Best Gravity Water Filters for backpacking and Hiking

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Best Backpacking Gravity Water Filter

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This is a review of the best backpacking gravity water filters for 2024.

Drinking clean water in the backcountry is one of the most important considerations when hiking, backpacking, or traveling. If you have ever drunk contaminated water you will understand how debilitating it can be. That’s where backpacking gravity filters come in.

I once contracted a waterborne infection on a thru-hike that was so bad I almost needed to call for a rescue. So believe me when I say, you need clean drinking water. In this review, I have narrowed down the best gravity filters for backpacking for 2024.


How We Tested

All the Backpacking Gravity Water Filters in this review have been extensively evaluated and researched by the expert author who has many years of experience in Thru-Hiking, Backpacking, and Hiking. Some of the Backpacking Gravity Water Filters were purchased and some were supplied by the manufacturer. They have been rigorously tested by the author in all kinds of conditions. The research, testing, and experience of the author have combined to come up with the Best Backpacking Gravity Water Filters for 2024. Read the Review Policy for further details.

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Best Backpacking Gravity Water Filters

The best backpacking gravity water filters for 2024:

Best Gravity Water Filter for Backpacking – Overall

Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter System

Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter System

Pros:
> Portable
> 2 Water Reservoirs with either clean water or dirty water
> The clean water bladder can be used as a water bottle when hiking
> Durable
> Filters the water very quickly
> Can filter water without being hung from a tree or similar
Cons:
> Not always gather water from shallow sources
> Doesn’t remove Viruses

The Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter System is quick, portable, and simple to use. It is simple to set up and is a great option for individual or small-group use.

While the MSR Gravity purifier has the best water filter and purifier, the Platypus Gravityworks water filter has so many advantages that make it an even better option for many people.

There is a lot to like about the Platypus Gravityworks filter. There is a choice of a 4L or 6L bladder system which includes both a clean water bladder and a dirty water bladder. That means you don’t need to filter into a separate water bottle. It is an all-inclusive system that is quite lightweight. Unlike most of the other gravity filters, this method allows you to hang the gravity filter and walk away without having to filter into separate bottles. It is so easy to use.

The filter works quicker than most other filters with a quite good flow rate. If there are no trees and you can’t hang the bags to get optimal water flow, you can put the dirty water bladder on a slope or rock to ensure it is above the clean water bladder. Or even hold the dirty water bladder with your hand if you want. While this method is slower it will ensure you have clean water in areas without trees, in very flat areas, or in places where you can’t hang the bag.

While there is a lot to like you need to be aware that this system doesn’t filter viruses and does not have activated carbon to remove chemicals and flavors from the water. And like all the filters in this review, the flow rate will slow down a lot when it is not hung correctly or when the filter is blocked. But don’t worry, you can clean the filter very easily in the field.

When I tested the gravity filter I was impressed that it had a good flow rate and was easy to use. I was able to fill the dirty water bladder easily and walk away while gravity filtered the water. Full in-depth review coming soon.

Overall, the Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter System is the best gravity water filter 2024 and my preferred option.

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Best Gravity Water Purifier for Backpacking

MSR Guardian Gravity Water Purifier

MSR Guardian Gravity Water Filter and Purifier

Pros:
> Large 10L Reservoir
> Has the best quality filter and purifier in this review
> Will filter bacteria, viruses, protozoa, microplastics, chemical taste, and more
> Easy To Use
> Compact and easy storage
Cons:

> If you do not hang the gravity filter high enough you will get a much slower flow rate.
> You need to filter into a water bottle or similar

The MSR Guardian Gravity Water Purifier has one of the best water filters in any gravity filter system in this review. The hollow-fiber filter removes 99.99% viruses, 99.9999% bacteria, 99.9% protozoa, and microplastics. The activated carbon reduces chemicals, smells, and tastes, making the water more enjoyable to consume. Essentially, the filter and purifier are the best on the market and good enough to satisfy military specifications.

The 10-liter reservoir is big enough for most groups when in the backcountry. The bladder can be filled and hung up a minimum of 6 feet above your water collection container. When hung at this height it filters quite quickly but if you do not hang it high enough the flow rate will drop significantly.

