List of Backcountry Water Treatment and Filter Options
When you are in the backcountry or in any place with questionable drinking water, it is important to be prepared with a backcountry water treatment option. Water filters and purification systems have evolved into a huge market with a variety of options. The most common ways to treat backcountry water is by water purification drops or tablets, water filters, UV light, or boiling. Each method has its pros and cons so it is important to do your research when searching the best option of backcountry water treatments for you.
Microscopic organisms should be filtered or purified out of the water because some can cause disease or sickness if ingested.
These impurities post the most risk:
- Protozoa (Giardia, Cryptosporidium)
- Bacteria (Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli)
- Viruses (Enterovirus, Hepatitis A, norovirus, rotavirus)
Purifying your water is a personal choice and a smart choice. Some water sources might look pristine but are not. Therefore it is always best to carry backcountry water treatment options. If you are curious to know how to hike without any water treatment system, check out our tips and recommendations on how to safely drink untreated water in the backcountry.
Below are tables categorizing backcountry water treatment options. Use links below to jump to that table.
Drops & Tablets | Purifier Bottles | UV Light | Boiling
MSR Filters | Sawyer Filters | Katadyn Filters
LifeStraw Filters | Other Filters
Drops & Tablets
If the water is cold, let the drops or tablets sit for 10 to 20 minutes longer.
Name | MSRP | Protects From | Weight | Speed | Best Uses / Qualities | Flaws |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aquamira Water Treatment Drops | $14.99 USD | Removes 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and cysts including Cryptosporidium and Giardia | 2.4 oz. | 20-40 minutes depending on water temperature | Chlorine dioxide, Treats up to 30 gallons, no aftertaste, made in USA | Purifies but doesn’t filter, somewhat long incubation time |
Household Bleach | Varies | Giardia, bacteria, & viruses | Varies | At least 4 drops per liter, wait 30 min | Sodium hypochlorite, Convenient, cheap | Should be thought of as only an emergency solution, may contain resins or heavy metals depending on brand, doesn’t work Cryptosporidium, bleach taste |
Pristine Drops | $20 USD | Protozoa (including cryptosporidium), bacteria, and viruses | 2 oz | 20-35 minutes depending on water temperature | No aftertaste, Proven effective up to 99.9999%, | Purifies but doesn’t filter, somewhat long incubation time |
MSR Sweetwater Drops | $14.95 USD | Viruses | When paired with the filter, 5 minutes | No aftertaste, Sodium Hypochlorite (3.5%) | Recommended use only with Sweetwater filter, just a simple bleach solution, not effective against bacteria or protozoa | |
Katadyn Micropur Purification | $11 USD for pack of 20 | Viruses, bacteria, cryptosporidium, and Giardia | 15-30 minutes | No aftertaste, Chlorine dioxide | Cheap, purifies but doesn’t filter | |
Potable Aqua Iodine | $7 USD | Giardia, bacteria, & viruses | 6 oz | 35 min | Titratable iodine | Not effective against Cryptosporidium, does have a taste unless you have the taste neutralizing tablets, long incubation time |
Potable Aqua Pure Electrolytic Water Purifier | $99.95 USD | Bacteria, viruses, giardia and Cryptosporidium | 3.8 oz | Chlorine | Uses a battery that must be charged, expensive | |
Potable Aqua Chlorine Dioxide Tablets | $12.95 USD for 30 tablets | Viruses, bacteria, Giardia and Cryptosporidium | 0.9 oz | 4 hrs | Lightweight, chlorine | Very long incubation time |
MSR Aquatabs | $12.95 USD for 30 tablets | Viruses, bacteria and Giardia cysts | 0.9 oz | 30 min | Cheap, Lightweight | Not effective against Cryptosporidium |
Grapefruit seed extract | $12 for 1 oz bottle | Protozoa, bacteria, & virus | 1-2 oz | 30 min | Natural option | Not effective against Cryptosporidium, bitter taste, may be hard to find in small trail towns |
Filtration Systems
Do keep in mind that some of the filters below can only remove protozoa and bacteria and not viruses. It best to look for a filter that is less than one micron. When looking for a filter, anything less than one micron will be effective for purifying.
