Nothing worse than running out of water to drink when traveling. When you’re out in a forest, that can be a huge problem. That’s where a water filter comes into play. Refill anytime from any nearby source of water with no worry. Be it water spring, river, ocean, waterfall, or anywhere you can find water. Besides, you’ll save a lot of money with a water filter, while contributing to the environmental cause. No more single-use plastic bottle! In this article, we’ll show you the best water filter for backpacking you can buy!
Just a water bottle is not enough. You’ll have to bring a gallon of water just to keep yourself hydrated. Isn’t that a hassle? Backpacking trips should be light and easy. Bringing big water bottles requires extra space and weighs you down greatly.
This is why water filter comes very handy. It can filter out all kinds of bacteria, making most water source consumable. All you have to do is to find a nearby water source. The water filter will purify the water, making it safe to drink. And just like that! You can drink fresh and clean water anytime and anywhere.
How to Choose the Best Water Filter
Choosing the best water purifier for backpacking can be a little tricky. You can’t just buy what’s available on the market. Quality must be the top priority. Otherwise, you’ll sacrifice your health and safety. What to consider before buying the best water purifier for backpacking? Let’s take look!.
Filtration Technology
You need a product that can filter out all the contaminants. It has to be able to remove chlorine, bacteria, and other harmful substances. This is the most crucial part of a water filter. If you buy a product with poor filtration technology, you’re risking your health! So always make sure the product you buy can purify the water 100%.
Compactness
We’re talking about the best water filter for backpacking. Being compact and lightweight is a must! You’d want to carry things as minimal as possible. A big and bulky water filter will take up too much space, leaving us with little space for other things in our hiking backpack. That’s why we recommend a water filter that is easy to carry and compact.
Ease of Use
Some water filters are actually difficult to use. You should avoid these kinds of products if you can. Choose one that is practical and simple to use. You don’t want to waste your traveling time just to drink water, right?
Capacity
Find a capacity that suits your need. It all depends on your travel plan. For a long trip, you might need a water filter that can store up to 2 liters. While for a short trip like a weekend gateway, you might just need a straw filter. It fits nicely in your traveling purse! Besides, it also depends on your travel style. If you prefer to travel light, a straw filter can be practical most of the time. If you’re planning to go camping in a group, a gravity filter would be a better choice.
Life Defender Mini Water Purifier (404)
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Life Defender Mini Water Purifier has changed the way people use a water filter. It’s completely redesigned with a new ergonomic feature, among others. Now it comes in a pocket-size, making it easy to slip it in anywhere inside your backpack! It offers 3 stages of an advanced filtration system. Water is filtered through fiber membrane, activated carbon, and antibacterial beads. Removing all the bacteria and harmful substances! Overall, it’s made to obtain pure water directly from the source.
What We Love
It’s small and ultra-light, without sacrificing important features.
Pros:
- BPA and chemical-free
- Filters up to 396 gallons
- Features the most effective 3-stage filtration system
Cons:
It requires more effort to suck water up the filtration.
HydroBlu Versa Flow
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Backpacking, camping, and other outdoor activities will be easier with HydroBlu Versa Flow. It’s very versatile and easy to carry. This is one of the best water filters for backpacking you can get at this price range. A collapsible water pocket is also included. Making it convenient to use as a gravity system or bucket filter. You can use it to refill your bottle or directly as a straw. Whichever you choose, 99.9% of bacteria including E Coli and Giardia will be removed. Capacity-wise, it can flow about 1 gallon in 5 minutes.
What We Love
Super lightweight, making it perfect for adventure. No need to carry a bulky bottle anymore!
Pros:
- Easy to carry and easy to use
- Very versatile, it can be used in 3 ways
- Exceeds EPA filtration standard
Cons:
Too short when used as a straw.
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Joypur Water Filter Bottle
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Enjoy your backpacking trip with Joypur Water Filter Bottle. You don’t need to do anything else other than refilling your bottle anytime you want. It filters out all the harmful substance right in the bottle. No pumping or sucking needed! With 4-level purification, you’ll get the purest water to drink. Making the water very clear, healthy, and ready to drink. It can filter up to 1500 liters. And you can also replace the filter when it’s worn out. It’s perfect for both outdoor adventure and daily use.
What We Love
No only purifying the water, but it can also remove the odor!
Pros:
- Leak-proof design
- Medical grade fiber membrane
- 0.01-micron ultrafiltration technology
Cons:
Hard plastic material tends to break easily if dropped.
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Katadyn Hiker Pro
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Katadyn is one of the top brands for water filter products on the market. Katadyn Hiker Pro is one of their newest lines. It’s currently the best water filter for backpacking with the pumping system. Katadyn Hiker Pro’s quality is proven to be one of the best among backpackers. The 0.2-micron filter can remove harmful organisms like bacteria and protozoa. Cryptosporidium and Giardia are among them, some of the most dangerous ones. This water filter can fill up fast, thanks to quick-connect fitting technology! Keeping you well-hydrated all day.
What We Love
The design makes it very easy to use. No time wasted to fill up your bottle!
Pros:
- Activated carbon for better taste
- Transparent design makes it easy for you to see the filtration process
- Cleanable filter protector screen
Cons:
The pump model requires more effort to use.
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Brita 20oz Premium
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With Brita 20oz Premium, you help to reduce plastic waste equal to 300 bottles. Single-use plastic is a big problem for the environment. With this, you’ll save money, save the environment, and stay hydrated all day. Its beautiful and premium design will definitely complement your style. Functional and fashionable at the same time! The 20oz capacity is great for daily use or a short backpacking trip.
