7 Best Filtered Water Bottles For Travel And Hiking
Have you ever gotten ready to travel to another country like Mexico or India and the first thing your friends say is “don’t drink the water”! Yep, we have all been there with fear of drinking water we shouldn’t and paying for it… Fear no more as I list the best-filtered water bottles that are ideal for travel, hiking, and everyday use!
When traveling to a region that I know has unsafe drinking water, first and foremost I just dread getting sick. And then to waste a number of days of my much-anticipated vacation is a major bummer.
Using a filtered water bottle means eliminating my chances of getting sick by 99.9%. I’ll take that!
With a reusable water bottle, you can carry less water at any given time and just fill up as you go. This is a huge help to your shoulders if on a long hike or during a long travel day flying across the globe.
Plus, think of all the money you will save from not having to buy the crazy expensive water at the airports!
Along with extra money in your pocket, you will have peace of mind knowing that wherever you go whether it is in your own city or abroad, you will always have access to clean water.
You may have heard of Montezuma’s revenge when traveling to Mexico or Delhi belly when visiting India?
If you haven’t already, you don’t want to be added to the club of people that have unfortunately experienced this including me…
Learn from my mistakes and equip yourself with a trustworthy and reliable filtered water bottle to take on your next trip or hike!
Why Use Reusable Water Bottles?
You may have noticed that in the past few years, there is a growing trend to reduce and eliminate single-use plastics. The primary target of this mission is to cut back on or eliminate the number of disposable water bottles.
If you are anything like me, I usually carry a reusable glass or stainless steel water bottle with me everywhere.
But I admit when traveling abroad or in an area that I know the water is not safe I have usually fallen back on buying disposable water bottles. Mainly due to the fear of spending my entire trip in the bathroom…
No doubt they are convenient but over the past few years, we have realized how bad one-use plastic bottles are for the environment.
For example, in the past, I could easily drink 8 – 10 small water bottles a day when traveling. Which is a lot of waste!
Then I progressed to buying one small bottle and a huge one that used to refill the smaller one repeatedly. Although slightly better, it is still very wasteful.
The reusable water bottles I use at home don’t have any filtering system so those are not good options when traveling away from the U.S.
Hence came the search to find the best-filtered water bottles for travel so that I could stay safe when drinking suspicious water and be more sustainable.
Here’s to not having to drinking bad-tasting, smelly, and/or pathogen-filled water!
Is A Filtered Water Bottle Worth It For Travel?
Some might ask the question, “is it worth getting a filtered water bottle as they aren’t cheap? And the answer is YES! Three major reasons that will make it worth it, are saving you money, saving the environment, and saving your body.
If the price is what is holding you back, think again… All of these water bottles listed here range from $35 to $90, so yes, it is a small investment that is completely worth it.
On an average day, if you are drinking one-use water bottles, it can cost you anywhere from $15 – $40 a day and possibly more in places like Vegas or any airport. Imagine if you are spending that much per day over 1-2 weeks?
If saving your wallet isn’t enough inspiration, think about much waste you are saving. We could all drastically cut back or eliminate disposable plastic and it would have a significant impact on helping the environment.
We would be contributing to a solution of reducing the burden of waste that is already too much for the environment to handle.
Lastly, if you have ever gotten sick while traveling it is the worst! When I was a teenager, I got Hepatitis A in Europe which ended up being a 4-month long battle that I almost didn’t recover from.
Then there was the time I let my guard down in Goa and well I spent two days hugging and sitting on a toilet. The worst was that the place I was staying at had no air conditioning and it was over 100 F with insane humidity…
I could go on but let’s just say you are not only saving your trip but your body from the painful experience of getting sick away from home.
Where Do I Need To Use A Filtered Water Bottle?
So now that you are convinced of the many benefits of having a filtered water bottle handy, where can you use it?
You can use it at home to improve the taste of your tap water, tap water in other countries, well water, rivers, lakes, or any other source of water other than saltwater (ocean).
When traveling to countries that have poor quality water, I would use the water from a filtered water bottle to brush my teeth and wash my face to be on the safe side.
Basically, any water that you want to drink and the quality is suspect, then when in doubt use a reusable filtered water bottle.
Types of Water Bottle Filters
There are two main types of water filters used on the travel water bottles listed below, all with varying pros and cons.
1. Carbon or Charcoal filters
My personal preference is using a water bottle that has activated carbon also referred to as activated charcoal. Overall, these filters will remove 99.9% of everything that you don’t want in your water.
As water runs through the carbon filter, it adsorbs any chemicals, bacteria, and anything else that shouldn’t be in clean drinking water.
