Are you looking for filtered water bottles that provide safe drinking water for your travel and hiking? Staying hydrated whilst enjoying the outdoors is essential, and filtered water bottles are the perfect solution for your body and the planet. But how do you decide which one is right for you? Find out more in this article.
Filtered water bottles for travel are an incredible alternative for creating clean and safe drinking water anywhere. Plus, having one of these portable bottles during your outdoor adventures is incredibly beneficial: it saves you money, protects the environment by reducing plastic waste and preserves your health by filtering out harmful components.
To help you decide which filtered water bottle is right for you, here are 8 of the best filters and purifiers for travel and hiking.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, we will receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase. For more information, read our full affiliate disclosure here.
Overview: Must-Have Filtered Water Bottles
- Grayl Geopress Purifier Bottle – Best Overall Filtered Water Bottle
- LifeStraw GO – Best Non-Purifying Water Bottle
- Epic Nalgene OG – Best Durable Filtered Water Bottle
- Seychelle Rad/Advanced – Best Filtered Water Bottle for Extreme Conditions
- Grayl UltraPress Purifier Bottle – Best Filtered Water Bottle for Hiking & Backpacking
- LARQ – Best Stainless Steel Filtered Water Bottle
- Water-to-Go Bottle – Best Budget Filtered Water Bottle
- Sawyer Mini – Best Lightweight Filtered Water Bottle for Wild Hiking & Camping
What is a filtered water bottle?
A filtered water bottle is an item providing clean drinking water wherever you travel or hike. You can refill your bottle from a lake, river or tap and enjoy safe water without worrying about your health and the environment.
These eco-friendly bottles contain a device that filters out undesired chemical compounds, heavy materials and harmful microorganisms from water. The type of filter will also vary and can be a straw filter, a squeeze filter or a gravity filter.
As a result, by travelling with a portable filter bottle, you can efficiently drink healthy water from anywhere, and every responsible traveller should have one in their backpack!
However, keep in mind that not all filtered water bottles work the same way, and the one you choose will depend on where you are going and your activity.
What is the difference between a water filter and a water purifier?
Before we start, it is essential to understand the difference between a filter and a purifier.
Both remove any unwanted odours and tastes, reduce chlorine, and remove bacteria, protozoa and particles from your water. But in addition to all of them, the water purifier will eliminate viruses.
In simple words:
A water filter removes protozoa and bacteria, but not viruses. It is best for drinking from water sources away from human populations, hiking and trekking.
A water purifier removes protozoa, bacteria and viruses, offering a higher level of defence and protection. It is best for drinking from taps or any water source.
Looking for a good and practical backpack? Check out this article: 10 Best Sustainable Backpacks for Travel & Hiking
8 Best Filtered Water Bottles for Travel & Hiking
| bottle | capacity | weight | type | material | price |
| Grayl Geopress | 710mL | 450g | Purifier | Plastic | £££ |
| LifeStraw GO | 650mL | 221g | Filtered | Plastic | £ |
| Epic Nalgene OG | 900mL | 272g | Purifier | Plastic | ££ |
| Seychelle Rad | 800mL | 181g | Purifier | Plastic | £ |
| Grayl UltraPress | 500mL | 354g | Purifier | Plastic | £££ |
| LARQ | 740mL | 550g | Filtered | Steel | ££ |
| Water-to-Go | 750mL | 138g | Purifier | Plastic | £ |
| Sawyer Mini | 480mL | 40g | Filtered | Plastic | £ |
1- Grayl Geopress Water Purifier – Top Pick
A comprehensive water purifier that perfectly blends efficiency and simplicity.
- Price: £££
- Feature: purifier
- Material: plastic
- Capacity: 710mL
- Weight: 450g
- Height: 26.5cm
- Qualities: speed and convenience.
- Best for: international travel, hiking and camping.
Grayl Geopress water purifier is one of the most popular filtered water bottles for travellers and hikers. It is easy to use and a comprehensive item for filtering out any body of water.
In less than ten seconds, the Geopress portable water bottle creates 710 ml of safe, clean drinking water from anywhere on earth.
Tap into any water sources and drink safely from hotel sinks, rivers or lakes. The Grayl Geopress water purifier protects you against waterborne pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoan cysts and removes pesticides, chemicals, heavy metals and even microplastics. Plus, it improves taste, smell, and clarity.
Finally, it is super easy to use. Fill the outer part of the bottle with dirty water before reattaching the inside and pressing down on the rubber pads. You might need to press hard, but it is still a straightforward mechanism.
This bottle may also seem expensive, but it truly is the perfect companion for any adventure! It is big enough and durable whilst still fitting nicely into your backpack. Therefore, it is worth the investment.
2- LifeStraw GO – Best Non-Purifying Filter
The most versatile filtered water for everyday use: durable and BPA free.
- Price: £
- Feature: filtered
- Material: plastic
- Capacity: 650mL
- Weight: 221g
- Height: 23.5cm
- Qualities: versatile and reliable.
- Best for: international travel and everyday use.
With a lightweight and versatile design, LifeStraw is ideal for travelling abroad or for everyday use. However, keep in mind that this bottle uses a filter and not a purifier meaning it removes bacteria, parasites and chemicals BUT not viruses.
This portable filtered bottle is still incredibly reliable and effective. LifeStraw allows you to safely drink from water fountains in parks, airports or tap water. You can also use it for drinking directly from the nearest stream, puddle or pond in the fastest way. The straw does all the work for you!
LifeStraw uses advanced hollow fibre membrane technology. The membrane has microscopic pores that trap large contaminants. Water can pass through but not dirt, as bacteria and parasites are bigger in size than the pores and get filtered out. It is a very efficient method that does not require chemicals, batteries or moving parts.
Therefore, depending on where you are going and your plans, LifeStraw is a simple filtered water bottle, ideal for travelling in cities or the outdoors.
3- Epic Nalgene – Best Durable Bottle
An efficient purifier portable water bottle built to last.
- Price: ££
- Feature: purifier
- Material: plastic
- Capacity: 900mL
- Weight: 272g
- Height: 23cm
- Qualities: effortless and durable.
- Best for: international travel, hiking and camping.
Epic Nalgene Ultimate Outdoor Travel OG is a purifying water bottle that protects you from bacteria, parasites, chemicals and viruses. Built to last, it features a filter that will give you access to clean water anywhere – from tap water to ponds and rivers. It is the perfect (and affordable!) accessory for international travel, camping and hiking.
The Epic Nalgene OG is easy to use and replaces the need for single-use plastic bottles by providing a recyclable and durable alternative. The high-quality nano-fibre carbon filters produce 100 gallons of clean, healthy water, lasting three times longer than standard water bottles with filters and are more economical than bottled water.
In addition, you can easily use the Epic Nalgene OG as a bottle and pour your water into a glass, or use the silicone mouthpiece, which is leak-proof and removable.
Finally, if you prefer a filtered option and are not bothered about the maximum protection, you can check out the basic Epic Nalgene OG. It is an ideal alternative for travelling in cities and using mainly tap water and fountains.
4- Seychelle Rad/Advanced – Best for Extreme Conditions
The water purifier bottle turning any contaminated water source into safe drinking water.
- Price: £
- Feature: purifier
- Material: plastic
- Capacity: 800mL
- Weight: 181g
- Height: 24cm
- Qualities: high protection.
- Best for: international travel, hiking and camping.
The Seychelle Rad/Advanced filtration bottle is the perfect companion for drinking clean, great-tasting water anywhere, anytime and on the go. This high-end portable water bottle allows you to drink from any contaminated water source across the globe and eliminates radiological contaminants.
In addition, the squeezable feature of the bottle makes drinking water significantly easier than ridged bottles, and its size makes it perfect to fit into your backpack or travel bag.
The Seychelle Rad/Advanced is an essential item for hiking, camping or other backcountry activities. The water tastes excellent instantly, and the bottle is simple to use: fill it up, squeeze and sip clean and safe water.
In order to achieve such high results, Seychelle bottles use an exclusive Ionic-Adsorption Micro-Filtration (IAMF) system in each filter, which means you can use your portable bottle even when the quality of water is unknown.
5- Grayl UltraPress – Best for Hiking & Backpacking
Compact, fun, and easy to use – the perfect water bottle for outdoor activities.
- Price: £££
- Feature: purifier
- Material: plastic
- Capacity: 500mL
- Weight: 354g
- Height: 25cm
- Qualities: compact and easy to use.
- Best for: international travel, hiking and camping.
The UltraPress Purifier Bottle fits into any bag pocket, requires no setup and produces safe, great-tasting drinking water in less than ten seconds. It is the perfect on-the-go filtration and purification for the hiker, backpacker, camper or global traveller seeking fast-flowing purified water for staying hydrated or cooking.
The Grayl water system filters out viruses, bacteria and protozoa, making contaminated water safe to drink whenever and wherever.
This compact and portable purifier bottle uses the same system as the Geopress. Fill the outer part of the bottle with dirty water before reattaching the inside and pressing down on the rubber pads, delivering clean water in a few seconds.
Excellent addition for any nature lover and adventure enthusiast!
6- LARQ Bottle Filtered – Best Stainless Steel
A portable water bottle, combining a Nano Zero filter with a seamless drinking experience.
- Price: ££
- Feature: filtered
- Material: stainless steel
- Capacity: 740mL
- Weight: 550g
- Height: 25cm
- Qualities: long-lasting filter.
- Best for: international travel and everyday use.
The LARQ stainless steel bottle is a revolutionary water filtration system that combines a high-performance Nano Zero filter with a smooth, low-pressure drinking experience.
This portable filtered bottle contains two layers – activated carbon and Nano Zero technology. Activated carbon traps contaminants like chlorine and VOCs whilst Nano Zero clings to heavy metals for pure, great-tasting water.
The easy-to-drink low-pressure straw allows for seamless sips, and the removable silicone-coated carabiner makes it easy to hydrate on the go. In addition, the BPA-free insulated double-walled stainless steel construction keeps your water cold for up to 24 hours.
Fill the bottle with cold or room temp tap water, screw on the cap, push down on the λ to flip it open, let the bottle do the work for you and start sipping.
And to make it even more practicable, the LARQ bottle can come with a travel sleeve for easy transport. The PureVis cap is also compatible to get the benefits of filtration and purification in one bottle.
7- Water-to-Go Bottle – Best Budget Option
The affordable water purifier bottle with a unique 3-in-1 filter technology.
- Price: £
- Feature: purifier
- Material: plastic
- Capacity: 750mL
- Weight: 138g
- Height: 25cm
- Qualities: efficient and leak-proof.
- Best for: everyday use & travel.
Water-to-Go bottles give you clean, safe, great-tasting water from any unsalted water source. It uses a unique 3-in-1 filter created based on technology developed for the NASA space programme.
The filter works instantly to protect against bacteria, viruses, waterborne diseases, protozoa, heavy metals and chemicals. However, it lets through beneficial minerals like sodium and magnesium, leaving you with the healthiest water possible.
The three technologies used are mechanical filtration (a small pore size prevents the passage of contaminants), electrical (further reduces the size of the pores and attracts pollutants like a magnet) and activated carbon (stops impurities while eliminating bad tastes and smells).
The portable Water-to-Go bottle is ideal for hiking, camping and international travel. It allows you to take any water from a stream, river, or tap and filter it instantly. Once your bottle is filled and the filter activated, you are ready to drink.
8- Sawyer Mini – Best for Wild Hiking & Camping
The perfect mini filter for outdoor enthusiasts and emergency preparedness.
- Price: £
- Feature: filtered
- Material: plastic
- Capacity: 480mL
- Weight: 40g
- Height: 14cm
- Qualities: practical and versatile.
- Best for: everyday use & travel.
The Sawyer Mini is the perfect choice for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. This system is affordable, highly versatile and ready to join you on your next adventure.
Thanks to its lightweight system that fits in the palm of your hand, the Mini filter is ideal for everything from camping to travelling abroad. It provides clean drinking water on the go and filters out bacteria, protozoa and microplastics.
In addition, this Mini portable water filter is easy to use and incredibly convenient. As water passes through the side walls of the tubes, harmful bacteria and protozoa get trapped on the outer walls. Therefore, you can be confident your water is safe to drink.
Ideal for outdoor activities, hiking, camping and international travel, the Sawyer MINI gives you multiple ways to access clean water. You can attach it to the included drinking pouch, use it for drinking directly from a water source with the straw, or screw it onto standard disposable bottles.
Hey, are you enjoying this content?
Enjoy reading this article and want to continue learning more about sustainable travel?
Support the blog & community by buying me a coffee! ☕
A little goes a long way. And together, we can create a better future for our planet.
Planning a weekend getaway in the Lake District? Check out this article:
10 Best Easy Walks & Hikes in The Lake District
Why travel with a filtered water bottle?
Convenience
The beauty of filtered water bottles is that you will never have to worry again about buying bottled water or finding a water fountain to stay hydrated on your journey. These portable items allow you to refill wherever you are and ensure you always have water on you, which is particularly convenient when travelling in a hot country or where the water quality is unknown.
Health
One of the most significant reasons for using a water bottle with a filter is to be able to drink clean and safe water. You may have already been to a country where drinking tap water was not recommended, and that is where a filtered water bottle can come in handy! They will help prevent getting ill from contaminated water.
However, not all filtered water bottles work the same way and protect you equally, but they are a great place to start. And if you want extra security, a water purifier is the way to go.
Environment
Thanks to filtered water bottles, you will seriously reduce the use and waste of single-use plastic. And this is a win for the environment!
Single-use plastic bottled water is one of the most significant issues contributing to the global warming crisis. By filtering your water, you will minimise your carbon footprint and help create a better future for our planet, showing a great example to many other travellers.
Finance
Finally, as a result of reducing single-use plastic water bottles, you will save money and cut this daily expense. Not only will you be doing the planet a favour, but your budget will thank you too!
Which filtered water bottle is right for you?
Now that you know you want to invest in a filtered water bottle, it is time to decide which one is best for you. And the three main things to pay attention to are material, size (and weight) and coverage of protection.
Material
The two principal materials used are plastic and steel.
Plastic: Most water bottles with filters are created from BPA-free plastic, which means they do not use the organic compound Bisphenol A in their construction. This material is ideal for hiking as it is flexible and lightweight. However, it is not insulated or as durable as steel.
Steel: This material is resistant and durable and provides excellent insulation to keep your water cool throughout your journey. However, steel is heavy compared to plastic, which is not always ideal for hiking and backpacking.
Size
The next step in choosing the perfect filtered water bottle for you is the size. When selecting your bottle, you will want something that can easily fit into your backpack or hook onto you with a carabiner.
The choice will also depend on your outdoor activity and how much water you think you will need. The bigger the bottle, the heavier, BUT the more water you will have.
Therefore, take the time to consider what you think is best, as the size of your bottle will impact its weight. And ultimately, this will affect the weight of your backpack.
Coverage of protection
The final thing to consider when deciding which filtered water bottle is right for you is the coverage and type of filter. As I mentioned previously, there is a difference between a filter and a purifier.
A water filter removes protozoa and bacteria, but not viruses. It is best for drinking from water sources away from human populations, hiking and trekking.
A water purifier removes protozoa, bacteria and viruses, offering a higher level of defence and protection. It is best for drinking from taps or any water source close to human populations.
Tip: for the best protection possible, look for a water bottle with a filter that has a pore size of fewer than 0.1 microns.
Other eco-friendly gear you might love:
- 10 Best Sustainable Backpacks for Eco-Travel
- 10 Best Zero-Waste & Reef-Safe Sunscreens
- 10 Best Reusable & Eco-Friendly Travel Mugs
- 10 Best Ethical Coats for Iceland in Winter
How to care for your filtered water bottle?
- Always read your bottle instructions carefully, as each will have different needs regarding the preparation and maintenance of the filter.
- Most will recommend hand washing the bottle and filter. Bottles are usually dishwasher safe but not the filters.
- Remember to bring spare filters, especially if you are going on a long trip. For filter durability, check out your bottle website and instructions. They will tell you when to replace it.
Things to never do:
- Never drink water you know is dangerous
- Do not put the filter in the freezer
- Do not fill with hot water
- Do not use salt water
FAQ – Filtered Water Bottles for Travel & Hiking
Yes, having a water bottle with a filter when you travel is incredibly beneficial: it protects the environment by reducing plastic waste, saves you money and preserves your health by filtering out harmful components.
The best filtered water bottle for travelling is Grayl Geopress. It is a comprehensive and compact water purifier that improves taste and protects you against viruses, bacteria and protozoa. The perfect companion for any adventure!
Want more eco-friendly inspiration?
- The Complete Guide to Sustainable Travel
- 15 Travel Books to Inspire Your Next Eco-Adventure
- 10 Best Travel Apps for Exploring Sustainably
- Best Ecotourism Activities Around the World
Shop the printable travel packing list
Prepare for your dream vacation and travel responsibly 🌿
Do you travel with a filtered water bottle? Which is your favourite?
Let me know in the comments below!
With love ♡
Lucie
Leave a Reply