
Drinking water is one of the two things required to sustain life. Being able to access clean water while camping or hiking for extended periods of time may get tricky. Depending on your camping situation, you may not be able to bring in all the drinking water you'll need. The recommended amount of water a single person should drink every day is about a half-gallon, and that weight can add up quickly. When you are active and expending energy, such as you do when hiking to and from a campsite, you need to increase that amount. How can you enjoy a relaxing hiking and camping trip and still have the energy and space needed to bring all that water around with you at the same time?
The solution is you don't have to take all the water you need. Instead, you can invest in a good camping water filter to ensure you have clean drinking water whenever you need it. Being able to utilize naturally occurring water sources as you work your way through a trail is a game changer for saving time and space, as well as providing peace of mind that you can drink from any water source safely. What are some essential features to be on the lookout for in a water filter? Continue reading to find some helpful tips.
Comparison Table
Product | Weight | Processing time | Replacement rate | Our Rating | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sawyer Products MINI Water Filtration System | 2 ounces | Less than five minutes | Can process up to 10 gallons of water in the field before it needs to be backfilled, which can be done in the field. | ||
Katadyn Hiker Pro Water Filter | 11 ounces | Less than five minutes | Can process up to 1150 liters of water before the filter needs to be replaced. | ||
Platypus Gravity Works | 10.7 ounces | 1 liter per minute | Can process up to 1500 liters of water before the filter needs to be replaced. | No products found. | |
SteriPEN Classic | 6.3 ounces | 1 liter per 90 seconds | Can process up to 150 liters of water before the batteries need replacing. | ||
Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets | Unknown | 30 minutes | Each tablet treats approximately 2 liters of water. It comes in 30 or 60-count tablets. | ||
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter | 2 ounces | Instant | Each filter can cycle up to 1,000 liters with regular backflushing. |
Product FAQs
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1. What Is the Difference Between a Water Purifier and Filter?
2. How Does a Camping Water Filter Work?
3. How Can You Choose a Camping Water Filter?
Overall Price Range of Camping Water Filters
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The price of a water filter will vary based on the type of system it utilizes (ultraviolet, carbon filter, etc.) and the amount of water it processes. You can expect to pay anywhere between $9 to $120 for the products reviewed below. You can find camping water filters at camping and outdoor stores such as REI, Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops. You can also find them online at these same retail outlets, as well as Amazon and Walmart.
How We Came Up With This List
Let's face it, when you want to go camping, you don't want to be bogged down in more details than necessary. If you're a camper and hiker who likes to live more with nature and take as little as possible, this becomes even more important to your method of recreation. We are here to help you decide between the hundreds of choices of water filter systems out there. Instead of staring at endless examples of filters, we've provided a select few below that meet the following criteria: weight, length of time it takes water to be ready, price, pros and cons, and reviews.
The 6 Best Camping Wat​​​​er Filters
1. Sawyer Products MINI Water Filtration System
- Ideal for outdoor recreation, hiking, camping, scouting, domestic and International travel, and emergency preparedness
- High-performance 0.1 Micron absolute inline filter fits in the palm of your hand and weighs just 2 ounces; 100% of MINI...
- Attaches to included drinking pouch, standard disposable water bottles, hydration packs, or use the straw to drink...
Where to Purchase: REI, Amazon, Walmart
Pros
Cons
2. Katadyn Hiker Pro Water Filter
- Proven protection against bacteria and protozoan cysts down to 0.2 micron with pleated glass-fiber filter media
- Activated carbon in the core of the filter improves the taste and reduces chemicals in your drinking water
- The field cleanable filter protector screen extends the life of the cartridge in challenging conditions
Where to Purchase: REI, Cabela's, Amazon
Pros
Cons
3. Platypus Gravity Works
No products found.
Where to Purchase: Amazon, REI, Backcountry, Cabela's
Pros
Cons
4. SteriPEN Classic
- Battery powered Ultraviolet light water purifier that is perfect for travel and outdoor use. Purifies up to 150 liters...
- Purifies a half liter of water in 48 seconds or 1 liter in 90 seconds. Simple and easy to operate. Device activates when...
- Destroys over 99.9% of bacteria Viruses and protozoa, like Giardia and Cryptosporidium Certified for purification by the...
Where to Purchase: REI, Backcountry, Amazon, Bass Pro Shops
Pros
Cons
5. Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets
- Deluxe pack of 250 tablets, enough to purify 500 quarts of water (25 strips of 10 each)
- Trusted for over 20 years for use in emergency situations like Hurricanes - Tornados - Earthquakes - Floods
- Over 3 billion gallons of water treated annually
Where to Purchase: REI, Backcountry, Amazon
Pros
Cons
6. LifeStraw Pers​​​​onal Water Filter
- Award-winning LifeStraw water filter is a must-carry tool for hiking, camping, travel, and emergencies; no disaster kit...
- Filters up to 1,000 gallons (4,000 liters) of contaminated water without iodine, chlorine, or other chemicals; does not...
- Removes minimum 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria, 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites, and filters to 0.2 microns;...
Where to Purchase: REI, Walmart, Amazon, Target
Pros
Cons
The Verdict
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Being sure you get the right amount of water at any time is critical, but that urgency doubles when you're out hiking in the woods. Unless you can carry a significant amount of water with you, which isn't always practical, you are going to need to invest in a portable camping water filter of some kind. There are a number of styles to choose from, and once you get your first, you may go back to get a second. When taking all the reviews and specifications into account, we decided to name the Sawyer Products MINI Filtration System as the best filter to take along on a camping trip. It was the only filtration system that even came close to being perfect. Sawyer makes a variety of water filter products, so if you enjoy the MINI, you can go back and order more feeling confident you made the right decision.
Last update on 2021-02-27 at 23:01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API