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Best Survival Water Filter of 2021: Complete Reviews With Comparisons
When out in the wilderness, water is one of your most important resources.
The problem is, carrying enough to meet your daily hydration needs will take up a considerable chunk of your very limited backpack space.
What’s more, you also need to make sure you can actually carry it across varying terrains and for long distances.
Planning your route ahead of time will allow you to reduce your load a significant amount by limiting your water supply.
What you can do instead is to supplement that limited supply with the best survival water filter.
LoGest Water Filter Straw, 2-Pack
This first option comes from LoGest and is sold in packs of two water filters.
Like the first one, it is also compact and easy to bring on outdoors trips, measuring in at only 7.5 inches by 1.35 inches.
Product Highlights
When looking for the best water filter for survival, you can’t go wrong with LoGest.
In particular, you will love the small and compact size of this two-pack water-filtration device.
It can fit in a small pocket in your backpack or even carried using its built-in carry strap.
Despite its size, you can expect it to filter out 99 percent of bacterial and harmful contaminants from natural water sources.
Clean drinking water is your best hope during survival situations, but it’s not practical to carry around bottles after bottles of it.
Going this route also means you will run out of supply eventually.
This is where this LoGest Water Filter Straw comes in.
Not only does it guarantee access to safe drinking water, but it also frees up space in your backpack and makes your overall load lighter.
Impressively enough, this filter has a 1,500-liter capacity.
Essentially, this means that even if you use it daily, you can expect it to last you more than a year.
The Good
For its compact size, the 1,500-liter capacity is sure to impress anyone.
It helps make surviving in the wilderness a bit easier, as you don’t have to carry gallons of water on your back.
Since it can last you a year, you won’t need to replace it as often, making it a cost-effective hydration solution.
The Bad
This water-filtering device is generally great, but it can be pretty challenging to suck water through it, especially for kids.
Due to the low flow rate, it can be a challenge to back rinse it as well.
Read the full LoGest Water Filter Straw, 2-Pack review
Pros
- Compact size
- Exceptional filtering capabilities
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Low flow rate
- Difficult to back rinse
- May not be suitable for children
LoGest Mini Water Filter Straw, 4-Pack
The LoGest Mini Water Filter Straw is a portable water-purifying device that comes in packs of four pieces.
It is small and easy to carry, so you can be sure you have a convenient way to get access to clean drinking water wherever you are.
Product Highlights
Measuring only eight inches by one inch, this survival water filter straw is compact and lightweight.
It even has a carrying strap so that you can hang it from your backpack for quick access during camping trips and hikes.
Designed to filter out salmonella, legionella, and E. coli, this device makes it possible for you to drink from unclean sources without fear of infection.
It also effectively gets rid of harmful chemicals, particles, and foul odor from the water.
This is all made possible by the hollow fiber membrane with a 0.01-micron filtration system that filters out up to 99 percent of contaminants.
Though small in size, it can filter more than 600 liters of unclean water, providing you safe drinking water for up to a year.
The Good
The weight of your backpack is an important consideration when hiking or camping.
Fortunately, the compact size of the LoGest Mini Water Filter Straw makes it very convenient to carry around.
With it, you will be able to drink from natural water sources, and you won’t have to pack your bag with bottles of water.
Filtering out up to 99 percent of harmful contaminants also means it can save you from dehydration when exploring the outdoors.
The Bad
The major downside to this survival water filter straw is its flow rate.
The advertised 500-ml-per-minute flow rate does not match the actual speed when you use the straw.
Sipping water from the straw can also be quite challenging, as the filter is vulnerable to clogging.
You can solve this by simply giving the water filters routine cleaning so that they can function properly.
Read the full LoGest Mini Water Filter Straw, 4-Pack review
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Impressive filtration
- Affordable
- Great filter capacity
- Superb versatility
Cons
- Slow flow rate
- Filter can get clogged easily
- Not easy to back rinse
MSR Trailshot Pocket-Sized Water Filter
The MSR Trailshot is a pocket-sized water filter that allows you to drink directly from natural water sources.
It purifies one liter of water within 60 seconds while still being ultralight and compact.
