Best Backpacking Water Filters 2023

For outdoor enthusiasts, clean and safe drinking water isn’t something to be taken for granted. Whether you're spending the day trekking through remote wilderness, embarking on a multi-day hike or simply camping in the backcountry, it’s a good idea to bring along one of the best backpacking water filters to ensure access to potable water.

Filtering your own water in nature can help cut down on backpack weight.

Packing your supply of water for longer trips adds significant weight to your backpack, which may be cumbersome at best and a challenge at worst. While natural water sources like rivers, streams and lakes might look pristine, they can harbor harmful microorganisms, parasites and contaminants that can cause gastrointestinal issues and ruin your adventure. That's where a good portable water filter comes into play. They are devices designed to remove harmful substances from water while preserving its taste and clarity.

Read on for some of the best backpacking water filters on the market to ensure you can quench your thirst anywhere there's a natural water source.

Amazon

The Sawyer Squeeze has topped the best water filtration systems lists for years. While it is an excellent product, we're partial to the brand's bottle filtration system due to the ease of use and affordable price tag.

The filter uses pump-free hollow fiber membrane technology to ensure the removal of bacteria and protozoa. According to the company, it removes more than 99.99% of bacteria, salmonella, cholera, E. coli, protozoa (like cryptosporidium and giardia) and microplastics, so your water isn't just potable; it's pristine. It also lasts a long time—the filtration system is rated up to 100,000 gallons (which means you can refill the bottle more than 533,000 times).

The kit comes with a mini filter and cap (which fits on most standard wide-mouth water bottles), a cleaning plunger and the 24-ounce bottle, which fits well in backpack side pockets and is easy to drink from. To use, just fill the bottle with water.

REI Co-op

LifeStraw is arguably one of the most trusted names in outdoor water filtration—the straw iteration has been around since 2005.

It's ultra-light at just 1.7 ounces and measures just 7 inches long, making it easy to toss into a backpack, pocket or emergency kit. It's straightforward to use—there are no batteries, chemicals or tedious set-up instructions—you stick the filter into a water source and sip, just like you would with a regular straw (though it can also be attached to the mouth of a water bottle if you'd prefer). It has a high flow rate of 3 liters per minute, so you won't have to work hard to get clean water. The filter, which lasts for up to 500 gallons, removes at least 99.99% of bacteria, parasites and microplastics. The kit comes with the solo water filter with top and bottom caps and a backwash syringe for cleaning.

Amazon

Not only is Larq Purevis innovative, with UV technology and double-walled, stainless steel insulation that keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours, but it's also a game-changer in terms of function and design.

The Larq Bottle Purevis has a UV light built right into the bottle cap. A rechargeable battery powers it, and once the button is pressed, the UV technology runs a 60-second cleaning cycle every two hours to zap bio-contaminants like E. coli and the parasite that causes giardia (it won't, however, filter out things like dirt or microplastics, as there isn't a filter). It would also be good for people who don't make a habit of cleaning their everyday water bottles—the UV light prevents any funky odors or mold.

The brand says the battery life is roughly one month per charge (a micro USB charges it), based on three or four cleaning cycles per day, and the UV light should last for more than 100,000 cycles. We like that the minimalist, matte finish gives the bottle a premium feel and that it comes in 17 or 25-ounce options.

REI Co-op

What sets the Platypus GravityWorks 4L apart is how fast it can filter enough water for a group.

Unlike other filtration systems that require pumping or squeezing, this filtration system is powered by gravity. Users start by simply filling the dirty water reservoir in a lake, stream, pond, or from any other freshwater source. Then hang it up and let gravity do the cleaning at a rate of 1.75 liters per minute. The hollow fiber microfilter technology removes bacteria, protozoa and particulates, ensuring your water is clear and safe to consume. The empty setup comes in at just 11.5 ounces, so it won't weigh down your pack, making it perfect for backpacking, camping or any outdoor excursion. The lifespan of the filter is roughly 400 gallons.

hydros

If you're new to water filtration systems, you might not be keen on shelling out the big bucks—what if you never use it? That's where the Hydros comes in. At just $20, this 20-ounce bottle is more or less comparable in price to a standard reusable plastic bottle, except this one is able to quickly filter out everything from bacteria to microplastics. It even lessens the taste of chlorine, making it a solid choice for those who typically opt for bottled water over tap water.

It takes less than 20 seconds for the water to finish filtering. The filtering mechanism is made from 100% coconut carbon shell and can be used 600 times before it needs to be replaced. Spent filters can be mailed back to the company for recycling via TerraCycle—just request a free pre-paid shipping envelope.

REI Co-op

The Katadyn Steripen Ultra Water Purifier isn't quite a filter, but it does go a long way in helping you get clean drinking water anywhere. The Steripen works best with water that's already mostly clean—think glacier water or water from fast-moving streams, not stagnant puddles or lakes—as it only purifies the water but doesn’t filter out particulate matter.

To use it, click a button and gently stir the water—the UV technology destroys harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa in 1 liter of water in as little as 90 seconds. Because it weighs just a few ounces, it can easily fit into a pocket or backpack, making it easy to bring anywhere (you need to bring an additional cup or water bottle, however). The battery is rechargeable with a USB cord and, when fully charged, can treat roughly 50 liters of water.

We relied on independent testing, online reviews and expert insights when selecting the best backpacking water filters. Each filter included in this roundup is one we own ourselves, borrowed from friends and family or tested in conjunction with the manufacturer. When testing each water filter, we weighed important specs and features, including size, lifespan of the filter, ease of use and durability. We also considered online reviews from customers just like you and compared these reviews against our findings to make more informed decisions.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the baseline amount of water needed for a day is roughly 125 ounces for men and 91 ounces for women. Though typically, a good rule of thumb if you're hiking or doing an outdoor activity is an additional half-liter of water for every hour of moderate exercise (though you may need more depending on the intensity of your workout and how hot it is outside).