12 Best Water Filters for Travel & Hiking in 2023
Do you want to know which water filter is ideal for taking on the trail? It’s essential to be cautious when drinking water, as ingesting contaminated water can cause serious health problems or even ruin the entire trip. Bring a portable water purifier bottle to enhance your camping and hiking adventures.
In this post, we’ll go through the main selling points, benefits, and drawbacks of several popular models of portable water purification systems.
Why Should You Use Reusable Filtered Water Bottles?
If you’re a traveler, a portable water bottle with a filter is an absolute must. While visiting a foreign country or an area where the water may not be safe to drink, many tourists purchase bottled water instead.
As a savvy traveler, I never advise buying bottled water. I understand the importance of taking precautions when visiting a foreign nation. When on the journey, why not use a water filter?
A portable water filter not only keeps you healthy on travel, but it also aids in the fight against the environmental damage caused by single-use plastics.
A travel water filter is also a great money saver. When I travel, I try to make every dollar count. Spending $2 daily on bottled water can add up to almost $700 throughout a year long tour. Only a few of these water purifiers or filtered water bottles cost more than $100.
Is A Portable Water Filter Worth It For Travel?
Water filters for traveling are cost-effective. As was previously said, Amazon is a great place to get high-quality water filters for travel at affordable prices (around $100). This is another one of the top camping must-haves.
A portable water bottle with a filter is economical, ecological, and healthful for long-distance travel. Carrying less water is more accessible with a purified water bottle for travel. If you plan on doing a lot of hiking or traveling in one day, this will be a massive aid to your shoulders.
So, spending a few dollars on a portable water filter or a water purification bottle is unquestionably worthwhile.
Buying Guide for a Travel Water Filter Bottle
Suppose you have been encouraged to purchase a portable water filter while touring. More people are venturing abroad, so more water filters and cleaners are available. Be precise while deciding on the most effective travel water purifier. If you’re in the market for a water filter or purifier, consider these considerations.
Filtration Technology:
Carbon filters most effectively remove heavy metals and microbiological pollutants. Straw filters are also widely used, with the user simply sucking on the mouthpiece to draw water through the filter.
A Gravity filter often works slowly but can filter a significant amount of water, unlike a straw filter, which instantly provides filtered water. Making use of a Pump filter is straightforward. After the water has been pumped through the filter, it is safe to consume for up to 48 hours.
Pore Size:
The smallest particle that can go through your water filter is represented by pore size. Experts recommend water filters with a 0.1-micron filter for removing bacteria, microplastics, and silt from water while traveling.
Bottle Construction:
Metal bottles are gaining popularity due to their durability and efficiency, but they have a few drawbacks, including being bulky and expensive. Be sure the plastic water purifier bottle you buy for travel is BPA-free before you spend your money on it.
Water Filter or Purifier:
Filters for water are excellent at getting rid of protozoan cysts and bacteria, but they can’t get rid of viruses. Water purifiers aren’t effective against viruses because of their microscopic size. If you visit a third-world country, invest in a water purifier.
Best Water Filter for Travel
#1 GRAYL Geopress Purifier Water Bottle
Grayl is among the most trusted names in the industry when it comes to filtered water bottles. The purifying ability and proprietary OnePress technology of the Grayl GeoPress water bottle will impress you whenever you go hiking, bicycling, camping, traveling, or fishing.
GeoPress is easy to transport and effective against 99.9 percent of germs. Filters do not need to wait for gravity any longer. In just 8 seconds, GeoPress removes all traces of pollutants, metals, pesticides, and smells from the water. Also, there is zero preparation required.
It’s lightweight and small enough to toss in a bag. Their SimpleVent Drink Cap lets in fresh air while filtering out impurities and preventing infection.
Highlighting Features:
Removes 99.9% pathogen
Patented OnePress technology
LED flashlight
Provides a neoprene case and belt loop
Pros:
24-ounce capacity perfect for longer backpacking or camping trips
Filters water in 8 seconds!
