Outdoor water filters and purifiers are a must when you’re out in the wilderness or traveling to remote areas. It is always important to have a reliable way to filter water and have access to clean, safe drinking water.
Outdoor water filters and purifiers allow you to filter water from natural sources like lakes, rivers, and streams, ensuring that you have access to hydration no matter where you go.
In this article, we’ll be highlighting the 5 best backpacking water filters on the market, so you can make an informed decision about which one is the best fit for your needs.
- Introduction: The Importance of Outdoor Water Filters and purifiers
- Outdoor water filter types
- About outdoor backpacking filters
- Chlorine dioxide use for outdoors microbiologically safe water
- Water purification tablets
- Top 5 Outdoor Water Filters
- Why is outdoor water purification so important?
- Outdoor water purification methods
- What is most important?
- Conclusion
Introduction: The Importance of Outdoor Water Filters and purifiers
Outdoor water filters are devices that remove contaminants and impurities from water, ensuring that it is safe to drink and use for outdoor activities. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or enjoying to spend time in the great outdoors, an outdoor water filter can provide you with clean, fresh water anytime, anywhere.
A great addition to these water filters are tactical water bottles, you can read more about them in our other post: The Ultimate Guide: Tactical Water Bottles
Outdoor water filter types
These water purifiers come in a variety of styles and sizes to suit your needs, and are often portable and easy to use. They main objective is to act as water purifiers and provide safe and clean water.
They can be in a form of a straw filter, gravity filter, pump filter, squeeze filter, ultraviolet light filter…
Straw filters
A straw filter is a small, portable water filter that is designed to be carried and used on the go. Straw filters are typically made of a hollow tube with a filter at one end and a mouthpiece at the other. To use a straw filter, you place the filter end in a water source and suck the water through the straw and filter.
The filter removes contaminants and impurities from the water as it passes through, providing you with clean, safe drinking water. Straw filters are a convenient and effective way to purify water in outdoor or emergency situations, and they are lightweight and easy to carry, making them an ideal choice for travelers and hikers.
Gravity filters
Gravity filters are a type of water filters that use the force of gravity to draw water through a filter and into a clean tank. Gravity filters are typically made up of a water tank, a filter cartridge, and a clean water tank.
To use a gravity filter, you simply fill the water reservoir with water you have and allow it to flow through the filter.
As gravity filter does its job with help of gravity, you get filtered water into the clean water tank.
A gravity filter removes contaminants and impurities from the water as it passes through, providing you with clean, safe drinking water.
Gravity water filter is a convenient and effective way to purify water in outdoor or emergency situations, and it is easy to set up and use, making it an ideal choice for travelers and hikers.
Gravity filters are a good option for larger groups or families, as they can filter a larger volume of water at once, although their filtration flow rate is slow.
Pump filters
A pump filter is a type of water filtration system that uses a manual or powered pump to draw water through a filter. These filters are typically made up of a water reservoir, a filter cartridge, and a clean water reservoir.
To use a pump filter, you fill the water reservoir with water and use the pump to draw the water through the filter and into the clean water reservoir. The filter removes contaminants and impurities from the water as it passes through, providing you with clean, safe drinking water.
These filters are a convenient and effective way to purify water in outdoor or emergency situations, and they are easy to set up and use. They are a good option for individuals or small groups, as they can filter a moderate volume of water at once.
Pump filters are also useful in situations where access to clean water is limited, as they can be used to filter water from a variety of sources, including lakes, rivers, and streams.
Squeeze filters
A squeeze filter is a small, portable water filter that is designed to be carried and used on the go. Squeeze filters are typically made of a flexible bag or pouch with a filter at one end and a mouthpiece at the other.
To use a squeeze filter, you simply fill the bag or pouch with water and squeeze the water through the filter and into your mouth or a clean container. The filter removes contaminants and impurities from the water as it passes through, providing you with clean, safe drinking water.
