Best 10 Backpacking Water Filters Of 2024

One of the most important items to bring to your backpacking or camping trip is an outdoor water filter. Drinking water is very important but unfortunately, you cannot just drink water from the outdoors. Water that can be found in the wilderness can contain microorganisms that are very harmful to the body. These organisms can make people sick and can even cause death. Most of the time, they cause diarrhea though. I listed a few good outdoor water filters. Hopefully, you will find one of these items to be satisfactory to your needs.

Best Outdoor Water Filters – Quick Chart

How To Choose A Backpacking Water Filter

Different Ways Of Getting Clean Drinking Water

Water Filters

The most common way to get drinking water while backpacking and hiking is by using a water filter. A water filter will destroy pathogens and allow the user to drink the water. There are many kinds of water filter such as pump action, straws, gravity induced water filter, water bottle with filter and so on. Most of these are very light in weight and compact which makes them perfect for backpacking and for travel.

Iodine Water Purifier

Iodine tablets are some of the best ways to purify water. Iodine can kill viruses, microorganisms, and other harmful bacteria. The tablets have to be stored in a dark bottle and in a dark room. Iodine has salty aftertaste and it is not recommended for people who have thyroid problems, pregnant women and people hypersensitive to iodine. It is best to talk to your Doctor before using iodine.

Chlorine Dioxide Water Purifier

I like chlorine dioxide tablets since it tastes better than iodine. Chlorine dioxide is great if you want to purify your water. It will kill a lot of nasty bacteria, microorganisms and viruses. This is a great way to purify drinking water while in a backpacking trip.

UV Light

UV light can also purify water. UV light is a lot easier and does not leave an after taste. You do not need tablets, you do not need to filter the water. All you have to do is shine the UV light on the water. This is very cost effective too.

Boiling Your Water

Boiling water is most likely the best way to kill pathogens. You have to boil water for one minute or more. This will kill all the virus, bacteria and pathogens that are in the water. The drawback is that you cannot use this for hiking. It is good for camping or backpacking but too heavy and too time consuming for hiking.

Types Of Backpacking Water Filters

Pump Action

Pump action is a good way to filter a lot of water in a very short time. Pump action filters allow you to use your arms to pump water. This is very easy to do, does not require complicated instructions and most pump action water filters work well.

Straw

Straws are great water filters for the outdoors. These are very light in weight and you can just use the item on the go. If you find a pool of water, you can use your straw to sip water from it. This is very easy to use and this works well also. Not great for filtering a lot of water though.

Gravity Water Filters

Gravity water filters are pretty good also. You put water in a container and you let it drip into the filter. This is kind of filter is somewhat slow but you can filter water in your campsite while you are sleeping or cooking.

Water Bottle With Filter

There are now a lot of water bottles with filter. Some can only filter tap water while some can filter pools of water found in the wilderness. Make sure that your item works well for the intended task.

Common Micro-Organisms Found In Contaminated Pools Of Water

Protozoa – Cryptosporidium

This microscopic parasite causes diarrhea, vomiting and cramps. There are many species of this parasite. Chlorine and iodine are not very effective against this parasite. Water filters with less than or equal to 1 micron is very effective at removing this parasite. You can also just boil your water to kill this parasite.

Protozoa – Giardia intestinalis

This is another microscopic parasite that causes diarrhea, gastrointestinal illnesses, cramps, vomiting and more. This parasite comes from the feces of human beings and animals. Iodine and Chlorine dioxide are pretty effective. Boiling your water is also very effective. Water filters with less than or equal to 1 micron is very effective at removing this parasite.

Bacteria – (for example, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli)

There are many different kinds of bacteria that can be found in the wild. Good thing is that there are many ways to destroy these bacteria. A filter with 0.3 microns is relatively or moderately effective on these organisms. Iodine and chlorine are very effective in destroying a lot of bacteria. Boiling the drinking water for 1 minute is great at destroying bacteria as well.

Viruses – (for example, enterovirus, hepatitis A, norovirus, rotavirus)

There are also a lot of viruses that can be found in the wilderness. Viruses can cause a lot of illnesses and diseases. Filters are not very good against viruses but iodine and chlorine are very good at killing viruses.

Prefilter To Remove Large Particles

You can also bring a prefilter to filter out sediments, soil, and small pebbles from a water source. The easiest way is to bring some coffee filters. Coffee filters are great at filtering objects from a pool of water.

Backpacking Features To Consider

Lightweight

Water filter is a necessity when we are going to go backpacking. We can survive a few days without food. But without water, we are so screwed. Filtered water allows us to not get sick and have an infinite source of water when there is a river or lake nearby. We can also filter rain water from the mud and so on. Having a water filter is good but we need to make sure that it is lightweight. We are carrying a lot of necessities to the outdoors. We need to make sure that they are very light. The heavier our backpacks become, the more fatigue we are going to get and the less fun we are going to have.

