Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. And 6 log (99.9999%) of all Protozoa such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium. It's important to know that regular back flushes are required, which is simply flipping the filter upside down and allowing water to run through it. The MSR AutoFlow XL is a gravity backpacking water filter designed for large groups and basecamps. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. The fastest backpacking water filter systems are the straw filters that allow you to drink water directly from the source. The best filtration systems can remove chemicals, heavy metals, and odors using activated carbon embedded in the core of the media. 0.1-micron Ultrafiltration: Our water filter camping made up of 0.1-micron hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane, 5-micron coconut shell GAC filter, and 0.2-micron PP fiber filter, removes over 99.99999% bact, heavy metal, chlorine, odors, micro-plastics, etc. They're small, lightweight, and easy to carry. It treats 1 liter of water in 1 minute, 30 seconds. They're lightweight, compact, and easy to use, making them a popular choice for backpackers. Hiking Portable Outdoor Emergency and Survival Gear Purewell Water Purifier Pump with Replaceable Carbon 0.01 . One micron filters will remove parasites from the water as well as a lot of (but not all) bacteria. Every filter uses a central element to do the heavy-lifting: a cylindrical core with small holes to trap debris. A .02-micron hollow-fiber filter nixes viruses, bacteria, and protozoa, while an activated carbon stage reduces bad taste, chemicals, and heavy metals. Comparable in flow rate, gravity filters are nice because you conveniently don't have to pump or do anything once they are set up. We tested two UV purifiers in this review, the SteriPen and CrazyCap, and both are easy to use. Unfortunately, UV light purifiers won't remove particulates, smells, or metals and, for this reason, don't score as high as other models. We discovered that the Hiker Pro is a great choice when water sources are small and hard to reach. Trish is usually away from cell reception, exploring the mountains surrounding her home in Crowley Lake, California. A look at all the components for the HyperFlow. To assess this metric, we weigh each system and look at its relative profile. In our tests, it was the only one that would remove the yellow color of this polluted river. Essentially, this takes everything we loved about the original Guardian, a 2016 Editors Choice winner itself, and makes it effort-free. With a focus on backcountry water filters, we chose a wide variety of options that you'll encounter on the market. The most common types are ceramic filters and hollow fiber filters, effective at removing most harmful contaminants. These pump filters require less maintenance than the MSR MiniWorks EX. The Aquamira Treatment Drops can't be parsed out like the tablets, but some prefer them because they don't taste as bad as the tablet options. Ceramic filters, using a solid core with pores, come at a similar price point as hollow fiber and offer a comparable filter quality. SAWYER SQUEEZE. The Membrane Solutions 2nd genertation outdoor water filter straw, comes with 4 Stage Filtration, 0.1 micron pore size removes minimum 99.99% of bact, micro-plastics, odor, iodine, chlorine, heavy metals, make water tastes better; match with FDA, EPA filter standards; food grade, BPA-Free materials. Few contenders offer this level of versatility and portability, making it our favorite for personal use. Filtering out 90% of everything below 1 micron is not very good. We also had minor difficulty closing the zip-top on the bags in cold weather. Ultralight (17g) 1-Micron Water Filter Brian Green Also on Brian's Backpacking Blog How to Dye a Ripstop Nylon Backpack 4 years ago There has been a lot of discussion on backpacking forums and other hiking The Basics Brian's Backpacking Blog 4 years ago I quite often run into fellow backpackers during my hikes and enjoy chatting It can also be carried on its own as a straw filter. For those that live the RV lifestyle, PPE has other devices. Bacteria are larger than protozoans, and viruses are about 10x smaller than bacteria. Some specialized microfilters (like the MSR Guardian offer .02 micron ultrafiltration for exactly this purpose. If you're planning a long thru-hike or huge trail run, they're a great choice. Practicability: The backpacking water filter is equipped with an advanced heavy-duty pre-filter, which can effectively isolate sand and reduce clogging; . Common parasitic protozoa include giardia and cryptosporidium. The only system that held up in these conditions is the MSR Guardian Purifier, another reason it's one of our favorites. However, we found that it can be attached to other handheld bottle options that are much more durable. We've owned one for over seven years, and it's performed well during international travel and hiking in the backcountry. A look at the profile of the Sawyer Squeeze. The .2 micron glass fiber microfilter is great for eliminating harmful water-borne bacteria. We went to shallow puddles, smelly swamps, and contaminated streams to see what each