Non-slip bottom
Great taste and clarity after filtering
SimpleVent Drink Cap makes drinking easy
Cons:
Doesn’t fit well into drink holders
Not as lightweight as the GRAYL Ultralight
#2 LifeStraw Go Water Bottle
LifeStraw is another famous brand for its filter and purifier products. If you want a water filter for backpacking, go for Lifestraw Go Water Bottle. It is easy for everyday use, affordable, and an excellent choice for hiking, biking, and travel within the US.
Their two-stage activated carbon filter technology removes 99.9999% of bacteria, protozoan cysts, microplastics, unpleasant chlorine, and other odors from the water. You must fill the bottle, re-insert the straw filter and suck through it.
The manufacturers recommend replacing the water filter every three months. Although it can efficiently remove bacteria and protozoan cysts, this water filter travel bottle doesn’t remove viruses and heavy metals. So, I wouldn’t recommend this product in developing countries where tap water isn’t safe to drink.
Highlighting Features:
22-ounce capacity
Two-stage carbon filtering
Removes chlorine, organic chemicals, microplastics, and odor
Leak-proof design
Longer lifetime
Pros:
Easy to use
Two-stage filtering technology proves its efficiency
Removes 99.99% of bacteria, chemicals, and microplastics
Lightweight
Cons:
Doesn’t REMOVE viruses
Doesn’t REMOVE heavy metals(Lead)
Cannot REMOVE bad tastes totally, just reduces
not good for travel in developing countries
#3 Epic Nalgene OG Ultimate Travel Bottle
Nalgene has been producing water purification systems and water filter bottles for a long time. They’ve kept prices low without sacrificing quality for most of their offerings. And many travelers, hikers, and campers swear by the Epic Nalgene OG Ultimate Travel Bottle as their go-to portable water filter.
The filters get rid of virtually anything that could be in the water. Its filters can purge the water of almost any harmful substance, including PFOA, fluorides, chlorine, germs, viruses, and cysts.
Heavy metals and odors are no match for the activated carbon filter. This 32-ounce filtered travel bottle is more effective at removing contaminants than the standard water filtering bottle. You may use it even if you’re going on a long trip, camping, or visiting a nation with questionable water sources.
Highlighting Features:
Removes 99.99% of tap water impurities
Uses BPA-free plastic
Activated carbon filters
Reusable everyday use product
Passed NSF testing
Pros:
Activated carbon filter removes 99.9% of viruses, bacteria, and cysts
Removes 99.9% of chlorine, lead, heavy metals, and odors
Suitable for more than one person(32 oz)
Silicone sipping straw
Durable and reusable.
Excellent for daily use and travel
Cons:
It is not for you if looking for a small filtered travel water bottle.
Doesn’t fit most cup holders in cars.
#4 GRAYL Ultralight Water Purifier Bottle
During the past few years, GRAYL has maintained its reputation for excellence by providing water that is free of disease-causing bacteria and other contaminants. My go-to presses are the Grail Ultralight and the Grail Geo press.
Ultralight is excellent for day-to-day use, flying, and shorter excursions, while Geopress is ideal for long walks and camping trips. It was a big help as I ventured onto the Southern California trails on foot.
This little ultralight water purifier container is ideal for travel because it can be stored in a bag or backpack with minimal effort.
The activated charcoal filter in the GRAYL Ultralight is effective against 99.9 percent of viruses, germs, and protozoa. It purifies the water by removing pollutants and odors, making it more enjoyable to drink and better for you.
The entire 16-ounce bottle of GRAYL Ultralight can be filtered in about 15 seconds. This highly regarded water purification container for travel was challenging to employ. Fill the bottle and push the button on the top to produce chemical- and bacteria-free drinking water.
Highlighting Features:
16-ounce capacity
Three purifying technologies
Filtering in 15 seconds
99.99% pathogen removal
Pros:
Removes 99.9% of viruses, bacteria, protozoa, chemicals, and odors.
