What are the best water filter and water purification treatment systems used by backpackers? That really depends on your preferences, the quality of the water you need to filter or purify, and the number of people you need to treat water for. For example, squeeze-style water filters, UV purification, and filter bottles tend to be good for solo users and clear water sources, while chemical purification and pump filters/purifiers are good for larger groups and riskier or murkier water sources. Cost and filter longevity are also worth considering.
| Make / Model | Type | Lifetime (in Liters) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sawyer Squeeze | Squeeze Filter | 100,000 | $37 |
| HydroBlu Versa Flow | Squeeze Filter | 100,000 | $22 |
| Katadyn BeFree | Squeeze Filter | 1,000 | $40 |
| Aquamira Purification Drops | Chemical Purification | 120 | $15 |
| Platypus Gravity Works | Gravity Filter | 1,500 | $110 |
| Katadyn Hiker | Pump Filter | 1,100 | $75 |
| Steripen Ultra | UV Purification | 8,000 | $110 |
| Grayl Geopress | Squeeze Filter | 250 | $90 |
| MSR Miniworks EX | Pump Filter | 2,000 | $90 |
| MSR Guardian | Pump Purifier | 10,000 | $350 |
Here are the 10 best backpacking water filters and water purification systems we recommend for backpacking, hiking, and camping in 2021.
1. Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
2. HydroBlu Versa Flow Water Filter
3. Katadyn BeFree Water Filter
4. Aquamira Water Purifications Drops
5. Platypus Gravity Works
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Backcountry | REI | Amazon
6. Katadyn Hiker Water Filter
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Backcountry | REI | Amazon
7. Steripen Ultra UV Water Purifier
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Backcountry | REI | Amazon
8. Grayl GeoPress Water Purifier Bottle
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Backcountry | REI | Amazon
9. MSR Miniworks EX Water Filter
10. MSR Guardian Purifier
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Backcountry | REI | Amazon
How to Choose a Backpacking Water Filter or Purifier
Many natural water sources contain microscopic organisms that can cause illness in humans. Most water filters intended for backcountry use will remove bacteria and protozoa, including giardia and cryptosporidium from these water sources. This is usually sufficient in the United States, Canada, and the UK. Viruses, often found in international water sources, are hard to remove because they are so small. Finer grained filters called purifiers are needed to remove them. They also can be neutralized with chemical purification agents such as chlorine dioxide or ultraviolet light.
There are a wide number of different water filter and purifier types available. Unfortunately, none of them are foolproof or perfectly suited for all kinds of trips and locales. They also differ in ease of use, the length of time it takes for them to process water, and whether they’re good for solo or group use. Here’s a brief summary of the different types and their strengths and weaknesses, with several examples to illustrate the available products in each category.
Squeeze Water Filters
Squeeze filters are single-stage filters that are good for removing bacteria and protozoa, but not viruses. They’re best used with clear water sources that are low in particulates and suspended organic matter to prevent clogging. Processing speed depends on the size of the “dirty” water bottle coupled with the filter and how much pressure the user exerts to push water through it. However, squeeze filters typically slow down with use and must be back-flushed with a cleaning syringe regularly to maintain their flow rate. Some examples:
Gravity and Inline Water Filters
Gravity water filters make it possible to process larger quantities of water at once using the power of gravity. A large water reservoir, called “the dirty bag” is hung from a tree with a hose leading to a water filter. The output of the filter flows out another hose to a clean reservoir, called the “clean bag.” A squeeze style, single-stage filter is typically used. Gravity filters are good for couples and small groups. An inline water filter uses a similar setup, but the user suck on the output hose rather than running it to a clean bag. Some examples:
- Platypus Gravity Works 4 Liter Water Filter System
- Katadyn BeFree 3 Liter Gravity Water Filter System
- Sawyer 1 Gallon Gravity Filter System (designed for inline filter use)
Bottle and Straw Water Filters
Bottle and straw filters usually use the same single-stage, hollow fiber filters used by squeeze, gravity, and inline water filter systems. The user sucks water stored in a bottle or directly from the water source through the filter, rather than transferring it to secondary storage. They are best used by individuals in places where water is abundant. Some examples:
Pump Water Filters and Purifiers
Pump water filters filter out bacteria and protozoa, while pump water purifiers can also remove viruses. They have hand pumps that force water through the filter and out to secondary storage for future use. While pump filters do require some elbow grease to operate, they usually filter water quite quickly and are suitable for use by couples as well as individuals. Most have a pre-filter at the end of the hose that you drop into the water source to remove particulates and organic matter. They can be cleaned and replacement filters are usually available. Some examples:
Chemical Water Purification
Chemical water purifiers are available in tablet or liquid form. The best chemical ingredient is chlorine dioxide, which has virtually no taste or color and kills bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. Chemical purification is best used by individuals rather than couples or groups because it takes anywhere from 15 minutes to 4 hours to fully purify water, far longer than other methods. While it is very lightweight, it is relatively expensive when compared to other methods. Many hikers carry chlorine dioxide as a backup to a second primary filter or purification method, as a result. Some examples:
Ultraviolet Light Water Purification
Ultraviolet Light is an effective form of water purification that neutralizes bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. It is best used with clear water since it doesn’t remove any particulates or organic matter. While UV purification is relatively fast, it’s not good for processing large quantities of water. It also depends on working batteries, which can run out of power. Some examples:
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On one of my hikes in US Southwest desert , where I do not use a filter any longer, my Aquamira Part B bottle sprang a leak and I found myself up the creek without a paddle. A few days later in a tiny town in NM I bought a small bottle of laundry bleach. Six drops per liter did the trick for the next three weeks of the hike. With this amount the swimming pool flavor was not too bad ( this may be a function of the quality/flavor of the input water, which in NM cattle country was mostly pretty gross). For those averse to the chlorine smell/flavor, addition of a small tablet of vitamin C at the end of the treatment period will solve that problem.