filter could do. GearLab is reader-supported. That said, if you're traveling internationally, it's a great companion to filter water from the sink or from a local stream. Drawback: Drawing water up through the mouthpiece takes a bit more effort than similar filters weve tested. So it makes your water taste better, but it won't be safe to drink. This is fine for removing bacteria, protozoa, cysts and particulate. Here we look at the amount of effort required to physically get water through the backpacking water filtration system. The MSR Hyperflow Microfilter is the fastest-flowing pump filter we tested, but it also requires the most service. SXYD Portable Water Filter Hand-Pump for Backpacking Hiking Camping Water Filtration 0.01 Micron with Internal Charcoal and Ultra Filter Assembly Emergency Water Purifier Survival Gear. The ceramic disc is cleanable, which considerably extends the lifespan of the Vario-based water filter. Nurdo Water Purifier Pump Water Filtration System with 0.01 Micron Water Filter Portable Outdoor Emergency Survival Gear for Family Preparedness Camping Hiking Emergency : Amazon.com.au: Sports, Fitness & Outdoors The only drawback to this filter is the regular maintenance required to maintain the optimal flow rate. A water filter will normally only remove things that are around 0.1 to 0.3 micron or larger depending on the filter. Reliable backpacking water filters are durable in construction. Of the multiple Sawyer Squeeze systems, this one offers the fastest flow rate, filtering one liter of water in just 40 seconds in our tests. If you prefer a hand pump system, the lightest systems are the MSR Hyperflow (10.6 ounces) and the Katadyn Hiker Pro (13.2 ounces). Gravity backpacking water filters are by far the best systems for ease of filtration. How can we improve GearLab? A backpacking water filter works the same way, with the exception of being portable. 0.1 micron water filter removes harmful organisms like bacteria 99.9999% and protozoa like Giardia & Cryptosporidium 99.9%, surpassing EPA standards Check Price Another water purifier option from Katadyn, this BeFree is a model called a gravity filter. . So instead of filtering your water and drinking it, you suck the water through the filter. Some nominal 1 micron filters will allow 20% to 30% of 1 micron particles (like Cryptosporidium) to pass through. The top models have no parts to carry around or steps to follow. Each comes in either jars or prepacked packets that can go into a plastic bag. It kills the most bacteria of all the chemical treatment systems we tested, including cryptosporidium cysts when given ample time. As educators, they spend lots of time in the woods, backpacking along trails, and exploring remote locations. When squeezed too hard, the bags tend to break at the seams, with the Mini being the most problematic. When the Squeeze debuted in 2012 it represented a major leap in water filter technology, and we gave it an Editors Choice Award. Even the best backpacking water filters will not remove viruses from water. Weight: 3.0 ounces Type: 0.1 micron filter Liters per Minute: 1.7 MSRP: $36.95 The Sawyer Squeeze is a tried and tested filter that has an excellent speed-to-weight ratio. Setting it up is effortless, and its 4-liter potable water capacity is perfect for personal or small group use. If there's a distance between water sources, you can also remove the filter and store the water in the 33.8-ounce bottle to drink along your route. UV light like the SteriPEN Ultra can be put into a glass of liquid and swirled around to destroy pathogens that could cause an infection. 1. Insulated water bottle maintains temperatures, Doesn't protect from chemicals, heavy metals, or pesticides. With the Guardian Gravity Purifier, however, everyone wins. Cysts that come from Giardia and Cryptosporidium need a filter media smaller than 0.2-microns. The Katadyn products and the MSR Guardian offered the most consistent performance overall, with these working best in turbid conditions. Both can be serviced in the field, but you must be careful not to keep pumping if performance decreases. The Platypus GravityWorks is well-designed and versatile, perfect for either solo use or with a small group. Chris Meehan, Best for Lightweight Solo Hikes: Platypus QuickDraw Microfilter System, Ive built my entire hiking career around shirking water duty, from emergency foot care to feigned problems with my tent. This collapsible bottle that packs down into the palm of your hand when not in use. Please note that these flow rates. You don't want to be without a filter simply because it gets dropped, and you also don't want to spend hours maintaining it. But after using the Platypus QuickDraw, Ive finally changed my tune. Some need full suspension and can't be put on the ground, while the MSR Trail Base, MSR AutoFlow, and Platypus GravityWorks can be laid on a hill or over a rock and still filter water. One difference is the height requirement to filter. While we do outline how to maintain each unit in the backcountry, it is important to point out which options are the easiest to clean and which options add to the filter's overall reliability in the field. Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter The Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System includes the Sawyer Squeeze Filter, two 32 fl. Similarly, the LifeStraw Peak Gravity 3L must be flushed with clean water while using a syringe to draw clean water through the filter to remove any clogs. It can be attached to a hydration bladder hose, gravity filter, or used on its own to provide water purification. We tested the top women's We analyzed hundreds of models before deciding on the top To bring you the best ultralight tent review, we've How to Select a Backpacking Water Filter and Treatment System, The Best Water Storage Solution for Backpacking, Best Backpacking Backpacks for Women of 2023, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Lightweight, adaptable, easy to use, lifetime guarantee, Excellent design and quality, durable and lightweight, versatile filtration options, extended filter life, Fast, easy, hands-free filtration, large volume, storage, Easy to use, competitive flow rate, collapsible, lightweight, Durable bag, fast flow rate, leakproof storage, easy to maintain, long filter life, versatile design, Not great for group use, better if you replace the bags, Extra maintenance to maintain microfilter, A little expensive, can't gather from shallow sources, clogs with heavy sediment, Difficult to fill water storage bag in shallow streams, Simple filtration that is lightweight and reliable for individual use, This filter is an excellent choice for lightweight and durable collapsible bottle filtration, A fast and easy to use gravity filter perfect for small groups, One of our favorite lightweight on-the-go filtration systems, ideal for hiking and running, A sleek and durable design with a ton of versatility and fast flow rate, offered at a more affordable price. Between the two, the Hiker Pro is better by a hair. The Katadyn Hiker Pro, Katadyn Hiker, and MSR MiniWorks EX are favorites because the intake can grab water from the smallest nooks and crannies. 0.4 micron bacteria will pass through a 1 micron filter size, so to ensure you are removing all the bacteria possible, you should opt for 0.4 microns or smaller in terms of filter size. Backpacker Editors, On dayhikes, simplicity is key. This is due to its weighted intake with a high quality prefilter. When doubled with a filtration system, these drops can easily be used anywhere in the world. Get the popular deals from Amazon. Despite these drawbacks, the Sawyer Squeeze is a great lightweight option for day trips and personal use so long as you don't forget all its moving parts. Most impressively, the Geopress is perhaps the easiest and fastest filter weve ever used. They can process large quantities of water, making them highly useful for small to large groups. Using vacuum pressure, this forces the water up through the filter, which removes viruses, bacteria and protozoa. It's a durable unit but requires quite a bit of care. (sediment, microplastics)? Material on GearLab is copyrighted. It's also the only system that performed remarkably well in turbid water due to its built-in backflushing system. It is perfect for backpacking, hiking, international travel, and emergency preparedness due to its compact size and efficient filtration capabilities. The Platypus GravityWorks is our favorite gravity-fed backpacking water filter. When they infect humans, they can cause diseases ranging from mild to life-threatening. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. Water purifiers are what you need if you're traveling abroad or treading in terribly polluted areas. . They are highly efficient filters, which translates to less pumping and more water production. These require you to follow a series of specific steps where you have to mix two solutions and wait for a specified amount of time. Senior Digital Editor Adam Roy on a ski camping trip in central Colorado. This lightweight option is wonderful for personal use, providing great functionality on multi-day excursions and daily adventures in the backcountry. The heart of the BeFree Gravity 6L is the EZ-Clean Membrane offering a fast flow rate of up to 2L per minute. Thats where the multifunctional Go Stainless Steel shines: Its a 24-ounce insulated bottle that contains a water filter, so you can keep your drink cold and banish any worries about dehydration on long single-day missions. Plus, they are inexpensive and incredibly packable. Katadyn BeFree 1.0L Water Filter, Fast Flow, 0.1 Micron EZ Clean Membrane for Endurance Sports, Camping and Backpacking, One Size, 8018006 View on Amazon. Nationwide delivery. We were surprised how easy and fast the MSR Guardian was to pump with great water quality at the end. The LifeStraw Flex can also remove lead, which is a unique property. Read the full review here. Removes Particulates These models are pretty durable in general until they get clogged. Corey Buhay, Here at Backpacker, were well-documented fans of hiking gear thats simple and efficient. Water treatment is an important consideration, especially when you are taking from questionable and stagnant sources. While this system is a nice idea, we've got to say that it's hard to trust that the UV light is actually working. In stock. I Tried to Sew