The Best Backpacking Water Filters

Getting the perfect water filter for your outdoor adventures is extremely important. Even in North America, there are still some bacterias that can live in the cleanest looking water. That is why I have come up with a fantastic list of the Best Backpacking Water Filters in the market. I list all types of filters like chemical filters, purifiers, gravity filters, straw filters, pump filters, and UV filters. After reading this, you will feel super confident about drinking water while backpacking. Enjoy!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you.

Table Reviews On Best Water Filter Backpacking

The Best Backpacking Water Filters

Best Gravity Water Filter: Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter System – 4 Liter

One of the most well-known water filters in the market is the Platypus GravityWorks filter. This filter is awesome. It is durable, filters water quickly, and is great for large groups of people. What I love about this filter is that I don’t have to pump water. Pumping water can be exhausting, so this filter makes it so much easier for us to relax by the campsite. Just head on over to the stream with the dirty water bag (it is labeled), fill it up, bring it back to the camp, set it up, and voila! It filters all on its own.

What I don’t like about this bag is that it does terrible at shallow streams. We had this problem while backpacking the Needles in Canyonlands National Park.

It is also pretty heavy and can clog if there is too much sediment in the water. The Colorado River is a good example of a river with high sediment. You can still use it, just be extra careful. The filter can protect against bacteria, protozoa, and sediment but not viruses. Thus, I would use the GravityWorks in North America but not in countries where viruses are a problem.

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System

Another very well known filter in the outdoor world is the Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System. This filter will last you a lifetime and is lightweight, compact, and filters quickly. Many thru-hikers love using this filter.

The main problem with this filter is the bags it comes with. The quality is poor, but don’t let that deter you from buying it. You can easily replace them with regular plastic water bottles. It can also get clogged when there is a lot of sediment. That can easily be resolved using the syringe it comes with, so always bring the syringe with you on the trails.

The actual filter is pretty durable and of great quality. If you take care of this filter, it will last you a long time. Yes, squeezing it can be annoying, especially for large quantities of water, but it is still a solid and reliable water filter.

Katadyn Micropur Purification Tablets – Package of 30

When I did my first backpacking trip, I decided to luckily bring two types of filters: a pump filter and this chemical tablet. The Micropur is pretty lightweight and compact, and I figured it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring it just in case.

I am so glad we brought it because our first method of filtering failed. A chemical tablet is a fantastic backup filter since adding it to your backpack doesn’t affect the weight too much.

I would not use this as a primary way to clean water, though. It tastes terrible to the point where I didn’t really want to drink it.

Also, I don’t particularly appreciate that it doesn’t filter sediment. If you are out backpacking around Utah or the Grand Canyon, it can be kind of gross drinking brown water.

This is still a good buy. I have it in my backpack in case of an emergency, but I have not used it since my first backpacking trip, if that tells you anything.

Katadyn BeFree Collapsible Water Filter Bottle – 33.8 fl. oz.

The Katadyn BeFree water bottle is a fantastic water filter for hiking or a short one-night backpacking trip. It is extremely lightweight and compact with a fantastic flow rate.

The main drawback of this water bottle is durability. The body isn’t reliable and is known to burst after a few uses. You can replace the body with another water bottle, but it is more difficult to find a water bottle with a 42″ diameter. It is also not the best for big groups of people and can only carry 1 liter.

But if you are going on a short solo backpacking trip for one night, this is a fantastic option. The ease of use and weight make it a great choice.

MSR Guardian Purifier

If you want a high-quality filter that you can take anywhere and everywhere to filter some of the sketchiest brown water ever, then the MSR Guardian Purifier is the way to go! The main positive of the water filter is that it is also a water purifier. It can eliminate viruses. This is awesome for international travel, especially because it is so durable. It can also clean itself, so you don’t need to maintain it as much as other filters.

Of course, being the best of the best of water filters does have its drawbacks. The price is the main problem. It is over $300, which means it can be overkill for people that mainly backpack in North America. It is also heavy and bulky, so if I am backpacking through Washington State (where I live), it can be a hassle to carry, especially if the region isn’t known for carrying viruses in the water.

It is still a durable, high-quality item that is used in areas of natural disasters but of course because of the price and weight, it is not for everyone.

