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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 | $35 |
| HydroBlu Versa Flow | Squeeze Filter | 100,000 | $24 |
| 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 | $70 |
| 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 2020.
1. Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
2. HydroBlu Versa Flow Water Filter
Check out the latest price at:
HydroBlu | Amazon | Garage Grown Gear
3. Katadyn BeFree Water Filter
4. Aquamira Water Purifications Drops
5. Platypus Gravity Works
6. Katadyn Hiker Water Filter
7. Steripen Ultra UV Water Purifier
8. Grayl GeoPress Water Purifier Bottle
9. MSR Miniworks EX Water Filter
10. MSR Guardian Purifier
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, protzoa, and viruses. Chemical purification is best used by individuals rather than couple 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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would love to see some light weight carbon filtration solutions.. even if they’re inline adaptors to some of the filters in this list. it’s my understanding they help cut out farming chemicals/pesticides and generally improve taste.. something not to be sneezed at if it’s your second week drinking from cattle ‘ponds’
Both the MSR Miniworks and the Grayl Geopress (both above) have activated carbon components to improve taste and the Grayl is particularly effective in removing chemicals.
The Katydyn Hiker has an “Activated-carbon core” which apparently “absorbs chemicals and pesticides to improve taste of water” You have to flush the loose carbon on first use. As to what protection it actually provides from chemicals I couldn’t say but the water always tasted good from it. The sources I was filtering were pretty clean though so ymmv. It is fairly light weight at 11oz but replacement filters are expensive at around ~$40 . Even though it is a bit heaver compared to a Squeeze it might be a better choice to take where agricultural run off is an issue.
There is also the Water-to-go line of products that does chemical contaminants filtration and would deserve to be more mentioned around. They use a 3-in-1 filter technology with mechanical filtration, electrical action and integrated activated carbon to not only remove bacterias but also viruses and most chemical contaminants. It is pretty impressive to compare the difference in taste with just tap water for example, with all the chlorine filtered out and no “mouldy” taste.
Originally it was designed to provide safe water in India and I have never had an issue since I started using it. Available in the US as well as Europe (they were UK based I think).
Same technology used in the Grayl listed here and the Rapidpure line of water purifiers sold by Adventure Medical at REI. The nice thing a=bout it is that it can withstand at least 1 round of accidental freezing.
First Need water purifier by General ecology has been my choice for backpacking for the last 14 years. They may be bulky and weight a bit more than the others’ but has never fail me on any trip. I do run two pre-filters inline which help the longevity of the purification canister, which should be done with all purifiers and filters. MSR Silt Stopper pre-filters were a good choice, but they stopped selling them for some unknown reason. Clean water is very important in the backcountry, cause getting sick out there definitely ruins the adventure.
The first water filter I ever bought was from General Ecology. In fact, I still have it tucked away in my water filter/purifier museum. It is a great filter but bulky and you had to worry about bottle compatibility when using it. I don’t really need a purifier where I hike (I usually have very clean mountain water) and have never gotten sick with some of the smaller filters I’ve used a lot in recent years including the hydroblu, the sawyer squeeze, and the Be Free.
I’ve been using Aquamira for years but I always think that I should get a filter. Then I read your review of the Hydroblu Versa and I was convinced that it was better than the Sawyer Squeeze since you said it was larger, faster, simpler, and cheaper. I am considering buying one for the spring but I am surprised that you ranked it below the Sawyer Squeeze in this list. Do the numbers 1-10 here represent a ranking or could they just as well have been bullet points in a list?
They could have just been bullets on the list. Everybody has different needs when it comes to filters. Some people need to filter for a group, some for only 1 person. Some people need to kill viruses, others not, and so on. I like the HydroBlu because it’s less expensive than a Sawyer and can be used in so many different configurations without the need to pay for extra attachments. It also doesn’t need a syringe for cleaning, and of course, it’s fast.
Thanks!
Like to see the HydroBlu getting some attention. I really like having it threaded on both ends. Makes backflushing and inline filtering so easy.
I really like mine.
If buying a Sawyer Squeeze get the “Faucet Adapter” version currently about $25 on Amazon then add a Sawyer SP150 coupling and a CNOC Vectro bag. That way you won’t be buying a bunch of stuff you don’t need. I also suggest getting some Camco 20183 1″ Hose Filter Washers to replace the washer between the squeeze bag and the filter. This should keep larger particles out of the filter. You need spare washers anyway since you will lose them and the Squeeze doesn’t work without one.
