Several water filters from various brands including Sawyer
Several water filters from various brands including Sawyer

10 Best Water Filters for Backpacking

A guide to water filters for ultralight backpacking.

When you are thru-hiking, you just can't' stop at a nearby water fountain and grab something to drink. You may find water sources along the trail, but almost none are clean enough to drink without treating them first. Having some form of water treatment, and knowing how to use it is essential when hiking. Not only can untreated water taste foul, but it also can be loaded with waterborne pathogens that'll make you so sick you'll have to pause your hike or even stop it completely.

In this post, you will learn how to choose a water filter so that you can drink water from streams, ponds and puddles without risking your health. In fact, these are the very filtration systems used by thousands of thru-hikers who have to survive days, weeks and sometimes even months at a time in the wilderness without access to a potable water source. Let's start by looking at when and where water filters are a necessity.

See the full article on GreenBelly's website here.

Media Mentions

It all starts with Sawyer Squeeze + Cnoc VectoX 2L, the best and most reliable filter-bladder combo and the core of my backpacking water storage and filtration system.

Jaeger Shaw
Owner & Managing Editor

Media Mentions

Our top water filter for thru hiking, the Sawyer Squeeze, is 15% off.

Naomi Hudetz
Chief Operating Officer & Online Editor

Media Mentions

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Stephanie Soucheray
Reporter