The Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2025

A bacteria-filled beach. A muddy wetland. Glacial silt runoff. The best backpacking water filters have to be able to handle some pretty gnarly water sources without clogging or breaking. I tested the 20 backpacking water filters in this story by taking them to three different water locations, pumping three liters of water through each filter. After each round, I timed how long it took each filter to handle a liter of tap water before continuing to the next round. At the end of all three rounds, I weighed each filter.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Laura Lancaster.

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April 19, 2025

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Laura Lancaster

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Medya Mansyone

The Sawyer Mini is super lightweight, fits in your pocket, and filters up to 100,000 gallons of water.

Menachem Kossowsky
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Medya Mansyone

Sawyer’s picaridin spray works up to 12 hours, and the company’s picaridin lotion is effective up to 14.

Bruce Ingram
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Medya Mansyone

The Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter earns our top pick for its unbeatable mix of weight, longevity and versatility.

Meg Carney
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