

• Took twice as lengthy to filter a liter of water as a number of the different prime picks

Key Options

• Preliminary Weight:
  2 ounces
• Filters micro organism and protozoa
• Value:
  $29

Check Outcomes

• Time to Filter 1 Liter out of the Field:
  1:10
• Time to Filter 1 Liter at Finish of Check:
  1:50
• Weight at Finish of Check:
  2.9 ounces

The mini-me model of the Sawyer Squeeze is the proper filter for ultralight fans — sufficiently small that it gained’t take up a lot actual property in your backpacking backpack and lightweight sufficient (even after the ultimate weigh-in) which you can scrub an oz or extra off your spreadsheet. Even higher, it’s so reasonably priced that it wouldn’t damage your funds a lot to simply change it every season. The place it wobbles, unsurprisingly, is in performance. It takes about twice so long as the usual Sawyer Squeeze to filter a liter of water. In fact, in the event you plan to connect the filter on to a SmartWater bottle and suck the water out from there, that may not matter a lot to you.

I used the supplied soiled bag throughout testing and was impressed with its sturdiness. Even after squeezing the bag as arduous as I may to push the water out over ten rounds of filling and filtering to achieve the specified 5 liters, the bag nonetheless regarded like new. I solely want that it was bigger—the bag that comes with the mini is 16 ounces quite than the usual liter. One thing else I observed throughout testing was that the filter itself didn’t seem to screw onto the bag accurately. Every time I attempted to repair it, the angle would nonetheless be lopsided. Fortuitously, there have been no leaks throughout testing so this seems to be primarily an aesthetic concern. 

Whereas the stream price for the Sawyer Mini was not particularly spectacular (about 4 occasions so long as the Katadyn BeFree), I did recognize that it got here with a light-weight syringe to backflush the filter when it begins to clog an excessive amount of. 

Greatest for Journey: Grayl GeoPress

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Professionals

• Filters out viruses
• Constructed-in water bottle

Cons

• Heavy
• Brief cartridge life
• Can’t deal with sediment

Key Options

• Preliminary Weight:
  15.9 ounces
• Filters or removes micro organism, protozoa, viruses, heavy metals, and PFAS
• Value:
  $100

Check Outcomes

• Time to Filter 1 Liter out of the Field:
  0:50
• Time to Filter 1 Liter at Finish of Check:
  6:30
• Weight at Finish of Check:
  Unavailable

I’ve examined each the Grayl GeoPress (in titanium) and the UltraPress (in plastic). Each these filters use the identical filter expertise, so you may count on related efficiency underneath difficult circumstances. Each are provided in both plastic (polypropylene) or titanium. The latter of which could be very costly.

However let’s first take a look at how the Grayl works. It’s a bit like a French press. You pull out the interior tube, fill the bottle up with water to the specified line, after which push the interior tube again down on prime of the water till it’s all pushed via the filter on the underside. This works greatest in the event you put the water bottle on the bottom and permit your physique weight to do the work of pushing the water via.

Whereas Grayl boasts a really quick stream price for this bottle, the precise price could be very a lot affected by how a lot effort you place into it. Most individuals can count on a half liter to take about 30 seconds, whereas expending average effort. The filter itself can also be distinctive, because it makes use of carbon to draw viruses utilizing electroabsorption (which is a basically completely different course of than filtering them out, such because the MSR Guardian does). 

For backpackers, there are a handful of points that add as much as this being not fairly the suitable selection. First off, it’s fairly heavy, even when considering the good thing about having a built-in water bottle. Within the backcountry, this added weight goes up much more, because the final half inch or so of water within the Grayl doesn’t filter via the interior tube, and is just left sitting on the backside of the bottle after filtering. The filter itself additionally has a a lot shorter lifespan than different backpacking filters, with Grayl promoting which you can count on about 350 liters out of it.

Throughout testing, the filter was very affected by our gnarliest testing web site, the glacial runoff, suggesting that in much less pristine components of the backcountry this filter might final considerably much less time than 350 liters. And when this filter begins to wrestle, it turns into an actual nightmare to attempt to use. At the very least with the squeeze luggage you may sit down when you wrestle away (and perhaps even backflush!), with the Grayl you’re caught standing up, throwing your whole physique weight down on prime of a tiny lid that’s only some inches in diameter. 

However what concerning the virus filtering? Nicely, only a few backcountry water sources are contaminated by issues like rotavirus, as a result of these are sometimes human-borne pathogens. Backpackers don’t want this sort of firepower. Right here’s who does: anybody residing in or visiting components of the world the place the water popping out of the faucet isn’t reliable. That water might be working clear, too, so the lifespan of the filter will likely be that for much longer. When you’re searching for a journey water bottle that may shield you from nearly every part, from e.Coli to giardia to cryptosporidum, that is the filter for you.

I’m a sucker for titanium as a lot as the following backpacker, so I used to be excited to take a look at the titanium model of the GeoPress in my second spherical of testing to match to the polypropylene Ultrapress I had examined beforehand. After testing, I’ll be sticking with the polypropylene model. Whereas the aesthetics of the titanium bottle are undeniably cooler than the plastic one, this doesn’t overcome the performance challenges (or the worth). The most important difficulty right here is usability. Whereas it takes a bit elbow grease to drag the interior tube with the related filter out of the principle housing on the polypropylene model, I struggled to get the interior tube out of the titanium model in any respect. And this doesn’t include the standard titanium profit — this model is heavier than the plastic model. 

