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SF Gate: The Best Backpacking Water Filters For Safe Sips From Streams, Rivers, And Lakes

Because clear water isn’t always clean—and you don’t want to find out the hard way.

SF Gate: The Best Backpacking Water Filters For Safe Sips From Streams, Rivers, And Lakes

Last updated:
May 20, 2025
|  5 min read

SF Gate: The Best Backpacking Water Filters For Safe Sips From Streams, Rivers, And Lakes

SF Gate: The Best Backpacking Water Filters For Safe Sips From Streams, Rivers, And Lakes

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Because clear water isn’t always clean—and you don’t want to find out the hard way.

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SF Gate: The Best Backpacking Water Filters For Safe Sips From Streams, Rivers, And Lakes

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The Best Backpacking Water Filters For Safe Sips From Streams, Rivers, And Lakes

Reliable access to clean drinking water is essential when you're miles from the nearest trailhead or paddling along a remote river. While clear streams and alpine lakes might look pristine, they can still harbor harmful bacteria, protozoa or viruses that could sideline your trip with illness.

That's where the best backpacking water filters come in. These compact, lightweight water purification devices aim to safely remove contaminants from natural water sources, giving you peace of mind with every sip during a weekend hike or a multi-day trek.

Continue reading about the best water filters for backpacking, written by Meg Carney.

SF Gate: The Best Backpacking Water Filters For Safe Sips From Streams, Rivers, And Lakes

The Best Backpacking Water Filters For Safe Sips From Streams, Rivers, And Lakes

Reliable access to clean drinking water is essential when you're miles from the nearest trailhead or paddling along a remote river. While clear streams and alpine lakes might look pristine, they can still harbor harmful bacteria, protozoa or viruses that could sideline your trip with illness.

That's where the best backpacking water filters come in. These compact, lightweight water purification devices aim to safely remove contaminants from natural water sources, giving you peace of mind with every sip during a weekend hike or a multi-day trek.

Continue reading about the best water filters for backpacking, written by Meg Carney.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Rédacteur collaborateur
Meg Carney
Meg Carney is a staff writer for Field & Stream.
Mentions dans les médias

SF Gate: The Best Backpacking Water Filters For Safe Sips From Streams, Rivers, And Lakes

The Best Backpacking Water Filters For Safe Sips From Streams, Rivers, And Lakes

Reliable access to clean drinking water is essential when you're miles from the nearest trailhead or paddling along a remote river. While clear streams and alpine lakes might look pristine, they can still harbor harmful bacteria, protozoa or viruses that could sideline your trip with illness.

That's where the best backpacking water filters come in. These compact, lightweight water purification devices aim to safely remove contaminants from natural water sources, giving you peace of mind with every sip during a weekend hike or a multi-day trek.

Continue reading about the best water filters for backpacking, written by Meg Carney.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Rédacteur collaborateur
Meg Carney
Meg Carney is a staff writer for Field & Stream.
Mentions dans les médias
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Mentions dans les médias

The Sawyer Mini is the cheapest and one of the most lightweight water purifiers on this list.

Steph Dyson
Freelance Travel Writer

Mentions dans les médias

The best filter, I took care to sleep with it on cold nights and back-flushed her in town.

Lauren “Mothra” Mullen
Hiker, Writer

Mentions dans les médias

My Sawyer Squeeze made it until Mount Whitney, where I accidentally froze it by bringing it to the summit.

Anna
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