What We Love
Beautiful design with lots of color options, choose the one that suits your personality!
Pros:
- Easy to open on the go
- Leak-proof lid
- Keeps water cold for 24 hours
Cons:
All stainless steel body makes it heavy to carry.
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LifeStraw Flex Advanced
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The LifeStraw Flex Advanced gravity bag is perfect when you travel in a group. With huge capacity, it can serve up to 3 people. Not only it can filter out all bacteria, but it can also remove micro-plastics. The hollow fiber membrane is the highest-quality in its class. This is the best water purifier for backpacking with the gravity system. It also has a very long life-span. You can filter up to 2000 liters! With LifeStraw give back program, you also help a child in need of clean water. Making a great impact on the environment and also humanity.
What We Love
No need to bring too many water filters when traveling in a group. One is enough for all.
Pros:
- Huge capacity
- Versatile, it can be used in 4 ways
- The quality exceeds US EPA standards
Cons:
The gravity system can be a little bit of hassle to install.
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Sawyer Squeeze
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Sawyer Squeeze fits in the palm of your hand. So, you can take it wherever you go! It’s lightweight and very portable, without sacrificing function. The performance has been tested to make sure it meets the standard. Equipped with a high-performance 0.1-micron inline filter, this is the first squeeze model on the market. It also comes with 3 free pouches that can be used hundreds of times.
What We Love
Advanced features in a super small package!
Pros:
- Last up to 100.000 gallons
- Comes with 3 different size pouches
- Unlimited use, no need to replace the cartridge
Cons:
You have to constantly squeeze. The water won’t flow unless you squeeze.
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CrazyCap UV
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CrazyCap UV brings you the next level of purification technology. This is currently the best water purifier for backpacking you can get on the market. Powered by Deep UV-C, it will eliminate 99.9% of viruses, bacteria, and mold from the water. It’s safe to say that this is the sterilization of the future. One of these can replace 500.000 water bottles. Besides, a self-cleaning bottle is the best investment you can make!
What We Love
Sleek and stylish design. It’s functional, but you can also make it a fashion statement.
Pros:
- Unlimited use, no replacement needed
- 7-day of battery life in a single charge
- Food-grade material and BPA-free
Cons:
The UV-C machine is fragile.
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Katadyn BeFree
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Traveling light has never been this easy with Katadyn BeFree. The collapsible hydra pack soft bottle can be folded into a small fit. And with its Ez-Clean membrane, you just need to shake and swish! You get all the clean water you need just like that. It’s currently the best water filter for backpacking with soft bottle material you can get. Stay simple, healthy, and clean all day!
What We Love
Super simple, lightweight, and portable. You can even fit it in your pocket!
Pros:
- 1-liter capacity, enough for hours
- No backflushing or extra tool needed
- Filters up to 1000 liters
Cons:
Thin material, might break easily.
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Epic Nalgene OG
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Looking for the best water filter for backpacking with big capacity? Epic Nalgene OG is all you need. When other standard bottles can only hold 20oz of water, this bottle can hold 32oz. The perfect bottle for a long backpacking trip or a long walk. It can also reduce up to 550 plastic water bottles.
What We Love
Big capacity so you don’t need to refill over and over again.
Pros:
- Depth and Adsorption filtration system
- American made with 100% food-grade material
- Easy to recycle
Cons:
Pretty big and bulky, it won’t fit in a small backpack.
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Brita Premium 26oz
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Another excellent product from Brita with beautiful design. Brita Premium offers a high-quality water filter, but they also make it looks elegant. One Brita Premium 26oz can replace around 1800 single-use plastic bottles. Making it the best water filter for backpacking on its category. Since it’s made of glass, you can also easily clean it in a dishwasher.
What We Love
Premium clear glass design with 6 beautiful color options.
Pros:
- Cup holder friendly design
- Dishwasher safe material
- Features a leak-proof lid
- Easy to open
Cons:
Glass is very fragile. Not suitable for a rough adventure.
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Sawyer Mini
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Sawyer Mini is Sawyer’s lightest and most versatile water filter to date. It’s very compact and offers a high-performance filtration system. It can remove 99.99% bacteria including E Coli, Salmonella, and Cholera. It’s great for both short or long backpacking trips. The filter would last up to 100.000 gallons. Making it the best water filter for backpacking among other mini straw products.
What We Love
Small, extremely durable, and lasts for years! Ideal for any travel style.
Pros:
- Drinking pouch and disposable bottle included
- Super lightweight, weighing only 2 ounces
- Fiber membranes for extra protection
Cons:
Too short when used to directly drink from a water source.
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LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
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LifeStraw is one of the pioneers of a straw water filter. This brand is a global leader in innovative water purification system. LifeStraw Personal Water Filter was first introduced in 2005. Today, this is the best of the best water filter for backpacking of all time. They’ve made massive improvements in 15 years and remain at the top. This is the best-selling item from LifeStraw. The Original LifeStraw has sold hundreds of thousand units. It’s still the number one choice for backpackers all around the world for more than a decade.
What We Love
Ultralight, super easy to use and it has an iconic design.
Pros:
- Requires no electrical power
- No shelf life. It can be stored indefinitely
- Filters up to 1000 gallons
Cons:
Price is slightly higher than competitors from the same category.
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