2. Reverse Osmosis
With reverse osmosis, water flows through the filter removing impurities through a membrane by suction action. The suction occurs when you sip on the straw and draw up the water forcing the water through.
Reverse osmosis filters can remove particles and improve taste, but they are not always as good at removing things like chlorine, organic compounds, and some dangerous chemicals.
Note: With any of the water bottles mentioned, you can use any type of water source EXCEPT saltwater.
Water Bottle Size
All of these water bottles are fantastic, but one of the biggest things to consider is the size or ounces it carries. And that all depends on how you are likely to use the bottle. If I am running to catch a plane, train, or walking in a city all day, then the last thing I want to carry is a large bottle.
But if I am camping or possibly my home water supply is contaminated due to a hurricane or flood then having the largest size bottle is awesome.
A normal size disposable water bottle you see in most locations is a 16 oz size bottle. The bottles listed here range from 16 oz to 34 oz and should be a consideration when selecting one.
Note: The first 4 reusable water bottles with filters listed are my top choices for international travel and all-around use. But each water bottle serves a great purpose so keep reading to find out what they are!
Best Filtered Water Bottles For Travel
1. GRAYL Ultralight Water Purifier Bottle
So, what makes GRAYL water bottles stand out? They have pretty much everything you would need when traveling or hiking. The GRAYL Ultrapress Water Purifier is the smaller and more compact version of the next bottle on our list with a capacity to carry 16.9 oz of water at a time.
It can easily fit into a backpack pocket, a car cup holder or in a bag which makes it very convenient to travel with. The last thing anyone wants is a heavy or bulky item to add to an already full bag.
The GRAYL technology uses an activated charcoal filter that removes practically everything. The GRAYL Ultrapress Water Purifier removes 99.9% of viruses, bacteria, and protozoan cysts that also include Hepatitis A, Norovirus, Rotavirus, E. coli, Dysentery, Cholera, Salmonella, and more.
It also filters out any chemicals, pesticides, metals, and any funky smells from the water so that each sip you take is refreshing and healthy.
And as an added bonus the GRAYL Ultrapress can filter the entire bottle of 16.9 oz in 10 seconds! That is pretty impressive and convenient when you don’t have time to boil water, etc…
Ounces: 16.9 fluid ounces (500 ml)
Filter Lifetime: 40 gallons or 300 presses (2-3 months of daily use)
Material: BPA-free Plastic
Bottle weight: 12.5 oz
Best Uses:
- travel anywhere in the world
- hiking
- camping
- sailing or boating
- anywhere that has unsafe drinking water
Pros
- super lightweight making it awesome for travel and hiking!
- removes 99.9% of viruses, bacteria, and protozoa
- filters 99.9% of all chemicals, odors, metals, and bad tastes
- very fast! The entire 16.9 oz is filtered in 10 seconds!
- the perfect size water bottle for anyone on the go, even for everyday use in your car
- great taste and clarity after filtering
Cons
- doesn’t have a sipping lid like the larger Geopress model below
- for those that have arthritis, it may be a little difficult to press the filter into the bottle
- if you are looking for a bottle capacity of more than 16.9 oz this may not serve your needs
Buy GRAYL Ultrapress Purifier Bottle Direct on GRAYL!
Buy the GRAYL UltraPress Purifier Bottle on Amazon!
2. GRAYL Geopress Purifier Water Bottle
GRAYL has top-notch quality when it comes to their water bottles that keeps all the gunk and harmful pathogens out of your water. The GRAYL GeoPress Purifier Water Bottle has all the great benefits of the Ultralight mentioned above with some added bonuses.
The GRAYL GeoPress is a larger bottle holding 24 ounces of water and is great when you might be in the wilderness, sailing, or backpacking for extended periods of time and need access to more water.
As with the Ultralight, the GeoPress removes 99.9% of all viruses, bacteria, and protozoa from the water once filtered. It also filters any chemicals, bad tastes, metals, pesticides, and odors out of the water.
One feature I really like and wish was available for the smaller Ultralight is that the GeoPress has a sipping lid which they call the SimpleVent Drink Cap. This cap vents air while purifying and protects against dirt or potential cross-contamination.
If you thought the Ultralight filtered fast then be really wowed that it can filter the 24 oz in 8 seconds!
When contemplating which GRAYL purifier water bottle to get, I would choose the Ultralight for more everyday use, travel, on a plane, day hikes, etc… If you are going to be camping in the wilderness and need more water, then the larger GeoPress would be my go-to.
You can’t go wrong with either, it really comes down to the size and which you would prefer. Having both is excellent so you can choose which one to use based on the activity.