Ultra-lightweight making it ideal for travel and hiking
Filter the entire 16 oz of water in 15 seconds
Great taste
Cons:
No sipping lid like the larger GeoPress model below
Not recommended for camping and long hiking when you need more water.
#5 Katadyn Vario Water Filter
Katadyn Vario Water Filter is the gold standard in water filtering and deserves serious inspection if you care about your family’s health. It’s a great water filter to have on the go. The Katadyn Vario is a high-quality water purifier that uses a microfilter made from a combination of two technologies (a carbon core and a ceramic disc that can be cleaned) to eliminate germs, microplastics, and protozoa.
At just 1.6 pounds, this lightweight gadget won’t even be noticeable in your bag. Its filtering mechanism with the highest output setting can produce 2 quarts of water per minute.
Charcoal filters can eliminate germs, bad tastes, and odors in the water, leaving behind pleasant-tasting and safe-to-drink water. The pump is compatible with various bottles and other water storage bags.
Highlighting Features:
Includes Prefilter, Deluxe Carry Bag, and Cleaning Pad
Cartridge Capacity: Up to 500 gallons
Filters up to 2 liters per minute
Dual technology: Replaceable Katadyn carbon core and cleanable ceramic disc
Weight: 15 oz, Height: 6.5”
Pros:
Simple, easy to use, and light.
Removes 99.99% of bacteria and protozoan cysts
Perfect for small-group camping
Cons:
The pump can stop by air-locking the piston and valve.
Cannot remove viruses.
#6 Seychelle Rad/Advanced Water Filter Bottle
One of my favorite water purifier bottles I can take with me is the Seychelle Rad/Advanced Water Filter Bottle.
Although Seychelle has been making bottles for some time now, the Seychelle Rad/Advanced Filtered Water Bottle is the safest option to avoid ingesting harmful bacteria, pathogens, chemicals, or chemicals pesticides while on the road.
Viruses, bacteria, and other water-borne pathogens are among the four contaminants that can be absorbed or removed from water using this system’s Ionic Adsorption Micro Filtration technology.
Most other containers on this list are ineffective against even the most prevalent contaminants. Yet, radioactive pollutants like radium 226 and cesium 137 are no match for the Seychelle Rad/Advanced water filtration bottle.
Highlighting Features:
Ionic Adsorption Micro Filtration technology
28-ounce capacity and BPA-free plastic body
Removes chemical contaminants
Suitable for camping and emergency kits
Pros:
Works very fast and ready to drink
Provides a sipping straw
Removes 99.9% of bacteria, chemicals, odors, and radioactive contaminants.
It has a non-slip grip, easy to grab.
Cons:
Larger in size, not recommended to travel with on a plane.
Some users have reported leaking near the lid area
#7 Sawyer Products SP131 Squeeze Water Filter
Sawyer Products SP131 is one of the best water filters for travel and is worth having on hand for any emergency or outdoor enthusiast. Whether visiting an unfamiliar country or trekking a remote trail where the water may not be drinkable, this model is quite helpful.
It produces filtered water quickly and weighs only 3 ounces, but it filters out more than 99.9 percent of bacteria and protozoan cysts. Get contaminated water from a river, lake, or another water source, fill the 32-ounce pouches, then squeeze the water into a clean container.
The Sawyer Products SP131 has a clever adaptor that allows you to fill your water bottle or another container with filtered water directly from the 32-ounce pouch. It eliminates all traces of microplastics from the water, making it completely portable once again.
Highlighting Features:
Ultralight high-performance 0.1 Micron inline filter
BPA-free collapsible pouch
Comes with an ingenious adapter to transfer filtered water
Uses Squeeze Filter technology
Removes 99.99% of all bacteria, and microplastics.
Pros:
Long-Lasting travel filter water bottle. Can filter up to 1 million gallons without replacing the filter cartridge.