Despite the best-in-class filter and large 10L capacity bladder, there are a couple of things that some people may not like. It does not have a separate dirty water and clean water bladder, only a dirty water bladder. This means you must filter into a separate water bottle such as a Nalgene Bottle. And the flow rate is only good when the filter is clean (it is easy to clean and backflush the filter in the field) and the bladder is hung around 6 feet above your water bladder.

I used and tested the gravity filter on a couple of backpacking trips and can confirm that it has the best filter being able to remove just about everything from the water. When hung correctly (6 feet off the ground) it has a rather slow flow rate which is slower than all the other filters in this review. But remember, the filter will remove everything and is better than all the others in this review. A full in-depth review is coming soon, stay tuned.

Overall, the MSR Guardian Gravity Water Purifier is the best gravity water purifier for 2024.

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More Backpacking Gravity Water Filters

LifeStraw Flex Gravity Water Filter

LifeStraw Flex Gravity Water Filter

Pros:
> Durable
> Easy to use with only 3 Components
> Easy to clean with a Syringe
> Every purchase of this filter allows a child in a disadvantaged community to have a year of clean water.
Cons:
> Slow flow rate

The LifeStraw Flex Advanced Water Filter with Gravity Bag has a simple system that comprises a bag, hose, Flex filter, and a syringe to clean the filter. It can be assembled very quickly and easily.

It can filter bacteria, parasites, microplastics, heavy metals like lead, and organic chemical substances like pesticides and herbicides. One gallon of water can be stored in the gravity bag.

It is constructed from a durable and flexible material. You can purchase an extra part, which is a syringe made for backwashing the filter if it becomes clogged.

If that wasn’t enough, with every purchase of this product, a child receives a year of clean water.

I have used and tested the Lifestraw flex filter as a water filter attached to a squeeze water bottle, and as an inline filter on a water bladder. By adding the gravity bag and you have the complete water-filtering solution in one system making this the most versatile water filter system on the market.

Overall, the LifeStraw Flex Water Filter with Gravity Bag is the most versatile gravity filter system on the market. Not only can you use it as a backpacking gravity filter but as an inline filter on a hydration bladder or attached to a squeeze water bottle. With so many options, this is one of the best hiking gravity water filters for 2024.

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Katadyn Gravity BeFree 3.0L Water Filter

Katadyn Gravity BeFree 3.0L Water Filter

Pros:
> Lightweight
> Filters the water quite quickly
> Long Filter Life of around 1000 liters
Cons:
> Fragile

The Katadyn Gravity BeFree 3.0L Water Filter is a good gravity filter option that will remove dangerous germs and protozoa from your drinking water. As well as other dirt and particles from the source.

The Katadyn Gravity BeFree 3.0L Water Filter includes a handle to help hold or hang your filter upside-down, and it is really simple to use. For such a small device, Katadyn claims the filter life is around 1000 liters.

Day hikers can use this for many years. One liter of this three-liter gravity water filter will take about 1.5 minutes to fill. The Katadyn Gravity BeFree 3.0L Water Filter is one of the lightest gravity filter systems on the market, weighing only 6.7 oz / 192 grams. The product is suitable for both solo and group backpacking trips.

I first started using Katadyn water filters in the early 1990s, yes, quite a long time ago. They have always been one of the leaders in the field of water filters. For a lightweight gravity filter, this is a great option.

Overall, the Katadyn Gravity BeFree 3.0L Water Filter is one of the best lightweight gravity water filters for 2024.

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RapidPure Trail Blazer Gravity System

Rapidpure Trail Blazer Gravity Water Filter System

Pros:
> Large 9L Reservoir
> Filters everything including bacteria, parasites, and viruses.
> Activated carbon improves taste and smell.
Cons:
> Flow rate only when the bladder is full
> Poor quality construction

The 9.0 liter RapidPure Trail Blazer Gravity System is one of the cheapest gravity filters and also one of the fastest at filtering water

The RapidPure Trail Blazer Gravity System gets rid of more than 99.99% of germs, viruses, parasites, and other things.

