Water-Purification Gear for Under $50
These will save you from drinking contaminated water—and shelling out a ton of money
FEATURED
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System
$40 from REI
Collect stream water in one of Sawyer's 32-ounce pouches, then filter it through the hollow-fiber membrane to remove bacteria and protozoa. The pouches are collapsible (each weighs only three ounces) and reusable, and you can drink straight from the filter's nozzle or pour the water into a bottle for later.
MSR TrailShot Pocket-Sized Water Filter
$50 from Backcountry
Like the LifeStraw, MSR's TrailShot lets you drink straight from the source, but its also good for filling a water bottles. Drop the long straw in the stream and squeeze the hand pump to get the magic started. It works fast, treating a liter of water in 30 seconds.
Katadyn BeFree Collapsible Water Filter Bottle
$45 from REI
Katadyn took a handy one-liter water bottle, which rolls up small to save space in your pack, and put 0.1-micron microfilter in its nozzle that removes 99.9 percent of nasties. The BeFree can purify up to 1,000 liters over its lifetime.
Head here to find the complete scoop on water purification gear under $50 put together by Graham Averill.
May 19, 2022
Outside Online
Outside covers travel, sports, gear, and fitness, as well as the personalities, the environment, and the style and culture of the outdoors.
LIFE OUTDOORS
MEDIA MENTIONS
Fresh drinking water is essential. This water filtration system ensures you will never run out as long as there is a nearby natural water source. It can filter out bacteria, protozoa and microplastics.
MEDIA MENTIONS
Faster and more efficient than pumping or waiting for chemical treatments, the Sawyer Squeeze System offers on-the-go hydration at a good flow. This product is long-lasting, affordable, reliable, cleanable, and very user-friendly.
MEDIA MENTIONS
But Sawyer was way ahead of me — 15 years ahead, to be precise. In 2008, the brand started its Clean Water for All initiative, which provides Sawyer filters to developing countries around the world. And the company spends 90% of its profits funding it.