Sawyer Micro Squeeze

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Professionals

• Light-weight
• Cheap
• Comes with a high-quality Cnoc pouch
• Nice efficiency

Cons

• Not as mild because the Mini
• Not as excessive a performer because the Squeeze

Key Options

• Preliminary Weight:
  2.1 ounces
• Filters micro organism and protozoa
• Value:
  $34

Check Outcomes

• Time to Filter 1 Liter out of the Field:
  0:54
• Time to Filter 1 Liter at Finish of Check:
  Testing outcomes to return
• Weight at Finish of Check:
  Testing outcomes to return

The Sawyer Micro is correct in between the Squeeze and the Mini. It doesn’t have the knockout efficiency of the Squeeze, but it surely weighs much less. It had a greater stream price throughout my testing situations than the Mini but it surely weighed extra. For some backpackers, which will put it in a no-man’s land; for others, it could possibly be the proper Goldilocks product. 

One different benefit of the Sawyer Micro is that, just like the Squeeze, you may pair it with one in all Cnoc’s bladders. I notably like how minimalist and utilitarian the Cnoc 750ml liter pouch it was paired with was. It’s very mild (weighing solely 3.1 ounces) and related in operate to the Sawyer soiled water pouches of yore. 

MSR Trailshot

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Professionals

• Light-weight
• Compact
• A singular answer for fastpackers in arid areas

Cons

• Finally cramps your hand if it’s important to filter a whole lot of water
• Not as environment friendly because the squeeze bag filters I examined

Key Options

• Preliminary Weight:
  5.2 ounces
• Filters micro organism and protozoa
• Value:
  $65

Check Outcomes

• Time to Filter 1 Liter out of the Field:
  0:55
• Time to Filter 1 Liter at Finish of Check:
  4:20
• Weight at Finish of Check:
  6.4 ounces

The MSR TrailShot is barely heavier, barely pricer, and never fairly pretty much as good as a performer as the very best squeeze again backpacking filters, however its distinctive design makes it an attention-grabbing present for particular functions. With the squeeze bag filters, step one is to replenish the bag — typically simpler mentioned than achieved in the event you’re taking a look at a desert seep. However the TrailShot has an consumption that’s nearer to a conventional pump filter, however shrunk down such that it may slot in nearly any water supply worthy of the title. That’s a recreation changer in the event you don’t have the curiosity or persistence to sit down round Macguyvering an answer to a tough to entry water supply. 

In testing, I discovered the hand squeeze mechanism of the TrailShot to be pretty tiring. By the tip of the third spherical of testing, it was one of many filters I dreaded utilizing. And whereas its efficiency was satisfactory for murky water sources (if not distinctive), it struggled with the glacial runoff, taking on 4 minutes to squeeze out a single liter. 

When you’re a hardcore path runner, or simply an exceptionally impatient particular person with distinctive hand power, this filter is perhaps the reply to your wants. However the overwhelming majority of individuals will likely be higher served by one of many high-performing squeeze bag filters on this checklist.

LifeStraw Peak Collection

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Purchase from Cabela’s

Cons

• Not as environment friendly as different squeeze bag filters I examined

Key Options

• Preliminary Weight:
  3.9 ounces
• Filters micro organism and protozoa
• Value:
  $38

Check Outcomes

• Time to Filter 1 Liter out of the Field:
  0:50
• Time to Filter 1 Liter at Finish of Check:
  1:30
• Weight at Finish of Check:
  4.1 ounces

LifeStraw is likely one of the most well-known manufacturers in water filtration, because of the ubiquity of their LifeStraw filter, which they distribute to highschool youngsters in rural Kenya. Their Peak Collection filter is a barely dearer, barely higher performing backpacking water filter in comparison with the unique LifeStraw. They supply their Peak Collection filters as a part of a squeeze bag filtration setup; sadly, in testing it didn’t carry out on the degree of extra well-liked fashions just like the Katadyn BeFree, Sawyer Squeeze, or Platypus QuickDraw.

One benefit of the LifeStraw Peak Collection is that you’ve got the choice so as to add on a carbon filter for an additional price that may assist enhance style. In case you are touring in areas the place you’ll be sharing a whole lot of water sources with cows, or pulling water out of stagnant ponds, then this can assist make your journey extra nice. Nonetheless, there have been points whereas I used to be testing the carbon filter choice for the LifeStraw Peak Collection. The primary is that the carbon factor, which is about the identical size of the common filter, screws onto the tip of the present filter. Which means that the filter factor contained in the squeeze bag is almost so long as the squeeze bag itself. It’s not terribly simple to squeeze all of the water out of it with this setup, as you may’t roll down the bag as you go. The opposite difficulty is that whereas testing this filter arrange, the bag for the LifeStraw Peak Collection ended up with a small gap in it, forcing me to finish testing of this factor sooner than I had hoped. In case you are all in favour of including a carbon filter to your backpacking water filter to enhance style, go together with the Katadyn BeFree AC. When you’re all in favour of eradicating heavy metals and different difficult contaminants, go together with the Grayl GeoPress.

RapidPure Air purifier+

Purchase from Cabela’s

Cons

• Clogs simply
• Filters must be changed usually

Key Options

• Preliminary Weight:
  5.7 ounces
• Filters micro organism, protozoa, and viruses
• Value:
  $47

Check Outcomes

• Time to Filter 1 Liter out of the Field:
  2:30
• Time to Filter 1 Liter at Finish of Check:
  Not relevant
• Weight at Finish of Check:
  Not relevant

The RapidPure Air purifier+ was one of many worst performing filters in my take a look at, taking on two minutes to filter a liter of water out of the field, and over 5 minutes after I examined it out at a murky swamp. Whereas it was considerably distinctive amongst squeeze bag filters for utilizing activated carbon to assist filter out viruses (the Grayl filters additionally do that), my sense is that the efficiency right here is poor sufficient that you’d be higher off snagging some chemical therapy — like Aquamira – quite than coping with this simply clogged squeeze bag filter. 

