Best 10 Hiking Water Filters Of 2024

Being able to find drinking water in the wilderness is very important. Unfortunately, water that you find in the outdoors can be contaminated with lots of bacteria and harmful microorganisms which is why we often need a way to filter or purify the water before drinking it. Luckily for us, there are lots of water filters available. I have listed a few that I think are very good and well made. These water filters below are made by very reputable companies and I know that they are also very effective.

Best Hiking Water Filters – Quick Chart

How To Choose A Hiking Water Filter

Different Ways Of Getting Clean Drinking Water

Water Filters

Water filters can filter the water. They can remove harmful organisms like parasites, bacteria and viruses. Water filters are very easy to use and lots of backpackers and people who love to travel use some sort of water filter. There are many kinds of water filters to choose from.

Iodine Water Purifier

Iodine often comes in tablet form. This is very good at killing viruses and other harmful organisms that are living in the water supply. The tablets are often stored in a dark bottle. Iodine leaves a salty after taste to the water and a lot of people do not like this taste at all. There are also tablets or pills that will nullify the after taste. Some people are allergic to iodine and should not use iodine at all.

Important: Water that has been disinfected with iodine is NOT recommended for pregnant women, people with thyroid problems, those with known hypersensitivity to iodine, or continuous use for more than a few weeks at a time. Long term use of tablets can be detrimental to your health.

Chlorine Dioxide Water Purifier

I like chlorine dioxide a lot but not a lot of companies sell them. This purifier also comes in tablet form. There isn’t much of an after taste but you can taste the chlorine on the water. This is great at destroying microorganisms and very good at killing viruses. Chlorine dioxide tablets work via oxidation and infiltrate the microorganism’s cell walls and then respond with vigorous amino acids in the cell’s cytoplasm to destroy the microorganism.

UV Light

There are people who are using ultra violet light technology to kill harmful microorganisms and bacteria that are living in the water supply. I had my doubts about this but this seems to work. This is very environmentally friendly, reliable, cost effective and no harmful chemicals. No after taste as well. I think I have to test this some more but this seems to work very well.

Boiling Your Water

The best way to kill microorganisms has always been to boil the water. Boiling the water for one minute or more will kill a lot of the bacteria, parasites, viruses and other microorganisms. Boiling water will most likely kill them all. The drawback is that you will need to carry a gas stove and pot in order to boil water. You will have to wait an hour or so for the water to cooldown as well.

Types Of Hiking Water Filters

Pump Action

Pump action water filters require the user to pump the item. You will either hold or grip the pump then let it go or use push and pull to pump water into the filter. Most of these are very good and can pump a lot of water in very little time. If you want to filter a lot of water in very little time then pump action filters will be good for you.

Straw Filters

Straw filters are very popular and a lot of backpackers would use straw filters. These are very lightweight and very compact which means that they are very easy to carry. These filters are perfect for backpacking. These can often get screwed on a proprietary plastic water container that the company creates.

Gravity Water Filters

You basically let gravity push the water down to the filter. Not the fastest way to filter water but this works also.

Water Bottle With Filter

A lot of people are getting water bottles with filter for hiking and traveling. Some of these filters are meant for tap water only while some can handle water from the outdoors. You better check and make sure that you are getting the right one that is suitable for your needs.

Common Micro-Organisms Found In Contaminated Pools Of Water

Protozoa – Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium is a tiny parasite that causes gastrointestinal illnesses such as diarrhea, vomiting and cramps. There are many species of Cryptosporidium and these parasites can infect animals and human beings. The parasite is protected by an outer shell that permits it to survive outside the body for a very long time and this type of parasite is very tolerant of chlorine dioxide disinfection and iodine. Iodine and chlorine are not very good at killing this parasite. The best way to kill this parasite is to boil your water for 1 minute. A water filter with less than or equal to 1 micron is very effective at removing this parasite as well. This parasite is the leading cause of waterborne disease among humans in the United States.

Protozoa – Giardia Intestinalis

Giardia intestinalis is another microorganism that is very harmful to the body and these can cause diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, gastrointestinal illnesses, and so on. This harmful microorganism often lives in the feces of infected animals and humans. This microorganism is often carried to the water supply via rain, wind, or animals pooping on the water supply. Iodine have low to moderate effectiveness on this parasite. Chlorine dioxide is pretty effective against this parasite though. Boiling water for one minute can kill this parasite very well. A water filter with less than or equal to 1 micron is very effective at removing this parasite as well.