Ounces: 24 fluid ounces (710 ml)
Filter Lifetime: 65 gallons or 350 presses
Material: BPA-free plastic
Bottle weight: 15.9 oz (450g)
Best Uses:
- travel, although not as convenient as the Ultralight (#1)
- hiking
- camping
- sailing or boating
- anywhere that has unsafe drinking water
Pros
- filters water in 8 seconds!
- great taste and clarity after filtering
- has a sipping lid that makes drinking easy
- removes 99.9% of all viruses, bacteria, chemicals, metals, bad taste, etc…
- 24-ounce capacity for those longer backpacking or camping trips
- non-slip bottom
Cons
- not as lightweight as the GRAYL Ultralight
- doesn’t fit into drink holders as well
- for those that have arthritis, it may be a little difficult to press the filter into the bottle.
Buy GRAYL GeoPress Purifier Bottle Direct on GRAYL!
Buy the GRAYL GeoPress Purifier Water Bottle on Amazon!
3. Epic Nalgene OG Ultimate Travel Bottle
Nalgene has been making great water bottles for years but the Epic Nalgene OG Ultimate Travel Bottle is the go-to choice for travel, hiking, or camping. As its name implies, it is pretty epic!
This bottle is perfect for any use whether you use it for travel, at work, running errands, or on a day hike.
But if you are planning a long trek, camping, or plan to visit a country with unsafe water sources then this bottle is awesome too with the protection you need.
With the Epic Nalgene OG Ultimate Travel Bottle, you won’t be stressing about whether you might get sick, which is a huge blessing when water is murky, smelly, or coming from the tap in a 3rd world country! On top of providing safe drinking water, it tastes great too!
As far as quality goes, I would rate this as a winning choice along with GRAYL bottles when looking for the highest quality and the most protection against 99.9% of pathogens, chemicals, and more.
Ounces: 32 fluid ounces (946 ml)
Filter Lifetime: 100 gallons or 380 liters (6-8 months of daily use)
Material: BPA-free plastic
Bottle weight: 7.4 oz (210 g)
Best Uses:
- travel (excellent choice for travel to any country in the world)
- hiking and backpacking
- camping
- everyday use (if you only plan to use in the U.S., they have the Urban filter better suited for you)
- rock climbing as it can clip to your belt
Pros
- removes 99.9% of viruses, bacteria, and cysts
- removes 99.9% of lead, chlorine, heavy metals, pesticides, odors, and more!
- holds a large amount of water (32 oz)
- silicone sipping straw in lid
- nice clean look and design
- excellent for travel anywhere
- it’s a squeezable water bottle
- clear so you can see how much water you have
Cons
- if you are looking for a small water bottle, it might be too large for some uses
- doesn’t fit most cup holders in cars or on bikes
Buy the Epic Nalgene OG Ultimate Travel Bottle here!
4. Seychelle Rad/Advanced Filter Water Bottle
The Seychelle Rad/Advanced Filter Water Bottle is another favorite and awesome for everyday use, travel, camping, and hiking. Of all the bottles, it might be one of the best for everyday use if you live where water is from a well or in a city where the water is contaminated.
The Rad/Advanced filter uses Ionic Adsorption Micro Filtration that has activated coconut carbon that absorbs or removes 4 types of contaminants from the water. They are biological (viruses/bacteria), chemical, Inorganic (metals, nitrates), and radioactive contaminants.
Seychelle has a few types of bottles, but if you are looking for the best protection against pathogens, chemicals, pesticides, and odors then go with the Seychelle Rad/Advanced Filtered Water Bottle. It removes 99.9% of viruses, bacteria, and other waterborne pathogens so that you are drinking clean and safe water.
It even removes radioactive contaminants such as radium 226 and cesium 137. Hopefully, you don’t live or travel to a place that has radioactive contaminants in the drinking water! But it is comforting to know that the Seychelle Rad/Advanced water bottle will do the job of eliminating it before you sip.
This bottle makes for a great addition to any emergency box in case there is a hurricane, flood, or other natural disasters where drinking water becomes contaminated. Or as part of your camping gear for when you go tent or RV camping.
Ounces: 28 fluid ounces (828 ml)
Filter Lifetime: 100 gallons (6-8 months of daily use)
Material: BPA-free Plastic
Bottle weight: 6.4 oz (181 g)
Best Uses:
- everyday use
- travel anywhere in the world
- hiking
- camping
- fishing
Pros
- filters water immediately and ready to drink
- removes not only 99.9% of viruses and bacteria
- removes chemicals, pesticides, odors, and radioactive contaminants.
- has a sipping straw in the lid
- squeezable bottle and has a non-slip grip
- large bottle size at 28 oz
Cons
- due to the larger bottle size, it isn’t as convenient to travel with on a plane or in a bag.
