Best Backpacking Gravity Water Filter – Top 6 Picks of 2023

Best Backpacking Gravity Water FilterGoing for an adventure in the desert or jungle, you’ll always need clean water. Keep reading to find some of the best backpacking gravity water filter.

An excellent, reasonably portable filter is a must-have for everyone, even if you’re not a thrill enthusiast or stay-at-home person. You cannot deny the need for it. A portable filter can solve a lot of your problems as you won’t be worried about carrying water with you every time or if you run out of water in the middle of the jungle.

A portable water filter also eliminates plastic waste and saves money as you won’t have to carry or buy a lot of water bottles with you. If you’ve had a stomach infection (which we have, and it’s horrible), you obviously know how important safe water is. If you haven’t already, that’s great! Let’s leave it like this.

What are the finest backpacking gravity water filters? That depends entirely on your choices, the condition of the water you have to filtrate or cleanse, and the individuals for whom the water must be clean. We’ve compiled a list of the top six backpacking gravity water filters for you. We’ve also selected a winner to keep reading to find out. Let’s start!

6 Best Backpacking Gravity Water Filters Review – 2023

After researching and testing many backpacking gravity water filters, we’ve only made a list of the best ones. You can select any water filter according to your preferences, as all of them are good.

Grayl Geo Press Water Purifier Bottle

Specifications

  • Capacity: 24 Fl Oz
  • Filter Type:-Bottle Press
  • Removes: Protozoa, Bacteria, Viruses
  • Weight: 15.9 Ounces

The Grayl Geo press works in all places, so no matter wherever you travel, you can bet on pure water from the Grayl. You’ve to fill up your water bottle and let the filtration system do its thing if you don’t like the water from the tap at your hotel or stay near the Mountains River.

Nothing ruins a trip like becoming ill. To reduce their risks of being sick, many foreign travelers make it a routine to purify all of the water prior to consuming it. Having a portable water bottle with you helps you go faster and smoother on the trip.

It has a fast flow rate as it can efficiently purify 5 liters per minute. The only drawback is that you’ll need to replace the filter cartridges often after 250 liters. Other than that, it is a good option.

Pros

  • It can purify water in a short time.
  • It claims to filter 99.99% of harmful components present in water.
  • It is portable and easy to carry.
  • It has a fast rate of flow.

Cons

  • It is not suited for large families.
  • You’ll have to replace the cartridges often.

Our Verdict

The Grayl Geopress is OUR TOP PICK. It is a good quality water filter. It is very portable and can purify water easily. It is best suited for single travelers. We recommend you to buy it.

Katadyn Hiker

Specifications

  • Weight: 11 Oz
  • Group Size: 1-2
  •  Filter: Glassfiber
  •  Purification Mechanism: Carbon Filter

Katadyn Hiker is the best portable water filter. It has the best customer reviews, and it is the best-selling backpacking gravity water filter in the market right now. Katadyn promises a rate of flow of 1 liter per min, which we found to be accurate in our assessments. It can eliminate harmful components from water very quickly.

It takes just over a minute to filter one liter, which includes installation time. This filter filtered 4 liters in less than five and a half mins, which is the fastest. This pump attracted us because of its adaptability. Two adapters are included, one for water bottles and the other for water pouches.

The bottle adaptor can fit Nalgene bottles with a wide opening. Many water bladders include a hose connector that the water bladder adaptor slips into. One disadvantage of this filter is the high cost of new filter cartridges, and we’ve found that the filters don’t last as much as other brands.

Pros

  • It is cost-effective.
  • It can filter water very quickly.
  • It eliminates harmful components at a very high speed.
  • It has a versatile design.
  • It is compact.

Cons

  • The plastic hose attachments sometimes fall off.
  • New filter cartridges are expensive.
  • It is a little heavy for travelers.

Our Verdict 

We like this product, and you should get it. The only drawback is that the filter cartridges are a bit pricey. It might be a little heavy to carry; otherwise a fine product.

Sawyer Squeeze Mini Water Filtration System

Specifications

  • Type: Squeeze
  • Weight: 3.5 Oz (Filter Only)
  • Claimed Flow Rate: 1.7l/Min
  • Filter Life Span: Lifetime
  • Removes: Bacteria (99.99999%) & Protozoa (99.9999%)

The Sawyer Squeeze is famous for its small weight and a lifetime guarantee covers the filter. You should never have to change it in practice. This part of the Squeeze appeals to us in terms of Durability.

However, the flow may diminish with time, needing backflushing by using the provided pump, which would add an oz to the claimed weight. However, it’s worth taking longer hiking journeys or vacations where you’ll see fewer people.

It claims to remove 99.99% of bacteria and other harmful pathogens present in water at a speed of 1.7 liters per minute. Read full review of Sawyer Squeeze Mini Water Filtration system.

Pros

  • It is lightweight and small.
  • It is affordable.
  • It works well with collapsible water bottles.

Cons

  • It slows down over time.
  • It does not eliminate viruses.
  • Sometimes an unpleasant taste is left behind.

Our Verdict

We recommend you buy this as it is very lightweight, compact, and the filter has a lifetime warranty, but sometimes the water tastes unpleasant even after filtration.

Platypus Gravityworks 

Specifications

  •  Type: Gravity / Reservoir
  • Weight: 11.5 Oz
  • Flow Rate: 1.75l/Min
  • Filter Lifespan: 1,500l
  • Removes: Bacteria (99.9999%) & Protozoa (99.9%)

The Platypus Gravity Works has a gravity-based filtration system that indicates gravity does all the work while you relax and watch for the drinkable water to show up. This is an excellent filter choice for small and big families, but it may be a bit excessive for single travelers due to its larger size and weight.

The Gravity Works comes with two labeled “clean” and “dirty” bags, each of which stores 4 liters for a total of 8 liters of storage. It’s available in two sizes: 4L and 2L. It can filter 4L of water in less than five minutes. You can use it as a shower or hand washing station.

It eliminates bacteria, pathogens, and protozoa, making it an excellent choice for usage in areas of North America where both diseases are common.

Pros

  • It is simple to install.
  • It can filter a large amount of water very quickly.
  • It is a good investment as per the value of money.

Cons

  • It is not suitable for single travelers.
  • It is large in size.

Our Verdict 

We approve of Platypus Gravity Works because of its longevity and adaptability. It can purify 4 liters of water in a short time. It is best suited for multiple people. If you’re traveling alone, we recommend you consider buying something else as it is heavy.

The MSR Guardian

Specifications

  •  Capacity: 10 Liters
  •  Filter Type: Pump
  •  Removes: protozoa, bacteria, viruses
  •  Weight: 17.3 oz

The MSR Guardian is a high-end pump filter designed to withstand the most extreme environments. The Guardian is a filter, which purifies viruses, germs, and protozoa, unlike many pump filters. This makes it extra beneficial in areas with awful water supplies, such as overseas locations.

It self cleans itself; it back flushes about 10% of each stroke. This maintains a high flow rate, reduces pump stress and upkeep. The Guardian’s flow rate is quite outstanding, and we believe it to be the quickest purifier we’ve used. The Guardian works well with a broad mouth Nalgene bottle.

It is a heavy and expensive filter; so many people do not prefer it. But it is best to purify water as it can even clean murky mud water. It filters almost 2.5 liters of water each minute. It filters viruses, protozoa, and bacteria from water quickly. It has a lifespan of 10,000+ liters.

Pros

  • It can filter even the extremely dirty water.
  • It doesn’t need any upkeep.
  • It filters 2.5 liters of water per minute.
  • Lifespan is more than 10.000 liters.

Cons

  • It is expensive.
  • It is heavy to carry.

Our Verdict

The MSR Guardian is the best water purifier for cleaning harsh and dirty water. You should consider buying it if you’re traveling somewhere where the water will be extremely dirty. It is expensive and heavy so we don’t recommend you to buy it as you can get a decent filter for a much lesser price.

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System

Specifications

  • Capacity: 540 Gallons
  • Power Source: Ac/Dc
  • Material: Plastic
  • Dimensions: 4 x 2.5 x 7.5 inches
  • Weight: 0.2 Pounds
  • Purification Method: Hollow Fiber Membrane

The Sawyer Mini has a sleek and small design. When linked to a water bottle, it is less uncomfortable and top-heavy than that of the Sawyer Squeeze. It is extremely lightweight and easy to carry around.

It isn’t easy to get water thru a separate filter. This is also the cheapest, so if you’re searching for a cost-effective way to purify your water and don’t bother making a little extra effort, this is a perfect option. It is best for solo travelers. The only drawback is that the filter slows with time.

Pros

  • The Sawyer Mini is very reasonable.
  • It is perfect for a single person.
  • It is compact and versatile.
  • The flow rate is also reasonable.

Cons

  • It is not suitable for multiple people.
  • The filter slows with time.

Our Verdict

We recommend you to try the Sawyer Mini as it is cost-effective and perfect for a single person. It is highly portable and small to carry around.

Buying Guide

Size

It is crucial to select the size as per your needs as many filters are not suitable for solo travelers as they are heavy to carry around. If you’re traveling alone, consider buying a lightweight and compact filter.

Flow Rate And Filter Time

You must also consider the flow rate while buying the gravity water filter, as you don’t want to wait for long while your water purifies. On average, the flow rate is at least 1.5 liters per minute.

Durability

Make sure the filter you select is durable and long-lasting as well. You don’t want to spend extra money on buying the filter cartridges now and then. Select a filter that doesn’t need a lot of maintenance.

Price

Buy the filter that matches your budget. Don’t spend your money on buying an expensive filter if you don’t travel much.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the most important thing to consider while buying a filter?

We think that the most important thing is whether the filter can purify the water and remove all the odor, taste, and toxins. Other than this, Durability, pricing, size, and performance are all essential aspects to consider as well.

How long does the water filter last?

It totally depends on the filter cartridge used in it and the quality of water you’ll be filtering. Mostly it will last up to 250 liters minimum.

Does a backpacking gravity water filter purify harmful toxins?

Yes, they can purify and filter harmful toxins from the water. Consider reading the pros and cons and customer reviews before selecting a backpacking water filter for yourself.

Final words

This guide has selected the top six best backpacking gravity filters for you. You can pick any backpacking water filter as per your preferences. Now, after reading all our recommendations, you’re able to make a decision. It’s always essential to have a consistent, clean water supply while exploring the woods, deserts, or mountains.

But if you ask us about the best backpacking gravity water filter, our #1 selection is the Grayl GeoPress. It is highly compact and portable. It can purify harmful components from water up to 99.99%. We hope that you’ll not regret buying it as we’ve personally used it.

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