Product Highlights
The MSR TrailShot has many awesome pros that its counterparts cannot compete with, such as its compact and ultralight build.
Weighing at only five ounces and measuring six inches by 2.4 inches, it is easy to pack away and use.
In fact, this water filter will easily fit in just about any bag you have, and you won’t even notice it is there until you need it.
This can go a long way in solving the problem of carrying gallons of water on your back.
It is a great accessory to bring on camping, hiking, or any survival trip you have in mind.
The MSR TrailShot boasts exceptional filtration that can eliminate 99.9 percent of bacteria and other disease-causing contaminants in water, such as salmonella.
The filter can last up to 2,000 liters without the need for additional chemicals, such as chlorine.
It also filters water reasonably quickly, so you can get your fill and be on the go.
The Good
The MSR TrailShot has a hollow fiber filtration system, which effectively filters out salmonella, giardia, protozoa, and even cryptosporidium.
This long-lasting filter can efficiently serve the hydration needs of a single person for up to a couple of years.
The Bad
The MSR TrailShot is a pretty good buy, but it also has some negatives you need to be aware of.
For one, the flow rate can slow down after multiple uses, which can be a problem if you are an avid outdoors person.
The filter is also known to get clogged quite often, although you can clean it easily.
The hand pump may fail, too, so it is crucial that you test it beforehand and have a backup system.
MSR Trailshot Pocket-Sized Water Filter video review
Pros
- Ultralightweight and compact build
- Quick and easy filtration
- Exceptional long-lasting filter
Cons
- Filter gets clogged easily
- Flow rate slows down in time
- The hand pump can fail
SimPure Gravity Water Filter Straw
The SimPure Gravity Water Filter Straw is great for groups or families exploring the great outdoors.
It is a bit different from the first three in that, more than just the straw, you also get a carrying pouch and a gravity-fed bladder.
With this, you can refill the bag as you pass through natural water sources and have the water filtered as you go.
Product Highlights
Because it comes in a complete kit rolled into one package, you will get the most bang for your buck in the SimPure Gravity Water Filter.
It comes with a superb water filter straw that can last up to 5,000 liters, as well as a reusable water bladder, a storage bag, and some more miscellaneous items.
This package is perfect for individuals looking to not only be able to filter water but also bring the purified water with them.
Most water straw filters are just that. You can only use them to directly drink from a water source. This product solves that issue for you.
You can hang the bladder, and the clamp for gravity feeding lets you turn it on and off like a faucet.
The 29.5-inch extension tube makes it convenient to get water from a natural source, fill up the bladder, and continue on your way.
The Good
The SimPure Gravity Water Filter has everything you need in a water filtration system on the go.
Using it is as easy as filling up the bladder with water, hanging it from a tree, and attaching the water filter straw.
You can set it up like a faucet, or you can drink directly from the straw using the various attachments included.
Thanks to the gravity-fed bladder system, several people can safely use this product at the same time.
The Bad
Even though this is a fantastic on-the-go water filtration kit, it does have some downsides.
For one, it can be a challenge to clean and flush out, leaving it vulnerable to mold after multiple uses.
The filter can also get clogged and is difficult to back rinse or backflush.
SimPure Gravity Water Filter Straw video review
Pros
- Convenient to use
- Great long-lasting filter
- Easy to carry
- Perfect for groups
Cons
- Difficult to clean and back rinse
- The included cap may not fit your water bottle
Hipoten Water Filter Straw, 2-Pack
The Hipoten Water Filter Straw is a lightweight, compact water-filtering device measuring 8.8 inches by 1.2 inches.
You can easily bring it along on camping and hiking trips or even use it around the house.
Product Highlights
The main highlight of the Hipoten Water Filter Straw is its compact build.
When hiking or camping, drinking water might just be your heaviest resource to pack and carry.
However, thanks to water filter straws, you now have a compact solution to this serious problem.
By utilizing a water filter straw, you can eliminate much of the water you need to bring with you because you can drink from natural water sources instead.
Its superb water filtration technology effectively removes harmful bacteria and particles from the water, ensuring your safety.
The filtration method used is a coconut shell-activated carbon system.
