Here you have the list with the best water filters and purifiers for backpacking, hiking, and practically any other outdoor activity. These are all Amazon best-selling items handpicked from their various departments.
I use such filters/purifiers all the time when I go to the mountains. This holds also for the water which I use with my freeze-dried backpacking meals, then I do not have to boil the water.
Besides, did you know that boiling water may be ineffective against micro-organisms at high altitudes? This is because at such higher altitudes the boiling point is reduced. This implies that you have to boil water much longer. So it is better to filter the water and save the fuel in your gas canister.
Water Filters vs Water Purifiers – what is the difference?
I use both words in the title. So if you are puzzled about the difference between these two, here are some facts that will make this clear:
- If this is about physical (mechanical) filtration and removal of various stuff from water, then this is just about the size of the pores. So a tool is a purifier if the pores are below some critical value, otherwise it is in the category of water filters for backpacking.
- But there are also tools that work on UV principle and they either destroy micro-organisms in water or make them harmless. They do not filter anything, and they are in the category of purifiers.
Regarding the size of pores, let’s see what you really need. If this is about bacteria, they are with the size above 0.2 microns. For example, giardia and cryptosporidium are around 10 microns and 4-6 microns, respectively. On the other hand, Escherichia coli is in the range of 0.25 – 1 micron.
The smallest known virus is the Porcine circovirus type 1, and its diameter is 0.017 microns, but viruses are typically in the range from 0.02 to 0.4 microns.
So if you have a filtration tool with pores below 0.01 microns, it will remove every living creature and this is a purifier. The tools with pores above this value could be defined as filters and they do not remove viruses.
But are there viruses in the water which you have outdoors? The answer is probably not. Viruses need living organisms to survive and they do not remain in freshwater for long.
Note that these tools do not remove salt, chemicals, heavy metals, and radioactive substances. So if you are in the areas where such urban pollution is expected in water, do not rely on your filtration system whatever you have. Though, some of these filters and purifiers have activated carbon and it can remove or reduce some chemicals like pesticides, but in general, do not rely on water filters for such a purpose.
Regarding the principle of work and design of these mechanical tools, you can have any of the following:
- Filters/purifiers that you use to drink directly. This is convenient if you have water all the time available so you drink on the go and when needed. But those tools do not allow you to collect water and carry with you.
- Some of them are designed with a pump so you can collect water in a clean bottle. This is good for the trail, you collect water and carry with you till the next water source where you can refill.
- Some have a pouch where you collect water and then squeeze it through the filter into a clean bottle. This is my usual way because it is the lightest and it allows me to collect some amount of water and keep in the pack.
- Some have all these elements in the same package and you can use what suits you best.
- Some of them are gravity tools designed to be used in the camp only. So you collect water in a reservoir and let it filter through the system in a clean bottle while you are doing other things in the camp.
Regarding the capacity, if this is for solo use, any will do. But if this is about a group, check in specifications how much water you can filter per minute. You will want to use those models that have a pump.
I know from my own experience that using the bladder and squeezing the water through the filter is a bit slow process, and above all, the water in the mountains can be ice cold and this is not a pleasant activity. I just came from the mountains and I was doing exactly this.
Regarding the material, note that some of these filters/purifiers have a ceramic piece inside through which water is filtered. This can crack at low temperatures, so better go for something different if you go to high altitudes. Besides, such ceramic tools are heavier than others.
These water filters/purifiers normally have several stages of filtration, typically three. My own tool which I have been using recently (it is not in the list here) has them 5.
How to avoid contamination?
Normally, I filter water in the mountains just as more the measure of a precaution than a necessity. It is expected to be clean in any case. But this is not always so, and in the process of collecting water and filtering it, your hands become contaminated.
This can be the case if you use those filters/purifiers where you drink directly. You have probably seen pictures of hikers drinking through their filters directly from the stream. This looks cool, but imagine how this really works. To drink, you have to come very close to the water, in most cases to put hands on the ground or even in the water, perhaps even your knees will be on the wet ground, and then drink through the filter. So you have contaminated your hands already, and you need to clean them properly after every drinking.
