12 of the Best Water Filters for Hiking and Backpacking
Water filters are an essential piece to the backpacking and outdoor puzzle, allowing you to go miles and miles into the wilderness without having to carry countless pounds of water on your back to stay alive. But what are the best water filters on the market? That, honestly, is a personal decision.
Almost all water filters today are built nearly the same: eliminate the bad stuff and allow you to continue to epic destinations. The only difference that I can say is how you get the water. Be it a gravity filter, pump, or squeeze, you should get clean, good-tasting water from all brands and products.
Ultimately, it is all about what brand you support, the price point, and how you want to filter your water.
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Choosing the Best Water Filters for Hiking or Backpacking
Since I started backpacking in 2018, I have been a big proponent of using a gravity filter. The ease of use without having me pump for minutes on end makes my life so much easier and allows me to do things around camp while my water filters.
Furthermore, having a smaller, quicker water filtration system is also crucial when you’re taking short breaks on your hike, and you don’t want to wait for the water to trickle out. This is when I turn to a single-liter water filter like a Katadyn, Lifestraw, or Platypus.
Katadyn Gravity BeFree Water Filtration System – 3 Liters – $74.95
The Katadyn Gravity BeFree is a top choice for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a lightweight and efficient water filtration system. It uses a 0.1-micron microfilter that effectively removes bacteria, cysts, and sediment, offering clean drinking water in seconds.
With a flow rate of up to 2 liters per minute, it’s one of the fastest gravity filters on the market. The 3-liter capacity is perfect for groups or extended trips, and its collapsible reservoir makes it easy to pack. The BeFree’s EZ-Clean Membrane allows for simple maintenance—shake or swish to clean, and no backflushing is required.
LifeStraw Peak Gravity Water Filter System – 3 Liters – $65.95
The LifeStraw Peak Gravity Water Filter System is a reliable and budget-friendly option for outdoor adventures. It features a 0.2-micron filter that removes bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from your water source. With a 3-liter capacity, it’s suitable for solo hikers or small groups.
The Peak Gravity filter system is known for its durability and ease of use. Its versatile setup includes a gravity bag and hose. Although it has a slightly slower flow rate compared to the Katadyn, its rugged design and lower price point make it an excellent choice for those seeking value and performance in the backcountry.
MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier – $299.95
A high-capacity, pump-free purifier designed for large groups or base camps. It removes viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and particulates, filtering up to 2.5 liters per minute. It’s ideal for extended backcountry trips where access to clean water is essential.
MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter – $119.95
A reliable, field-maintainable water filter that uses a ceramic element to remove bacteria, protozoa, and particulates. It’s versatile and designed for frequent, prolonged use, making it a great choice for backpackers who need a durable filter.
Katadyn BeFree Gravity Water Filter – 6L – $114.95
A lightweight, easy-to-use gravity filter that’s perfect for group camping. It filters up to 2 liters per minute and collapses down small when not in use, making it convenient for packing. It’s best for situations where water needs to be filtered in large quantities.
Katadyn BeFree 1.0 L Water Filter Bottle – 33.8 fl. oz. – $44.95
A compact, squeezable bottle with an integrated filter that removes bacteria and protozoa. It’s perfect for solo hikers or runners who need a quick, on-the-go solution to filter water without fuss. This one is a must-have and an easy pick for the best water filters on the market.
LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Water Filter System – $43.95
A versatile and lightweight filter system that allows you to drink directly from streams or lakes or fill up a squeeze bottle for later. It’s compact, easy to use, and removes bacteria, protozoa, and microplastics, making it great for emergency situations or day hikes.
Very similar to the above. It just comes down to brand preference for these best water filters.
Katadyn Steripen Ultra UV Water Purifier – $129.95
A UV water purifier that neutralizes bacteria, protozoa, and viruses with ultraviolet light. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and works quickly, making it a solid choice for international travel or camping where pathogens are a concern.
Katadyn Micropur Purification Tablets – Package of 30 – $15.95
Simple, effective water purification tablets that kill bacteria, viruses, and protozoa in 30 minutes. They’re a lightweight, compact backup option for any water purification system and ideal for emergency kits.
