The Best Water Filters for Backpacking

A good water filter is essential for backpacking to remote locations. Heading out into the backcountry means you must source your hydration from rivers, lakes, or even dirty ponds. It’s critical that you remove bacteria and protozoa, and you may even want to invest in more premium filters to safeguard against viruses and reduce unwanted chemicals.

If you're backpacking, camping, or otherwise traveling to areas with questionable water supplies, it's wise to take a water filter. They're much lighter than carrying liters of bottled water, fit snugly into your pack, and are healthier for the environment.

Here are the best water filters for backpacking available today, written by Barry Peacock.

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

Clothing and gear can be treated with a 0.5% permethrin spray, sold under names including Sawyer, Insect Shield and Ranger Ready.

Bay Area News Group
News Group

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

Sawyer’s picaridin lotion offers the longest protection windows on test — up to 14 hours against mosquitoes and ticks — and its creamy, low-odor formula goes on smooth and dries quickly.

Rachel Cavanaugh
Mwandishi

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

The Sawyer Squeeze and Cnoc Vecto made hydration easy.

Josh King
Mwandishi wa Kuchangia