Greatest Backpacking Water Filters: Gravity Filters

Greatest Gravity: Platypus GravityWorks

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Professionals

• Can maintain as much as 8 liters of water
• Robust stream after the primary two rounds of testing

Cons

• Pricier than the Katadyn BeFree
• Struggled to filter glacial runoff

Key Options

• Preliminary Weight:
  11.5 ounces
• Filters micro organism and protozoa
• Value:
  $150

Check Outcomes

• Time to Filter 1 Liter out of the Field:
  1:10
• Time to Filter 1 Liter at Finish of Check:
  7:30
• Weight at Finish of Check:
  12.8 ounces

At its core, all a water filtration system must do is transfer soiled water via a filter, with out inadvertently contaminating the clear water vessel on the opposite aspect. One of the vital well-liked kinds of backpacking water filters leans into this simplicity: all a person has to do is replenish a plastic bag with soiled water, connect the filter, after which squeeze the water via into their ingesting vessel.

The thought behind a gravity filter is pretty easy, as an alternative of compacting or pumping soiled water into your ingesting vessel, let gravity do the give you the results you want. After filling up the soiled bag—which holds as much as three liters within the case of Katadyn—you then elevate it by inserting it on a big rock, hanging it in a tree, and even holding it your self, no matter works. The upper the water is, the sooner it would stream via the filter, however it would work so long as the bag itself is greater up than the tip of the outlet hose. Then you may simply stroll away whereas gravity forces the water from the soiled water sources into your clear container.

All of the gravity filters in my take a look at got here with a flask of not less than three liters, which is sweet if you’re touring with a number of folks, because it reduces the variety of rounds of filling up your soiled flask that you should do. The Platypus GravityWorks takes this a step additional, with a unclean flask capability of 4 liters. Even higher, it comes with a second bladder to filter your clear water straight into it.  

In testing, the GravityWorks took about twice as lengthy to filter a liter of water after the primary stage of testing because the Katadyn BeFree; nonetheless, it was almost unable to course of the glacial runoff, taking an hour to filter a liter of water after the third stage of testing. After utilizing about six liters of water to backflush the GravityWorks, which is completed by merely elevating the clear water reservoir above the soiled reservoir and permitting the water to stream backward, the stream improved considerably, however to not the extent of the Katadyn BeFree Gravity.

The rationale I’m recommending the Platypus GravityWorks over the Katadyn BeFree is that it’s set as much as be a set-it-and-forget-it. You’ll be able to replenish the soiled bag, arrange the filter, after which depart for nonetheless lengthy you want as you attend to different camp chores. With the opposite gravity filters right here, you’ll want to watch extra intently, swapping out a reservoir because it begins to replenish. Nonetheless, in the event you don’t thoughts babysitting your gravity filter, then the lighter weight and sooner stream of the BeFree is perhaps a better option for you.

MSR Guardian Gravity

Purchase from Amazon

Professionals

• Filters viruses
• No device backflush
• Distinctive design

Key Options

• Preliminary Weight:
  19 ounces
• Filters micro organism, protozoa, and viruses
• Value:
  $310

Check Outcomes

• Time to Filter 1 Liter out of the Field:
  8:35
• Time to Filter 1 Liter at Finish of Check:
  Testing outcomes to return
• Weight at Finish of Check:
  Testing outcomes to return

A gravity filter that may take away viruses: this one is past spectacular. Sadly, it additionally comes with some drawbacks. The most important is that its tiny pore measurement (.02 in order that it may possibly catch these microscopic viruses) implies that the filter slows down pretty quickly, even when the water sources it’s coping with aren’t overly difficult. The MSR Guardian Gravity handles this by constructing a backflushing mechanism into the filter itself. You merely stopper the principle filter, and unstopper the backflush mechanism. After a couple of minutes you turn again and proceed in your method. This works effectively, however I used to be stunned by how usually I needed to do it — not like the remainder of my filters, which had been solely backflushed after the second and third rounds, I backflushed this one after the primary spherical and was rewarded with a stream that was sooner than what I had began with. For many water sources, it is best to plan to backflush each 3 to 4 liters — extra usually if it’s exceptionally soiled, as I ended up doing. Backpackers ought to notice that this one can also be pretty heavy in comparison with different gravity filters I’ve examined. 

If the water supply you’ll be utilizing is contaminated with viruses, and you are feeling strongly about avoiding chemical therapy, this can be a nice hands-free choice. For most individuals, it’s doubtless overkill. However the truth of its existence is a testomony to the problem-solving creativity of the parents at MSR. 

Katadyn Gravity BeFree

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Professionals

• Filters water shortly
• Easy mechanism
• Light-weight
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Tough to get the final of the water out of flask
• Cleansing doesn’t reliably restore stream price

Key Options

• Preliminary Weight:
  6.8 ounces
• Filters micro organism and protozoa
• Value:
  $75

Check Outcomes

• Time to Filter 1 Liter out of the Field:
  0:45
• Time to Filter 1 Liter at Finish of Check:
  2:45
• Weight at Finish of Check:
  8.7 ounces

Of the three gravity filters in my take a look at, the Katadyn Gravity BeFree had the quickest stream each when initially unboxed and after the ultimate stage of testing. It was additionally lighter than the opposite two fashions in my take a look at by a number of ounces. 

