If you are looking for compact and reliable backpacking water filters, you have come to the right place. Clean drinking water when hiking or traveling is essential, but not always easy or convenient to find. We never travel without a water filter, so let’s break down the best backpacking water filters on the market today so you can reduce relying on plastic bottles when visiting another country or pumping safe water when in the backcountry.
Whether you are backpacking through remote mountains, working as a digital nomad, or just exploring a new city, a reliable water filter ensures safe, great-tasting water. Plastic bottles are not a sustainable solution. They create waste, release microplastics, and rely on constant re-supply. With a portable water filter, you can safely source drinking water wherever you are. These tools are lightweight, practical, and designed to keep your body healthy while reducing your environmental footprint.
Read more: 34 Best Travel Gifts for Every Kind of Backpacker
Using a water filter is a real game-changer and is easy to use. Firstly, it reduces exposure to chlorine in tap water, microplastics from bottled water, and harmful bacteria from natural sources. Plus, with modern technlogy they are small and compact, so they can fit in your ultralight weight backpack setup. Pictured in the image below, is the Survivor Filter PRO Hand Pump, which we have taken to filter water in the Himalayas in India through to a weekend trip camping. So with that in mind, let’s get into our guide to the best portable water filters for camping, trekking, and travel.
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At a Glance: Best Backpacking Water Filters
- Best Overall for Long Travels: Survivor Filter PRO Hand Pump
- Best Insulated Filter Bottle: LifeStraw Go Series 24oz
- Best Ultralight System: Waterdrop Filter Straw with Gravity Bag
- Best for Long-Term Outdoor Use: MSR MiniWorks EX Backcountry Water Filter
- Best for Car Camping and Backcountry Use: MSR Guardian Water Purifier
- Best Fast Filtration Bottle Filter: GRAYL UltraPress 16.9 oz Water Filter Bottle
- Best Lightweight Hand Pump: Katadyn Hiker Pro Pump Filter
- Best Budget Bottle Filter: BRITA Water Filter Bottle 20oz
Best Backpacking Water Filters
The Survivor Filter PRO is a compact and durable hand pump water filter, perfect for camping, survival, and long outdoor trips. Its 0.01-micron ultra filtration removes 99.999% of bacteria, protozoa, and reduces heavy metals, providing safe drinking water in any situation.
With a fast flow rate of 500ml per minute and a lifetime warranty, it’s reliable for both emergencies and everyday outdoor use. Weighing 363g, it’s lightweight and portable for all adventure types.
This is our recommended water filter for long term travel.
Key Specs:
• Micron Rating: 0.01µm ultra filtration
• Capacity: 100,000L
• Material: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
• Flow rate: 500ml per minute
• Removes: Bacteria, protozoa, viruses, heavy metals
• Weight: 363g
• Design: Hand pump with included hoses and carrying case
The LifeStraw Go Series filters out 0.2-micron particles, including bacteria, parasites, and microplastics, while the activated carbon block improves taste by reducing chlorine and odors. Perfect for travel and everyday use, it allows you to fill up from taps, fountains, or bottles safely.
The stainless steel, insulated bottle weighs 515g and offers 1,000 gallons (4,000L) of microfilter lifespan, making it an eco-friendly alternative to disposable water bottles.
This is our favourite on the go travel water bottle filter.
Key Specs:
• Micron Rating: 0.2µm membrane microfilter
• Capacity: 24oz (700ml)
• Material: Stainless Steel, BPA-free
• Removes: Bacteria, parasites, microplastics, chlorine, odors
• Filter Lifespan: 4,000L (membrane), 100L (carbon)
• Weight: 515g
• Design: Insulated stainless steel bottle with carbon and microfilters
This versatile gravity-fed water filter uses a 0.1-micron ultrafiltration membrane combined with activated carbon to remove chlorine, sediment, sand, dirt, and bad tastes. Ideal for hiking, camping, and emergency preparedness, it filters water directly from a bag or bottle for safe drinking anywhere.
With a maximum flow rate of 700ml per minute and weighing only 131g (filter straw), it’s one of the lightest portable systems for outdoor use.
This filter is perfect when traveling in Airbnbs. You can fill it up and always have clean water.
Key Specs:
• Micron Rating: 0.1µm ultrafiltration membrane
• Capacity: 1.5 gallons (5.7L)
• Material: Hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane, activated carbon
• Flow rate: 700ml per minute
• Removes: Chlorine, particulates, sediment, sand, dirt, bad taste & odor
• Weight: 131g (filter straw)
• Design: Gravity-fed straw with foldable water bag
The MSR MiniWorks EX is a durable hand pump filter using a 0.2-micron ceramic and carbon microfilter to remove bacteria, protozoa, sediment, and odors. With a flow rate of 1L per minute and a filter lifespan of 2,000L, it’s reliable for extended trips.