LifeStraw Peak Water Filter Straw – $24.95
A classic straw filter that allows you to drink directly from water sources like streams and lakes. It’s lightweight and portable and filters out bacteria, protozoa, and microplastics, making it a great addition to any emergency kit or daypack.
This one’s ultralight but also not conducive to most situations. I’d say this one is for uncomfortable situations where you need to get water in any way you can.
Grayl GeoPress Water Filter and Purifier Bottle – 24 fl. oz. – $99.95
A powerful, all-in-one filter and purifier bottle that removes viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and particulates in just 8 seconds. It’s robust, easy to use, and ideal for international travel or emergency preparedness.
Platypus QuickDraw Filter System – 1 Liter – $54.95
A fast and effective water filter system that uses a hollow fiber filter to remove bacteria and protozoa. It’s lightweight, easy to clean, and perfect for hikers and backpackers who need a reliable, quick water filtration solution on the trail. This is also considered one of the best water filters on the market.
What should you consider when picking a water filter?
Gravity Filter vs Pump vs Water Bottle
How you get your water is up to you, but there are three main ways people filter water nowadays. The classic pump (which I think is going out of style), gravity filter (which works passively), and squeeze pouch (exactly as it sounds) are the the top three options.
For backpacking trips, I personally like the gravity filter as it will filter water into my bladder or water bottle while I’m setting up camp or making food. This filter, though, is best used at camp and not while on the go. That’s where the pump or the squeeze pouch (unofficial name) comes into play.
These are faster, more convenient ways to get water out of a stream or creek while you’re on the go.
Weight
If you’re backpacking, you’ll want to prioritize weight. This means picking a water filter that is as light as possible, excluding the MSR pump or the Grayl water bottle. Those add extra weight, which, in my mind, isn’t necessary.
The other ones are hardly even noticeable and offer great results!
Ease of use
Another area to consider is how easy the water filter is to use. Not all water filters are built the same or designed for the same use. You want a quicker, more efficient filtering process when you’re on the trail. While at camp, it can be more drawn out, allowing you to filter more water in a single setting.
The easiest one is the squeeze pouch. Just scoop up water, screw on the camp, and squeeze water out of your dirty bag into your water bottle. This is best for short stops, where you only try to get a liter or two at a time.
I recommend having different types of filters on a trip to allow you to adapt to different situations. (And sometimes filters crap out, and it’s good to have a backup.)
Questions about using water filters
How to filter water while hiking?
Ideally, I find clear, flowing water and safely kneel down next to it to scoop water up. If it’s a smaller creek, I aim to find a small waterfall, which will keep the water cleaner and more quickly fill up my bag.
If you can, avoid stagnant water that doesn’t look clean or healthy. Yes, the water filter can get 99.9% of whatever out, but there’s still a tiny risk. (If there’s nothing else and you need water, yes, drink.)
How effective are hiking water filters?
Most hiking filters are very effective and have probably been produced for the military. (Most outdoor gear companies have an unknown (or known) connection to the military. As you read above, these filters rid water of bacteria, parasites, and other foul substances.
Should I use water purification tablets?
I personally do not because it contains added chemicals, and if I can not put that into my body, I’d rather not. But in some places with a lower-quality water level, it might be wise to add that in just to be sure. In the USA and Canada, we generally have good natural water.
Is drinking untreated water from streams at high altitudes safe while hiking and camping?
This is up to you, and there’s always a risk, but I’ve drunk straight from streams just feet below melting snow or glaciers and have come away fine. My personal rule of thumb is if I can see where it’s coming from or if I have a good idea that there’s no animal feces in it, it should be drinkable.
That said, I know people who’ve done the PCT and gone natural and had some pretty bad experiences.
If you can filter, you should. It’ll make everything easier, and these best water filters will give you a great outcome.
Final thoughts on these best water filters
No matter what type of water filter you’re going for, these are the best of the best. They will give you a great ROI and allow you to enjoy your outdoor adventures wherever they may lead you. If you want the ease and simplicity of a gravity filter, want to pump your own from the stream, or are looking for an easy squeeze, there’s a water filter built for you and your motives.
I hope you all have an awesome trip ahead, and happy trails!
Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
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