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

There are a lot of bacteria that lives in the outdoors. These microorganisms can make us very sick. The good news is that bacteria is easier to kill than most parasites. A water filter with 0.3 micros is moderately effective against bacteria. Iodine and chlorine are very effective at killing these microorganisms. Lastly, boiling water for one minute is amazing at eliminating bacteria also.

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

Viruses can also live in the water supply. You can get viruses from rivers, lakes and other pools of water. Viruses can make people sick and they can cause mild diseases to serious ones like hepatitis and meningitis. I often make sure that I eliminate viruses from my drinking water. Filters are not that good at killing viruses. I often use iodine or chlorine to kill viruses since they are very effective.

Prefilter To Remove Large Particles

People will often use coffee filters to filter out soil, small pebbles, dirt, leaves and other debris from the water supply. Coffee filters are great especially if the water source is very murky and muddy. At least you won’t bite on a pebble and break a tooth. Prefilters are a great way to make sure that the water is free of debris before deciding to boil it.

Other Things To Think About

Effectiveness

Always make sure that the item is very effective. You will end up returning the item if it does not work well. What is worst is that you will end up with a stomach ache or you will feel sick while in the outdoors. You really don’t want to be sick in the middle of nowhere. You want to feel good and healthy while hiking. It is very important that the item works well.

Weight

You cannot carry a whole lot of items. The more weight you carry, the more you will get tired. It is hard to walk when you are very tired. It is even harder to have fun when you are tired. It is best that you get a water filter that is very lightweight so that you can carry more items. Most of the time, you don’t know whether you are going to use the filter also. Sometimes you will end up not drinking water that much while hiking. It depends on the weather.

Compact

We all have a limited amount of backpack space so we need to make sure that we get items that are very compact. It is even better if they are foldable. Always make sure that the item is very small since you may not have enough space in your backpack. You may end up going backpacking in the future also. You may need to bring that water filter while carrying a lot of items. You will need as much space in your backpack as possible.

Durability

You have to make sure that the item that you are getting is durable. If it is not durable, you will end up replacing the item or getting a new one. A durable item will allow you to save money also in the long run since you do not need to get a new one for some time. If the item falls apart, it can be very annoying also. How are you going to get water while in the outdoors if your item breaks apart?

Price

The price is one of the most important things we need to consider. We really do have a lot of options when it comes to filtering our water or getting water while in the outdoors. We can even get water bottles with a built in water filter. We do not need to pay for overpriced items. We can take our time to get something very affordable that works well.

Best Hiking Water Filters

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1. 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: The truth is that this outdoor water filter is incredibly good. This filter is high-performance 0.1 Micron absolute inline filter fits in the palm of your hand and weighs just 2 ounces. This can be attached to a drinking pouch, standard disposable water bottles, hydration packs, and more. This is very popular and one of the first water filters that I have ever owned. It is best used with the plastic water bottle that they have also. A person basically fills the plastic with water, screw the sawyer filter on the opening and drink the water. People can also use the filter by itself. The filter is very easy to use and very effective.

2. 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: This is one of the best hiking water filters that I know of. Amazing pump filter that produces up to two quarts per minute in the faster flow mode and one quart per minute in longer life mode. All of the other items I have tried were terrible plus they did not work very well when in comparison to this one. This is an easy pump filter that works well. Can be used for the outdoors and for travel. This is very easy to clean also and very easy to use. Compact design makes this very desirable because we need all the room in our backpacks. For those who have more inquiries in relation to this item, you can acquire your answers by going through the positive customer feedback.

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: I am loving this magnificent backpacking water filter. This microbiological filter will provide 4,000 liters or 1,000 gallons of clean and safe drinking water with proper use and maintenance. This item is incredibly useful and durable. This is a must have for people who love to go backpacking or travel. It is very lightweight so it is very easy to carry and it can let people drink clean water. Whoever came up with this idea is a genius. I make use of this whenever I can The design made this item extremely effective and the company did a good job putting in a considerable amount of high quality materials into the item. The price is also very affordable so we don’t need to spend a lot of money being able to drink clean water while in the outdoors.