Optionally get a Sawyer SP110 Inline Hydration Pack Adapter which you can combine with the tube from the faucet kit to make a more effective gravity feed system. It’s cheap vinyl tube so you need a zip tie to seal it on the barb but I found this worked better than the squishy tube that comes with other Sawyer packages because it can rotate while still staying sealed making it easier to attach the filter to a full Vectro bag.
Or you could just by a Hydroblu Versa and not have to buy any of that extra crap.
Fair point but it looks like you still need the Vectro and technically the other parts I suggested are optional.
Also to be fair the Sawyer Squeeze SP129 package includes all the bits for an equivalent gravity setup to the Hydroblu Versa package. The Versa only adds a tube closure clip which is nice but unnecessary. SP129 now includes the back flush coupler to allow you to attach the clean water bottle. My suggested alternative setup using the SP182 package gets the Squeeze a bit cheaper and imo better than the stock Sawyer setup assuming you are going to use a CNOC Vectro which is why I thought it was worth mentioning.
The Hydroblu Versa does appear to beat the Sawyer Squeeze on price and I like its features. However it does seem to have a couple of “cons”…
1) As with the Sawyer it doesn’t come with a good backcountry water gathering tool and you have to buy the CNOC Vectro for a practical system.
2) To use the popular Smart water bottles as a dirty water or backfllush bottle you have to find a washer that can provide a good seal. While it seems you can use other disposable bottles, the Smart water bottles are popular for their oddly convenient shape and durability. I see no reason you can’t use Smart bottles as clean water containers but the incompatibility is annoying for US users.
3) It is not clear to me how you use the Versa as a “straw” with a bottle as a reservoir which is a very popular way to use the Squeeze. There doesn’t appear to be a way to connect one of those sport bottle caps. The Squeeze comes with a push pull one but I like the much nicer soft nozzle flip top kind come “free” with some bottled water. The Versa’s built in capped tube seems an imperfect substitute if that is the intent. I haven’t tried the Versa yet so it may be less of an issue than I think.
4) Like the Sawyer SP129 the Hydroblu gravity package comes with a couple of bladders you are probably not going to use if you buy a CNOC Vectro and use disposable bottles. I suppose you might carry one for an impromptu extra water carry if you suddenly decided to dry camp but you can carry dirty water in the CNOC for the same effect. Unlike the Sawyer, the bags are almost free so this is less annoying but it’s still extra clutter in the “too good to throw away but honestly I will never use” gear box we all have.
Thanks Philip, the amount & quality of content you generate is mind-numbing. I wasn’t sure where to post this but I found it helpful in designing a compatible water ecosystem. Hope it helps. Credit Vecto. Steve H
…. we wanted the Vecto to work well with as many threads as possible. Despite the “28mm neck” claims of so many filters, in reality, they often end up having different threads. Even more frustrating, the thread can sometimes be different for each product. To solve that, we opted for a hybrid of threads to provide the most options for you when in the field: The Vecto uses thread shape from the ISBT PCO 1823 and fits them on the PCO 1817. This allows it to use the pressure seal of the PCO while working with SP threads (that are thin) like the PCO 1823.
Just to give some context, here are some of the threads out there:
• Cola bottle: PCO 1881
• Old Cola bottle: PCO 1810
• SmartWater bottle: PCO 1817
• Sawyer collapsible bottle: SP 415
• Platypus bottles: SP 400 (old), SP 410 (new)
• Evernew bottles: SP 415
• Sawyer mini filter: SP 410
• Sawyer Squeeze filter: SP 415
• HydroBlu Versa Flow: SP 425
The above makes you wonder, why do the SmartWater bottles work so well with the Sawyer filters but not the HydroBlu? Simple: the PCO 1817 has thicker threads that won’t fit well into the HydroBlu’s thinner grooves. This is why we used the thinner threads of the PCO 1881 on the 1817 shape, so they both fit!
Last Note About Threads and Vectos
The one thing we have heard the most from you is that you find the Vecto’s threads to be too soft to get a good seal with some filters, mainly the Sawyer Mini. The reason for this problem is that the Mini has the oddest thread of them all (it works well with old soda bottles) but works well with everything else. To solve this, we are increasing the density of materials on the neck so you can use more torque to seal the Mini on properly.
All available Vectos are now updated according to your feedback: they feature a stiffer and longer neck that allows all filters, caps and hoses with a 28mm thread to connect securely. We are proud that we can make a product that actually fits everyone’s needs.
Funny – I was just wondering about this today!