MSR MiniWorks EX Water Filter

The MSR MiniWorks has been a best seller filter pump for years. This was my first filter when I started my backpacking journey, and the design hasn’t changed much since then. It is still pretty bulky, heavy, and filters water slowly. You will probably gain some arm muscles after your backpacking trip because pumping is hard! That is why this pump is best for one or two people.

On one of my trips, the handle did fall off, but I did replace it, and it hasn’t happened since. I am not sure if the first one I bought was faulty, but the newest one seems more durable and has lasted for years.

Overall I understand why this pump is a best seller. It has been in the market for as long as I can remember, but I feel like many filters have surpassed it over the years. There are more lightweight and faster filters out there now.

LifeStraw Water Filter

The LifeStraw Water filter is a great filter that I like to keep in my backpack in an emergency. I mainly like taking it with me when I hike. I take around three liters of water on every hike, but just in case I run out, I have the LifeStraw on me for peace of mind (I am not a fan of the taste of the chemical tablets).

I don’t recommend using this as a primary filter when backpacking. There is no way to store the water, which means you would have to store dirty water instead of clean water in your reservoir. The sucking action can also be annoying. The flow of water can be a bit difficult, and you also have to be extremely close to the water source, which means you have to lay down to drink water from the river.

I still think this is a great backup filter in your pack to have just in case (my primary filter has not worked in the past), and I do love the price of the LifeStraw. But using it as a primary water source is less than ideal.

Katadyn Steripen Ultra UV Water Purifier

As wild as it sounds, the Katadyn Steripen is like a magic wand that removes viruses and bacteria in under 90 seconds. You add it to the water, a light turns on, you swirl it around, and when it is done, the light goes off. Poof, you have clean water.

As magical and amazing as this sounds, I would hesitate to use this on a long backpacking trip. It does not filter sediment, it does not work if the water is brown as the UV rays cannot get through, and it is unreliable. Having to depend on battery life is a little too iffy for me. I still listed this because this is a fantastic device if you are traveling internationally. Let’s say you are backpacking through Nepal, and you stop at a hut and are iffy on the drinking water while eating dinner. Just swirl this around, and you will be good to go.

It is great for those types of instances, but if you are only backpacking or traveling around the USA, I would go another route, especially since it is expensive.

Grayl Ultralight Compact Purifier Bottle

The Grayl Ultralight filter is a fantastic filter to use for international travel. This bottle can filter and purify viruses, metals, and bacteria. If you feel iffy about water in a certain country, this is a great replacement for plastic water bottles. I also like that it works like a french press.

For backpacking, it might be a little too heavy and bulky. Also, it has a low cartridge lifespan. However, if you are looking for an easy-to-use, quick filter that can get rid of viruses, this is a fantastic filter to buy.

Katadyn Gravity BeFree Water Filtration System – 3 Liters

The Katadyn Gravity BeFree Water filter is a larger version of the Katadyn BeFree water bottle. It is great for group camping/backpacking, it is lightweight and compact, and it is pretty easy to use. I like that they even added a hose.

The main problem with this filter is the bladder. You have to be extremely careful with it because it is known to leak. The filter can also get slower with time, even after cleaning it. Katadyn still has some work to do with this larger filter, but overall it is a great filter to have if you have a backup water filter.

More Information About Backpack Water Filter

Types Of Water Filters

Gravity Filters

The gravity filters literally use gravity to filter water. No pumping is needed. It usually consists of a bag where you put the dirty water, a filter connected to the dirty water, and a hose. Some of them comes with a clean water bag.

Pros

• Good for big groups
• Easy to use
• Stores a lot of clean water

Cons

• Expensive
• Can be difficult to get water in bag if stream is too small
• Bulky and heavy
• You need a tree to hold up

Chemical Purifier

Chemical Purifiers usually come in the form of a tablet or droplet. They eliminate bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. But they do not filter sediment.

Pros

• Small and lightweight
• Removes Viruses
• Great as a backup
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Taste isn’t great
• does not filter sediment
• You might have to wait a while for it to filter

Pump Filter/Purifier

Back in the day, a pump filter was the way to go to filtering water. But now, the technology has surpassed this type of filtering. It does take a lot of effort to pump water, and they tend to be bulky.

Pros

• Can filter shallow water
• great for solo hikers

Cons

• Slow to filter/purify and takes a lot of effort
• Usually heavy/bulky
• Expensive
• Can break

UV Purifiers

This awesome new technology is great for traveling internationally, but I would be hesitant to use this on a backpacking trip.