It may be even worse if you use a pouch which you have in the package, so you collect the water and your hands are wet in the process. Then you start squeezing the bladder through the filter, and there is no way to have hands dry when you are doing this. So the hands will definitely become wet and therefore contaminated, and filtering may be pointless already.
As I said, I just came from the mountains and those were the two ways of using my purifier. But this was in an obviously clean environment with the water coming from glaciers, and I did not want to carry the pump which is in the package, to shed the weight of course.
So if the water is really dirty, it is best to use those tools with a pump and a hose. So only a part of the hose will be in the water and everything else will remain clean. But here is a video where you can see more on how to avoid contamination:
Can you trust these tools?
This is a difficult question, but you should know that many of the items in the list have been on the market for years already. Those are tried and tested tools, and you will realize this from the numbers of reports they have collected.
This aside, serious tools of this type must have independently confirmed testing and certifications in their specifications. There are some top names in the list below, and those you can trust. See one in this video:
So here is our list with best water filters for backpacking, please have a look. You will notice that many of them are Amazon Prime products so you can have them shipped for free. Many of them are also on sale and you have a chance to save some money.
The prices are updated daily and all other information is also fresh and accurate. The list is dynamic and new filters and purifiers will be added from time to time when they become best-selling on Amazon. This is why you might want to bookmark this text and check occasionally.
- Lightweight, Easy To Use Portable Water Filter Removes Harmful Bacteria, Protozoa, Cysts, Sediment, And 100% Of Microplastics; Perfect For Outdoor Adventures, Travel, Or Emergency Preparedness
- High-Performance 0.1 Micron Absolute Inline Filter Fits In The Palm Of Your Hand And Weighs Just 2 Ounces; 100% Of Micro Squeeze Units Individually Tested Three Times To Performance Standards By Sawyer
- Built-In And Removable Flip Top Sports Cap; Spray Water Straight Into Mouth Or Bottle From Included Pouch; Also Fits Standard Water Bottles With 28 Mm Threads
- Includes Two Reusable 32-Oz, Bpa-Free Collapsible Pouches That Roll Up Tightly For Easy Packing, Drinking Straw, One Set Of Sawyer Inline Hydration Pack Adapters For Filter, And Mesh Storage Bag
- Ideal for outdoor recreation, hiking, camping, scouting, domestic and International travel, and emergency preparedness
- High-performance 0.1 Micron absolute inline filter fits in the palm of your hand and weighs just 2 ounces; 100% of MINI units individually tested three times to performance standards by Sawyer
- Attaches to included drinking pouch, standard disposable water bottles, hydration packs, or use the straw to drink directly from your water source
- Removes 99.99999% of all bacteria (salmonella, cholera, and E. coli); removes 99.9999% of all protozoa (such as giardia and cryptosporidium); also removes 100% of microplastics
- Filter rated up to 100,000 gallons; Includes one Sawyer MINI filter, 16-ounce reusable squeeze pouch, 7-inch drinking straw, and cleaning plunger. Before initial wetting- Filter is safe from freezing temperatures if it has never been wetted. After initial wetting-While there is no definitive way to tell if a filter has been damaged due to freezing, Sawyer recommends replacing your filter if you suspect that it has been frozen. During trips-If you are in freezing temperatures, we recommend that you store your filter in your pocket or close to your person so that your body heat can prevent freezing.
