Best Water Purification Options:

There are many options available to choose from when it comes to water purification for all outdoor activities. However, some methods work better than others for certain activities. Like a gravity filter works best at camp, while a water bottle filter excels on the go. The item to not ignore is the level that each method provides when coming to cleaning water. Just like the multiple types of filters, there are different standards and levels of cleaning water. Based on where you are going you might need a stronger filter or maybe you can get by with the basic straw filter. I’ll try my best to summarize and explain the different types of purification methods to allow you to make the best decision for your upcoming trip.

Post Contents (In order of my recommendations):

1. Water Filter Bottle
2. Squeeze Water Filter
3. Water Filter Straw
4. Water Purification Tablets
5. Water Purification Drops
6. UV Water Purifier
8. Gravity Water Filters
9. Pump Water Filters

Water Filter Bottle:

The filter in a bottle design will provide one of the quickest options to clean water on the go. It combines the simplicity of a filter straw and the convenience of a bottle in one unit. Just fill up and start taking sips immediately. This method is the fastest of the eight.

Pros: quick, simple, lightweight, somewhat inexpensive.

Cons: limited water to the size of the bottle, limited to design of the cap design.

Best for: Best for day trips and quick overnighters where you are always close to a water source so you can fill up when needed. If you like to cook with clean water, just know the only water you can get is the water you spit out after sucking on the straw.

BeFree Water Filtration System 0.6 Liters ~$39 & 1.0 Liters ~$45:

The BeFree water filter flask is hands down the best option for trail running. The flask and filter packs down super small in your backpack or running vest. Provides super clean water on the go and can be used to fill larger bottles with its 2 liter per minute flow rate. The filter with is design similarly to the LifeStraw hollow fiber membrane, filters down to 0.1 micron and removes harmful organisms like bacteria 99.9999% and protozoa like Giardia & Cryptosporidium 99.9%. The filter can filter up to 1,000 liters.

LifeStraw Flex Multi-Function Water Filter System ~$35:

The LifeStraw Flex flask and filter is another great option for trail running. There have been some negative reviews around the durability and construction of the flask and seal. If you can manage a little leakage, the filter offers a two stage design (hollow fiber membrane and a replaceable carbon capsule). The 0.2 micron hollow fiber membrane removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria, and 99.9999% of waterborne protozoan parasites. The hollow fiber membrane can last up to 2,000 liters. The carbon capsule helps to reduce chlorine, lead and other heavy metals (like AC DC), improves taste and odor, can remove organic chemical matter like, pesticides, herbicides and VOCs. Important note, the carbon capsule only lasts up to 100 liters.

LifeStraw Universal Water Filter Bottle:

The LifeStraw Universal filter was design to fit multiple brands and types of water bottles. Here are a few brand of water bottles that the filter and caps can fit, Nalgene, Hydroflask, Camelback, and Klean Kanteen bottles. The middle cap above should be able to fit most bike bidons, making this filter great for mountain biking and bikepacking. The Nalgene cap would also be great for hiking if you enjoy lugging a Nalgene around. The first stage of the filter is a 0.2 micron hollow fiber membrane that can remove 99.99999% of waterborne bacteria, and 99.999% of waterborne protozoan parasites and will last up to 4,000 liters. The second carbon capsule helps to reduce chlorine, lead and other heavy metals (like AC DC), improves taste and odor, can remove organic chemical matter like, pesticides, herbicides and VOCs. Important note, the carbon capsule only lasts up to 100 liters.

LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle 23 Ounce ~$35:

This LifeStraw Go filter bottle is probably work best for mountain biking, then it could work is weight is not an issue for bikepacking and hiking. Some people tend to prefer the collapsible flask design to save on grams and space. This bottle filter combo sports the same 2 stage filter as both the LifeStraw Universal. The first stage of the filter is a 0.2 micron hollow fiber membrane that can remove 99.99999% of waterborne bacteria, and 99.999% of waterborne protozoan parasites and will last up to 4,000 liters. The second carbon capsule helps to reduce chlorine, lead and other heavy metals (like AC DC), improves taste and odor, can remove organic chemical matter like, pesticides, herbicides and VOCs. Important to note, the carbon capsule only lasts up to 100 liters.

Sawyer Water Bottle Filter, 34-Ounce ~$40:

This Sawyer water bottle filter is the oldest looking item listed in this post. Just by looks I would be hesitant to use it, but it has been rated quite highly on Amazon (4.5 stars, 280 Reviews). The 0.1 micron membrane filter removes 99.99999% of all bacteria and removes 99.9999% of all protozoa, such as giardia and crptyosporidium. The bottle can last almost indefinitely if flushed with the provided syringe after each trip. Fun note: On Amazon it states the bottle is “Made in the USA”.

Squeeze Water Filter:

The squeeze filter is another great choice from this list to use to filter water quickly. The squeeze systems are fairly simple and are mostly a two part system. The first part being the flask or pouch and the second part being the filter. Most of the filters are design similarly to the straw filters with the hollow membrane. The only difference is that you use the pouch or flask to squeeze the water through the one end of the filter.