One small, however probably important, distinction between the Katadyn BeFree and the Platypus GravityWorks and LifeStraw Peak Collection Gravity is that the cling strap will not be connected to the water flask when the gravity is first unboxed. This strap, nonetheless, shouldn’t be thought of non-obligatory. The bail deal with on the prime of the water flask will not be supposed to be slung over a department, and is just too small for the department measurement that you’d want for the filter to be safely suspended. 

One other distinction between the Katadyn Gravity BeFree and the opposite two filters in my take a look at is that it’s not designed for backflushing (which may injury the fibers), however the filter may be cleaned by rigorously swishing it in water. Whereas the filter did seem cleaner after I swished it, oddly, the time it took to filter a liter of water elevated by a minute (I reran this take a look at to substantiate the outcomes).

LifeStraw Peak Collection Gravity

Purchase from REI

Purchase from Amazon

Purchase from Cabela’s

Cons

• Not as environment friendly as different gravity filters I examined

Key Options

• Preliminary Weight:
  8.1 ounces
• Filters micro organism and protozoa
• Value:
  $66

Check Outcomes

• Time to Filter 1 Liter out of the Field:
  1:00
• Time to Filter 1 Liter at Finish of Check:
  6:15
• Weight at Finish of Check:
  N/A

I used to be admittedly disenchanted within the LifeStraw Peak Collection Gravity Filter. Whereas it carried out on par with the Kataydn Gravity BeFree and Platypus GravityWorks out of the field, it began to decelerate through the first take a look at, contaminated lake water. Whereas the opposite two filters may nonetheless filter a liter of water in a few minute after that take a look at, the LifeStraw Peak Collection Gravity took over six. After the wetland water supply was filtered, the LifeStraw Peak Collection Gravity was clocking 13+ minutes. 

This one could also be cheaper than the opposite two gravity filters, however my testing reveals that this isn’t a terrific worth. 

Waterdrop

Purchase from Amazon

Cons

• Doesn’t take away micro organism and protozoa on the degree required by best-in-class testing
• Sluggish efficiency
• Not notably light-weight
• Plastic stopper will not be efficient
• Can solely be backflushed in working water

Key Options

• Preliminary Weight:
  10.1 ounces
• Filters some micro organism and protozoa
• Value:
  $40

Check Outcomes

• Time to Filter 1 Liter out of the Field:
  18:37
• Time to Filter 1 Liter at Finish of Check:
  Testing outcomes to return
• Weight at Finish of Check:
  Testing outcomes to return

When you seek for “backpacking water filter” on Amazon, you’ll nearly actually come throughout the Waterdrop filter. This model isn’t as widespread within the backcountry, as the corporate’s main focus is on water filtration for the house, however the mannequin that I examined is designed for backpackers to make use of interchangeably as a gravity filter or squeeze bag. For simplicity’s sake, I examined it as a gravity filter. 

Earlier than we go even additional, please don’t purchase this water filter for touring within the backcountry. Their web site says they take away 99.99 p.c of micro organism. Whereas that sounds spectacular, the usual is for 99.9999 p.c. You’re susceptible to sickness in the event you depend on this water filter to guard you from one thing like E.coli.

That the Waterdrop can’t be relied on for precise filtration is just one if its drawbacks: it’s additionally a rattling sluggish filter. It does get sooner once you backflush it — surprisingly, stream was sooner after my first backflush than it had been initially. Nonetheless, you want working water to do that, which isn’t at all times obtainable. One other sensible difficulty is that the plastic stopper on the tube working from the filter was not efficient at really stopping the water’s stream. 

When you’ve received nothing higher to do than wait round for an hour or two whereas all of your water finishes filtering, after which additionally deal with it with chemical substances so that you’re really shielded from micro organism and protozoa, this may not hassle you an excessive amount of. However most backpackers have higher issues to do. When you’re after a gravity filter, go for both the Katadyn BeFree (in the event you worth light-weight) or the Platypus GravityWorks (in the event you worth comfort). When you’re after a squeeze bag, seize a Sawyer Squeeze, which is barely nominally dearer. 

Greatest Backpacking Water Filters: Pump Filters

Greatest for the Apocalypse: MSR Guardian

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Purchase from Cabela’s

Professionals

• Efficient towards viruses along with protozoa and micro organism
• One of many quickest stream charges I examined
• Backflushes the filter with every pump
• Can face up to freezing temperatures (assuming you let it thaw out afterward)

Key Options

• Preliminary Weight:
  17.3 ounces
• Filters micro organism, protozoa, and viruses
• Value:
  $400

Check Outcomes

• Time to Filter 1 Liter out of the Field:
  0:45
• Time to Filter 1 Liter at Finish of Check:
  0:45
• Weight at Finish of Check:
  21.5 ounces

For backpacking water filters, safety towards viruses, together with norovirus and rotovirus, sometimes comes with a tradeoff—if you would like a filter with a sufficiently small pore measurement to weed these suckers out, you higher be ready to place in some critical elbow grease. However the MSR Guardian manages the hat trick, filtering out viruses at a quick stream price with the identical, and even much less, elbow grease required as from different filters.

A part of this as a result of a novel function to the MSR Guardian: as an alternative of directing the entire water out via the underside of the filter with every pump, a portion of the water is directed again via the filter—primarily backflushing the filter with every pump. Throughout testing, this meant that the filter had the identical efficiency over the past spherical of testing because it did through the first: forty-five seconds for a liter of water.