- Proven protection against bacteria and protozoan cysts down to 0.2 micron with pleated glass-fiber filter media
- Activated carbon in the core of the filter improves the taste and reduces chemicals in your drinking water
- The field cleanable filter protector screen extends the life of the cartridge in challenging conditions
- Long-time trusted option for backpackers with it's ultra-light 11oz, compact size and compatibility with hydration bladders
- Transparent design allows you to see the filtration working
- High-capacity, gravity-fed, hollow-fiber water filter system is ideal for group and family camping, outdoor adventures, and emergency preparedness
- Meets all EPA/NSF guidelines for removal of 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.9% of protozoa, including giardia, cryptosporidium, E. coli, salmonella, cholera
- No pumping required; reservoir fills easily and hangs from a tree to deliver four liters of filtered water for cooking and washing in 2.5 minutes
- Includes 4-liter dirty water reservoir, 4-liter clean water reservoir, hollow-fiber microfilter, hoses, shutoff clamp, and storage sack
- Replaceable cartridge filters up to 1,500 gallons; produces flow rate of 1.75 liters/minute; kit weights 11.5 ounces; made in the USA
- 💧 【5-Stage Efficient Filtration】With adoption of premium-quality coconut shell activated carbon, 0.1 um ultrafiltration membrane and other raw materials, the Water Filter Straw can effectively reduce harmful substances like chlorine, particulates, sediment, stones, sand, dirt, bad taste &odor in water to ensure the water safety and deliver better drinking experience.
- 💧 【Professional Combination】Waterdrop Gravity Water Filter Straw with 1.5 gal Gravity-Fed Water Bag is an exclusive water purification combination created for outdoor activities and first aid survival. The large-capacity water bag can hold up to 1.5 Gallons of water at a time, which is about 11 bottles of 500 ml bottled purified water, and can meet the all-day demand for outdoor water drinking.
- 💧 【Longer Lifespan with Recyclable Straw】With innovative backwash purifier function, the inside of the Water Filter Straw can be kept clean at all times and it is recyclable, safe and pollution-free; the Waterdrop Filter straw can provide safe drinking water up to 1,400 gallons (5,300 liters), and ensures the maximum water flow rate of up to 700 ml/min to provide more relaxed outdoor water drinking experience.
- 💧 【Versatile Uses】The Water Filter Straw can be connected with water bags or water bottles to filter water for drinking. Both ends of it can be disassembled and connected with the water bags and the water bottles to offer you clean drinking water anytime anywhere.
- 💧【Warm Prompt】Note: If the gravity bag is used to filter water, turn on the drainage valve first to empty air from the hose before connecting with the straw to avoid no water flow in a vacuum state.
- ✅Electric Water Purifier Survival - Fully automatic, with a press ON/OFF button, free your hands and you can take a rest or handle other things. Max 700ml/min and upto 200 liters drinking water with one full built-in battery charge. Work as a powerbank in emergency situation.
- ✅Manual Backup Option - Never worry about running out of battery, In BACKUP MODE: Post Filter works as a life straw water filter, drink directly from any fresh water, or turn water bottle and bag into a powerful squeeze water filter system.
- ✅Filtration Performance tested by 3rd Party SGS independent Lab - With dual 0.01 micron pore size and totally 5 stages water filter system, double guard your water and deliver our promise "Filter without any efforts, Drink with full confidence !"
- ✅Purifier Survival Gear Anywhere - Portable and Lightweight (10 oz), perfect for personal or small group backpacking, camping, hiking, fishing, domestic or international travel, emergency preparedness. Water sources including lakes, rivers, streams and many more.
