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SF Gate: The Best Backpacking Water Filters For Safe Sips From Streams, Rivers, And Lakes

Because clear water isn’t always clean—and you don’t want to find out the hard way.

SF Gate: The Best Backpacking Water Filters For Safe Sips From Streams, Rivers, And Lakes

Last updated:
May 20, 2025
|  5 min read
Water filters on rocks.

SF Gate: The Best Backpacking Water Filters For Safe Sips From Streams, Rivers, And Lakes

SF Gate: The Best Backpacking Water Filters For Safe Sips From Streams, Rivers, And Lakes

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Because clear water isn’t always clean—and you don’t want to find out the hard way.

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SF Gate: The Best Backpacking Water Filters For Safe Sips From Streams, Rivers, And Lakes

Pa gen atik yo te jwenn.

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.

SF Gate: The Best Backpacking Water Filters For Safe Sips From Streams, Rivers, And Lakes

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.

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Meg Carney
Meg Carney is a staff writer for Field & Stream.
Medya Mansyone

SF Gate: The Best Backpacking Water Filters For Safe Sips From Streams, Rivers, And Lakes

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.

Foto thumbnail Blog Otè
Kontribye ekriven
Meg Carney
Meg Carney is a staff writer for Field & Stream.
Medya Mansyone
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43.2% of hikers used the Sawyer Squeeze, the most common hollow membrane squeeze filter (and the most common water treatment overall).

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Randy Patton’s late father, Biff Patton, launched the water filter program in 2010.

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The most significant being its positive impact on our health after using it, its capacity to reduce our expenses on water treatment and access to safe water, and the time it saves by eliminating the need for boiling or treating water.

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