I used to be additionally impressed with how simple the MSR Guardian was to make use of straight out of the field: after it had been unmoored from its packaging, I merely unscrewed the cap on the underside of the filter, plopped the consumption filter into my pool of water and began filtering water. Moreover the prefilter, which is usually a bit troublesome to place within the water supply as a result of a 90-degree angle, the largest draw back to the Guardian is its price, and its weight: it was about ten occasions as costly as different comparatively quick filters (the Katadyn BeFree, Platypus QuickDraw, and Sawyer Squeeze) and 5 occasions as heavy. However in the event you’re searching for a no brainer filter that may take away the complete spectrum of micro organism, protozoa, and viruses out of your water with principally no upkeep required, then that is the filter for you. 

Katadyn Pocket

Purchase from REI

Purchase from Amazon

Professionals

• Labored similar to new after I cleaned the ceramic filter
• Sturdy

Cons

• Costly
• Heavy
• Plenty of separate components to maintain observe of

Key Options

• Preliminary Weight:
  19.4 ounces
• Filters micro organism and protozoa
• Value:
  $395

Check Outcomes

• Time to Filter 1 Liter out of the Field:
  1:05
• Time to Filter 1 Liter at Finish of Check:
  1:05
• Weight at Finish of Check:
  23.7 ounces

The Katadyn Pocket was, together with the MSR Guardian, one of the vital costly filters I examined. Whereas the Pocket struggled with the testing protocol, taking on 11 minutes to filter a liter of water after the ultimate spherical, the place it actually shone was after I had cleaned it. This filter was 10 occasions sooner after cleansing than earlier than, which means that, if taken care of accurately, may final for a few years. 

Nonetheless, the MSR Guardian is identical worth, filters viruses, and cleans itself. When you aren’t involved with the burden of your filter or the worth, then that’s going to be the very best decide for you. 

Katadyn Hiker Professional

Purchase from REI

Purchase from Amazon

Purchase from Cabela’s

Professionals

• Outdated-school look and performance

Cons

• Plenty of separate components to maintain observe of
• Not as dependable as different filters I examined

Key Options

• Preliminary Weight:
  11 ounces
• Filters micro organism and protozoa
• Value:
  $100

Check Outcomes

• Time to Filter 1 Liter out of the Field:
  0:45
• Time to Filter 1 Liter at Finish of Check:
  4:50
• Weight at Finish of Check:
  13.4 ounces

I’ll admit: I broke a Katadyn Hiker Professional years in the past after utilizing it in water containing glacial runoff. So I wasn’t stunned to see that it struggled with that portion take a look at, needing over 4 minutes to filter a liter of water. And whereas this wasn’t part of my testing protocol, the sheer trouble of all of the tubes and nozzle caps for this filter makes it a non-starter for me. For half the worth, much less weight, and method much less trouble, you may decide up a squeeze bag filter, together with the Katadyn BeFree. Try this.

Katadyn Vario

Purchase from Amazon

Purchase from Cabela’s

Cons

• Stopped engaged on the third spherical of testing
• Plenty of separate components to maintain observe of

Key Options

• Preliminary Weight:
  15 ounces
• Filters micro organism and protozoa
• Value:
  $97

Check Outcomes

• Time to Filter 1 Liter out of the Field:
  0:30
• Time to Filter 1 Liter at Finish of Check:
  Not relevant
• Weight at Finish of Check:
  Not relevant

Whereas the Katadyn Vario clocked in a really spectacular trip of the field and within the first two rounds of testing, it struggled within the closing spherical of testing, after being subjected to glacial silt. Worse, after I backflushed the filter (following producer directions), it stopped working fully. In case you are devoted to old-school filter-style pumps, however don’t wish to pony up for the MSR Guardian, this is likely one of the higher choices. Simply make sure to child the filter in tougher water situations to protect it for the lengthy haul. 

MSR MiniWorks

Purchase from REI

Purchase from Amazon

Purchase from Cabela’s

Professionals

• Outdated-school look and performance

Cons

• Didn’t make it via all three rounds of testing
• Plenty of separate components to maintain observe of

Key Options

• Preliminary Weight:
  16 ounces
• Filters micro organism and protozoa
• Value:
  $125

Check Outcomes

• Time to Filter 1 Liter out of the Field:
  1:15
• Time to Filter 1 Liter at Finish of Check:
  Not relevant
• Weight at Finish of Check:
  Not relevant

Given the ubiquity of the MSR MiniWorks within the backcountry, I used to be stunned at its poor efficiency in my take a look at. It was by no means a very quick filter in comparison with different choices, and it clocked one of many worst occasions through the take a look at on the wetland earlier than utterly breaking whereas I used to be filtering glacial runoff. I’ve little doubt this filter was probably the greatest in its class when it was initially launched, but it surely has since been eclipsed by different, cheaper choices, together with the Platypus QuickDraw from MSR’s sister firm.

Greatest Backpacking Water Filters: Non-Filter Remedy

Greatest Chemical Remedy: Aquamira

Purchase from REI

Purchase from Amazon

Key Options

• Treats micro organism, protozoa, and viruses
• Value:
  $15

There are many backpackers who refuse to take care of the trouble of any type of backpacking water filter, preferring as an alternative to go for chemical remedies. Of those, the preferred is Aquamira. The most important cause is just that, or all of the chemical therapy choices obtainable, Aquamira has nearly no style. When you’ve ever tried to go a whole journey with bleach or iodine-flavor water, what a recreation changer that’s. 