Perfect for travel, outdoor adventures, or emergency preparedness
Super lightweight with a fast flow rate.
32-ounce reusable squeeze pouch can be rolled up when empty and takes less space
Cons:
Collecting water with the pouches in the shallow can be challenging.
Need more effort than gravity filters.
Pouches built quality could be better.
#8 LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
The flagship water filter and purifier from LifeStraw have received widespread acclaim worldwide. The most excellent part about LifeStraw is that they make high-quality models cheaply. For those on a tight budget who still want to filter their drinking water while on the road, the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is an excellent option.
In a matter of seconds, water that has been contaminated can be purified and made safe for human consumption using hollow fiber membrane technology. This compact portable water filter is helpful around the house regardless of how often you travel, in case of unexpected visitors or a natural disaster.
The tiny LifeStraw water filter can purify up to a thousand gallons of water by removing 99.99% of bacteria and protozoan cysts. It does not employ any chemicals or BPA-containing components in its construction.
Highlighting Features:
Only 2 oz, need no batteries or pumping
Removes 99.999999% of waterborne bacteria and parasites
Passed all the testing standards by the US EPA, NSF, ASTM for water purifiers
The longer lifetime with 1000 gallons filter
Pros:
One of the cheapest portable water filters for travel
Ultralight and takes less space
Easy to use and easy to carry
Longer lifetime
Cons:
At high altitudes, suction can be a little tough.
#9 OKO H2O Advanced Filtration Water Bottle Level 2
Regarding versatility, finding a better water filter for traveling is hard. The OKO H2O Advanced Filtration Water Bottle is an excellent pick for any occasion, whether at home or on the road. This filtering water bottle can save you money and weight by purifying 100 gallons of water.
Hard BPA-free plastic will be used to construct the water filter bottle, which also features a comfortable soft mouthpiece for a secure hold. The OKO bottle filters out pollutants, heavy metals, germs, protozoa, and parasites with a 99.99% efficiency rate. In addition to bacteria, viruses with a pore size of 2 microns can be effectively removed.
Highlighting Features:
Removes 99.99% bacteria and pathogen removal
Removes 100% microplastics
100 gallons filter lifetime
BPA-free hard plastic
Extremely lightweight (5.2 oz bottle weight)
Pros:
Level 2 filter is very effective while traveling in developing countries
Sleek design with a soft mouthpiece
Has a large bottle size of 1 liter
Easy to grip
Cons:
Might be too big to put in your backpack
It is a little tough to suck the water due to the extra filtering
#10 SteriPen Adventurer Opti UV Water Purifier
My go-to recommendation for the best water filter for hikers is the SteriPen Adventurer Opti UV Water Purifier—a convenient, portable, and uncomplicated tool.
Almost 99.9 percent of bacteria, viruses, and protozoan cysts are killed by it. Insert the SteriPen into your glass or bottle and press the button to begin sterilization. The green light will flash when the purification process is complete, signaling that the water is safe to drink.
About 8,000 liters of liquid may be drawn and redrawn from the pen. Keep in mind that the SteriPen requires batteries to function. While going on a long hike or camping trip, including a supply of CR123 batteries is a good idea.
Highlighting Features:
UV water purifier
Kills more than 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa
Filters up to 80000 liters
LED flashlight for water sensor
Pros:
Virus-killing efficiency is ideal for traveling in developing countries where tap waters are not safe.
Offers the best taste
Compact design and longer lifetime of the filters
Cons:
Little expensive but under $100
Some users reported that it consumes more power. Keep extra CR123A batteries handy.
#11 Platypus GravityWorks
Including Giardia, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Salmonella, and Cholera, the Platypus GravityWorks filter can eliminate 99.99% of all bacteria and protozoa. It has an excellent system for filtering and dispensing water for large parties, with a capacity of 4.