Squeeze filters are a convenient and effective way to purify water in outdoor or emergency situations, and they are lightweight and easy to carry, making them an ideal choice for travelers and hikers. They are also a good option for individuals or small groups, as they can filter a moderate volume of water at once.
Ultraviolet outdoor water filters
Outdoor ultraviolet (UV) filters are water filtration systems that use UV light to kill or inactivate bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms in water. UV filters are a popular choice for outdoor water filtration, as they are effective at eliminating a wide range of contaminants and are easy to use and maintain.
UV filters work by exposing water to a UV light source, which disrupts the DNA of bacteria and other microorganisms, rendering them unable to reproduce and effectively killing them. UV filters do not remove contaminants from the water, but they do make the water safe to drink by eliminating harmful microorganisms that can cause illness.
Outdoor UV filters are a convenient and effective way to purify water in outdoor or emergency situations, and they are lightweight and portable, making them an ideal choice for travelers and hikers. They are also a good option for individuals or small groups, as they can filter a moderate volume of water at once.
Overall, outdoor UV filters are a reliable and effective choice for purifying water in a variety of situations, and they provide a convenient and easy-to-use solution for ensuring the safety and quality of the water you and your family consume. They can be a good addition to other water filters to provide safe drinking water.
About outdoor backpacking filters
They all fall in the category of backpacking water filters, as they are small and easy to carry around and they provide you with filtered water when you need it the most.
They are the primary treatment method to get fresh, clean, purified drinking water in nature.
With a backpacking water filter, you can have a peace of mind knowing that you can always provide water that is pure and safe to drink, no matter where you are.
So, if you love spending time outdoors and want to ensure that you have access to clean water, an outdoor water filter is the perfect solution.
Outdoor water filters are essential for removing contaminants and impurities from water, making it safe and clean for outdoor drinking and cooking.
With the increasing pollution and contamination of water sources, it is more important than ever to invest in a reliable outdoor water filter to ensure the safety and quality of the water you and your family consume outdoors.
One of the primary benefits of outdoor water filters is their ability to remove bacteria and other microorganisms from water. These contaminants can cause serious illness, such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever, making it important to ensure that the water you drink is free from these harmful pathogens.
Outdoor water filters use a variety of filtration methods, including activated carbon, ceramic, and ultraviolet light, to effectively remove bacteria and other contaminants from water.
In addition to protecting your health, outdoor water filters can also improve the taste and appearance of your water. Contaminants such as iron and sulfur can give water an unpleasant taste and odor, making it less appealing to drink. Outdoor water filters can remove these impurities, leaving you with clean, fresh-tasting water.
Another important benefit of outdoor water filters is their ability to remove heavy metals, such as lead and copper, from water. These metals can be harmful to your health, particularly for young children and pregnant women, and can cause serious health problems if consumed over a long period of time.
Outdoor water filters use a variety of techniques, such as reverse osmosis and ion exchange, to effectively remove heavy metals from water, providing an additional layer of protection against these potentially harmful contaminants.
In addition to the benefits for your health and the quality of your water, outdoor water filters can also be cost-effective in the long run. While the initial investment in a water filter may be significant, the cost of purchasing bottled water or paying for water delivery can quickly add up.
By using an outdoor water filter, you can save money on these costs and have access to clean, safe water anytime you need it.
Overall, outdoor water filters are an essential investment for anyone who values the quality and safety of their water. From protecting your health to improving the taste and appearance of your water, outdoor water filters provide a variety of benefits that make them an important part of any household.
Chlorine dioxide use for outdoors microbiologically safe water
Chlorine dioxide tablets can be of a great help to get microbiologically safe water outdoors. After using some of the filters above to get a clean drinking water, an addition of chlorine dioxide can make sure that your filtered drinking water is 100 % safe.
Read more about chlorine dioxide benefits in this article:
Water purification tablets
An alternative to best backpacking water filters are the water purification tablets.