Not like bleach and iodine, nonetheless, the method for utilizing Aquamira is a bit concerned. The therapy is available in two separate bottles, which have to be rigorously combined collectively within the bigger of the 2 bottle caps. You then depart it sitting for 5 minutes, so the chemical response can get began, earlier than including it to your water bottle. Twenty-five minutes later, you’re able to hydrate. 

For some backpackers, this tedious process and lengthy wait is a small worth to pay to keep away from the pitfalls (primarily, clogging) of conventional filters. If that sounds such as you, then Aquamira is a superb and fairly reasonably priced choice. 

Katadyn Steripen Ultralight

Purchase from Amazon

Professionals

• Quick appearing
• Efficient towards viruses
• Can not clog

Cons

• Delicate to humidity
• Obscure why it’s malfunctioning typically

Key Options

• Weight:
  2.6 ounces
• Treats micro organism, protozoa, and viruses
• Value:
  $110

Steripens, the preferred type of UV water therapy for backpackers and backpack hunters, are one of many strangest water therapy choices available on the market. Whereas chemical therapy and water filter choices make some type of intuitive sense, the eerie glow of UV therapy appears nearly magical. For some folks, that is interesting; for others, it’s a nonstarter.

Which will get a bit on the coronary heart of the expertise of utilizing a SteriPEN. I used the unique model of the SteriPEN for years and have become pretty acquainted in that point with its pitfalls: don’t pack it away moist, heat it up earlier than utilizing it in particularly chilly water, watch the sensors rigorously when submerging. By rigorously following these guidelines, we may get about as a lot reliability out of our SteriPEN as customers of the squeeze bag filters had been getting.

On our testing journey, I handed off this newest model of the SteriPEN to one in all our testers whereas going to place away my tent. Once I got here again, quarter-hour later, she nonetheless hadn’t managed to filter a liter of water. I watched her fifth try and see if I may troubleshoot what was going flawed, however I couldn’t see why she was getting error readings (or recall within the second what the completely different flashes of coloration meant).

Then I attempted it and it labored completely. This about sums up most individuals’s expertise with SteriPENs. Once they work, it’s like magic. Once they don’t work, you’ll wish to pull your hair out. When you do go this route (it’s the solely non-chemical therapy at this weight that’s efficient towards viruses), then make sure to try it out extensively at dwelling and take a backup water therapy methodology alongside for a number of journeys till you’re snug with it.

Aquatabs

Purchase from REI

Purchase from Amazon

Professionals

• Weighs nearly nothing
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Barely disagreeable style
• Doesn’t neutralize cryptospordium

Key Options

• Treats micro organism, protozoa, and viruses
• Value:
  $15

For years, I carried a bottle of iodine in my first-aid equipment. I nearly by no means used it (iodine tastes horrible), however within the occasion that my water filter broke, I wished to have one thing surefire readily available. Whereas in the present day’s backpacking water filters are rather more dependable than the previous pump fashions of yore, carrying a number of tabs of backup water therapy nonetheless brings me peace of thoughts on longer, extra distant backcountry treks.

Like Aquamira, Aquatabs take about half-hour to take impact, though no premixing is required right here. However whereas Aquamira has no discernible taste, there’s a slight chemical taste that goes together with the Aquatabs (though our testing group didn’t discover that that they had the identical unpalatable taste as different evaluations). Whereas that is solely a minor concern in a real survival situation, long-term use of Aquatabs may lead to particular person backpackers inadvertently hydrating lower than is perfect for his or her atmosphere.

Whereas Aquatabs gained’t be changing a water filter in my equipment anytime quickly, they are going to be getting into my first-aid equipment as a backup water therapy choice for longer treks.

Katadyn Micropur

Purchase from REI

Purchase from Amazon

Purchase from Cabela’s

Cons

• Doesn’t style nice
• Expensive
• Takes without end (4 hours)

Key Options

• Filters micro organism, protozoa, and viruses
• Value:
  $16

One protozoa that’s powerful for chemical remedies is cryptospordium. Whereas the Katadyn Micropur was one of many few chemical remedies that was efficient towards this bug, it does take 4 hours to deal with. That makes this a no-go for many backpackers, though backpack hunters with a bit extra leeway in how lengthy they plan to remain in a single spot for might discover it a helpful choice.

Potable Aqua

Purchase from REI

Purchase from Amazon

Purchase from Cabela’s

Professionals

• Will be saved principally without end

Cons

• Not nice in your well being

Key Options

• Weight:
  6 ounces
• Filters micro organism, protozoa, and viruses
• Value:
  $14

Is there any extra basic water therapy choice than iodine? However, after all, there’s a cause this one has fallen out of favor: it tastes horrible and, long-term, it’s horrible for you. The brand new taste-neutralizer tablets assist with the previous difficulty (some) however can’t do a lot concerning the latter.

How I Examined Backpacking Water Filters

Earlier than I even started testing, I interviewed the parents at MSR, LifeStraw, and Katadyn about how they assure that their filters are certainly eradicating micro organism and protozoa (and within the case of some of them, viruses). All of them interact in rigorous testing, utilizing EPA or NSF requirements, each in their very own amenities and thru third events, like BCS Laboratories out of Florida.

I visited the MSR facility the place they confirmed me the lab the place they not solely develop E. coli micro organism, but additionally a virus that assaults E. coli, to check the efficiency of their Guardian filter. The thoroughness of this testing will not be one thing that may be simply replicated within the pure atmosphere, the place the pre-existing ranges of micro organism, protozoa, and viruses are unknown. As such, my testing didn’t take a look at how effectively the filters handled micro organism, protozoa, and viruses, as a result of all of the filters on this assessment use EPA or NSF requirements.

