10 Best Backpacking Water Filters 2024
Reviewed by Gareth Otwell
| Last Updated:
Sawyer Products SP128 Mini Water Filtration System – ⭐ Best Overall Backpacking Water Filter
SP128 by Sawyer Products
- Color: Blue
- Weight: 0.22 pounds
- Dimensions: 4 x 3 x 8 inches
- Warranty: Rated up to 100,000 gallons by manufacturer
- Ideal for outdoor recreation, hiking, camping, scouting, domestic and International travel, and emergency preparedness
- High-performance 0.1 Micron absolute inline filter fits in the palm of your hand and weighs just 2 ounces; 100% of MINI units individually tested three times to performance standards by Sawyer
- Attaches to included drinking pouch, standard disposable water bottles, hydration packs, or use the straw to drink directly from your water source
- Removes 99.99999% of all bacteria (salmonella, cholera, and E. coli); removes 99.9999% of all protozoa (such as giardia and cryptosporidium); also removes 100% of microplastics
- Filter rated up to 100,000 gallons; Includes one Sawyer MINI filter, 16-ounce reusable squeeze pouch, 7-inch drinking straw, and cleaning plunger
Sawyer Products SP129 Squeeze Water Filtration System w/ Two Pouches – 💲 Best Budget Backpacking Water Filter
SP129 by Sawyer Products
- Release date: 01/02/2013
- Color: Black/Blue
- Weight: 0.2 pounds
- Dimensions: 4 x 2.5 x 7.5 inches
- Warranty: Manufacturer Lifetime Warranty from Defects on the Filter
- Lightweight, easy to use portable water filter removes harmful bacteria, protozoa, cysts, sediment, and 100% of microplastics; Perfect for outdoor adventures, travel, or emergency preparedness
- High-performance 0.1 Micron absolute inline filter fits in the palm of your hand and weighs just 2 ounces; 100% of Micro Squeeze units individually tested three times to performance standards by Sawyer
- Built-in and removable flip top sports cap; spray water straight into mouth or bottle from included pouch; also fits standard water bottles with 28 mm threads
- Includes two reusable 32-oz, BPA-free collapsible pouches that roll up tightly for easy packing, drinking straw, one set of Sawyer Inline Hydration Pack Adapters for filter, and mesh storage bag
- Backed by manufacturer's lifetime limited (independent testing laboratory Hydration, LLC.; Microbiological Report S05-03)
Katadyn Hiker Pro Transparent Water Filter
8019857 by Katadyn
- Color: transparent
- Weight: 0.7 pounds
- Dimensions: 3 x 3 x 6 inches
- Warranty: Manufacturer Warranty
- Proven protection against bacteria and protozoan cysts down to 0.2 micron with pleated glass-fiber filter media
- Activated carbon in the core of the filter improves the taste and reduces chemicals in your drinking water
- The field cleanable filter protector screen extends the life of the cartridge in challenging conditions
- Long-time trusted option for backpackers with it's ultra-light 11oz, compact size and compatibility with hydration bladders
- Transparent design allows you to see the filtration working
Survivor Filter Pro
L-610 by Survivor Filter
- Weight: 0.51 pounds
- Dimensions: 3.2 x 2 x 6.5 inches
- 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; Reduces Heavy Metals and Improves taste, thanks to Dual Hollow Fiber Membrane (Ultra Filters) and Carbon Filtration - 20 times more efficient than the competition at 0.2 microns and none of the Competition Comes Close with Our Heavy Metal Removal
- Shell is ABS Material (Same Material Used on Car Bumpers), Polysulfone Medical Grade Ultra Filter (Same Material Used in Visors of Apollo Astronauts), Food Grade Activated Carbon and Handle Contains Steel Bar Inside for Extra Support. BPA Free
- Super Fast Flow Rate of 500 Milliliters (17 Ounces) per Minute; Can be used directly from fresh water source, pumped into attached cup, or pumped into any portable hydration pack; Perfect for filtering large jugs of water for the whole family
- Lifetime Warranty - We cover all manufacturing and other defects with our lifetime warranty
Katadyn 8018270 Hiker Microfilter
8018270 by Katadyn
- Release date: 01/15/2012
- Color: One Color
- Weight: 0.69 pounds
- Dimensions: 9 x 8 x 3 inches
- Warranty: Manufacturer Warranty
- Easy-to-use design is great for the beginning camper to the serious backpacker
- The 0.2 micron glassfiber filter media is designed for high output with little effort
- Activated carbon in the core of the filter improves the taste and reduces chemicals in your drinking water
- Provides safe drinking water in any challenging conditions
- Lowest maintenance water filter available; no need for constant backflushing
Platypus GravityWorks High-Capacity Water Filter System for Group Camping and – 👑 Premium Pick
040818031353 by Platypus
- Release date: 01/01/2011
- Weight: 0.73 pounds
- Dimensions: 13.2 x 2.8 x 5.8 inches
- High-capacity, gravity-fed, hollow-fiber water filter system is ideal for group and family camping, outdoor adventures, and emergency preparedness
- Meets all EPA/NSF guidelines for removal of 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.9% of protozoa, including giardia, cryptosporidium, E. coli, salmonella, cholera
- No pumping required; reservoir fills easily and hangs from a tree to deliver four liters of filtered water for cooking and washing in 2.5 minutes
- Includes 4-liter dirty water reservoir, 4-liter clean water reservoir, hollow-fiber microfilter, hoses, shutoff clamp, and storage sack
- Replaceable cartridge filters up to 1,500 gallons; produces flow rate of 1.75 liters/minute; kit weights 11.5 ounces; made in the USA
Katadyn Vario Water Filter
8014931 by Katadyn
- Color: Black
- Weight: 1.66 pounds
- Dimensions: 16 x 12 x 4 inches
- Warranty: Manufacturer warranty for 1 yearfrom date of purchase.
- A simple turn engages a ceramic pre-filter for long life in dirty water or a pleated glass fiber filter in normal conditions
- Produces up to two quarts per minute in the faster flow mode and one quart per minute in longer life mode
- Uses a replaceable Katadyn carbon core and cleanable ceramic disc
- Adapter base attaches directly to water bottles or an output hose can be used to fill hydration systems or larger containers
- Glass fiber filter
- A simple turn engages a ceramic pre-filter for long life in dirty water or a pleated glass fiber filter in normal conditions
- Produces up to two quarts per minute in the faster flow mode and one quart per minute in longer life mode
- Replaceable carbon core keeps water tasting fresh; reduces chemicals, odors, and toxins throughout the life of the cartridge
- Dual piston technology provides maximum output with minimum effort
- Adapter base attaches directly to water bottles or an output hose can be used to fill hydration systems or larger containers
MSR MiniWorks EX Microfilter Water Filter
040818564257 by MSR
- Color: Grey/Red
- Weight: 1.3 pounds
- Dimensions: 10 x 4 x 7 inches
- Microfilter water filter pump for hiking, backpacking, camping, travel, survival, and emergency preparedness
- 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 (sold separately)
- Meets NSF protocol P231 for removal of bacteria (99.9999%) and protozoa (99.9%); one replaceable filter cartridge treats up to 2,000 liters of water
- Pump measures 7.5 x 2.75 inches and weighs 1 pound; storage bag included; manufacturer’s limited lifetime warranty; made in the USA
Katadyn BeFree 1.0L Water Filter
8018006 by Katadyn
- Color: Unset
- Weight: 0.14 pounds
- Dimensions: 4.3 x 3 x 10 inches
- Warranty: Manufacturer Warranty
- 0.1 micron water filter removes harmful organisms like bacteria 99.9999% and protozoa like Giardia & Cryptosporidium 99.9%, surpassing EPA standards
- Collapsible 1.0L hydrapak soft bottle flask packs down small to fit in tight spaces (jacket pockets, purses, backpack, fly vests)
- 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
- Filters up to 1, 000 liters of contaminated water without using chemicals or other devices and hydrate quickly and easily with the free flow channels fast flow rate
- Stay clean drink nozzle keeps the mouthpiece clean and sanitary (replaceable with standard plastic water bottle caps)
Sawyer Products SP160 One Gallon Gravity Water Filtration System w/Dual-Threaded
SP160 by Sawyer Products
- Color: Blu/White/Clear
- Weight: 0.55 pounds
- Dimensions: 5.8 x 2.8 x 13.8 inches
- Warranty: Rated up to 100,000 gallons by manufacturer
- Easily create gravity-based water filtering system with 0.1 micron absolute dual-threaded Sawyer MINI water filter and 1-gallon reservoir
- High-performance 0.1 Micron absolute inline filter fits in the palm of your hand and weighs just 2 ounces; 100% of MINI units individually tested three times to performance standards by Sawyer
- Dual-threaded MINI allows you to use the flip top sports cap on the filter for easy on/off functionality; lightweight wide-mouth bladder for fast, easy filling; convenient carry handle
- Versatile camping water filter system is great for travel, backcountry treks, emergency prepping, and disaster kits
- Includes MINI Water Filter, 1-gallon bladder, cleaning plunger, cleaning coupling, and gravity hose with adapters