Easy To Use

The water filter has to be easy to use and not complicated. You don’t want to put a lot of effort into filtering your drinking water. There are lots of items out there that are very easy to use. You don’t need to settle for anything way too complicated. You are not in the comfort of your own home, the harder and more complicated the item, the more useless they become in the outdoors.

Effective

The item has to be effective at cleaning or filtering the water. Always check how the item is filtering the water and whether the process has been proven to be good or effective. You don’t want to get sick while in the outdoors. No one is going to carry you. You have to walk while your stomach is hurting. You may end up getting diarrhea too.

Compact

The item has to be compact since the space in your backpack is very limited. Luckily, there are a lot of filters that are very compact and meant for the outdoors. Some are pretty good for travel also. For backpacking, you have a limited amount of space in your bag. You need to use that space as wisely as possible.

Durable

The filter has to be durable. It is such a hassle to have a filter that breaks down in the middle of the wilderness. You are going to not have water and you are also going to carry extra weight. So make sure that the item that you are getting is pretty durable. You can save a lot of money, time and headache if the item that you have works well and very high quality.

Best Outdoor Water Filters

All product links are affiliate links.

1. Katadyn Vario Water Filter

Technical Specs
Weight: 15 oz
Dimensions: Height: 6.5”
Type: Pump
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: Simple turn engages a ceramic pre-filter for long life in dirty water or a pleated glass fiber filter in normal conditions, uses a replaceable katadyn carbon core and cleanable ceramic disc, can be used to fill hydration systems or larger containers

Short Review: The way I view it is that this Sawyer outdoor water filter is amazing. Sawyer makes one of the best and most popular water filters for the outdoors. This is very lightweight, easy to use and very compact. It filters water very well. Takes out parasites, microorganisms and harmful toxins that are bad for the body. The greatest part of this item is the budget friendly price tag that it has. This comes with a drinking pouch, and cleaning kit. This is exactly what I am trying to find and I am glad that it is obtainable on the web. This has plenty of positive customer feedback that it is easy to see that this is extremely good.

2. Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System

Technical Specs
Weight: 2 oz
Dimensions: 4 x 3 x 8in.
Type: Straw
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: High-performance 0.1 micron absolute inline filter fits in the palm of your hand and weighs just 2 ounces, removes 99.99999% of all bacteria (salmonella, cholera, and E. coli); removes 99.9999% of all protozoa

Short Review: This is certainly one of the greatest survival water filters that I know of. This is a little bit expensive. This is very powerful though. All you need to do is pump a few times and you will get a few liters of clear drinkable water. This is great as a survival and emergency tool and you can bring it for backpacking as well. I find this as just about the most fulfilling items that I have ever tried and I know you will also. This item exceeded my expectations. This is extremely sturdy simply because of the high quality materials used to create it. This works well, easy to use, and filters water rather well.

3. LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.0 oz
Dimensions: 7.9 x 0.8 x 0.8in.
Type: Straw
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: Removes bacteria & parasites, The microfiltration membrane removes 99.999999% of waterborne bacteria, removes microplastics: Removes the smallest microplastics found in the environment (down to 1 micron), and reduces turbidity down to 0.2 microns

Short Review: This outdoor water filter that you are going to check out is really good. Lifestraw is a good company that creates amazing outdoor items. This is another one of their amazing items. This water filter works well, easy to use and this filters water rather well also. This is among the highest quality items that you can acquire online. This is truly an extraordinary item that is also very affordable. This is excellent its no wonder that this has a whole lot of positive consumer reviews. If you need an item with a wonderful design, then you need to look at this one. If you want something inexpensive, then this item is what you’ve been looking for.

4. Survivor Filter PRO

Technical Specs
Weight: 1 lbs
Dimensions: 3.2 x 2 x 6.5in.
Type: Pump
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: Independently tested in the usa to show 99.999 percent filtration removal of tested virus, bacteria, parasites and reduces heavy metals, unpleasant tastes and odors, proven protection against any unwanted objects in your drinking water

Short Review: This water filtration device is one of the best that I really love. This offers very per fast flow rate of 500 milliliters (17 ounces) per minute and can be used directly from fresh water source. This filters 99.999% virus, staph, parasites and bacteria and also reduces heavy metals by 99.5% of mercury and 93% lead – surpassing EPA standards for water filters. You will understand much more about this item if you read through the positive customer reviews. The exquisite design and wonderful structure enable this item to have the capability to provide clean drinking water. If you are searching for a wonderful item that has a lot of customer reviews, then this is a good choice.

5. Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System

Technical Specs
Weight: 2 oz
Dimensions: 9.1 x 2.8 x 2.8 in
Type: Straw plus collapsible bottle
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: 0.1 micron water filter removes harmful organisms like bacteria 99. 9999% and protozoa like giardia & Cryptosporidium 99. 9%, surpassing EPA standards, collapsible 0. 6L hydrapak soft bottle flask packs down small to fit in tight spaces

Short Review: There are a number of men and women who like this water filtration pump device. This features EZ-clean Membrane is simple and easy to clean by simply shaking or swishing the filter to clean debris. This filters up to 1, 000 liters of contaminated water without using chemicals or other devices. This is very compact also and very lightweight. This has been one of the greatest items I have bought in a while and it has been a fantastic experience. This item is extraordinary. It can provide clean drinking water while in a backpacking trip.

6. MSR MiniWorks EX Microfilter Water Filter

Technical Specs
Weight: 1 lbs
Dimensions: 7.5 x 2.75 inches
Type: Pump
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: Replaceable carbon and ceramic filter removes bacteria, protozoa, organic compounds, and particulate, delivering clean, taste and odor-free water, pumps at a rate of one liter per minute; compatible with a variety of wide mouth water bottles, and hydration bladders

Short Review: I am often astounded simply because this outdoor water filter is incredibly good. This features a replaceable carbon and ceramic filter removes bacteria, protozoa, organic compounds, and particulate, delivering clean, taste and odor-free water. This pumps at a rate of one liter per minute and this is compatible with a variety of wide mouth water bottles. This is filter uses a pump which is very easy to use. You can get liters of water with very little effort. This is a little bit heavy though. One of the best items to have for camping trips that lasts for a long time.

7. LifeStraw Family 1.0 Portable Gravity Powered Water Purifier

Technical Specs
Weight: 15.2 oz
Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 4.5in.
Type: Gravity filter
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: Surpasses EPA standards for water purifiers: removes 99.99% viruses, 99.9999% bacteria and 99.9% protozoan cysts to 0.02 microns, purifies 18,000 liters/4755 gallons WITHOUT iodine, chlorine, or other chemicals

Short Review: I am recommending this camping water filter since I am certain you will like it. This purifies 18,000 liters/4755 gallons without iodine, chlorine, or other chemicals. This creates clean drinking water for a family of four for 3 years. Easy to use as well, just pour water in the top and clean water comes out the bottom. I highly recommend this to anyone. The fabulous design of this item gave it magnificent capabilities plus it permitted it to have a very reasonable price. If you love the water filtrating straw I recommended earlier, then this is a good choice for you as well. This is lightweight, easy to use, filters water well which makes this great for the outdoors.

8. Potable Aqua PURE Water Purifier

Technical Specs
Weight: 1.21 lbs
Dimensions: 10″ x 2.4″ x 2.4″
Type: Filter
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: 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

Short Review: You can get plenty of camping water purification devices however this is still one of the greatest that can be found at this time. We all want to save money which explains why we are usually looking for a really low-priced item like this. This is a water purification system than a filtration system. The difference is that this dissolves something in the water to purify it. In this case, it uses brine solution or some form of salt added to the water.  I usually have a filter and a purification device whenever I am going to use water from a river, rain, mud, or from the outdoors. When I heard about this item, I really wanted to try it out simply because of all the benefits it promises.

9. FS-TFC 4-Stage Portable Water Filter

Technical Specs
Weight: 10.86 Ounces
Dimensions: 11.89″ x 5.28″ x 0.47″
Type: Pump Filter
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: Can be used directly from fresh water source, pumped into Empty water bottle, or pumped into any portable hydration pack, main body abs material, polysulfone medical grade ultra filter, bpa free, comes with internal composite filters, water pouch and silicone tubing

Short Review: Among the finest outdoor water filters is this. Lightweight items like this one are very easy to carry. This features 1.5L/Min Fast Flow is 2-3 times more efficient than the competition. This filters 0.01um, such as organics, metal ion, cancer-organic substance. 99.99% removal which matches or exceeds most home systems. This has ergonomic design handle for less push effort, and made out of SUS 304 stainless steel. Items like this one make hiking a lot more fun and this is very durable also. This remarkable item has a great deal of positive customer reviews because a great deal of men and women are pleased with it.

10. Etekcity Portable Water Filter Filtration Straw Purifier

Technical Specs
Weight: 2 oz
Dimensions: 7.05″ x 5.08″ x 1.77″
Type: Straw
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: Pre-filter to defense large contaminants, ion-exchange resin to remove chlorine, heavy metal ions, THMs, safely drink up to 1, 500L of water from nearly any lake, river, spring, well or even rainwater

Short Review: I know that you’re going to like this water purifier considering that it is amazing. You can pre-filter to defend against large contaminants. Features Ion-exchange resin to remove chlorine, heavy metal ions, THMs. This provides up to 1500L of safe drinking water and the water yield can be 400ML/min. This comes with a foldable water pouch that holds up to 480 mL of drinking water. This is fantastic and this has a low price tag that is unbeatable. This filtration straw is loaded with a lot of features and it is also extremely budget friendly. This water filtrating device is very durable and easy to use while having a lot of capabilities.