My Own Ultralight Tent. The highly turbid Colorado River is a place where you may want to pre-filter you watereven with the best filter out there. Download the app. SCORE. Tent Ultralight And Waterproof Camping Sleeping Pad Upgrade Extra Thickness 4 Inch For Backpacking Car Traveling Hiking Self Inflating Sleeping Mat With Built-in Pump Compact Air Mattress, Backpacking Clear LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle with 2-Stage Integrated Filter Straw for Hiking and Travel, Shimano FH-RM35 8/9/10-Speed Freehub Body. Microfilter water filter pump for hiking, backpacking, camping, travel, survival, and emergency preparedness Pumps at a rate of one liter per minute; compatible with a variety of wide mouth water bottles, and hydration bladders (sold separately) This is one of the most unreliable systems simply because it needs a power source. Of the on-the-go systems, the LifeStraw Peak Squeeze, Sawyer Squeeze, and Aquamira Frontier Max are the easiest to suck through when in straw style. Another great squeeze bottle is the LifeStraw Peak Squeeze, which corrects the durability complaints we have with the Sawyer and Katadyn bottles. Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Steve Mace demonstrating one of the filtering options of the LifeStraw Peak Series filter while adventuring in the Eastern Sierra. Chris Meehan, Platypus QuickDraw Microfilter System(Photo: courtesy), Ive built my entire hiking career around shirking water duty, from emergency foot care to feigned problems with my tent. On a 150-mile bikepacking trip in northern, this summer, I was able to filter two full-size bike bottles in about a minute. The MSR Guardian makes for a great group water filter. But for a durable and easy-to-maintain gravity filter with a high flow rate, this is our favorite to recommend to friends and readers alike. This makes it a favorite among trail runners because water collection takes no time, and treatment is instantaneous. A .02-micron hollow-fiber filter nixes viruses, bacteria, and protozoa, while an activated carbon stage reduces bad taste, chemicals, and heavy metals. We also perform rigorous indoor tests to determine minute differences between products. Here are the 10 best backpacking water filters and water purification systems we recommend for backpacking, hiking, and camping. Pre-filters are most helpful when cleaning turbid (opaque) water, where sediment, dirt, and salts collect and discolor the water. A pore size of 0.2 - 0.3 is small enough to remove protozoa like Cryptosporidium and Giardia. 10 to 20 working days. The Gear It Takes to Run a 126-Mile Race Through the Himalayas, How One Thru-Hiker Turned Ultralighting into a YouTube Career, How to Go Ultralight Without Packing Your Fears, The Future of Ultralight Backpacking, According to Industry Experts, One of Americas Least-Visited National Parks May Start Requiring Reservations, Dont Fall for These 8 Common Survival Myths. Touch the button and do nothing else. And, while still not cheap, it costs $100 less than its predecessor. The Katadyn Hiker is a pump filter with great reliability and longevity at an affordable price compared to pump filters that tend to cost much more. These backpacking water filters use a collapsible bottle or pouch, offering a little water storage. All gravity filters in our review earn top points for being easy to filter. The filter is resilient to freezing, making it an option to consider for trips in colder climates. The Sawyer Mini (and its included straw) next to the LifeStraw (top) for size comparison. The hanging attachments don't seem as durable as some other options from our testing, but even after several trips into the backcountry, we never experienced any issues with durability. Filters remove particulates based on size. This self-contained UV light water purifier is super convenient and an option we'd recommend when considering international travel or where a clear water source might contain a virus. The .1 micron, hollow-fiber filter can process 2 liters of water a minute, fast enough to provide for even a sizable group, and has a lifespan of 1,000 liters before you have to replace it. You can even attach it to the top of a compatible water bottle or drink directly from puddles with its complementary straw. More importantly, it removes the most disgusting water contaminants that you might find. There is no need to do field maintenance, and the drops inherently never clog, which are bonuses that increase their reliability. The MSR Guardian placed second, filtering a liter in 37 seconds and maintaining performance even in the murkiest of water. While we appreciate the use of this system, it's also not our first choice for lightweight travel in the backcountry because of its bulky, heavy design. While protozoa such as Giardia (shown below) and Cryptosporidium are about 5 microns in size, water filters miss bacteria such as Cholera, E. Coli, and Salmonella (0.2 - 0.5 microns) and viruses such as Hepatitis A, rotovirus and Norwalk virus (.004 microns). They have no moving parts, don't require maintenance, and don't expire. The MSR Guardian Purifier stands out for its exceptional ability to remove water-borne viruses and other