The 9 Best Water Filters For backpack (2023 reviews)

Sawyer products water filter for backpack is the epitome of what a great filter should be. Thicker fiber walls combined with a smaller inner diameter make sawyer fibers 75% stronger* than typical hollow fiber membranes, giving you a fast flow and enabling the filter to be continually backwashed forcefully to restore up to 98% of the original flow rate. This filter can filter out bacteria, protozones, and sediment. It comes with a straw that you can drink straight from the tap. It is easy to use, and makes water taste even better.

These are a must have if you spend much time out in the field. It will make puddle water drinkable so your tarp water will be premium.

Why We Like This:

Good for bugout kit, backpacking, riding, etc
Nice light weight and compact, with good output volume
Light weight, compact and essential for every bug out bag, backpack and camping trip

Best For Travel: Katadyn Replacement Filter

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Katadyn makes beautiful and great filter with classic and smartly choosen materials. A quick stop at a river or stream with the pump-action Katadyn hiker water microfilter lets you continue on your trek with hydration packs and water bottles full of clean, clear drinking water. This filter is designed to remove microorganisms and chemicals. It's compact and easy to take apart to clean and/or dry. It provides higher quality or longer lasting performance.

This filter is very effective and pumps easily to generate sufficient drinking water. It's light-weight and high volume, and the filter will take even some of the sketchiest water supplies and make them indistinguishable from (if not better than) tap water. For backpacking it is great, light, compact and easy to use. It provides high quality or longer lasting performance.

Why We Like This:

Removes the majority of flavors and odors, is very quick for it’s size
Makes the water crisp, clear and clean
Definitely makes things quicker than waiting 30min to drink stream or lake water
Just an awesome filter to have when hiking or camping

Best For Any Family Emergency Preparedness Kit: Platypus Clean Water Bag

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If you are looking for a suitable filter for your regular usage, you cannot go wrong with the platypus clean water bag. This is the most flexible, hands free, lightweight water filtration option available. It is great for 95% of the backcountry water sources you'll ever encounter. The water is the color of tea from flowing through the alpine bogs, and lots of pine forest. The squeeze types are very light and they are a lot of work to filter water for more than one person.

This product is fast and the water taste excellent and it’s perfectly clear. The water is drinkable after filtering, no boiling required. It is easy to use, and filters fairly quickly with no manual effort.

Why We Like This:

Super easy to use and no yucky taste to the water after using
Excellent solution to filtering while hiking
Makes a lot of bacteria-free water, quickly, from pools and running water

Best For backpack: Katadyn Water Filter For backpack

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The katadyn water filter for backpack's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. This filter is excellent for being in the backcountry, or even on a camping trip at your nearby campground. It is simple and easy to clean by simply shaking or swishing the filter to clean debris, no backflushing or extra tools required. It has an excellent flow rate and makes filtering water so much faster and easier. It is BPA and PVC free.

This is great for filtering River/stream water into drinking water. It makes scooping water quick and easy. It is easy to clean, it's light, easily stashed into a backpack, pouch or pocket. It is great addition to an emergency kit or for use by a trail runner.

Why We Like This:

Great option for reduce water weight on backpacking hike, needs attachment clip
Easy to wash and to dry out
Great for hiking, backpacking, or overseas travel

Best For Hydration Pack: survivor Filter Water Filter For backpack

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The survivor filter water filter for backpack is capable of outshining several other filter featured in this list in overall features for the price point. It has 3 filters to get your water as clean as can be. The survival filter pro removes all the sediment and much of the tannin count. It is lightweight and easy to carry with you on outdoor trips. It is perfect for filtering large jugs of water for the whole family. The product works great and will filter murky water until clear.

This part can not be removed and is enclosed in the ab housing. The kids were able to manage it just as easily as the adults. It is great for camping, hiking, fishing, etc. It is easy to use, well made and it is the absolute best deal going.

Why We Like This:

Lot of satisfied buyers
One of the new comers and featured product

Best For hiker: MSR ceramic Filter

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The msr ceramic filter is capable of outshining several other filter featured in this list in overall features in its price range. A 1 micron absolute hollow fiber filter will allow 20%-30% of spores to pass through. It works well with moving water streams. The piece that screws onto the bottom and keeps the clean threads from being contaminated is awesome. It packs small and fairly light for the type of filter, providing plenty of safe to drink GOOD TASTING water with just a few minutes of effort. You can take this virtually anywhere and be guaranteed clean, fresh tasting water.

The device is completely field servicable without the need of any tools except either a hard brissle toothbrush or scouring pad. It's not too big and filters at a reasonable rate.

Why We Like This:

Smoother pump action, higher flow rate, and just as tough
Tough, simple design and about 16 oz in weight
One of the new comers and featured product

Best For An Emergency Replacement: Membrane Solutions Water Filter For backpack

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Moisture is what makes water filters work, and without that, they're sitting pretty and ready for use at any time. This is a great gravity bag for filtering water while camping and backpacking. It contains a variety of filters that will remove nearly 100% of contaminants including bacteria, heavy metal, chlorine, and so on.

The nice thing about the Membrane Solutions filter is that the filter itself is a "straw" style filter that you can use directly to your mouth. It is lighter, faster, easier, and way more convenient to use. The charcoal filter is covered in sediment/algae and the other end is also. This is great for anyone that is going out for a day hike or a week long trip.

Why We Like This:

Makes good addition to camping gear, hiking gear, car kit, home emergency kit, etc
Heavy duty bag and the filter can be disassembled for cleaning
Easy to take apart and clean
Holds plenty of water taste great crystal clear

Best For catastrophes: MSR Water Filter For backpack

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We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't mention msr water filter for backpack for daily purpose. The purifier pump measures 8.2 x 4.7 inches and weighs 17.3 ounces. It removes viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and particulate from contaminated water sources virtually anywhere on earth. This would also allow you to bring water back from a site that's not easy to filter at to your camp or another location where it would be easier to filter the water.

The ruggedized exterior is a nice addition considering its employment will typically be in austere conditions. It does take up a nalgene bottle of space. The filter is included with the purifier.

Why We Like This:

Great water purifier, no backwashing or chemicals just pump and drink
Easy to use and pumps very efficiently
Comes in a very nice and compact case

Best With Smartwater Bottle: Platypus Water Filter For backpack

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The platypus water filter for backpack is satisfactory and appropriate and fits well with your regular usage. The clean side has a flip top style cap. It measures 5x1.8 inches, the reservoir measures 11.5x5.5 inches and packs to 8.2x3.5 inches. It doesn't have threads on the clean side. The front and back panels form just a simple seam so there isn't anything for it to "stand on" to stay upright. The loop near the cap provides an easy way to suspend it upright. It can be used on week long trip filtering 5-7 liters every day.

This product does not purify water at three liters per minute. It is taste-free, durable and has a wide mouth and handle for easy filling at any source. It will also fit on standard bottles in a pinch.

Why We Like This: