Backpacking Water Purifiers

Don't Begin Your Next Trip Without One of These Portable Hiking and Camping Water Filter Products

When hiking, camping, climbing or exploring the great outdoors, choosing one of these backpacking water purifiers makes sure that contaminated water won't spoil your trip.

Traditional survival methods, such as boiling the water you find, or straining it through cloth, may prevent you from getting sick -- but they are not very convenient, or all that easy to do.

Luckily, backpacking water filter technology has advanced to the point where small, easily portable water filters are available. They fit neatly into your backpack, and can transform the scummiest of standing water into great-tasting, safe drinking water.

We have rounded up the best hiking and camping water purifiers. We tested them ourselves, then researched what consumers had to say about their experience of using them in the wild. Don't buy a backpacking water filter until you read our comparison.

Backpacking water purifier in use

The key to a good backpacking water purifier is a lightweight, portable water filter that doesn't let you down when you need it most

Backpacking Water Purifiers: Reviews

Katadyn Hiker Microfilter

Katadyn Hiker Pro Microfilter

Katadyn Pocket Water Filter

Katadyn Vario Multi-Flow

Katadyn Base Camp Water Filter

Katadyn Combi Microfilter

We took several important factors into consideration when choosing the products for this review page.

Portability. The backpacking water purifiers we selected must be easy to carry, assemble, dissemble and store. If you like to go super-lightweight when you're travelling, then these backpacking water purifier products will be perfect for you.

Reliable water filtration. It should go without saying that the backpacking water purifiers have to do what they claim, and especially under pressure. You don't want your only source of clean drinking water to let you down in the middle of nowhere.

Taste. There are surprisingly few hiking water filters that can make really stagnant water taste good, as well as being safe for you to drink, so if a product doesn't claim to do that, we didn't mark it down unfairly. The really important aspect of a portable water filter is the ability to keep you from getting sick by drinking contaminated water.

Price. Yes, price is a factor when comparing backpacking water purifiers, though you can't really put a value on good health. We did include products that cost a little more upfront, if they offer a lifetime value for money due to long-lasting filters that need to be changed less than cheaper competitors.

Backpacking Water Purifiers: Katadyn Hiker MicroFilter

Read reviews of the Katadyn Hiker MicroFilter at Amazon

For convenience and ease of use, the Katadyn Hiker MicroFilter is hard to beat.

Rated as the "unrivaled best backpacking water purifier for field use", it has a good reputation to maintain. 

Katadyn has been in the portable water filter business since the 1930s, and their high-quality drinking water systems are consistentely rated the best available by consumers who own one of the company's many water purification products.

If you want an effective and convenient way to enjoy fresh-tasting water, no matter where your adventures take you, then make sure you check out this awesome microfilter. It is recommended by many media sources, and it is a bestseller in outdoor markets nationwide.

Katadyn Hiker MicroFilter: How It Works

It features a unique AntiClog pleated cartridge that has more filtering area than any other microfilter. It removes bacteria, protozoa, cysts, algae, spores, sediment, dirt, and other particles down to 0.3 micron level. The activated carbon core reduces pesticides and chemicals that cause unpleasant odor and taste in water. The acorn pre-filter works in all water conditions.

This backpacking water purifier comes with an easy-fill bottle adaptor that connects directly to all common water bottles, to reduce spillage. To use, simply place the inlet tube into any water source, attach the outlet hose to your water bottle, water bladder, or hydration pack, and start pumping for clean, filtered water. The inlet tube has a convenient floater to keep it off the bottom of the water bed.

A useful tip: Get a separate container, put in your unfiltered water, and wait for any solids to settle. Tie a coffee filter around the acorn pre-filter and dip the inlet tube into the container holding the water. Pump water into your water container, keeping the tip of the tube near the top level of the water, and don't pump the last couple of inches out. This will make your hiker microfilter work more efficiently for longer, prolonging the filter life.

Remember to follow the instructions carefully. Run water or bleach through the pump and dry it before storage. 

Click to order the Katadyn Hiker MicroFilter from Amazon.com

Katadyn Hiker MicroFilter: Pros and Cons

Low cost: when compared to other units, this is a very affordable way to obtain safe drinking water

Compact and lightweight design: the Katadyn Hiker MicroFilter weighs in at just 300 grams. Its small size doesn't take up much space, making it ideal for hiking, camping, mountain climbing, extended travel, and other uses

Easy to pump, with high water output per stroke: pumping action is smooth without much tension. The Katadyn Hiker MicroFilter pumps a liter of clean water in one minute, as long as you keep the filter and hoses clean

Long lasting: depending on the source water quality, the Hiker MicroFilter cleans up to 750 liters before needing a filter replacement

Compatibility: it comes with an easy fill bottle adaptor that can connect directly to water containers, hydration packs, and water bladders for a convenient filling

Easy maintenance: cleaning is an easy procedure. It requires nothing more than a short run with water and a little bleach after the trip

Not field serviceable: unlike most new microfilters on the market, it can't really be cleaned on the trail when it needs to be, so you need to take extra care to keep the input source water free of as much sediment as possible

Katadyn Hiker MicroFilter: Conclusion

The Katadyn Hiker MicroFilter is definitely among the best micro models when it comes to efficiency.

It isn't anything fancy, but does what it supposed to. It works fast compared to other models, giving you clean water after a few pumps, without working up too much of a sweat.

If you are looking for an affordable, yet highly efficient backpacking water purifier, then this is a great choice. However, the biggest setback with this microfilter is the fact that you could be stuck in the wilderness and not be able to service it.

If you are planning for a long trip away from civilization, then you should probably look for a portable water filter that can be easily broken down, cleaned and reassembled, no matter where you are.

Click to order the Katadyn Hiker MicroFilter from Amazon.com

Backpacking Water Purifiers: Katadyn Hiker Pro MicroFilter

The Katadyn Hiker Pro MicroFilter is something you can easily carry along during hiking, camping, climbing and other and longer excursions.

Of course you could choose to chemically treat your water to make it safe for drinking in the wilderness, but having a handy backpacking water purifier like the Hiker Pro is a much better way to enjoy clean and natural-tasting water.

This device features Katadyn's AntiClog technology, which allows for a continuous filtration flow. Its pleated 0.3 micron glass fiber media removes contaminants; the activated carbon core greatly reduces unpleasant taste and odor from your source water.

In addition to the filter media and carbon core, Katadyn Hiker Pro MicroFilter has a removable filter protector. This helps to reduce the filter-related wear of the main cartridge. It can extend the cartridge life considerably, especially when filtering water with lots of suspended sediment.

Another beneficial feature that this filter has is the quick connect fittings that make installation and removal of input and output hoses much easier than other designs.

Read reviews of the Katadyn Hiker MicroFilter at Amazon

Katadyn Hiker Pro MicroFilter: How It Works

The instructions are uncomplicated and the Katadyn Hiker Pro MicroFilter is fairly easy to use. Simply dip the inlet line in a stream, lake, pond, or any other water source, and start pumping the handle for some clean and drinkable water.

Hiker Pro allows direct attachment to the standard 14" drink tubes of hydration packs. The input line comes with an attached floater that keeps it from sitting on the bottom of the water source.

A very useful tip: place a coffee filter outside the intake housing with a rubber band holding it in place. This will serve as an improvised pre-filter that keeps bigger particles from getting into the filter. This silly little tip will further extend the cartridge life by keeping the biggest particles in the coffee filter, instead of your carbon core. 

Click to order the Katadyn Hiker Pro MicroFilter from Amazon.com

Katadyn Hiker Pro MicroFilter: Pros and Cons

Relatively light and compact: weighing only 11oz, the Katadyn Hiker Pro MicroFilter device is pretty light for the job it does. It is much lighter than any other pump-action backpacking water purifier, without compromising performance. It packs down to about the size of a small water bottle, using minimal precious space in your backpack

Fast flow rate: the speed at which the Katadyn Hiker Pro MicroFilter produces clean water is well above average, when compared to other models. It can filter up to one liter of water per minute

Long life: under optimum conditions and water quality, it can filter up to 200 gallons with one filter

Ease of maintenance: the directions on how to clean for storage are simple. The cartridge can also be cleaned in the field if you have to

Pump handle issues: it feels a little flimsy, as if it would snap easily. A sturdier material could have been used even, at the cost of a slight addition in weight and price

More than enough input and output hoses and parts: while it is a great idea to include lots of add-ons, dealing with a couple of hoses and a lot of small parts can be quite a chore. It can serve to confuse you, especially if you're trying the device for the first time

Katadyn Hiker Pro MicroFilter: Conclusion

The Katadyn Hiker Pro MicroFilter is a perfect balance of size, weight and water purification speed.