For a water purifier, RapidPure has activated carbons that eliminate smells and improve flavor.

Despite the cheap price tag and quick filter rate, many users have suffered from quality issues, but if you have a cheap unit at a cheap price then this might work for you. In my expert opinion, if you have made it this far in the review then scroll closer to the top and spend a bit more money on better-quality gravity filters.

Overall, the RapidPure Trail Blazer Gravity System provides larger groups with plenty of water quickly. It could be a good option for anyone on a very tight budget.

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Filling a hiking gravity filter bladder in a mountain stream
Filling a hiking gravity filter bladder in a mountain stream

Other Gravity Filters for Hiking

Here are some more options for quality gravity filters for hiking:

  • Lifestraw Peak Gravity Water Filter System: the Lifestraw Peak Gravity Water Filter System looks to be a good option that is yet to be tested and reviewed.
  • MSR Autoflow XL Gravity Filter: The MSR Auotflow XL Gravity Filter is a high-quality gravity system that has not been reviewed yet. It will be added to this review what it has been tested.
  • Lifestraw Mission Gravity Water Purifier: The Lifestraw Mission Gravity Water Purifier is a good option at a reasonable price but has a very slow flow rate and is yet to be reviewed and tested.

Gravity Water Filter Comparison Table

BrandWeightFiltration RateFilter LifeCapacity
Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter System11.5 oz1.75L / min1,500L2L, 4L, 6L
MSR Guardian Gravity Water Purifier1 lb. 3 oz0.5L / min3,000L10L
LifeStraw Flex Advanced Water Filter5.7 oz0.5L / min2,000L4L
Katadyn Gravity BeFree 3.0L Water Filter6.8 oz2L / min1,000L3L
RapidPure Trail Blazer Gravity System1 lb. 8 oz5L / min750L9L
Source: Manufacturers


Ease of Use

One of the most important things to consider is how easy it is to use. One of the easiest involves filling a dirty water bladder and filtering it into a clean water bag. The Platypus Gravityworks filter is the perfect example of a simple system that works. When I tested this product in a mountain stream I was impressed with how easy it was to use.

Some systems require that the dirty water bladder is hung from a certain height that to ensure the maximum water flow.

And most systems require that you add filtered water into your own water bottle.

Overall, something like the Platypus Gravityworks is a set-and-forget gravity water bladder system.

Testing and using the Platypus GravityWorks Filter
Testing and using the Platypus GravityWorks Filter

Flow Rate And Filter Time

The majority of the gravity water filters I have tested and reviewed can filter water within a couple of minutes. Ideally, you want your water filter to be able to filter your water as quickly as possible, so you can carry on with your day. Your filter time may also be affected by the flow rate.

This is how quickly purified water flows out of the water reservoir. With certain gravity water filters, you will see that the flow rate will slow down as the water lessens in the reservoir. It is important to look into the flow rate and filter time when looking into gravity water filters.

Testing the quality of the Gravityworks filter
Testing the quality of the Gravity Works filter

Durability

As you will be using this filter system in the wild, you need to ensure your product is durable. The last thing you want is for your water filter to break or cause a puncture. Otherwise, your water reservoir will begin to leak.

In addition to this, you want to make sure that the filter on your product has a long lifespan. This will mean you won’t have to keep changing your purifying filter too often. Usually, when your filter stops working you need to backflush the system. If you have done this and the filter is still not working then you may need to change the filter.

On some models, you can simply change the filter, but on other models you may have to replace the whole filtration system. The majority of gravity water filters can last a couple of years, depending on how much use the filters receive.

Strong backpacking gravity water filter bag
Strong backpacking gravity water filter bag

Size

You need to consider how much water you need to be filtered, as you can get water filters in varying sizes. For solo or small groups, a 4-liter gravity water filter may be enough. However, for larger groups, you can choose 5 to 10-liter water filters.

The size of your group, and who will need to use this system, will affect the size you need. Alongside this, you want to select a gravity water filter that is easy to carry around. A lot of these products can be folded and compacted down to be carried in a backpack.

They are often quite lightweight, which makes transportation easy. Ideally, you should look for a lightweight and compact model, as this will make carrying the filter system around a lot easier. Especially, if you are on a long camping or backpacking trip.

When I tested the backpacking gravity filters I had a preference for the bags to be around the 4L to 6L size. That size is manageable and easy to carry around. The MSR Guardian Gravity Water Purifier has a large 10L bag and I found it quite heavy to move around when it was full when I tested this item.

The MSR Guardian has a very large 10L bag to filter from
The MSR Guardian has a very large 10L bag to filter from

Filtration

The main purpose of this product is for you to have safe, clean drinking water. Therefore, it is vital you ensure that your gravity water system removes 99% of all bacteria, chemicals, and parasites at a minimum.

Not all gravity water filters will remove viruses, but if you happen to come across one that does, that is a huge advantage. Therefore, you want to choose a product that has a strong filtration system, this way you can feel safe knowing that the water you are drinking is completely safe and clean.

Different areas that you go to can provide you with different risks, hence you want to have a water filter that is able to adapt to the new areas you are in and what is in the water.

During testing these filters I used water from a mountain stream that was flowing from a glacier. The water was filled with only a small amount of silt, unlike many streams that originate from glaciers. The filters did a good job of filtering silt, dirt, and taste.

I also tested the gravity filters on chlorinated swimming pool water. The MSR Guardian was the only water I drank and found it to be free of any taste or flavor. Once again the MSR Guardian filter was at the top of the pile but the water flowed at a very slow rate with a liter taking around 5 minutes, the Platypus was more than twice as fast.

water filter and water purifier for gravity filter
water filter and water purifier for gravity filter

Conclusion

With several of these gravity filters rising to the top it is a difficult choice to determine the best. MSR Guardian has the best filter as it is not only a filter but a purifier. Platypus has the best system overall, with Lifestraw and Katadyn also very strong performers.

Just as an experiment, I took the MSR filter and attached it to the Platypus Gravityworks system. Now that combination is far and away the best possible backpacking gravity filter possible. Only one problem, it is not available in that setup.

In this review, the Platypus Gravityworks is the best gravity filter for backpacking and hiking due to its ease of use, its lightweight, and superior quality.

Overall, here are the best gravity filters for hiking, backpacking, and camping for 2024:

Another one of the Best Backpacking Gear Reviews from BikeHikeSafari.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do Gravity Water Filters Remove Viruses?

The type of gravity water filter you pick will affect whether it will remove viruses or not. While the majority of gravity water filters will remove bacteria and pathogens, not all of them will remove viruses. This is something to research when looking into your chosen gravity water filter.

Are Gravity Water Filters Any Good?

Gravity water filters are really easy to use and usually quite lightweight. They don’t require any electricity or batteries to work, as gravity does all the work for you. All you need to do is hang the water reservoir from a tree for the process to begin.

How Long Do Gravity Water Filters Take To Work?

Depending on the brand you have chosen, they can take anywhere from 30 seconds to around 5 minutes to provide you with liters of clean and safe drinking water. However, this will differ depending on the type of gravity water system you go for.

Best Gravity water filter for hiking and backpacking

BikeHikeSafari Gear Review Process

The author, Brad McCartney from BikeHikeSafari is a small independent adventurer and outdoor gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.

BikeHikeSafari is not part of a large blog network and is proudly independent. All reviews on this site are independent and honest gear reviews of outdoor products by the author.

The author, Brad McCartney is a very experienced triple crown thru-hiker, adventurer, and bike tourer having spent 1000s of nights sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag (Read more). He was a manager of an outdoor retail store and is very experienced in what is important when using and testing gear for reviews like this.

BikeHikeSafari will never receive any money for reviews and they do not accept sponsored reviews on this website. All the comments about the gear reviews are from the author based on his years of experience. Hope this independent review was helpful for you.

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About the Author:
Brad is an Australian who has completed the hiking Triple Crown after he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail and Appalachian Trail. He has hiked on every continent (except Antarctica) and has cycled from Alaska to Ecuador. He is an expert on outdoor gear currently living in Chile.

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