Bottle and Inline Water Filters

Featured review by Sheila Bergin Goss

I have been testing the Grayl GeoPress Purifier, a new, large capacity water filtration bottle, while canoeing, canoe camping, and day hiking this summer and fall. For the past three years, I have used a Grayl Ultralight Water Filter bottle, to provide clean and safe water for me and my dogs while canoeing and camping. I reviewed that bottle here on Trailspace on 10/14/18, and since then have continued to carry that bottle in my canoe bag, and occasionally, in my backpack side pockets. The new GeoPress utilizes the same fill and press filtration system as my Ultralight, but has improvements that address some of the deficiencies I found with the prior bottle. I can recommend the GeoPress for its simple operation, effective filtration performance, and increased volume. The bottle can be used by a solo paddler or hiker, but can also be used to replenish water supplies for canine or human companions.

DESCRIPTION: In the Grayl product line, the  GeoPress Purifier replaces the Grayl Quest, a similar water filtration bottle, but one which was a bit heavier, and did not have the improved features of this current GeoPress model. I am using the GeoPress as an upgrade over my Grayl Ultralight filtration bottle. The Grayl GeoPress uses a simple fill, press, and drink system to purify freshwater, but is not suitable for salt water or extremely brackish water. The filter bottle has a capacity of 24 ounces (710 ml), more than the 16-ounce capacity of the Grayl Ultralight filter bottle I have used for a few years.

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Reviewed by Scott Edwards

The Sawyer Micro Squeeze is a very lightweight, compact, and versatile water filtration system with a long lifespan that will help keep you safely hydrated on the trail. You can drink directly from the water source with the included straw or filter water from the included bladder using the squeeze method or from disposable water or soda bottles using the gravity method. Once filtered it's ready to drink or store in the vessel of your choice, and you can even direct line to hydration packs.

Sawyer filters are highly regarded in the thru-hiking community, so I was anxious to put the Micro Squeeze to the test during my backpacking trip in Utah, and my upcoming bicycle tour of the USA.  Packaging: I immediately read and noted the capabilities of the Sawyer Micro Squeeze printed on the package. There is a warning on the package which states that "Boil Alerts" when issued need to be adhered to in order to eliminate harmful pathogens. The Micro Squeeze WILL NOT filter out viruses.  The Micro Squeeze Filter element is .1 micron and filters out 99.9999% of bacteria (salmonella, cholera and E.

Read more: Sawyer Micro Squeeze review (1)

Featured review by Sprint Chicken

Excellent backpacking water filter, super versatile and convenient, and definitely my favorite so far. Has a significantly better flow rate compared to the Sawyer Mini. It can be adapted to several different systems. It's threaded so you can screw it directly onto a bottle, or onto a bladder to use as a squeeze through filter system or hung for gravity filter setup, and you can put a hose on it for in-line filtering. I prefer to use mine screwed directly onto a dirty water bladder (I've found CNOC Vecto to be the best) so I can squeeze filter or gravity filter. There's also a view window to check the filter status and the ability to add a carbon filter. 5/5 stars definitely would recommend.

Effectiveness: 5/5 stars, Very Effective. It has a 0.1 micron hollow fiber tube filter construction that blocks 99.9999% of harmful bacteria, exceeds EPA standards for filtration. Manufacture states clearly it does not filter chemicals or viruses from the water, BUT you can buy a separate carbon filter that will fit which will adsorb chemicals and heavy metals and filter unhealthy organic compounds such as chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, gasoline, and diesel. Speed & Efficiency: 5/5 stars, Very fast.

Read more: HydroBlu Versa Flow reviews (2)

Featured review by Go Time! (Jesse Maloney)

At 2 oz, this mini filter is a soloist's lightweight dream. No waiting for tablets anymore.

Effectiveness: The product is a particulate filter and does not claim to kill pathogens like a tablet. It's claim of effectiveness is pretty high: "0.1-micron filter physically removes 99.99999% of all bacteria, such as salmonella, cholera and E.coli; removes 99.9999% of all protozoa, such as giardia and cryptosporidium".  I find those claims to be reassuring.The compact Sawyer Mini Filter Speed and Efficiency: The filter does not move a lot of water quickly. The volume is based on how much particulate matter is in the water and how effective you are at squeezing a bag or bottle.

Read more: Sawyer MINI reviews (29)

Featured review by Kevin David

The LifeStraw is incredible. It makes drinking on the trail super easy.

The LifeStraw is great! I love taking this with me on day hikes and especially when I’m backpacking. It’s super lightweight and doesn’t take up much space at all. At first the material of the LifeStraw concerned me. It didn’t feel like it’d be the best quality. But it has held up fantastic! It‘s good quality plastic. It’s just really lightweight! The instructions are simple. Uncap both ends, place the wide end into the water source. Use the thinner end and put your mouth over it.

Read more: LifeStraw Original reviews (2)

Featured review by Bheiser1

The Sawyer Squeeze filter system is a lightweight and effective alternative to traditional pump filters. It works well for long distance hikers or anyone wanting to reduce their pack weight and traveling in areas where filtering is desired (and sufficient). While caution is required to avoid contaminating clean containers, it has worked well for me on several one to four-night trips as well as a 30-day trip in the Sierra Nevada of California. I recommend this system for those taking similar trips.

Preface This review covers my experience with the Sawyer Squeeze filtration system, and does not cover the larger topic of of water treatment. For a thorough study of that topic I refer you to an excellent four-part series by Bill S. Background Years ago in the White Mountains of New Hampshire I drank freely from creeks and lakes while hiking and backpacking.  Many people still do that in some areas including the Sierra Nevada where I do most of my hiking now.  However given the risks involved with the seemly ever-increasing backcountry usage and potential contamination of water sources, I choose to be safe & filter my water.  Up until recently I used an MSR Miniworks.  It weighs in at roughly a pound, and it works well in its own right. ...

Read more: Sawyer Squeeze reviews (32)

Featured review by Schifferj

Great choice for every outdoor pursuit! The award winning Katadyn BeFree water bottle and filter gives you the freedom to drink anytime, anywhere. The collapsible .6 liter flask packs small and fits into tight spaces. It’s a great backup water filter, but can readily be converted into your primary water filtration system.

Description: The Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System, a compact water bottle with integrated hollow fiber filter, makes a great choice for outdoor pursuits. The Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System allows you to drink from creeks, alpine lakes, or mountain streams quickly and easily. Instead of hauling along a full day's worth of water, just bring this lightweight, compact bottle with you. Simply fill the flask and let the EZ-Clean Membrane do the work. It's effective against microorganisms.

Read more: Katadyn BeFree 0.6L reviews (7)

Reviewed by Mike Mineart

The MSR Thru-Link inline filter is a two-stage water filter design that MSR has been providing to the U.S. military for more than a decade; it became available to the consumer market in spring 2020. The Thru-Link filter is unique in that it is configured to be used in-line with a reservoir/bladder that can be filled with unfiltered water on the go and then your water is filtered as you go along on your hike. In use, the Thru-Link Filter works well and has very good flow, but depending on how you stow your bladder in your pack, the addition of the Thru-link filter can cause issues with your drinking tube and how it exits the internal cavity of your pack. Overall, I think that the MSR Thru-Link filter is a very good option for someone looking for a robust two-stage water filter that can integrate with their existing hydration system.

Overview While the Thru-Link filter is new to the commercial market as of spring 2020, MSR has been supplying this filter design to the U.S. military for more than ten years. The Thru-Link is a two-stage design consisting of a hollow fiber membrane to remove pathogens and other small particulates combined with an activated carbon element that reduces chemicals, tastes, and odors. The physical packaging of the Thru-Link filter is unique in that it includes fittings at each end of the filter that allows it to be quickly installed or removed from a typical hydration bladder.

Read more: MSR Thru-Link review (1)

Reviewed by Olaf Baas

Water purifier that does it all, even on an easy Sunday morning hike in the forest!

"Found a picture in my phone, my daughter made a picture of me, from my best side, using the filter in a stream on a sunday morning, filling the filter with the hose." My first review ever, and in English, so I hope you can read/understand this. I cannot say that I am the most active outdoor person in my country, just consider myself as an outdoor enthousiast. Like walking, hiking with the family on a Sunday or on a holiday. In the Netherlands where we live we have very very good tapwater, so for daily use we do not need a filter.

Read more: LifeSaver Liberty review (1)