Pros

• Great water treatment for international travel
• Gets rid of viruses
• Lightweight

Cons

• Needs batteries
• Expensive
• Can’t purify a lot of water
• Can’t filter sediment so need clear water sources
• Does not work

Bottle Filters/Purifiers

The bottle filters are usually best for solo or small group backpackers. They are extremely lightweight and easy to use, but it can be difficult to share with other people.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Great for solo backpackers

Cons

• Not great for group backpackers
• Can filter slowly

Price

What stops many people from backpacking is sometimes the hefty price tag on outdoor equipment. The more lightweight an item, the more expensive it is.

I am thankful that this does not include filters. A lot of the filters on this blog post are pretty inexpensive. Many of the beginner backpackers usually start with the Sawyer Squeeze, and they eventually upgrade. If budget is a problem, beginner backpackers should start with this filter.

Flow Rate

A fast flow rate is more of a comfort than a necessity. It is nice for a filter to get its job done quickly, but of course, reliability, weight, and bulkiness are more important for backpacking.

The platypus gravity filter is the quickest for flow rate, but it is heavier, especially for only one person. But if it is a group of people, the extra weight might be worth it for the flow rate.

Weight and Bulkiness

When it comes to backpacking, weight and bulk are pretty important. Nowadays, filters have many options for lightweight and small filters.

Chemical tablets are, of course, the most lightweight and less bulky of the bunch, but they don’t filter sediment, and the taste isn’t the best.

Straw, squeeze, and water bottle filters are the next heaviest of the bunch and probably best for solo backpackers or people who want to pick lightweight over convenience.

The pump and gravity filters weigh the most but are best for bigger groups of people.

It all depends on how much weight you think you should carry for the number of people and how easy you want the water to filter. The easiest filter to have on hand for a group of people is the Platypus Gravity filter, but it is on the heavier side.

Backup

No matter which method you choose to clean your water, it is always important to bring a backup. I have had my filter fail on me in the backcountry, and I was very pleased to have chemical tablets with me.

There is also an option to boil water, but I would not use this as a backup. What if your stove malfunctions as well?

Chemical tablets weigh almost nothing, and the Lifestraw also weighs 2 ounces so having one of these for an emergency backup is a pretty smart decision.

Filter Life

Looking at the filter life is pretty important when picking out a good backpacking water filter. You don’t want to be changing out the cartridge all the time. Most of the filters I have listed have an average of 1,000 liters of use. For reference, women should drink an average of 2.7 liters of water per day. Of course, you might drink more than that when you are hiking due to sweat. In the end, the average amount of days a 1,000 life filter should last is around 370 days, which is a lot of days for backpacking.

Taste

Just because you filtered or purified something, does not mean that it will taste good. Usually in areas where there is a glacier water stream, the water might taste better (like Washington State or Alberta). But, you might not always be backpacking in areas where the water tastes great.

You can improve the taste, but using filters with carbon in them like the MSR MiniWorks works well enough. You can also use my all-time favorite electrolytes, the Nuun Tablets, to add flavor to the mix.

Water Filters VS Water Purifiers

There is a large difference between the terms water filter and water purifier. A water filter is the most common one you see people use within North America. It protects against bacterias and protozoa located in the water, but it does not protect against viruses. It protects against bacterias by using tiny microscopic pores that strain them out. Since viruses are not located as much in North American water, a water filter is usually good enough. However, if you want to be extra cautious, it does not hurt to have extra protection against viruses.

A water purifier is what protects against viruses. Viruses are smaller than bacteria, so you need chemicals, ultraviolet light, or extra tiny fibers to drink the water safely. A purifier is necessary for less developed countries. Some water purifiers do not filter out sediment (chemical and UV protection), so you might need to use a water filter as well as a water purifier. Or you can always get the MSR Guardian to protect against both.

Pre-Filtering

Pre-filtering helps prevent your filter or purifier from clogging with leaves, sand, dirt, etc. You can easily do this with a bandana. I will not do this if the water looks clear. I would only do pre-filtering if I was using chemical tablets or the water looks murky.

Final Thoughts On Best Water Filter For Backpacking

Thanks for reading all about the best backpacking water filters. Make sure to check out some of my other backpacking blog posts:

• The Best Backpacking Tents
• The Best Headlamps For Women
• The Best Budget Backpacking Gear
• The Best Backpacking Chairs

Pin For Later: Best Water Filters Backpacking