It uses hollow ultrafiltration membranes and a four-stage filtration system to ensure all metals, dangerous minerals, debris, and bacteria are removed from the water.
This will enable you to drink from a clear flowing river or a muddy puddle without worrying about infection.
The Good
As one of the best survival water filters today, you can expect a lot of use from this product.
It boasts up to 1,500 liters of filtration capacity, which means it can last you a couple of years, depending on how much you use it.
It is a great tool that will continually provide you with clean water, no matter where you are.
The Bad
You might find it difficult to suck water through this filter straw due to its low flow rate.
This may not be a downside to some people, but it can become a challenge for some to use properly, especially children.
The low flow rate makes it hard to back rinse the straw as well.
Read the full Hipoten Water Filter Straw, 2-Pack review
Pros
- Impressive filtration
- Compact size
- Will last a long time
- Also comes in a four-pack
Cons
- Slow flow rate
- Not easy to back rinse
Best Water Filter Buyer’s Guide
With the seemingly endless choices available, finding the best water filter for survival can be challenging.
To help you out, we’ll walk you through the most important factors to take into consideration.
1. Filtration
The standard filtration system for this kind of product is activated carbon, letting you filter even the dirtiest supply.
Some higher-end brands even come with advanced activated carbon filters with an ion exchange for even better filtration.
In turn, you can rest assured you won’t be ingesting bacteria and falling ill from drinking water from natural sources.
2. Portability
Other key features to watch out for are portability and convenience.
Many of them come in a lightweight and compact build, so you can easily carry them on you or pack them away in your bag.
3. Ease of Use
With this, you do not have to deal with tablets or other kinds of chemicals that can be lost or even fail.
Basically speaking, these filter straws are plug-and-play.
All you have to do is find a water source, and you’d be able to drink clean water right away.
Survival Water Filter FAQS
1. What water filter removes viruses?
Typically, hollow fiber water filters are quite effective in removing viruses.
However, a lot goes into this, such as the quality of the hollow fiber, the pore size, and the kind of product being used.
A survival water filter will typically feature a pore size of 0.2 microns, which is excellent against bacteria.
However, if you want to filter out viruses, you need to get a backpacking purifier.
2. How do you filter and purify water for survival?
There are multiple ways to filter and purify water in a survival situation.
The easiest is through a water filtration system, such as a water filter straw, which can almost instantly remove 99 percent of contaminants.
However, if you are worried about viruses, which can slip through a typical filtration system, you will need to purify your supply.
You can do this using tablets, boiling it, or through a water purification hollow fiber filter with a pore size of 0.02 microns.
3. How can you tell if water is safe to drink in the wild?
When looking for safe water to drink out in the wild, your safest bet will be flowing sources of water, such as rivers and streams.
The movement of the water will minimize the chances of bacteria being able to grow and breed.
The safest option would be a smaller stream, as it reduces the chances of pollution flowing with it because of a town.
Rainwater is also safe to drink.
In this case, it is a good idea to set out containers, such as a tarp with a large surface area, to capture as much rainwater as possible.
4. How can I naturally purify water?
The most effective and simplest method to purify water naturally is by boiling it.
This will reduce the presence of viruses, bacteria, and parasites in the water.
It will not remove every kind of chemical pollution, but it will ensure that the water will be safe to drink.
Another method is simply using the sun, which can take hours but is doable.
To do this, place water in a clear food-grade container and leave it out in the sun.
Solar radiation and heat will eliminate pathogens in the water.
5. Can rain water kill you?
For the most part, drinking rainwater won’t kill you.
However, do not drink it from radiated sites and through runs off of buildings.
Also, make sure the containers you are using to collect rainwater are clean.
Which Is the Best Water Filter for Survival?
From the five choices, it is easy to see that the SimPure Gravity Water Filter comes out as the best.
Not only does it have the longest-lasting filter at 5,000 liters, but it also comes with a gravity-fed bladder.
This addition can store enough water supply for multiple people, as well as bring water to a different site.
You can also use the included water filter straw to drink directly from a water source.
With all of these add-ons, you are sure to get the best of both worlds.