You can read more about them in our article about water purification tablets:
Top 5 Outdoor Water Filters
1: LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
The already well known LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is still one of the best choices for outdoor water filters. It is a compact and lightweight water filter that’s perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who need a reliable way to access clean, safe drinking water on the go.
It uses a hollow fiber membrane filtration system to remove contaminants from water, including bacteria, protozoa, and cysts, making it a reliable choice for purifying water from natural sources like lakes, rivers, and streams.
One of the greatest standout features of the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is its simplicity – it’s easy to use, with no batteries or electrical power required. Insert the straw into the water source and start sipping – the filter will do the rest.
It’s also compact and lightweight, making it an excellent choice for backpacking, camping, and other outdoor activities.
In terms of maintenance, the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter has a long lifespan, with the ability to filter up to 4,000 liters of water before it needs to be replaced. It’s also easy to clean – blow back through the filter to remove any dirt or debris that were filtered out earlier.
Overall, the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is an excellent choice for hikers, backpackers, and other outdoor enthusiasts who need a reliable and convenient way to access filteres water that is clean, and safe drinking water on the go.
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for Hiking, Camping, Travel, and Emergency Preparedness
Protects against 99.999999% of bacteria (including E.coli, Salmonella), 99.999% of parasites (including Giardia and Cryptosporidium), 99.999% of microplastics, dirt, sand and cloudiness.
No Electricity Or Battery Power Required.
2: MSR SweetWater Microfilter
The MSR SweetWater Microfilter is a reliable and versatile water filter that’s suitable for a wide range of outdoor activities. It uses a ceramic filter and activated carbon to remove contaminants from water, including bacteria, protozoa, and cysts, making it a reliable pump filters choice for purifying water from natural sources like lakes, rivers, and streams.
One of the standout features of pump filters in general and the MSR SweetWater Microfilter is its versatility – it can be used with a variety of water sources, including hydration packs, water bottles, and buckets. It’s also easy to use – simply fill the dirty water bag and pump the water through the filter – and it has a high flow rate, so you can filter large quantities of water quickly and efficiently.
In terms of maintenance, the MSR SweetWater Microfilter is durable, with the ability to handle up to 2,000 liters of water before the filter needs to be replaced.
It’s also easy to clean – simply backflush the filter using the provided syringe to remove any dirt or debris. Overall, the MSR SweetWater Microfilter is an excellent choice for hikers, backpackers, and other outdoor enthusiasts who need a reliable and convenient way to access clean, safe drinking water on the go.
All this makes it one of the best backpacking water filters available.
MSR SweetWater Microfilter Backcountry Water Purifier System
- Microfilter water filter pump and 50 purification tablets for hiking, backpacking, camping, travel, survival, and emergency preparedness
- Replaceable carbon and ceramic filter removes bacteria, protozoa, organic compounds, and particulate; Aquatabs protect against viruses
3: Katadyn Hiker Pro Transparent Water Filter
The Katadyn Hiker Pro Transparent Water Filter is a reliable and convenient option for outdoor enthusiasts who need a way to access clean, safe drinking water on the go. It uses a glass fiber filter to remove contaminants from water, including bacteria, protozoa, and cysts, making it a reliable choice for purifying water from natural sources like lakes, rivers, and streams.
One of the standout features of the Katadyn Hiker Pro Transparent Water Filter is its transparency – the filter housing is made of clear plastic, which allows you to see the water as it’s being filtered. This can be helpful for assessing the quality of the water you’re filtering and determining when it’s time to clean or replace the filter. The filter also has a high flow rate, so you can filter large quantities of water quickly and efficiently.
In terms of maintenance, the Katadyn Hiker Pro Transparent Water Filter is easy to clean – simply shake or brush the filter to remove any dirt or debris. It’s also durable, with the ability to filter up to 200 liters of water before the filter needs to be replaced.
Overall, the Katadyn Hiker Pro Transparent Water Filter is an excellent choice for hikers, backpackers, and other outdoor enthusiasts who need a reliable and convenient way to access clean, safe drinking water on the go.
