WATER FILTERS 

for

BEST

backpacking

We backpackers love sipping from cool mountain streams, but we don't love Giardia! Before you drink from natural sources you'll need to filter or treat the water. Fortunately it's fast and easy with one of these popular backpacking water filters.

Tap to continue

FILTER VS. PURIFIER

Filters take care of bacteria and parasites, but not viruses (which are too small). Filters are good enough in the backcountry, but if traveling to places with less developed sanitation infrastructure or drinking water from high-use recreation areas in developed places, you want a purifier (UV or chemical treatment).  

BEST WATER FILTERS

There are many backpacking water filters available, but only a handful are preferred by experienced backpackers. Tap to see them...

SAWYER SQUEEZE

Best for: long trips, dirty water, integrating with Smartwater bottles

Challenges: need to backflush often, must protect from freezing temps

Tips: choose original Squeeze model for dirty water (less easily clogged). Use Micro and Mini models only for mostly clear water.

(Affiliate links: I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you click and buy. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

CNOC VECTO BAG

Best for: turning Sawyer Squeeze into gravity filter

Sawyer Squeeze filters are great, but their squeeze bags are not. Replace with a CNOC Vecto bag for a hands-free gravity filter setup that won't fail.

(Affiliate links: I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you click and buy. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

KATADYN BEFREE

Best for: ultralight water filtering (fastpacking, trail running), quick filtering on the go

Challenges: easy to lightly clean but can't be aggressively backflushed if it clogs; must protect from freezing temps

(Affiliate links: I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you click and buy. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

PLATYPUS GRAVITYWORKS

Best for: filtering 4 liters of water at once, groups of 3+ people, convenient hands-off filtering at camp

Challenges: a bit bulkier and heavier than other models, must be protected from freezing

(Affiliate links: I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you click and buy. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

POTABLE AQUA TABLETS

Best for: emergency backup, short ultralight trips, clear water, adding purification step to filter when water may have virus contamination

Challenges: must wait before drinking, slight taste, doesn't filter out particulates

(Affiliate links: I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you click and buy. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

at exploringwild.com

For details and other water recommendations, see the guide to

Swipe up for more

This interactive trip planning guide is packed with checklists, key questions, and recommendations to take the worry out of planning your first or biggest backpacking trip.