The 6 Best Hiking Water Filters in 2024

Posted on: 2024-11-22

Managing water during a hike is crucial. Depending on the temperature and the level of effort, the body needs substantial amounts of water. To avoid carrying several liters in your backpack, a water filter is an obvious solution. If you're reading this article, it's because you're convinced of its importance but unsure which model to choose. We're here to help.

Before anything else, make sure of two things:

  1. The water filter you're considering has passed laboratory testing. NSF certification is a plus. All the models presented below, as well as those sold at Lyophilise & Co, meet these standards.
  2. All filters, whether pump-based or straw-style, serve the same purpose: to make water safe to drink. The features that will guide your choice include flow rate, lifespan, weight, size, and maintenance requirements.

Happy reading !

1/ The Most Renowned Water Filter: Katadyn BeFree

Swiss brand Katadyn is the global leader in portable filtration systems for the outdoor sector. Its flagship product, the BeFree, is a soft bottle with an attachable filter cartridge. This versatile filter is lightweight, compact, easy to maintain, and offers excellent flow rates.

Key Features:

  • Minimal weight: 59 g for the 0.6L model
  • Excellent flow rate: 2L/min
  • Compact design
Buy the Katadyn BeFree Filter Bottle

2/ The Lightest Water Filter: Sawyer Mini

The Sawyer Mini is undoubtedly the second most commonly used filter on hiking trails. Perfect for hikers focused on minimizing their gear weight, this filter can treat up to 375,000 liters of water.

Key Features:

  • Featherlight weight: 37 g
  • High capacity: 375,000 liters
  • Affordable pric
Buy the Sawyer Mini Filter Straw

3/ The Best Filter for Travelers: LifeStraw Go

LifeStraw, another Swiss brand specializing in filtration equipment, offers the versatile LifeStraw Go. This model is popular among hikers and travelers alike. Its carabiner allows for easy attachment to a backpack, for example.

Key Features:

  • Made from 50% recycled materials
  • Durable, easy-to-fill bottle
  • Activated carbon filter removes unpleasant odor
Buy the LifeSraw Go

4/ The Best Filter for Groups: MSR Guardian

MSR is a leading brand in the outdoor industry, producing a wide range of accessories. Developed in collaboration with the U.S. military, the Guardian is an ideal filter for base camps and groups.

Key Features:

  • Filters bacteria, protozoa, and viruses
  • Capable of filtering highly turbid water
  • Designed for intensive use
Buy the MSR Guardian

5/ The Water Filter with the Best Flow Rate: Grayl Geopress

Founded in 2012, Grayl is a young brand that entered the market with an innovative system. The Geopress bottle filters water quickly and easily: fill, press, and drink.

Key Features:

  • Filters bacteria, protozoa, and viruses
  • 10-year warranty
  • Durable, easy-to-fill bottle
Buy the Grayl Geopress Water Purifier

6/ The Hydration Kit for Ultralight Hikers: Platypus + Sawyer Mini

This kit includes the Sawyer Mini filter mentioned above and a 2L Platypus flexible bottle. Perfect for filtering a substantial amount of water at once.

Key Features:

  • Featherlight weight: 67 g
  • Generous capacity: 2 liters
  • Compact design
Buy the Platypus flexible water bottle
Buy the Sawyer Mini

Bonus: Micropur Forte Tablets

For an even safer water purification solution, Micropur tablets are an excellent complement to water filters. They are perfect for treating small quantities of water and serve as an ideal backup in your hiking kit.

Key Features:

  • Filters bacteria, protozoa, and viruses
  • A box of 100 tablets can purify 100 liters of water
  • Keeps purified water safe for up to 6 months
Buy Micropur Forte Tablets

In conclusion, the ideal filter is highly subjective. There are many options with varying features, as outlined in our water filter buying guide. A model that suits one hiker's needs might not work for another. The final choice is yours

A Word About Lyophilise & Co 🌶

Based in Lorient, Lyophilise & Co is the go-to reference for freeze-dried meals and high-quality outdoor gear. Whether you're a hiker, skipper, trail runner, bushcraft enthusiast, or bivouac lover, we offer a wide range of technical products tailored to all your adventures. With over 2,000 items available, we support your expeditions in France and abroad.

If you have any questions, our experts are here to help and will gladly assist you:

☎ +33 (0)2 97 87 23 73
✉ team[at]lyophilise.com

We also have a showroom open Monday to Friday:

📍 6 bis rue du Sous-Marin Vénus, 56100 Lorient, France

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