Portable at 450g, it’s compatible with hydration bladders and most wide-mouth bottles, making it ideal for backcountry adventures.
Key Specs:
• Micron Rating: 0.2µm ceramic microfilter
• Capacity: 2,000L
• Material: Ceramic, carbon, BPA-free plastic
• Flow rate: 1L per minute
• Removes: Bacteria, protozoa, sediment, organic compounds
• Weight: 450g
• Design: Hand pump with replaceable cartridge
The MSR Guardian uses military-grade hollow fiber membrane technology to remove viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and particulate from contaminated water sources worldwide. It pumps up to 2.5 litres per minute and automatically self-cleans with every stroke, maintaining fast flow rates without backflushing or manual maintenance.
Built for harsh environments, it withstands freezing temperatures, drops, and heavy use, making it a dependable choice for remote trekking. As well as long expeditions, and emergency preparedness. It is on the larger side compared to the MSR MiniWorks, but excellent for fast pumping large quantities.
Key Specs:
• Purification method: Hollow fiber membrane technology (NSF P248 certified)
• Capacity: Treats up to 10,000 litres
• Flow rate: Up to 2.5 litres per minute
• Power source: Hand-powered pump
• Weight: Approximately 491g (17.3 oz)
• Durability: Freeze-resistant, impact resistant construction
• Best use: Backcountry travel, expeditions, emergency preparedness
The GRAYL UltraPress uses a 0.2-micron filter combined with electroadsorption and activated carbon to remove 99.999% of viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and particulate matter. With a press-and-drink system, it purifies 500ml in just 10 seconds, making it perfect for travel or emergency use.
Weighing only 354g, it’s compact, quick, and easy to use without pumps or hoses.
Key Specs:
• Micron Rating: 0.2µm
• Capacity: 500ml
• Material: Polypropylene, BPA-free
• Flow rate: 500ml in 10 seconds
• Removes: Viruses, bacteria, protozoa, microplastics, chemicals
• Weight: 354g
• Design: Press-to-drink purifier bottle
The Katadyn Hiker Pro’s 0.2-micron pleated glassfiber filter reliably removes bacteria, protozoa, cysts, algae, spores, and sediments. Its compact, ergonomic design allows fast filtration at 1L per minute, making it ideal for camping or survival situations.
Weighing only 317g, the filter can produce 1,150L of clean water, while the carbon core improves taste and reduces odors.
Key Specs:
• Micron Rating: 0.2µm
• Capacity: 1,150L
• Material: Glassfiber, carbon
• Flow rate: 1L per minute
• Removes: Bacteria, protozoa, cysts, sediments, odors
• Weight: 317g
• Design: Hand pump with bottle adapters and storage bag
The BRITA Filter Bottle uses a 0.2-micron activated carbon disc to reduce chlorine, organic impurities, and microparticles, while preserving key minerals for a fresh taste. Lightweight at 170g, it’s ideal for daily use at home, work, or travel.
Its 600ml capacity is practical, BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and eco-friendly, replacing hundreds of disposable plastic bottles.
Key Specs:
• Micron Rating: 0.2µm carbon disc
• Capacity: 600ml
• Material: BPA-free plastic, polypropylene, polyethylene
• Flow rate: Instant filtration as you drink
• Removes: Chlorine, impurities, microparticles
• Weight: 170g
• Design: Refillable everyday water bottle
What to Look for in a Backpacking Water Filter
Micron Rating
A smaller micron rating means finer filtration. Look for filters with at least 0.02 microns, which remove bacteria and protozoa. For serious travel, a 0.01 µm filter can remove smaller particles, including most bacteria, protozoa, and some viruses.
What It Filters Out
Not all filters are equal. Some focus on chlorine and taste, while others remove parasites, heavy metals, and microplastics. Choose based on your environment.
Durability and Longevity
If you’re travelling long-term, invest in a sturdy filter with replaceable cartridges. Cheaper filters may save money upfront but wear out quickly.
Ease of Use
Filters should be simple to operate on the go. Bottles are easiest for daily travel, while pumps and gravity bags are better for groups or extended outdoor trips.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Keeping your filter clean ensures it lasts. Learn how to backflush or replace cartridges, and always dry your filter before storage.
FAQs
Is all drinking water safe after filtering?
Most portable filters remove bacteria, parasites, and microplastics. To remove viruses, choose filters with advanced purification or add a UV sterilizer.
How many bottles of water can be saved?
A single filter bottle can replace hundreds of plastic bottles per year, reducing waste and saving money.
How do you clean a portable water filter?
Most filters can be flushed with clean water. Pump and gravity filters usually come with cleaning kits. Always dry before storage.
How often should filters be replaced?
It depends on the model. Many bottle filters last 1,000 liters or more, while pump filters can last longer with replacement cartridges.