Pros: quick, simple, lightweight, compact.

Cons: flow rate, multiple parts

Best for: The squeeze filter is probably the best all-around purification method that can handle medium volumes of water quickly and on the go. Best for extended trips from bikepacking to hiking to camping. It can also be used for long trail runs because the filters barely take up any room.

MSR TrailShot ~$49.95:

Swayer PointOne Squeeze Water Filter ~$39.99:

Sawyer Products SP128 MINI Water Filtration System ~$19.95:

Water Filter Straw:

The filter straw made famous by LifeStraw, provides instant access to clean drinking water. The straw design is simple and inexpensive allowing it to be distributed world wide to those in need. Its hollow fiber membrane filters out debris and bacteria down to 0.1 – 0.2 microns. The straws were not designed to last long, most of them below are good for 1,000 to 2,000 liters, but most people will probably throw them out way beforehand. The filters have the potential to get moldy inside the plastic tube.

Pros: quick, simple, lightweight, somewhat inexpensive.

Cons: limited water to the size of the bottle, short useful life, slow flow rate, hard to clean.

Best for: on the go, quick trips, for emergencies.

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter ~$18:

The LifeStraw is the original filter straw designed by a Swiss-based Vestergaard Frandsen back in 2004 or 2005. Weighing only 2 ounces it can filter 1,000 liters (264 gallons) through its 0.2 micro hollow fiber membrane filter. The filter removes 99.9999% of bacteria including Escherichia coli (e-coli), campylobacter, vibrio cholera, pseudomonas aeruginosa, shigella, salmonella and removes 99.9% of protozoa including giardia lamblia (beaver fever), cryptosporidium parvum, entamoeba histolytica. Also, with every purchase of a LifeStraw a school child receives safe drinking water for an entire year. Important to note the filter cannot filter viruses, chemicals, salt water, and heavy metals.

Etekcity Portable Water Filter Filtration Straw ~$14.99:

The Etekcity is similar to the LifeStraw but sports a 0.1 micron 3 stage hollow fiber membrane. The first stage filters out larger debris while the second stage carbon filter removes chlorine, heavy metals and trihalomethanes. Finally the third stage contains the 0.1 hollow fiber membrane removing 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria, protozoa, mold, and other volatile organic compounds.

Survival Hax Filter Straw ~$19.99:

The Survival Hax Filter is exactly like the LifeStraw as it only contains a hollow fiber membrane. What makes this filter straw unique is the way you can screw the one end on a plastic bottle to squeeze the water through. It allows you to increase the flow rate without sucking the water through with just your mouth.

Water Purification Tablets:

Water purification tablets are used in most emergency situations where they need to disinfect large amounts of water quickly. If you’re out camping in a large group and have access to pretty clear water, tablets could be your best choice. The tablets only need 30 minutes to do the job. The only thing to beware of is that depending on the water source you might want to filter the water beforehand to remove any large debris.

Pros: quick, simple, lightweight, cheap.

Cons: taste, water debris.

Best for: Best to use when you need to disinfect large amounts of water. Great for emergencies or in a pinch. You can throw a few in your hiking backpack just in case your other filter breaks and you need clean water.

AquaTabs Purification Tablets ~$5.99:

Katadyn Micropur MP1 ~$11.52:

Potable Aqua Tablets ~$7.49:

MSR Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets ~$25.82:

Coghlan’s Drinking Water Germicidal Tablets ~$2.70:

Water Purification Drops:

Water purification drops are very similar to the tablets. The only difference is that they are not pre-measured, making it susceptible to extra drops.

Pros: quick, simple, lightweight, cheap.

Cons: taste, water debris.

Aquamira – Chlorine Dioxide Water Treatment ~$16:

MSR Sweetwater Purifier Solution ~$14.99:

Potable Aqua PURE Water Purifier ~$90.98:

Purinize ~$19.91:

UV Water Purifier:

To be updated.

Pros: To be updated.

Cons: To be updated.

Best for: To be updated.

SteriPen Adventurer ~$67.46:

Gravity Water Filters:

To be updated.

Pros: to be updated.

Cons: to be updated.

Best for: to be updated.

Katadyn Befree Water Microfilter with Hydrapak 3.0L Flask ~$51.71:

MSR AutoFlow Gravity Water Filter ~$119.95:

Platypus GravityWorks 2.0 Liter Complete Water Filter Kit ~$109.95:

Sawyer Products SP160 One-Gallon Gravity Water Filtration System ~$39.86:

Sawyer Complete 2-Liter Water Treatment System ~$119.81:

Pump Water Filters:

The pump filter is one of the bulkier purification in this list, but certain pumps have the ability to filter twice as much water. These filters work great at campsites along water sources and when you have extended time while hiking. The size of these filters can range from small to large, making it tough to pack, but would work great if you are group hiking and/or camping.

Pros: increase flow rate

Cons: size, weight, more parts that could break

Best for: