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Comparing Backpacking Water Treatments

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Awards Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Editors' Choice Award   
Price $41 List
$40.95 at REI		$43.95 at REI
Compare at 2 sellers		$101.43 at Amazon
Compare at 3 sellers		$39.95 at REI
Compare at 2 sellers		Check Price at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
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73
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Pros Lightweight, adaptable, easy to use, lifetime guaranteeExcellent design and quality, durable and lightweight, versatile filtration options, extended filter lifeFast, easy, hands-free filtration, large volume, storageEasy to use, competitive flow rate, collapsible, lightweightDurable bag, fast flow rate, leakproof storage, easy to maintain, long filter life, versatile design
Cons Not great for group use, better if you replace the bagsExtra maintenance to maintain microfilterA little expensive, can't gather from shallow sources, clogs with heavy sedimentLacks durability and reliabilityDifficult to fill water storage bag in shallow streams
Bottom Line Simple filtration that is lightweight and reliable for individual useThis filter is an excellent choice for lightweight and durable collapsible bottle filtrationA fast and easy to use gravity filter perfect for small groupsOne of our favorite lightweight on-the-go filtration systems, ideal for hiking and runningA sleek and durable design with a ton of versatility and fast flow rate, offered at a more affordable price
Rating Categories Sawyer Squeeze LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Platypus GravityWorks Katadyn BeFree 0.6L LifeStraw Peak Grav...
Water Quality (20%)
9.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Durability & Maintenance (20%)
6.0
6.0
7.0
3.0
8.0
Treatment Time (15%)
9.0
6.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
Weight & Packability (15%)
8.0
8.0
5.0
9.0
6.0
Ease of Set Up (15%)
7.0
9.0
7.0
9.0
8.0
Ease of Filtration (15%)
8.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
7.0
Specs Sawyer Squeeze LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Platypus GravityWorks Katadyn BeFree 0.6L LifeStraw Peak Grav...
Measured Weight (entire kit) 5.7 oz 3.8 oz 11.5 oz 2.1 oz 8.1 oz
Removes Particulates (sediment, microplastics)? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Effective Against Viruses? No No No No No
Effective Against Chemicals? No No No No No
Effective Against Heavy Metals? No No No No No
Effective Against Bacteria? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Effective Against Protozoa (Giardia, Cryptosporidium)? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Type of Filter/Purifier Squeeze, in-line, on-the-go Squeeze Gravity filter Squeeze, on-the-go Gravity filter
Filter Media or Active Ingredient Hollow fiber Hollow-core membrane microfilter Hollow fiber Hollow fiber Hollow-core membrane microfilter
Filter Pore Size (Advertised) 0.1 microns 0.2 microns 0.2 microns 0.1 microns 0.2 microns
Number of Liters/Gallons per Lifetime (Advertised) 378,541 L / 100,000 gal 2000 L / 500 gal 1500 L / 396 gal 1000 L / 264 gal 2,000 L / 500 gal