A hand holding a Sawyer water filter.
A hand holding a Sawyer water filter.

Filters Bora za Maji ya Backpacking

Once upon a time, you didn't need such a newfangled contraption as a backpacking water filter. Getting a refreshing drink meant meant dipping your tin Sierra cup (or Nalgene) in any stream and taking a nice, cool, clear drink. Unfortunately, thanks to the prevalence of giardia and other fun protozoa and bacteria, that's now likely to have you running behind every tree.

Thankfully, the solution is pretty simple. Grab one of these water filters and put it between you and that ice cold stream. Many of the filters we've tested aren't much more complex in operation than dipping a cup in a stream. In fact, our first two picks allow you do pretty much just that, drinking clean, cool water almost as easily as John Muir did.

Continue reading to learn more about the best water filters for backpacking, written by Scott Gilbertson.

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

This spray protects you from tick-borne illnesses and is essential for outdoor adventure.

Hook & Barrel Staff
Tovuti

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

Streams, waterfalls, and rivers can quench your thirst in the wild, but they may carry dirt and impurities.

Dinal Jain
Mwandishi

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

Sawyer Squeeze is the longer lasting and more reliable filter, which should affect the choices of thru-hikers.

Jaeger Shaw
Owner & Managing Editor