It may be old-fashioned, but it’s light, cheap, does not require batteries, nor does it clog. I have heard and read contradictory information concerning the effectiveness of bleach against cryptosporidium and girardia. The opinions appeared to be held strongly and voiced forcefully without the ability to quote chapter and verse.
I trust the scientists on this one. Bleach is not an effective method for disinfecting Cryptosporidium and Giardia. “Disinfectants can kill most harmful or disease-causing viruses and bacteria, but are not as effective in controlling more resistant organisms, such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia parasites.”
https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/travel/index.html
I use chlorine dioxide drops or a water filter and always carry a backup for my primary method, should it fail or be compromised.
I have been really satisfied with my BeFree 3 liter gravity filter for several years. 3 liters is a good volume for me. What I love the most is the direct connect to my hydration system which makes it really easy to refill the bladder.
Your thoughts on Rapid Pure? A virus barrier, I understand, and comes in various permutations. In its own bottle, in any wide mouthed bottle, and as a gravity filter.
I reviewed several of the variants last year.
https://sectionhiker.com/rapidpure-intrepid-water-purifier-bottle-review/
https://sectionhiker.com/rapidpure-universal-purifier-bottle-adapter-review/
I think it really depends on your style, what type of hikes you do, and what water quality you need to protect against. The purifier functionality is only good for 25 gallons and the system is really best used with bottles. I personally prefer a large batch fill, squeeze, decant method of filtering (ie. Sawyer or Hydroblu) to using proprietary or metal bottles. But if you like carrying metal bottles, like on day hikes, the rapid pure would probably work reasonably well for you. (It’s worth mentioning that the Grayl purifier uses the same purifier/filter technology and lasts 10 times longer.)
In New England, with the exception of Vermont (cows), water filters are usually quite sufficient and a purifier isn’t needed. But I could see using the RapidPure in Mexico or India for travel where water quality and sanitation may be suspect (if we’re ever allowed to leave the US again in a post Covid world.) For international backcountry use, I’d carry an MSR Guardian. No doubt about it,
For cattle country (thinking New Mexico, Arizona) – is a purifier necessary against those pathogens, or is a filter alone sufficient? E.g. sawyer squeeze alone vs. Sawyer Squeeze + Aquamira or MSR Guardian
You need to consider pathogens as well as fertilizer/pesticide use. I’d certainly consider using a purifier with a charcoal component, or one of the electrostatic purifiers like a Grayl or RapidPure. If you’re hiking on public lands, your best source regarding the quality of the local water is to call the land manager (the rangers overseeing the land parcel) and asking their advice.
After a few thousand miles hiking through grazing country in AZ, NM, UT I have overcome my earlier water purification anxiety. Being careful about the selection of your raw water source, i.e. by careful trip planning, you can get away without a secondary treatment post filtration. I abandoned charcoal cartridges when I found that they did not lead to improved taste of marginal water. In these areas I do not worry about pesticides and fertilizer contamination as the margins in cattle ranching are so low that nobody could afford to treat the land given the size of the ranches. Downstream of human settlements I only use water from springs, potholes and seeps. For example, I would not take water from the Paria downstream of the cotton bowl by Safford or of Mineral Creek along the AZT.
I go out for very long treks (four to eight weeks typically) and I got tired of struggling with filters in the absence of opportunities to clean them regularly. That Utah sand gets into the most ridiculous places and resists flushing. I have transitioned completely to chemical treatment. So far so good. I have learned to distribute my treatment chemicals over multiple vessels so that a leak or a spill does not force me to wing it or to bail out.
I suggest you take a look at the article on Desert Water Purification that Ben wrote recently. He explains how to do some of the techniques Tom describes. I’ll just say that experience matters. These guys are both pretty experienced with the terrain.
https://sectionhiker.com/desert-water-purification-filtering/
Why is the First Need Deluxe purifier never mentioned? It was basically the first non chemical purifier for backpackers and had EPA backing for viruses as well as the regular nasties.
Because its technology, a glass fiber matrix, was superseded by newer hollow fiber filters and electrostatic purification. These newer technologies are as effective, easier for people to understand, and less expensive. The First Need was a great product. I myself used one for many years. But I switched to a Sawyer Squeeze when it first came out and never looked back.