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Gear Lab: Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2025

We tested 25 backpacking water filters and treatment systems to find the best option for your backcountry adventures.

Gear Lab: Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2025

Last updated:
December 2, 2025
|  5 min read

Gear Lab: Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2025

Gear Lab: Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2025

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We tested 25 backpacking water filters and treatment systems to find the best option for your backcountry adventures.

Read more about the project

Gear Lab: Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2025

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Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2025

Clean water: You need it, and we want to ensure you have it, wherever you go. Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, microplastics, and more can be found in your drinking water if you're not careful.

We purchased and tested each filter on treks in Peru, expeditions across the USA, and even thru-hiked Iceland. We evaluated each filter's portability, the maintenance required to keep it operational in the field, and critical aspects of the model's design, including the types of contaminants it removes from water and the time it takes to process one liter of potable water.

Continue reading to learn more about the best water filters, written by Amber King.

Gear Lab: Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2025

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2025

Clean water: You need it, and we want to ensure you have it, wherever you go. Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, microplastics, and more can be found in your drinking water if you're not careful.

We purchased and tested each filter on treks in Peru, expeditions across the USA, and even thru-hiked Iceland. We evaluated each filter's portability, the maintenance required to keep it operational in the field, and critical aspects of the model's design, including the types of contaminants it removes from water and the time it takes to process one liter of potable water.

Continue reading to learn more about the best water filters, written by Amber King.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Review Editor
Amber King
After finishing up her B.Sc and B.Ed in 2009, Amber moved to the U.S.A from Canada.
Media Mentions

Gear Lab: Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2025

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2025

Clean water: You need it, and we want to ensure you have it, wherever you go. Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, microplastics, and more can be found in your drinking water if you're not careful.

We purchased and tested each filter on treks in Peru, expeditions across the USA, and even thru-hiked Iceland. We evaluated each filter's portability, the maintenance required to keep it operational in the field, and critical aspects of the model's design, including the types of contaminants it removes from water and the time it takes to process one liter of potable water.

Continue reading to learn more about the best water filters, written by Amber King.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Review Editor
Amber King
After finishing up her B.Sc and B.Ed in 2009, Amber moved to the U.S.A from Canada.
Media Mentions
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Here at Sawyer
January 15, 2026
6 Min
Adventure Alan and Co: Best Backpacking Water Storage & Filtration System 2026
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Media Mentions

The Sawyer Mini is the cheapest and one of the most lightweight water purifiers on this list.

Steph Dyson
Freelance Travel Writer

Media Mentions

The best filter, I took care to sleep with it on cold nights and back-flushed her in town.

Lauren “Mothra” Mullen
Hiker, Writer

Media Mentions

My Sawyer Squeeze made it until Mount Whitney, where I accidentally froze it by bringing it to the summit.

Anna
Writer
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