One thing else that you simply’ll usually see on the packaging of backpacking water filters is the variety of liters per minute that they filter. This quantity, nonetheless, solely displays what the filter is able to doing proper out of the field—not after you’ve taken it out on a few backpacking journeys—or 20. The manufacturers after all are testing to make sure that the filters can face up to a sure degree of grit, but it surely’s uncommon to study what the stream price of the filters are after they’ve been uncovered to some less-than-ideal water sources, not to mention how a lot grit and sediment and muck a filter can take earlier than it craps out utterly. So my testing checked out what situations the backpacking filters can face up to and nonetheless return an affordable (or any) stream price.

To begin, I referred to as in or bought the preferred backpacking water filters obtainable, together with corresponding fashions from their rivals. Earlier than I started testing the filters out within the area, I first timed how lengthy it took every to filter one liter of water out of the field. Usually, these occasions corresponded to the marketed occasions of the producers. Throughout this course of, I additionally famous how difficult the filter setup was out of the field. 

Then I took the filters to a public seashore in Bellevue, Washington, which had been closed as a result of excessive ranges of fecal matter (thrice greater than what’s thought of protected for swimming). Right here I filtered 5 liters of water via every of the filters in my take a look at.

Along with the recorded excessive ranges of fecal contamination, the water was additionally pretty scummy.

On the finish of the primary spherical of testing, I took the filters again dwelling and measured how lengthy it took to run a liter of water via every, and the way that in comparison with the out-of-the field take a look at. Usually, there was a noticeable, if not important, impact on the size of time it took to filter one liter of water. Satirically, some filters measured a sooner time on the finish of the preliminary spherical of testing than that they had initially; my impression is that that is the results of my changing into extra environment friendly at utilizing the filter with follow.

The second spherical of testing occurred at Narbeck Wetland Sanctuary, simply north of Seattle, Washington. This can be a classically lovely swamp, with loads of water however all of it gunked up by the filth and tannins and life teeming beneath the floor. Right here we might see how effectively the backpacking water filters responded to the mucky water sources that these within the backcountry are typically compelled to resort to. I filtered three liters via every of the water filters at this web site, after which headed dwelling to file how lengthy it was taking every water filter to push water via.

Unsurprisingly, a number of the filters had been actually struggling on the finish of this take a look at. For the filters that took over two minutes to course of a liter of water, I adopted producer instructions to backflush (pushing water backwards via the filter) or in any other case clear the filter, noting that some filters couldn’t be cleaned or backflushed.

Then I retested these filters (the outcomes are famous in a parenthetical within the under desk) to see how efficient cleansing the filters was at establishing water stream. The 2 filters that took over 5 minutes to course of a liter of water on the finish of the second spherical of testing, the LifeStraw Peak Collection Gravity and the RapidPure Air purifier+, had been faraway from the take a look at at the moment.

The ultimate testing web site was the Puyallup River, accessed on the city of Orting, Washington. At first look, the Puyallup seems to be like another muddy river. However the Puyallup will get its coloration from glacial sediment, an especially tremendous silt that stays suspended within the water. This sediment additionally works its method into the interior workings of filtration techniques like no one’s enterprise. Nobody would select to filter this sort of water until there was no different choice obtainable; typically, there isn’t a different choice obtainable.

Unsurprisingly, most of the filters struggled with cleansing three liters of water throughout this take a look at, and one (the MSR Miniworks EX) was faraway from testing because it merely clogged up and stopped working. On the finish of this spherical of testing, the filters had been measured to see what their stream price was. Subsequent, the filters, the place attainable, had been additionally backflushed, or in any other case cleaned, after which had their stream price measured once more. (Notice that a number of the occasions for this stage had been once more sooner than the preliminary stream.

Whereas I made an effort to standardize the quantity of elbow grease I used to be placing into every filter through the timed take a look at, it’s clear that I used to be placing extra elbow grease into the ultimate stage of testing than I did straight out of the field). The ultimate step of this take a look at was to reweigh every of the filters to evaluate how their weight had modified from the beginning of testing. I pumped out as a lot water as I may from every filter after which positioned the filters in an enclosed room with a dehumidifier to take away extra water (with out drying out the filter parts themselves). After an hour, I took them out and reweighed them.

In April 2025, I put seven new merchandise via my testing protocol. For the primary take a look at — micro organism seashore — I headed to probably the most polluted lake in my space on the time, Cottage Lake, which was closed to swimming as a result of algae bloom and subsequent cyanotoxins polluting the water. For the wetland portion, I once more returned to Narbeck Wetland Sanctuary, which was as murky as ever. What was considerably much less murky was the Puyallup River close to Orting, WA. Whereas the river water was extraordinarily silty in my authentic testing, the spring run off ran a lot clearer than I had anticipated. Sadly, this meant that testing situations weren’t difficult sufficient to supply helpful info. I’ll be taking these filters again in late summer time for a recent take a look at in correct silty situations.

Testing Outcomes

Squeeze Filters

Gravity Filters

Pump Filters

The place testers didn’t have a full liter capability, I examined the time to filter a half liter and doubled it.

Further testing was achieved on a number of chemical and UV therapy choices as a part of the inaugural Out of doors Life backpacking gear take a look at. Whereas chemical and UV therapy choices don’t take away any filth or grit or microplastics from water sources, they will render micro organism, protozoa, and even viruses inert, making water protected to drink.

Issues to Contemplate Earlier than Shopping for Backpacking Water Filters

Micro organism, Protozoa, Viruses, Heavy Metals, and PFAS

The place as soon as backpackers solely involved themselves with giardia, in the present day there are a number of different issues, together with norovirus, heavy metals, and PFAS. Let’s check out which backpacking water filters can deal with which sorts of contaminants, and once you want virus and heavy steel safety.

All the backpacking water filters I examined take away micro organism and protozoa. That’s nice information as a result of two of the commonest backcountry water contaminants are E. coli (a micro organism) and giardia (a protozoa). In hottest backpacking areas via the US, that is all you’ll want safety towards. 

Viruses

The most typical viral contaminant is norovirus. Whereas that is sometimes considered a frontcountry contaminant, it may possibly (hardly ever) happen in water sources within the backcountry. That is nearly at all times the results of human feces contaminating water sources. 

• Grayl UltraPress
• Grayl GeoPress
• MSR Guardian
• RapidPure Air purifier+
• All chemical remedies

Heavy Metals

Whereas heavy metals do happen naturally within the atmosphere, contamination is often the results of business. Heavy metals differ from micro organism, protozoa, and viruses because it’s unlikely to hurt you throughout your journey, however accumulation in your physique may end up in injury to your organs. 

A filter alone — even a complicated one just like the MSR Guardian — can not take away heavy metals. Backpacker water filters that take away heavy metals sometimes use activated carbon. Whereas these filters are considerably efficient at eradicating heavy metals from water sources, they aren’t excellent: actually nowhere close to the 99.9999% score of a typical filter towards the likes of micro organism and protozoa. Your first line of protection is to not drink water from sources recognized to be contaminated with heavy metals. However whether it is unavoidable, or unclear if contamination is a matter, then these will present some safety. 

• LifeStraw Activated Carbon Filter Attachment
• Grayl UltraPress
• Grayl GeoPress

PFAS

Whereas PFAS contamination has been a problem for a few years, it’s solely just lately that backpackers have realized that backcountry water sources could also be in danger. That’s as a result of, not like different contaminants, rainwater can comprise PFAS. At current, there are only a few backpacking water filters that may take away PFAS; nonetheless, the fact is that almost all backcountry sources won’t be contaminated, or contaminated at such low ranges as to not pose important hurt to human well being. You need to take additional care round water sources which are close to army bases and wildland firefighter coaching amenities. That’s as a result of previous use of AFFF firefighter foam led to intense PFAS contamination. 

• Grayl UltraPress
• Grayl GeoPress

Weight of the Greatest Backpacking Water Filters

Whereas it may be tempting to seize the largest, baddest water filter on this checklist (the MSR Guardian), the fact is that almost all backpackers will likely be higher served by carrying one thing lighter weight. The extra you may preserve your pack weight down, the farther you’ll hike and the extra enjoyable you should have. 

Filter Upkeep for the Greatest Backpacking Water Filters

As my testing reveals, cleansing out your filter could make an enormous distinction in efficiency. When you don’t wish to shell out for a brand new filter each season, make sure to learn the instructions and maintain onto any plungers or different vital items. Except you’re going on an exceptionally lengthy hike or count on to filter solely glacial silt, you doubtless gained’t have to deliver these items with you on every hike. 

FAQs

Q: How a lot does a backpacking water filter price?

Backpacking water filters can price as little as $25 to as a lot as $400. A lot of the distinction in price displays the long-term sturdiness of the filter, in addition to their capability to deal with extra advanced water high quality issues, together with viruses and heavy metals. 

Q: Do I would like a water air purifier for backpacking?

The query of whether or not you want a water filter or air purifier for backpacking is, to an extent, concerning the degree of threat you’re keen to tolerate. Within the excessive alpine of a nationwide park, as an example your odds are low, whereas if you’re sharing a water supply with livestock in a nationwide forest, the percentages enhance significantly.

As a result of the implications of contracting a waterborne sickness like giardia or cryptosporidium may be so extreme, and each the price and weight of low-profile filters just like the Sawyer Mini Squeeze, Platypus Quickdraw, and LifeStraw Peak Collection will not be a burden for many backpackers, I like to recommend at all times carrying one in your mountain climbing backpack and treating all of your water sources with it. In case you are not sure as as to if you want a water air purifier—which may even take away viruses like rotovirus and norovirus—contact the land supervisor the place you propose to journey for extra details about the waterborne contaminants sometimes discovered there. 

Q: Do I have to boil my water if I’m utilizing a backpacking water filter?

Even in the present day, it’s pretty widespread to see a blanket advice to at all times boil your water when out within the backcountry. The rationale for that is easy: most backpacking water filters don’t take away viruses, whereas chemical therapy strategies should not efficient at neutralizing protozoa like giardia and cryptosporidium. Boiling water, however, does all of it. The difficulty with this advice is that boiling water will not be solely time consuming, however may also require you to usher in an extra of gasoline or a backpacking range if the place you’re touring doesn’t have choices available. Even in the event you do plan to boil all of your water, carrying a light-weight filter is a vital backup to have within the occasion that your gasoline sources run out. 

Closing Ideas on the Greatest Backpacking Water Filters

One of the best backpacking water filters produced by respected manufacturers like MSR, LifeStraw, Katadyn, Platypus, RapidPure, and Grayl present wonderful safety towards waterborne illnesses within the backcountry. Which filter is best for you will rely largely on whether or not you prioritize price, weight, or long-term sturdiness.