Sawyer Filters
Name | MSRP | Filter / Protects From | Weight | Speed | Best Uses / Qualities | Cons |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sawyer Mini | $25 USD | 0.1-micron filter / Removes 99.99999% of bacteria (cholera, salmonella, and E.coli) and protozoa (giardia & cryptosporidium) | 2 oz. | Recommended for solo hiker, Inexpensive, lightweight, easy to use but must squeeze | Only solo use recommended, water can be difficult to retrieve in non-flowing sources, not effective against viruses | |
Sawyer Squeeze | $40 USD | 0.1-micron filter / Removes 99.99999% of bacteria (cholera, salmonella, and E.coli) and protozoa (giardia & cryptosporidium) | 3 oz | 1.7 L/min | Comes with 3 collapsible bottles, easy to use but must squeeze, lightweight | Not recommended for large groups/camp, water can be difficult to retrieve in non-flowing sources, not effective against viruses |
Sawyer Complete Water Treatment System – available in 2 and 4 Liter (specs for 4L) | $110 USD | 0.1-micron filter / Removes 99.99999% of bacteria (cholera, salmonella, and E.coli) and protozoa (giardia & cryptosporidium | 18 oz | 1.3 L/min | Fast, durable, no pumping/squeezing | Expensive, heavy for backpacking, not effective against viruses |
Sawyer 3 Way Water Filter | $50-60 USD | 0.1-micron filter / Removes 99.99999% of bacteria (cholera, salmonella, and E.coli) and protozoa (giardia & cryptosporidium) | 2 oz. | 1.7 L/min | Lightweight | Not effective against viruses |
MSR Filters
Name | MSRP | Filter / Protects From | Weight | Speed | Best Uses / Qualities | Cons |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSR AutoFlow Gravity Filter | $120 USD | 0.2-micron filter / Removes bacteria (cholera, salmonella, and E.coli) and protozoa (giardia & cryptosporidium | 10.5 oz | 1.75 L/min | No pumping, perfect for groups | Expensive, does not come with second bag, not effective against viruses |
MSR SweetWater Microfilter | $90 USD | 0.2 micron filter / Removes protozoa and bacteria | 9.7 oz | 1+ L/min | Easy to use | Must pump, expensive |
MSR Hyperflow Microfilter | $100 USD | 0.2-micron filter / Removes Protozoa and bacteria | 7.8 oz | 3 L/min | Compact | Must pump, not effective against viruses, maintenance needs to be performed often, expensive |
MSR Miniworks EX | $90 USD | 0.2-micron filter / Effective against chemicals and toxins as well as bacteria and protozoa, | 1 lb | 1 L/min | Long filter life (2,000 liters) | Must pump, not effective against viruses, maintenance needs to be performed often, expensive, heavy |
MSR Guardian Purifier | $350 USD | Removes viruses, bacteria, protozoa | 1 lb 1.3 oz | 2.5 L/ min | Long-lasting, durable, fast | Recommended for extended camp use, expensive |
Katadyn Filters
Name | MSRP | Filter / Protects From | Weight | Speed | Best Uses / Qualities | Cons |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Katadyn Hiker Microfilter | $75 USD | 0.3-micron filter / Removes protozoa and bacteria | 11 oz | 1 L/min | Easy to use, recommended for 1-2 people | Must pump, nipple seems to break off easily, large filter size, not effective against viruses |
Katadyn Hiker Pro | $85 USD | 0.2-micron filter / Removes Protozoa and bacteria | 11 oz | 1 L /min | Easy to use, recommended for 1-2 people | Must pump, not effective against viruses |
Katadyn Pocket |
$370 USD | 0.2-micron ceramic filter / Removes bacteria and protozoa | 19.4 oz | 1 L / min | 20-year warranty on filter, durable | Expensive, heavy, not effective against viruses |
Katadyn Gravity Camp 6L Water Filter | $90 USD | 0.2-micron glassfiber filter / Removes bacteria and protozoa | 12.4 oz | 2 L / min | Recommended for camping, fast, | Expensive, not effective against viruses |