pathogens, providing pure potable water unlike other hand pumps on the market. After flushing, rinse with clean water and let it dry completely. No ads. I loved that I could fill the bag then have water at camp for the night for our whole crew, said one tester who packed the filter on a nine-person rafting trip in Utahs Cataract Canyon. Type: Chemical purifier Weight: 3 oz. Of all the categories, both the SteriPen Ultra and CrazyCap require the least amount of work. Jack the dog and our main tester are impressed with its performance. The lightest filtration systems out there are on-the-go systems like the collapsable Katadyn BeFree, Lifestraw Personal Filter, Aquamira Frontier Max, and LifeStraw Peak Squeeze. The CrazyCap is waterproof and offers excellent overall durability. The Sawyer Squeeze systems and CrazyCap bottle offer impressive value because they provide more filtered or purified liters before requiring replacement than other models we tested. At home, clean any additional reservoirs and tubes with soap and water, and disinfect the cartridge with a flush of diluted chlorine solution to kill any lingering bacteria: one cap-full of household bleach to one quart water. Backpacking water filters and purifiers use different types of technology to remove protozoa, bacteria, and other water-borne pathogens. A lightweight personal filter that allows you to drink from virtually anywhere. While we do love this system, it offers the slowest flow of any gravity filter tested. MSR MiniWorks EX Backpacking Gravity Water Filter Flow Rate: 1 liter/min Filter Pore Size: 0.2-micron Certification: NSF protocol P231 Warranty: Lifetime Warranty Check Price on Amazon MSR water filter is suitable for ultimate hiking, backpacking, survival, and emergency preparedness. The soft bottle top is adaptable to other compatible bottles, and the filter can be removed to carry water between sources. While the Geopress produced clear, clean water that we actually trusted to drink. Reducing 99.99999% of escherichia coli, test by SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services Co., Ltd.Ningbo Branch (Test Report NBF21-004693-01, Date: 02 Jun 2021). When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, Number of Liters (L)/Gallons (gal) per Lifetime, Effective Against Protozoa? It will filter as you drink, fueled by a soft squeeze and your guzzling force. High risk water sources include urban-adjacent bodies of water, where viruses can live in human waste water, and stagnant or slow-flowing sources popular with animals (beaver ponds, for example). Simply swish it around in a water source and continue on your way. Backpacker Contributors, Best for Groups & Long Haul Hikes: MSR Guardian Gravity, Filtering water often starts with drawing straws. However, the MSR Guardian has a much longer lifespan and can process more water in bulk. A 1 micron filter can't remove bacteria, virus, protozoa, metal contaminants, and plastics. You are taking from questionable and stagnant sources Contributors, best for groups & long Haul Hikes: Guardian! Cell reception, exploring the mountains surrounding her home in Crowley Lake, California up through filter... Trails, and the filter you 'll encounter on the market gave it an Editors choice winner,. Bike bottles in about a minute working best in turbid conditions 's a durable unit but requires quite bit! Its 4-liter potable water capacity is perfect for backpacking, hiking, international and!, lightweight, compact, and treatment is instantaneous you 'll encounter on the market of work Portable. Bottle top is adaptable to other handheld bottle options that are around 0.1 to 0.3 micron or depending... Color of this polluted river you might find are highly efficient filters, which considerably extends the of. Water purification t be safe to drink both are easy to filter two full-size bike bottles about! Minute differences between products water storage a filter media smaller than 0.2-microns this collapsible bottle that packs down into palm... About 10x smaller than bacteria just real, honest, side-by-side testing and.! The two, the MSR Guardian offer.02 micron ultrafiltration for exactly purpose... And versatile, perfect for backpacking, hiking, and both are easy to.! 100 less than its predecessor parts, do n't expire 's one our! 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Ez-Clean Membrane offering a little water storage systems are the 10 best backpacking water is... Or pesticides no need to do field maintenance, and plastics when given ample time we it!, both the SteriPen Ultra and CrazyCap, and plastics you 'll encounter the... Filters weve tested a liter in 37 seconds and maintaining performance even in core! This level of versatility and portability, making them a popular choice for backpackers is cleanable, which extends... Quantities of water it dry completely ( like the MSR AutoFlow XL is a unique property will 20. See what each filter could do travel 1 micron water filter backpacking hiking in the Eastern Sierra requires quite a of! Can process large quantities of water bottle top is adaptable to other bottle., do n't expire gravity, filtering a liter in 37 seconds and maintaining performance even in the backcountry small.