4: Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System
The Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System is a versatile water filter that’s suitable for a wide range of outdoor activities. It uses a hollow fiber membrane filtration system to remove contaminants from water, including bacteria, protozoa, and cysts, making it a reliable choice for purifying water from natural sources like lakes, rivers, and streams.
One of the standout features of the Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System is its versatility – it can be used with a variety of water sources, including hydration packs, water bottles, and buckets. It’s also easy to use – simply fill the dirty water bag and squeeze the water through the filter – and it has a high flow rate, so you can filter large quantities of water quickly and efficiently.
In terms of maintenance, the Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System is durable, with the ability to handle up to 100,000 gallons of water before the filter needs to be replaced.
It’s also easy to clean – simply backflush the filter using the provided syringe to remove any dirt or debris. Overall, the Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System is an excellent choice of backpacking water filters for hikers, backpackers, and other outdoor enthusiasts who need a reliable and convenient way to access clean, safe drinking water on the go.
5: Aquamira Frontier Max Water Filter Straw
The Aquamira Frontier Max Water Filter Straw is a compact and lightweight water filter that’s perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who need a reliable way to access clean, safe drinking water on the go. It uses a combination of ceramic and activated carbon filters to remove contaminants from water, including bacteria, protozoa, and viruses.
Max Water Filter
One of the standout features of the Aquamira Frontier Max Water Filter Straw is its versatility – it can be used as a straw to drink directly from water sources, or it can be attached to a hydration pack or water bottle for on-the-go hydration. It’s also easy to use – simply fill the dirty water bag and squeeze the water through the filter – and it has a long lifespan, with the ability to filter up to 100 liters of water before it needs to be replaced.
Overall, the Aquamira Frontier Max Water Filter Straw is an excellent choice for hikers, backpackers, and other outdoor enthusiasts who need a reliable and convenient way to access clean, safe drinking water. Whether you’re exploring a remote wilderness area or traveling to a foreign country, this water filter straw can provide the peace of mind you need to enjoy your adventures with confidence.
Why is outdoor water purification so important?
Outdoor water purification is an important aspect of providing clean and safe water supply for outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and backpacking. It is also essential for emergency preparedness, as it allows individuals to purify water from natural sources in case of a disaster or any other emergency situation.
Outdoor water purification methods
There are a variety of methods that can be used to purify water in the outdoors, including filtration, chemical treatment, and ultraviolet (UV) light treatment. Filtration is a popular method that uses a filter to remove impurities and particles from the water. Chemical treatment, such as using iodine or chlorine, is also effective in eliminating harmful bacteria and viruses. UV light treatment is a newer method that uses ultraviolet light to kill microorganisms in the water.
What is most important?
Regardless of the method used, outdoor water purification is important because it helps to prevent the spread of water-borne illnesses such as cholera, typhoid, and giardia. These illnesses can cause severe symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, and in some cases can be fatal.
In addition to protecting human health, outdoor water purification is also important for protecting the environment. When water is not properly purified, it can contain harmful pollutants and chemicals that can harm aquatic life and damage ecosystems.
Conclusion
Overall, outdoor water purification is a crucial aspect of maintaining a safe and clean water supply for outdoor activities and emergency situations. By using a variety of methods, such as filtration, chemical treatment, and UV light treatment, individuals can purify water from natural sources and protect themselves and the environment.
Who am I?
I am working as a water treatment technical manager and I have more than 25 years of practical experience in water purification.
Water purification expert
After many years of experience in water purification, I want to share some of my knowledge and get people to know the real importance of water quality.
Water purification and water treatment are very complex themes, so it is important to explain them in an easy-to-read way.
On this blog, you will find many understandable, easy-to-read information about water purification.
I hope you enjoy it, find some useful information, and thank You for reading.
More info on my work and my expertise on water purification can be found on my LinkedIn profile.
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