Katadyn Base Camp Pro 10L Water Filter | $100 USD | 0.2-micron glassfiber / Removes Protozoa and bacteria | 13 oz | 2 L / min | Recommend for camping & large groups, fast | Expensive, not effective against viruses |
Katadyn Vario | $95 USD | 0.2-micron ceramic filter / Removes Protozoa and bacteria | 1 lb 2 oz | 2 L / min | Offers different modes depending on water conditions | Expensive, heavy, must pump, not effective against viruses |
Katadyn Combi Microfilter | $220.95 USD | 0.2-micron ceramic filter / Removes Protozoa and bacteria | 20.46 oz | Can be converted for RV or temporary home use | Expensive, heavy, not effective against viruses | |
Katadyn Mini Ceramic Microfilter | $110 | 0.2-micron glassfiber & ceramic filter / Removes Protozoa and bacteria | 7.4 oz | 0.5 L / min | Most lightweight Katadyn filter | Not effective against viruses, not for extended use, expensive |
LifeStraw Filters
Name | MSRP | Filter / Protects From | Weight | Speed | Best Uses / Qualities | Cons |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LifeStraw | $20 USD | 0.2-micron filter / Removes 99.9999% of bacteria (cholera, salmonella, and E.coli) and 99.9% of protozoa (giardia & cryptosporidium) | 2 oz | Lightweight, inexpensive | Can only drink through straw | |
LifeStraw Mission Gravity Water Purifier (5 & 12 liter options available) | $120-130 USD | 0.02 micron pore size / Removes virtually all virus, bacteria and protozoa | 13 oz | 10 fl oz/ 90 sec | No pumping | Expensive |
LifeStraw Steel | $55 USD | 0.2-micron filter / Removes Protozoa and bacteria | 4.4 oz | Lightweight | Can only drink through straw |
Other Filters
Name | MSRP | Filter / Protects From | Weight | Speed | Best Uses / Qualities | Cons |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Platypus GravityWorks (2 & 4 liter options available) | $120 USD | 0.2-micron filter / Removes Protozoa and bacteria | 10.75 oz | 1.5 L/min | No pumping | Not effective against viruses |
First Need XLE | $133 USD | 0.4-micron filter / Removes Protozoa, bacteria and viruses | 16 oz | Removes viruses | Heavy, expensive | |
Survivor Filter | $30 USD | 0.05 micron filter size | 3.5 oz | Cheap, lightweight | Must drink out of straw | |
Survivor Filter Pro | $60 USD | 0.2-0.01-micron filter | 8 oz |
Purifier Bottles
The bottles below are not the only water purifying bottles on the market today. However, these are the ones that are targeted directly for the outdoors and for natural water sources. If you seeking a bottle that purifies, make sure to do a bit of research on the purification system because some bottles in the market today are made only for use with tap water.
Name | MSRP | Filter / Protects From | Weight | Speed | Best Uses / Qualities | Cons |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EcoVessel’s Aqua Vessel Insulated Filtration Bottle | $23.50 USD | 24 oz water bottle / Removes over 99.9% of Giardia and Cryptosporidium | Keeps water cold for up to 36 hours, easy to use | Can only drink from bottle, small amount, does not protect against food-borne or disease-causing bacteria or viruses | ||
EcoVessel’s Tritan Plastic Aqua Vessel Ultra Lite Water Filtration Bottle | $15.95 USD | 25 fl oz bottle / Activated coconut shell carbon water filter / Removes over 99.9% of Giardia and Cryptosporidium | Easy to use, cheap | Can only drink from bottle, small amount, does not protect against food-borne or disease-causing bacteria or viruses | ||
CamelBak All Clear | $99 USD | Uses UV Light Lamp / Neutralizes viruses, bacteria and protozoa | 12.5 oz with case and charger | 0.75 L / min | Treats viruses | Expensive, can only drink from bottle, charging takes long, Somewhat heavy compared to SteriPen (see SteriPen info below under ‘Other’) |
Katadyn BeFree | $39.95 USD | 0.5 L bottle / 0.1 micron microfilter / Removes protozoa (99.99%) and bacteria (99.9999%) | 2.3 oz | 1 L / min | Effective against viruses | Not effective against viruses, can only drink from bottle |