- ✅CaredWater FREE Lifetime Warranty - We cover all manufacturing and other defects with our lifetime warranty. Customer care available within 24 hours during working days. Filter replacements ASIN: B0B91928S7
- 0.1 micron water filter removes harmful organisms like bacteria 99.9999% and protozoa like Giardia & Cryptosporidium 99.9%, surpassing EPA standards
- Collapsible 1.0L hydrapak soft bottle flask packs down small to fit in tight spaces (jacket pockets, purses, backpack, fly vests)
- Ez-clean Membrane is simple and easy to clean by simply shaking or swishing the filter to clean debris, no backflushing or extra tools required
- Filters up to 1, 000 liters of contaminated water without using chemicals or other devices and hydrate quickly and easily with the free flow channels fast flow rate
- Stay clean drink nozzle keeps the mouthpiece clean and sanitary (replaceable with standard plastic water bottle caps)
- 0.1 micron water filter removes harmful organisms like bacteria 99.9999% and protozoa like giardia & cryptosporidium 99.9%, surpassing epa standards
- filters up to 1,000 liters of contaminated water without using chemicals or other devices
- hydrate quickly and easily with the free flow channels fast flow rate up to 2l per minute
- simple and easy to clean by simply shaking or swishing the filter to clean
- made in switzerland
- Easily create gravity-based water filtering system with 0.1 micron absolute dual-threaded Sawyer MINI water filter and 1-gallon reservoir
- High-performance 0.1 Micron absolute inline filter fits in the palm of your hand and weighs just 2 ounces; 100% of MINI units individually tested three times to performance standards by Sawyer
- Dual-threaded MINI allows you to use the flip top sports cap on the filter for easy on/off functionality; lightweight wide-mouth bladder for fast, easy filling; convenient carry handle
- Versatile camping water filter system is great for travel, backcountry treks, emergency prepping, and disaster kits
- Includes MINI Water Filter, 1-gallon bladder, cleaning plunger, cleaning coupling, and gravity hose with adapters
- 💧 【5-Stage Efficient Filtration】With adoption of premium-quality coconut shell activated carbon, 0.1 um ultrafiltration membrane and other raw materials, the Water Filter Straw can effectively reduce harmful substances like chlorine, particulates, sediment, stones, sand, dirt, bad taste &odor in water to ensure the water safety and deliver better drinking experience.
- 💧 【Professional Combination】Waterdrop Gravity Water Filter Straw with 1.5 gal Gravity-Fed Water Bag is an exclusive water purification combination created for outdoor activities and first aid survival. The large-capacity water bag can hold up to 1.5 Gallons of water at a time, which is about 11 bottles of 500 ml bottled purified water, and can meet the all-day demand for outdoor water drinking.
- 💧 【Longer Lifespan with Recyclable Straw】With innovative backwash purifier function, the inside of the Water Filter Straw can be kept clean at all times and it is recyclable, safe and pollution-free; The Waterdrop Filter Straw can provide safe drinking water up to 1,400 gallons (5,300 liters)/ one straw, and ensures the maximum water flow rate of up to 700 ml/min to provide more relaxed outdoor water drinking experience.
- 💧 【Versatile Uses】The Water Filter Straw can be connected with water bags or water bottles to filter water for drinking. Both ends of it can be disassembled and connected with the water bags and the water bottles to offer you clean drinking water anytime anywhere.
- 💧【Warm Prompt】Note: If the gravity bag is used to filter water, turn on the drainage valve first to empty air from the hose before connecting with the straw to avoid no water flow in a vacuum state.
- ADVANCED WATER FILTRATION. Protects against, microplastics, chlorine, organic chemical matter and sand, dirt, cloudiness and more; improves taste
- MADE TO LAST. Long-lasting membrane microfilter lasts up to 4,000 liters and the activated carbon filter lasts up to 100 liters of water with proper use and maintenance
- RIGOROUSLY TESTED. Reusable, durable and BPA-free, independently lab tested to meet protocols established by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NSF International/ANSI
- THOUGHTFUL AND SUSTAINABLE DESIGN. 22 oz capacity. Every fill avoids single use plastic bottled water! Easy to use, easy to clean bottle and cap are dishwasher safe once the filter is removed.
- YOUR PURCHASE HAS IMPACT. One purchase, one child, one year of safe water
- 💧 【5-Stage Efficient Filtration】With adoption of premium-quality coconut shell activated carbon, 0.1 um ultrafiltration membrane and other raw materials, the Water Filter Straw can effectively reduce harmful substances like chlorine, particulates, sediment, stones, sand, dirt, bad taste &odor in water to ensure the water safety and deliver better drinking experience.
- 💧 【Professional Combination】Waterdrop Gravity Water Filter Straw with 1.5 gal Gravity-Fed Water Bag is an exclusive water purification combination created for outdoor activities and first aid survival. The large-capacity water bag can hold up to 1.5 Gallons of water at a time, which is about 11 bottles of 500 ml bottled purified water, and can meet the all-day demand for outdoor water drinking.