More importantly, it does what it is supposed to do: provide safe and clean drinking water wherever you are and whenever you need it.

For the money, you really get more than you pay for.

If you want a light, portable, and an effective tool to filter your water, the Katadyn Hiker Pro MicroFilter is a great choice.

However, if you are looking for a filter that's more durable and heavy-duty and that can take a beating, you may want to look for a sturdier, more expensive alternative.

Click to order the Katadyn Hiker Pro MicroFilter from Amazon.com

Steripen Water Purifier: Steripen Adventurer Opti

With the invention of this handheld germicidal UV portable water purifier, the days of drinking chemically treated water while out on an adventure are finally over.

You can now enjoy clean, purified water on the go, thanks to the Steripen Adventurer Opti water purifier, the smallest and the lightest among the Steripen purifiers.

Using ultraviolet technology, this tool disinfects your water in seconds without affecting water taste.

The package includes two non-rechargeable CR123 batteries, a neoprene case with belt carrying loop, and a removable plastic cover that helps protect the Steripen.

Read reviews of the Steripen Adventurer Opti at Amazon

Steripen Adventurer Opti: How It Works

The Steripen Adventurer Opti uses UV light rays that safely sterilize water to make it safe for drinking. It features a revolutionary optical water sensor, which detects whether or not the device is already in the water, and only activates the UV lamp when it is immersed.

It is very simple to use. Simply press the button to activate the Steripen, immerse the lamp and optical sensor to activate the UV lamp. This emits UV and visible blue light. The device turns itself off once the UV treatment is complete.

The optical sensor doubles as a LED flashlight, which is useful when camping or refilling your water bottle at night. To activate the flashlight mode, just press and hold the single button for three seconds. Operate the flashlight with the Steripen cap in place to protect the lamp.

The Steripen works with wide-mouth bottle containers that have a minimum opening of 1.75 inches in diameter. Using a clear water bottle makes it easy to see when the device is working properly. Tinted bottles make it hard to see the light, especially when you are standing in direct sunlight.

Click to order the Steripen Adventurer Opti UV Water Purifier from Amazon.com

Steripen Adventurer Opti: Pros and Cons

Safe and highly effective: the use of UV light rays is proven to be a safe approach in purifying water for drinking. It sterilizes water by destroying 99 percent of bacteria, protozoa and cysts, and viruses as well

Easy to use: simply press the button and give the water a quick stir. Wait for the device to turn itself off, and your water is ready to drink

Convenient: unlike any other kind of water purifying systems, the Steripen Adventurer Opti requires no pumping, chemicals, or lubrication, and it will definitely not clog. There are no attachments to assemble, nor parts to clean or replace

Lightweight and portable: you can easily carry it along. The Steripen hardly adds bulk, and takes a tiny amount of space in your backpack. Its small size means it fits inside most water containers and reservoirs

Short battery life: this device eats batteries. It uses two CR123 batteries; these types are quite pricey to replace, though you can find excellent deals for CR123 batteries at Amazon

Reliability issues: you'll never know when the device will stop working. For many users, troubleshooting the problem might be a very difficult task, especially if a fault is electronic circuit-related

An additional filter might be needed: the device doesn't filter anything out of the water. So if you are particular about dirt in your drinking water, you still need to filter to remove suspended solids out of the water

Steripen Adventurer Opti: Conclusion

Reliability and battery issues aside, this is a great concept. A small UV water purifier is perfect for safe outdoor water consumption.

It makes everything about water treatment easy and convenient. The Steripen Adventurer Opti gives you instant access to safe and clean drinking water by simply dipping this device into the water and giving it a little stir.

But since the device has a short battery life and its dependability is questionable, that's not what you need during long trips.

If you consider buying this product for your next adventure, then you'd better bring a back-up backpacking water purifier device that can filter water as well.

Whether you think it's worth carrying two products, or just one reliable filter, is a question you'll have to answer for yourself.

Click to order the Steripen Adventurer Opti UV Water Purifier from Amazon.com

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Consumer Reports, Reviews and Opinions

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Katadyn Pocket Water Filter Review  Not rated yet
Katadyn Pocket Water Filter Review

Used this type of water filter on my last deployment to Afghanistan with the US military. Often times as Infantryman,...

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