Katadyn MyBottle | $59.95 USD | 24 flu oz bottle / Carbon filter, glass fiber cyst cartridge and ViruStat iodinated resin cartridge / Remvoes Protozoa, bacteria and viruses | 9.7 oz | 0.2 L / min | Effective against viruses | Slow, can only drink from bottle. |
Sawyer Personal Water Filtration | $40-50 USD | 34 fl oz bottle / Hollow fiber filter / Removes 99.99999% of bacteria and 99.9999% of protozoa | 5.5 oz | 1 L / min | Bigger than the competition at 34 flu oz but lighter | Not effective against viruses, can only drink from bottle |
Berkey Sport Bottle Portable Water Purifier | $20-40 USD | 22 oz bottle / 0.2 Micron filter / Removes 99.9% of baceteria and protozoa | Not effective against viruses, can only drink from bottle, not very durable | |||
Grayl Ultralight Purifier Filter Bottle | $59.50 USD | 16 fl oz bottle / Protects from viruses, bacteria, and protozoa | 10.9 oz | 2 L / min | Fast, no waiting or squeezing – just one press, water ready in 15 seconds | Small bottle |
Seychelle 28oz Flip Top Water Filter Bottle Advanced | $25-30 USD | 28 oz bottle / 2-micron filter / Removes 99.9999% of cysts and bacteria, and 99.99% of chlorine taste, chemicals, viruses, and heavy metals | Effective against viruses | Large micron filter | ||
Alexapure Go Water Filtration Bottle | $30 USD | 28 flu oz bottle / Removes 99.9999 percent of contaminants including viruses and bacteria | Effective against viruses |
UV Light Purification
Name | MSRP | Filter / Protects From | Weight | Speed | Best Uses / Qualities | Cons |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SteriPen Adventurer Opti | $89.95 USD | Ultraviolet light / 99.99% of protozoa, including Giardia, Cryptosporidia, bacteria and even viruses | 3.8 oz | 32 fl oz / 90 sec | Lightweight, easy to use, effective against viruses, quick treatment time | Expensive, uses batteries |
SteriPen Ultra | $99.95 USD | Ultraviolet light / 99.99% of protozoa, including Giardia, Cryptosporidia, bacteria and even viruses | 5 oz | 32 fl oz / 90 sec | Lightweight, easy to use, effective against viruses, quick treatment time | Rechargeable batteries, expensive |
SteriPEN Classic 3 Water Purifier with Prefilter | $69.95 USD | Ultraviolet light / 99.99% of protozoa, including Giardia, Cryptosporidia, bacteria and even viruses | 6.3 oz | 32 fl oz / 90 sec | Lightweight, easy to use, effective against viruses, quick treatment time | Expensive, uses batteries |
SteriPEN Aqua Water Purifier | $49.95 USD | Ultraviolet light / 99.99% of protozoa, including Giardia, Cryptosporidia, bacteria and even viruses | 2.9 oz | 32 fl oz / 90 sec | Lightweight, easy to use, effective against viruses, quick treatment time | Expensive, rechargeable batteries |
Boiling Water
Name | MSRP | Filter / Protects From | Weight | Speed | Best Uses / Qualities | Cons |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boiling Water | Cost for gas / need stove or fire | Rolling boil for one minute / Situated at an elevation of 6,500 feet or higher? Boil for three minutes instead of one minute / Protects from Protozoa, Bacteria, & Viruses | Effective and easy in an emergency | Wastes fuel and time |
Sources:
http://appalachiantrials.com/water-purification-trail/
http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Backpacking-Water-Filter-Reviews?specs=n&n=15&sort_field=#compare
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/water-treatment-backcountry.html
https://sawyer.com/products/
https://www.katadyn.com/us/us/products/water-filters#/1/filter?categories=788&travellingBy=bike,foot&pp=24
http://www.hikelight.com/18ultralightbackpackingwatertreatment.html
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