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.
April 19, 2025
Laura Lancaster
Eksplore Plis kontni
Medya Mansyone
A favorite of ultralight hikers, backpackers, bikers, and travelers, the Sawyer Squeeze filter is the gold standard in water filters for anyone concerned about weight and universal compatibility.
Medya Mansyone
In the morning before getting to the park, I applied insect repellent (Picaridin lotion by Sawyer).
Medya Mansyone
A Sawyer Squeeze water filtration system that blows any other system out of the — say it with me — water.
Soti nan eskwadwon an
Konvèsasyon Kanfi ak kominote nou an, ki soti nan Manm Eskwadwon ak Anbasadè yo nan Brand Patnè ak ekip la Sawyer.
