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The Best Tactical Water Filter: Choosing Your Best Option
If you are a backpacker who loves to go adventuring for days on end, it is imperative to have ready access to clean drinking water to keep you hydrated so today we are going to discuss the best tactical water filter for you!
While there may be a river or stream you might encounter along your adventurous journey, you can’t take the safety of these water sources for granted.
Rivers and streams may appear clear and cool to the touch, but these unregulated water sources are home for many parasites, bacteria, and other unhealthy contaminants.
There could be lots of stuff in there to make you sick, so how can you quench your thirst without risking your health? Be equipped with the best tactical water filter!
How Does a Tactical Water Filter work?
The best tactical water filters are also known as survival water filters. Using a tactical water filter gives you the freedom to enjoy an abundant supply of safe drinking water even if you plan to be on your outdoors adventure for over a month. They come in different types and execute different methods, but they all share the use of hollow fiber membrane technology in common.
The filtration process occurs whenever you collect stream or river water and it goes through the tactical filter membranes.
These fiber membranes have pores which are very tiny, even smaller than you may possibly imagine. To help you picture it more clearly, a hair strands size is around 10 – 200 microns wide, while the pores of the best tactical filters can effectively filter out harmful microorganisms that are as small as 0.2 microns.If unsure of access to clean water, it may be a great idea to keep one of these filters in your backpack.
Best Tactical Water Filter: The Various Types to Choose From
Each type and brand have advantages and disadvantages, and so one best tactical filter may have certain advantages over the other under certain circumstances. Given there are several different type tactical water filters available online, it’s a good idea to research the different types before you begin looking at specific brands.
Squeeze Filters
Title Amazon's ChoiceSawyer Products PointOne Squeeze Water Filter System Amazon's ChoiceHydroBlu Versa Flow Light-Weight Camping and Outdoor Water Filter SystemSurvivor Filter Portable Water Filter - 3 Filter Stages Image
Pouch CapacityVaries (16-, 32-, and 64-ounce)64 ounce collapsible canteens33oz. each canteen Filter LifeLasts a lifetime100,000 gallons26,417 gallons for membrane; 264 gallons for replaceable carbon and pre-filters Filtration Technology/SystemPointOne Hollow fiber membraneHollow fiber membrane3-Stage Filtration System (cotton pre-filter, membrane ultra filter, carbon filter) Filter Pore Size0.1 microns0.1 microns0.05 microns Key Contaminants RemovedRemoves greater than 99.99999% of all bacteria and 99.9999% of all protozoa99.9999% of harmful bacteria, Giardia, E. coli, protozoan cysts, Cryptosporidium and more99.9% Removal of Virus, Staph and Bacteria; reduces heavy metals BPA-free materials Comes with filter syringe for backflushing Why You'll Love ItComes with three varied sizes of collapsible pouches that roll up tightly for easy packing and can reused hundreds of timesVery versatile and comes with many accessories to use on a water bottle, gravity system, bucket filter, inline water filter, or as a straw.Proven and tested filtration technology; comes with 6 pre-filters Price$49.99$24.95$40.00 Customer Rating See More Details Amazon's Choice TitleSawyer Products PointOne Squeeze Water Filter System Image Pouch CapacityVaries (16-, 32-, and 64-ounce) Filter LifeLasts a lifetime Filtration Technology/SystemPointOne Hollow fiber membrane Filter Pore Size0.1 microns Key Contaminants RemovedRemoves greater than 99.99999% of all bacteria and 99.9999% of all protozoa BPA-free materials Comes with filter syringe for backflushing Why You'll Love ItComes with three varied sizes of collapsible pouches that roll up tightly for easy packing and can reused hundreds of times Price$49.99 Customer Rating See More Details Amazon's Choice TitleHydroBlu Versa Flow Light-Weight Camping and Outdoor Water Filter System Image Pouch Capacity64 ounce collapsible canteens Filter Life100,000 gallons Filtration Technology/SystemHollow fiber membrane Filter Pore Size0.1 microns Key Contaminants Removed99.9999% of harmful bacteria, Giardia, E. coli, protozoan cysts, Cryptosporidium and more BPA-free materials Comes with filter syringe for backflushing Why You'll Love ItVery versatile and comes with many accessories to use on a water bottle, gravity system, bucket filter, inline water filter, or as a straw. Price$24.95 Customer Rating See More Details TitleSurvivor Filter Portable Water Filter - 3 Filter Stages Image Pouch Capacity33oz. each canteen Filter Life26,417 gallons for membrane; 264 gallons for replaceable carbon and pre-filters Filtration Technology/System3-Stage Filtration System (cotton pre-filter, membrane ultra filter, carbon filter) Filter Pore Size0.05 microns Key Contaminants Removed99.9% Removal of Virus, Staph and Bacteria; reduces heavy metals BPA-free materials Comes with filter syringe for backflushing Why You'll Love ItProven and tested filtration technology; comes with 6 pre-filters Price$40.00 Customer Rating See More Details
Squeeze water filters are extremely lightweight and tiny since there’s no need for a pump. Simply fill the collection vessel, either a pouch or a bottle, with water and then screw the filter unit into it. Then you just squeeze the pouch to force the water through the filter, the contaminants are trapped behind and only clean water gets through, ensuring safe potable water for you drink wherever you are.
Apart from its simple use, a squeeze filter is also very flexible and adaptable. You can attach it to a water bladder to make it work like a gravity filter. Or you can also fit it with a straw and sip directly from the water source.
A squeeze filter won’t break your back or squeeze your piggy bank!
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Lightweight and very handy
- Very flexible, can work as a gravity or straw filter
Cons:
- Low water flow rate
Gravity Filters
TitleGeekpure Emergency Water Filter Amazon's ChoicePlatypus GravityWorks Water Filter Amazon's ChoiceSawyer One-Gallon Gravity Water Filtration System Image Pouch/Bag Capacity10 liters4 liters1 gallon Filter CapacityUp to 20 gallons396 gallons100,000 gallons Filtration Technology/SystemAdvanced 4-Stage Filtration SystemHollow Fiber TechnologyU-shaped hollow fiber membrane Filter pore size0.01 microns0.2 microns0.1 micron Key Contaminants RemovedRemoves 99.9% of Taste, Odors, Colors, Bacteria, Cadmium, Chlorine, some Arsenic, Mercury, Iron, and Fluoride99.9999% of bacteria and 99.9% of protozoa, including giardia, cryptosporidium, E. coli, salmonella, cholera99.99999% of all bacteria and 99.9999% of all protozoa BPA-free materials Why You'll Love ItLarge capacity with wide application in drinking and life water solution for outdoorsHigh capacity that comes with a complete water filter kitHollow fiber membrane and lightweight bladder with wide mouth for fast, easy filling. PricePrice not availablePrice not available$39.99 Customer Rating See More Details TitleGeekpure Emergency Water Filter Image Pouch/Bag Capacity10 liters Filter CapacityUp to 20 gallons Filtration Technology/SystemAdvanced 4-Stage Filtration System Filter pore size0.01 microns Key Contaminants RemovedRemoves 99.9% of Taste, Odors, Colors, Bacteria, Cadmium, Chlorine, some Arsenic, Mercury, Iron, and Fluoride BPA-free materials Why You'll Love ItLarge capacity with wide application in drinking and life water solution for outdoors Prime- PricePrice not available Customer Rating See More Details Amazon's Choice TitlePlatypus GravityWorks Water Filter Image Pouch/Bag Capacity4 liters Filter Capacity396 gallons Filtration Technology/SystemHollow Fiber Technology Filter pore size0.2 microns Key Contaminants Removed99.9999% of bacteria and 99.9% of protozoa, including giardia, cryptosporidium, E. coli, salmonella, cholera BPA-free materials Why You'll Love ItHigh capacity that comes with a complete water filter kit PricePrice not available Customer Rating See More Details Amazon's Choice TitleSawyer One-Gallon Gravity Water Filtration System Image Pouch/Bag Capacity1 gallon Filter Capacity100,000 gallons Filtration Technology/SystemU-shaped hollow fiber membrane Filter pore size0.1 micron Key Contaminants Removed99.99999% of all bacteria and 99.9999% of all protozoa BPA-free materials Why You'll Love ItHollow fiber membrane and lightweight bladder with wide mouth for fast, easy filling. Price$39.99 Customer Rating See More Details
This type of tactical water filter has long been a popular choice for family camping and other group activities in the outdoors.
You just fill the pouch with your stream or river water and hang it up on a tree or somewhere high enough for the gravity to work while you are off doing things of more importance.
Hang it up and let gravity takes care of the rest, gravity allows the water to seep through the porous filter membranes so that only safe drinking water comes out to finally quench your thirst.
Pros:
- No need to squeeze or pump
- Can filter plenty of water at once
Cons:
- Slower than moderate filtering time
Straw Filter
TitleLifeStraw Personal Water Filter StrawSurvival Hax Water Filter Straw Image Filter CapacityLasts 1,000 gallons400 gallons Filtration Technology/SystemAdvanced hollow fiber technology (microfiltration membrane)Advanced filter membrane + coconut activated carbon Filter pore size0.2 microns0.1 microns Contaminants RemovedRemoves a minimum 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasitesEliminates 99.9999% of parasites and bacteria Can be attached to standard water bottle Why You'll Love ItUltra-light with high flow rateCan be screwed onto standard water bottle, and comes with survival gear items Price$19.95Price not available Customer Rating See more details TitleLifeStraw Personal Water Filter Straw Image Filter CapacityLasts 1,000 gallons Filtration Technology/SystemAdvanced hollow fiber technology (microfiltration membrane) Filter pore size0.2 microns Contaminants RemovedRemoves a minimum 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites Can be attached to standard water bottle Why You'll Love ItUltra-light with high flow rate Price$19.95 Customer Rating See more details TitleSurvival Hax Water Filter Straw Image Filter Capacity400 gallons Filtration Technology/SystemAdvanced filter membrane + coconut activated carbon Filter pore size0.1 microns Contaminants RemovedEliminates 99.9999% of parasites and bacteria Can be attached to standard water bottle Why You'll Love ItCan be screwed onto standard water bottle, and comes with survival gear items Prime- PricePrice not available Customer Rating See more details
Straw filters provide a very easy and portable way to access clean water to drink on the go. There’s no need to collect water and hang or squeeze a pouch to filter the dirty water. You can simply sip the water directly from its source through the straw filter whenever you feel the need to hydrate.
They are very portable and cost less than most of the other best tactical filters,but just a word of advice, a filter straw needs an available water source, so if you want a straw filter to function while you’re on the move, you must collect water in a separate bottle whenever and wherever you come across with it.
This ensures you have something to sip whenever you need to replenish. This means additional weight and stuff to drag along through the wilderness.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- small and very lightweight
- Very convenient
Cons:
- Needs bottle to collect water for later use
Pump Filters
TitleBoston Fortis Personal Portable Water Filter Amazon's ChoiceSurvivor Filter PRODiercon Survival Water Purifier Image Filter CapacityMore than 500 gallonsCleanable filter lasts 26,417 gallons; replaceable carbon filter lasts 528 gallons792 gallons Filtration Technology/SystemNew advanced 4-Stage Filtration System3-Stage Filtration with dual hollow fiber membrane and carbon filter3-Stage Filtration System Filter pore size0.1 microns0.01 microns0.01 microns Contaminants Removed99% of Bacteria, Microorganisms, Protozoa, Metals, ChemicalsRemoves virus, bacteria, parasites, and reduces most heavy metals, taste and chemicals99.99999% removal of waterborne bacteria and 99.99% of cysts ColorGreenDark greenGreen BPA-free Why You'll Love ItIntegrated with 5 additional emergency featuresSuper long-lasting, reliable lab-tested pump filterIncludes lots of accessories with back flushing device PricePrice not available$64.95Price not available Customer Rating See More Details TitleBoston Fortis Personal Portable Water Filter Image Filter CapacityMore than 500 gallons Filtration Technology/SystemNew advanced 4-Stage Filtration System Filter pore size0.1 microns Contaminants Removed99% of Bacteria, Microorganisms, Protozoa, Metals, Chemicals ColorGreen BPA-free Why You'll Love ItIntegrated with 5 additional emergency features Prime- PricePrice not available Customer Rating See More Details Amazon's Choice TitleSurvivor Filter PRO Image Filter CapacityCleanable filter lasts 26,417 gallons; replaceable carbon filter lasts 528 gallons Filtration Technology/System3-Stage Filtration with dual hollow fiber membrane and carbon filter Filter pore size0.01 microns Contaminants RemovedRemoves virus, bacteria, parasites, and reduces most heavy metals, taste and chemicals ColorDark green BPA-free Why You'll Love ItSuper long-lasting, reliable lab-tested pump filter Price$64.95 Customer Rating See More Details TitleDiercon Survival Water Purifier Image Filter Capacity792 gallons Filtration Technology/System3-Stage Filtration System Filter pore size0.01 microns Contaminants Removed99.99999% removal of waterborne bacteria and 99.99% of cysts ColorGreen BPA-free Why You'll Love ItIncludes lots of accessories with back flushing device Prime- PricePrice not available Customer Rating See More Details
This water filter is much like a straw filter because it requires no additional burden of a collection vessel. You simply put one end in the water source and pump, water is pulled into and through the filter cartridge into your mouth or whatever you want to put it.
Wala, safe water to quench your thirst!
Pros:
- Filters quickly
- Applicable for shallow water sources
- Available in various sizes
Cons:
- bulky for single person to use
- While all of these filters do the job in different ways, all of them can protect you from the ill effects of microorganisms. They can effectively filter out salmonella, E. coli, giardia, cryptosporidium, as well as other parasites.
However, majority of users report that the filters don’t do much to deal with odors and tastes of the water. I guess you just need to decide if you want bad health or bad taste!
Last Words
The best tactical water filter is a unit that can effectively remove harmful contaminants as well as some of the bad taste from water, convenient to use and also convenient to bring along on your trip.
High quality straw filters are the best option if traveling alone and always on the go. Just don’t forget to weigh all the possible options at your disposal to survive and enjoy each of your exciting adventures in the great outdoors.
Last update on 2020-08-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
About the Author Jack Wilson
Jack Wilson is a water treatment consultant as well as a topic researcher and post editor for all posts on bestpurifiation.com.