The Best Backpacking Water Filters For Safe Sips From Streams, Rivers, And Lakes
Reliable access to clean drinking water is essential when you're miles from the nearest trailhead or paddling along a remote river. While clear streams and alpine lakes might look pristine, they can still harbor harmful bacteria, protozoa or viruses that could sideline your trip with illness.
That's where the best backpacking water filters come in. These compact, lightweight water purification devices aim to safely remove contaminants from natural water sources, giving you peace of mind with every sip during a weekend hike or a multi-day trek.
Continue reading about the best water filters for backpacking, written by Meg Carney.
May 27, 2025
Meg Carney
Meg Carney is a staff writer for Field & Stream. Author of the Outdoor Minimalist and host of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, Carney has been an outdoor and environmental writer for over six years. After studying communication arts and literature in Duluth, Minnesota, she pursued various outdoor-industry jobs that eventually led her to her current career in freelance writing. Carney joined the Field & Stream team in the fall of 2021 as a gear writer.
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