Pi bon filtè yo dlo sakado
Once upon a time, you didn't need such a newfangled contraption as a backpacking water filter. Getting a refreshing drink meant meant dipping your tin Sierra cup (or Nalgene) in any stream and taking a nice, cool, clear drink. Unfortunately, thanks to the prevalence of giardia and other fun protozoa and bacteria, that's now likely to have you running behind every tree.
Thankfully, the solution is pretty simple. Grab one of these water filters and put it between you and that ice cold stream. Many of the filters we've tested aren't much more complex in operation than dipping a cup in a stream. In fact, our first two picks allow you do pretty much just that, drinking clean, cool water almost as easily as John Muir did.
April 15, 2025
Scott Gilbertson
Scott Gilbertson is Operations Manager for the WIRED Reviews Team. He was previously a writer and editor for WIRED’s Webmonkey.com, covering the independent web and early internet culture. You can reach him at luxagraf.net.
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Medya Mansyone
This stuff flat-out works and this bottle from Sawyer is easy to apply, lasts for six weeks or six washes, and is less than $20.
Medya Mansyone
Smart backpackers now combine a lightweight filter like the Sawyer Squeeze with chemical tablets as backup – a system that processes water from alpine streams and desert potholes alike.
Medya Mansyone
This insect repellant's permethrin spray provides long-lasting insect and tick protection for clothing and gear, effective for up to 6 weeks.
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.