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 filter is spectacular and I know you certainly will love it. This has a super Fast Flow Rate of 500 Milliliters (17 Ounces) per Minute; Can be used directly from fresh water source. Amazing filter that has been proven to provide protection against any unwanted objects in your drinking water. This is another pump that is very easy to use. If you are trying to accumulate or get a lot of drinking or clean water then a pump is more suitable than a straw. This is very effective and works really well. The positive customer reviews that this item has should please lots of people knowing they are getting an item that satisfied a whole lot of buyers. This just makes drinking water while backpacking a lot easier and can be used for travel purposes also.

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: The one thing I realize for sure is that this hiking water filter is quite fantastic. This comes with an EZ-clean Membrane is simple and easy to clean by simply shaking or swishing the filter to clean debris, no backflushing or extra tools required. This amazing item is what I was looking for because this can provide clean drinking water. I like that this is incredibly high quality and a lot of men and women like making use of this. This is a gravity filter which means that you fill the storage container with water and as the gravity drips the water downward, the filter will clean the water. This is great for the outdoors and performs very well and this is very versatile as well. This is very outdoor friendly and has a lot of positive customer feedback as well.

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: You can acquire a great deal of hiking water filter however, this continues to be among the best that’s available right this moment. This features a replaceable carbon and ceramic filter removes bacteria, protozoa, organic compounds, and particulate, delivering clean, taste and odor-free water. MSR is an amazing outdoor company and this is a very good item from them. This pumps at a rate of one liter per minute and this filter is compatible with a variety of wide mouth water bottles. The items that come from this company has always been high quality. This is a pump water filter that works well for filtering gallons of water. It removes a lot of bacteria and other microorganisms that are not good for the body. The only downside is that this is somewhat expensive.

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: This unbelievable water purification device will satisfy your needs. This is a gravity filter, just pour water in the top and clean water comes out the bottom. This comes in a sealed bag, perfect for storing for emergencies. This is exactly what I was looking for! This has a considerable amount of what I need. This has a fantastic price tag too. This is a gravity filter and it is much more suitable for travel as it is not very compact but can be used for backpacking also or other outdoor activities because it is lightweight and works well. This wonderful item has a lot of positive consumer reviews which is why I know that you will be happy with this.

8. Katadyn Pocket Water Filter

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: One of the greatest things that you can acquire is this hiking water purifier. Another amazing water filter from Katadyn. This filter comes with silver impregnated ceramic element that is effective against bacteria and protozoa. This is a pump filter also which is very easy to use. This filters all microorganisms larger than 0.2 microns to produce clear, drinkable water. This is very high quality and very portable which makes it ideal for backpacking and good for travel also. If you don’t want to get sick while drinking. This is very durable also so it should be able to survive the outdoors rather easily. This has a lot of positive reviews as well but it is a little bit expensive which is the only drawback.

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: One of the best things I have ever tried is this water filter. This comes with a sand filter head, cleanable 8,000l UF prefiltration, heavy metal remove KDF and activated carbon fiber, all of these provide medical grade filtration. This is easy to use, just immerse the pre-filter in fresh water source, then just pump the handle up and Enjoy pure, fresh and great tasting water.  It is easier and a lot more fun to have this for hiking or backpacking. At least, you can drink river water without worrying about getting sick or a stomach ache. This high quality item surpassed my expectations due to the fact it has a great deal of amazing characteristics. This is one of the best. You can buy more expensive items but this is great if you consider the price. I know you will like the simple fact that this can provide clean drinking water while having an affordable price tag.

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: You simply will not go wrong if you choose this water filtration device. This provides up to 1500L of safe drinking water and the water yield can be 400ML/min. This comes with a foldable water pouch holds 480ml drinking water. with a d type hook, it is easy to buckle to your backpack when camping. There are a great deal of items that look superb but also break apart easily. Sturdiness is a factor that this is known to have. This high quality item has plenty of positive consumer reviews. This does absolutely everything it should do. It filters the water by removing the harmful microorganisms and contaminants not visible to the eye. The price is also very affordable. This is an amazing bargain. So heavy duty and simple to use!