Backpacking Water Filters & Purifiers: A Buyer’s Guide

Backpacking Water Filters & Purifiers: A Buyer’s Guide

Few things can ruin a backpacking trip faster than getting sick from contaminated drinking water. Choosing a water treatment system that provides the appropriate level of protection is essential for staying safe in the backcountry.

Filters vs. Purifiers

Most backcountry water sources in North America present a greater concern for bacteria and protozoa than viruses. For many backpacking trips, a quality water filter provides adequate protection against common waterborne pathogens, including Giardia and Cryptosporidium.

Purifiers offer additional protection against viruses, which may be a greater concern in areas with inadequate sanitation or certain international destinations. Consider where you’re traveling and the water sources you’ll encounter before deciding which level of protection you need.

Choosing a Filter Style

Once you’ve determined your protection needs, consider how you prefer to collect and filter water. The three main styles we carry offer different advantages depending on your group size, water sources, and priorities on the trail.

Squeeze Filters

Lightweight, compact, and easy to use, squeeze filters like the Platypus QuickDraw are popular with solo backpackers and weight-conscious hikers. Simply collect water in a flexible dirty-water bag, attach the filter, and squeeze the water through into a clean bottle or reservoir.

Many models offer impressive flow rates, with some filtering up to three liters per minute under ideal conditions.

Best for: Solo backpackers and anyone prioritizing low weight, compact size, and efficient filtration.

Pump Filters

Pump filters use a hand-operated pump to draw water from a source and push it through a filter into a clean bottle or container. This provides direct control over the filtration process and can be especially convenient when filling multiple bottles or treating water for a group.

Rather than repeatedly squeezing bags of water, you can place the intake hose in a stream or other accessible source and pump water directly into your clean containers.

Best for: Backpackers filtering water for multiple people or collecting water from shallow or awkward sources.

Gravity Filters

Gravity filters offer a hands-free approach to water treatment. Fill a dirty-water reservoir, hang it above a clean container, and let gravity move water through the filter. Once set up, the system can work while you prepare camp, cook dinner, or take a break.

Gravity systems are available in multiple reservoir volumes, allowing you to choose a capacity that best fits your group’s size and water treatment needs.

Best for: Couples, groups, and backpackers who want to filter larger volumes of water with minimal effort.

When Do You Need a Purifier?

Most traditional backpacking filters use membranes designed to remove bacteria and protozoa. Viruses are significantly smaller than these organisms and can pass through the pores of many standard filters, potentially remaining in your drinking water.

If your destination or water sources require protection against viruses, you’ll need a treatment method specifically designed to address them. Here are three options to consider:

• Ultrafine filtration: Systems like the MSR Guardian use specialized filtration technology designed to remove viruses, along with bacteria and protozoa.
• Chemical treatment: Products like Aquatabs use chemical disinfectants to inactivate susceptible microorganisms, including viruses. Follow the product instructions for dosage and contact time.
• UV purification: Devices like the SteriPEN use ultraviolet light to inactivate viruses, bacteria, and protozoa. They require a power source and work best in relatively clear water.

The right option depends on your destination, water sources, and personal preferences. Always check the manufacturer’s specifications to confirm the protection a particular product provides.

Always Carry a Backup

Even a reliable filter can become unusable if it’s damaged or frozen. Carrying a backup treatment method, such as Aquatabs, gives you another way to treat water if your primary system fails. Remember that chemical treatments have specific usage requirements and may not address every type of contaminant.

Let Us Help You Find the Right System

We’ve spent considerable time evaluating water treatment products and the manufacturers behind them. We carry products we trust to deliver their advertised levels of protection, and our experienced staff is here to help you navigate the options.

Stop by and talk with us about your destination, water sources, and plans for the trail. We’d love to help you find the right system for your next adventure.