Best Backpacking Water Filters and Treatment of 2021

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The best water filter for backpacking is something that you need when traveling. Water on the trail is not something to play around with, and quite literally comes down to do or die. Making sure there’s a sustainable water source is only half the battle, and that’s usually left up to mother nature.

The rest of the battle comes down to you for making sure the water you find ends up drinkable so you can stay on the trail. No one likes ducking off every half mile to answer nature’s call because you didn’t treat your water right. That’s why I recommend filtering your water when you’re on the trail, and this is best done using GravityWorks 2L Filter by Platypus.

The best water filter for backpacking

Clean and Dependable

The number one thing you want to have nailed down when it comes to your water filter is that it works like its supposed to! The GravityWorks filter will put your mind at ease. This filter utilizes the well-known and trusted Microfilter system to effectively eliminate 99.99% of bacteria in your water. The filter cartridge is also easily replaceable taking out most of the expected hassle when it comes to maintaining top of the line backcountry water filtration systems.

Ideally Backcountry

This filter is everything you could dream of when it comes to having a solid set up for any backcountry or wilderness trail excursion. For one, it’s gravity fed, which means you find the water, you fill the bag, hang it on a tree and let gravity do the work of processing it through the filter. 

Once you’ve got camp set up and have rested your weary feet, you’ll also have liters of fresh drinking water waiting on you. Camping with your best friends? No problem. The GravityWorks comes with a 2L bag and can even be expanded to higher volumes. This makes it perfect for keeping the whole group well hydrated and ready for the tough treks.

Ultralight

That’s right, the most important question for a water filter after “Does it do its job?” is “How much does it weigh?” To the relief of any backpacker’s mind, as well as their back, the GravityWorks filter weighs in at 11.5 ounces!

That’s spectacular considering many of its competitors are pushing upwards of 16 and 17 ounces. This filter will have you trekking along light on your feet, and when it finally is time to take a break it’s more than ready to change any source into a fresh oasis.

Features and Specifications

  • The Platypus GravityWorks utilizes microfiltration to provide a reliable and clean filtering process.
  • The GravityWorks utilizes reservoir bags to filter from, keeping the apparatus light and group friendly.
  • The gravity feed method of filtration keeps the process requiring minimal effort on the part of the hiker. Just hang the bag and wait!
  • Field maintenance on a filter can be a drag. Thankfully for GravityWorks, backflushing is simple and takes almost no time at all (4 seconds!).
  • Not only does this filter have the ability of processing large quantities of water, but it can do it fast! The GravityWorks filters up to 1.5L of water per minute.

What Customers are Saying

Backpackers are putting their health and safety on the line with the Platypus GravityWorks filter, and for good reasons too. We love the fact that its light, clean, and can filter for groups, but, perhaps the best perk, is that it’s simply easy to use.

Backpacking can have enough ups and downs without any extra problems caused by high maintenance equipment. The GravityWorks is anything but high maintenance, you simply fill it, hang it, and, after a minute or two, drink!

Even with all the trust backpackers have for GravityWorks, some have been concerned with the use of bag reservoirs as a means for filtration as possibly being weaker and less durable.

While this concern does make sense, it’s also a crucial perk to keeping the system lightweight and versatile and should be looked after with great care. The versatility and ultralight friendliness of this filter system is why I feel this system is the best one around to suit your adventure needs.

Who Should Buy this Product?

The Platypus GravityWorks system is for the passionate adventurer wanting to go where a majority of the population wouldn’t. This might be to the top of mountains, backcountry valleys, or just trekking winding trails through the forests of Appalachia. Wherever it is, these addicts to wanderlust want to know they have a water filter they can rely on to keep them hydrated and healthy on the trail. The GravityWorks does just that.

Who Shouldn’t Buy this Product

Granted, like backpacking, the GravityWorks might not be ideal for everyone. The backpacker who isn’t as concerned about keeping the base weight of their pack at a minimum or doesn’t mind bending over a stream for an extended time pumping away might not find some of the features of the GravityWorks as appealing.

Likewise, the GravityWorks filter was also designed with a communal factor in mind, so the hiker who may just be after a quick personal fix to treating water may do better with something far simpler.

Conclusion

In the end, when it comes to great water solutions on trail, you need something reliable, light, and something that won’t hold you up on the trail with maintenance and performance issues. The Platypus GravityWorks goes above and beyond all of that and more.

It’s a great water filtration solution for any hardy hiker itching to get back on the trail! Best water filter for backpacking was presented above if you have any other questions feel free to ask.

 

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Meet the Author

'Mountain Man' John

'Mountain Man' John is a Survival and Preparedness enthusiast who loves everything outdoors. He has a passion for learning anything and everything to help sustain his and his families way of life post SHTF. He frequently shares his knowledge on a variety of topics from his hands on DIY projects, learning new skills such as hunting and trapping along with reviews on his Survival related purchases - Prepping has been in his family for generations, it's in his blood.