Importantly, this filter employs hundreds of open threads packaged into a single filter via a technology called Hollow Fiber Design. The water is filtered only once through the filter’s walls. After purifying approximately 1,500 gallons of water, the filter must have its cartridge replaced.
Each of the two 4-liter tanks in this setup can store unfiltered or purified water, respectively. Unlike most straw filters, these reservoirs do not necessitate pumping water while using and come equipped with hang loops for convenient use in the wilderness.
You don’t have to worry about the extra 11 ounces in weight compared to standard and impact hiking water purifiers.
Pros
Microfilters can easily be cleaned by regular backflushing
The filter works quite fast with no pumping required
Works for a group of people (up to 4 people)
Cons
Expensive as compared to most conventional backpacking water filters/water purifiers
Users complain that plastic bags are not durable
#12 MSR Guardian
MSR Guardian’s automatic cleaning system, for which a patent has been applied, is one of its most appealing features. Unlike most filters, this one doesn’t require regular maintenance like backflushing or filter scrubbing.
It filters water from the murkiest puddles and eliminates sediments, bacteria, and viruses, unlike most typical squeeze-style filters/camping pump filters. Its hollow fiber filter’s adaptability and usefulness in dealing with the risk of viruses in water make it particularly relevant in underdeveloped countries.
The NSF has approved this filter, which operates with a hand pump since it can resist repeated usage, freezing temperatures, rough handling, and challenging situations. Also, it is adaptable in that it can be placed over most wide-mouth bottles.
It cleans itself as water is pumped through it, eliminating the need for regular maintenance so you can spend more time outdoors.
Pros
The only filter-purifier combo available on the market
Effective against viruses, in addition to other contaminants in the silty water
It has a long filter life with zero maintenance (it has a self-cleaning mechanism)
Cons
Not at all budget friendly; one of the most expensive backpacking water filters and purifiers
One of the heaviest hollow fiber filters for backpacking trips
How To Choose A Backpacking Water Filter
Long trips in the wilderness necessitate the use of a camping water filter. Learn the ins and outs of each backpacking water system before investing in a water filter system.
The best water filter for trekking can be chosen using the six criteria listed below.
Find Out What You Need To Filter Out: Where does this filter fit in precisely? What about camping, hiking, or backpacking? Where do you get your water from? Is it piped in or collected from streams in the wilderness? Are there bacteria in the water?
Use Alone Or Collectively: The size of the filter system is dependent on this factor. Small portable filtration devices are perfect for individual rather than group use.
The Filter’s Service Life: Generally, the more the cost to maintain something, the shorter its lifespan. Finding a filter with long service life, higher throughput, and lower price point is preferable.
Cost Restriction: Even though having a high-quality backpacking filter is fantastic, you need to factor in the cost of repairs and upkeep. Get what you can within your budget, then improve if and when it becomes essential.
Size and Weight Considerations: Lightweight packing is essential for outdoor activities like backpacking and camping. Hence, convenience and mobility are paramount when deciding on a personal camping water filter.
Opinions from the Buy Side: While making an online purchase, you should look to previous buyers as references. They give you the details you should have been told about throughout the pitch.
Nothing can be more terrifying for a person who enjoys spending time in the woods than to be in a situation where they aren’t getting enough water. Here you’ll find the best backpacking filtration gear to protect you from harmful bacteria and other toxins in the water.
For those who are new to backpacking, here is some further reading.
FAQ for Backpacking Water Filter
Can activated carbon filters trap viruses?
No. Viruses are resistant to activated carbon filters, but not vice versa. They can’t operate as a filter since bacteria can get through.
VOCs, herbicides, pesticides, THMs (disinfection by-products), chlorine, benzene, solvents, radon, and many other pollutants are effectively removed.
What is the shelf life of a camping water filter?
Yes. Even the most incredible hiking water filters eventually wear out and must be replaced. Every filter can only purify so much water. When the cartridge has dispensed so much water, it must be replaced.