- 💧 【Longer Lifespan with Recyclable Straw】With innovative backwash purifier function, the inside of the Water Filter Straw can be kept clean at all times and it is recyclable, safe and pollution-free; The Waterdrop Filter Straw can provide safe drinking water up to 1,400 gallons (5,300 liters)/ one straw, and ensures the maximum water flow rate of up to 700 ml/min to provide more relaxed outdoor water drinking experience.
- 💧 【Versatile Uses】The Water Filter Straw can be connected with water bags or water bottles to filter water for drinking. Both ends of it can be disassembled and connected with the water bags and the water bottles to offer you clean drinking water anytime anywhere.
- 💧【Warm Prompt】Note: If the gravity bag is used to filter water, turn on the drainage valve first to empty air from the hose before connecting with the straw to avoid no water flow in a vacuum state.
- Removes Bacteria & Parasites: The Microfiltration Membrane Removes 99.999999% Of Waterborne Bacteria (Including E. Coli And Salmonella), And 99.999% Of Waterborne Parasites (Including Giardia And Cryptosporidium)
- Removes Microplastics: Removes The Smallest Microplastics Found In The Environment (Down To 1 Micron), And Reduces Turbidity Down To 0.2 Microns
- Rigorous Testing: All Claims Are Verified With Laboratories Using Standard Testing Protocols Set By The Us Epa, Nsf, Astm For Water Purifiers
- Long Lifetime: The Microbiological Filter Will Provide 4,000 Liters (1,000 Gallons) Of Clean And Safe Drinking Water With Proper Use And Maintenance
- Make An Impact: For Every Lifestraw Product Purchased, A School Child In Need Receives Safe Drinking Water For An Entire School Year.Bpa Free Materials
- Water preparation-Type: water filter
- Water preparation-Applications: Filters
- Process-Kind: Filter
- Herman, Matthew (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 30 Pages - 08/14/2017 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Flores, Stephanie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 28 Pages - 07/06/2015 (Publication Date)
- Brita’s Premium Filtering stainless steel bottle holds 20 oz of water, and is designed with a Brita filter that fits in the straw that makes water taste great and keeps water cold for 24 hours
- Get great tasting water without the waste; by switching to Brita, you can save money and replace 1,800 single-use plastic water bottles* a year
- This 20oz Brita water bottle is made from durable, double wall insulated stainless steel to keep water cold; this sleek, leak proof design is cup holder friendly; Height 10.5"; Diameter 3"; Weight 1 pound
- The filter reduces chlorine (taste and odor) and more with every sip; compatible with Brita water bottle replacement filters
- For the freshest-tasting water, the Brita water bottle filter should be replaced after 40 gallons or approximately every two months; *16.9 oz water bottle
- Pocket water filter designed four outdoor enthusiasts and international travelers
- Filter's silver-impregnated ceramic element is effective against bacteria and protozoa
- Filters all microorganisms larger than 0.2 microns to produce clear, drinkable water
- Round pump handle for easy pumping; outlet hose attaches to containers with clip
- Gordon, Ben (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 72 Pages - 10/17/2020 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
- SKI, HIKE, BIKE & CLIMB COMPATIBLE - The Stow fits flush in ski pants and coat pockets, bike jerseys or fanny packs - flatten and roll when empty.
- DURABLE & LIGHTWEIGHT- Made of abrasive-resistant TPU, the Stow can be frozen and is dishwasher safe, at under 2 oz it’s 80% lighter than most hard bottles.
- POCKET SIZED - Flexible bail handle for comfortable carrying, quick attachment, and filling from a faucet, lake or river.
- WATER FILTER COMPATIBLE - Attaches to most 28mm threaded water filters such as the Sawyer Squeeze Mini, or micro.
- FLIP TOP CAP - Made for drinking during activity, an easy open cap cover keeps the self-sealing silicone nozzle clean.
Last update on 2023-03-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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