- some people have reported leaking near the straw or lid area
- If the water level is very low then it might be a little challenging to sip the water up.
Buy the Seychelle Rad/Advanced Filter Water Bottle here!
5. OKO H2O Level-2 Advanced Filtration Water Bottle
The OKO H2O Level-2 Advanced Filtration Water Bottle is an all-around great pick for everyday use to travel, camping, and working out. This filtered water bottle is light, has a sleek design, and can filter up to 100 gallons of water.
The OKO bottle can remove 99.9% of viruses (Hepatitis A, rotavirus), bacteria (E.coli, cholera, salmonella), and parasites. It also removes heavy metals (such as lead), particles, chlorine, and other chemicals.
This bottle uses OKO’s level-2 filter which filters out more than its level-1 filter. If you are using it for everyday use at home to improve taste then the level-1 filter is fine. But if you are traveling and drinking questionable water I would stick with the level-2 filter.
Ounces: 33.8 fluid ounces (1 liter)
Filter Lifetime: 100 gallons (6-8 months of daily use)
Material: BPA-free plastic
Bottle weight: 5.2 oz (147 g)
Best Uses:
- travel
- hiking
- everyday use
- camping
- working out
Pros
- has a level 2 filter which is a plus for traveling the world
- has a large bottle size of 1 liter
- easy to clean and dishwasher safe (bottle only, not filter or lid)
- easy to grip
- O-ring carabineer to hook onto a backpack
- nice and sleek design with a clear bottle
Cons
- might be too big if you are traveling or on the go and want to put it in your bag or backpack
- can be a little tough to suck the water up but that is due to the extra filtering
- not as stable when the bottle is standing on a surface like a table
- although the filter lasts 100 gallons of use, you might want to change it out at 50 gallons for taste
Buy the OKO H2O Level-2 Advanced Filtration Water Bottle here!
6. LifeStraw Go Water Bottle
The LifeStraw Go Water Bottle is an excellent choice for everyday use at home, hiking, working out, and travel within the United States. I would not use this water bottle outside of the U.S. because it does not remove viruses, and heavy metals (lead).
It also isn’t as good at removing bad taste as the rest of the bottles on this list. I personally didn’t care for the taste of the water with LifeStraw compared to GRAYL or Nalgene for example.
Although it reduces chemicals, pesticides, and odor, it does not remove them. On the positive side, it removes 99.9% of bacteria, parasites, and microplastics.
This LifeStraw Go Water Bottle has a 2-stage filtration system with the water passing through the first membrane and then through an activated carbon filter. Considering that it has a 2 stage filtration it seems surprising that it doesn’t filter out more from the water as its competitors do.
I find the filter lifetime to be confusing as the carbon filter lasts 26 gallons and the 1st stage membrane lasts 1,000 gallons. I don’t like that you have to keep track of the filter lifetime for each. Would be much easier to replace the entire filter at one time.
Ounces: 22 fluid ounces (651 ml)
Filter Lifetime: 26 gallons or 100 liters (change every 3 months with everyday use)
Material: BPA-free plastic
Bottle weight: 7.8 ounces (220 g)
Best Uses:
- everyday use
- hiking
- working out
Pros
- reduces chlorine, some chemicals, and odor
- removes 99.9% of bacteria, parasites, and microplastics
- light bottle to carry
Cons
- unfortunately, it does NOT REMOVE viruses
- does NOT REMOVE all chemicals, pesticides, etc only reduces
- does NOT REMOVE heavy metals
- it also does NOT REMOVE bad tastes and odors, just reduces
- sometimes there is leakage and difficulty sipping from the straw
- not good for travel outside of the United States
Buy the LifeStraw Go Water Bottle here!
7. Sawyer Products SP140 Filter Water Bottle
The Sawyer SP140 Filter Water Bottle will last you years without needing to replace the filter so this would be hands down the most economical of the bunch. It also has a convenient sipping straw and is squeezable which makes it great for working out, hiking, or camping.
There is potential for some leaking around the straw but other than that this is a reliable and great option for everyday use, out on a hike, cycling, or camping.
Because it doesn’t filter out larger particles, some chemicals, heavy metals, or radioactive contaminants are not removed as with some of the other bottles listed.
For that reason, I would be hesitant to take to countries such as Asia, Africa, and South America. It is one I would use more at home for everyday use or nearby hikes.
The Sawyer Products SP140 Filter Water bottle uses a double filtration system. The exterior micron filter removes bacteria, dirt, and sediment. The interior foam adsorption technology removes metals, chemicals, pesticides, and viruses.
Ounces: 34 fluid ounces
Filter Lifetime: 100,000 gallons (will last several years if taken care of properly)
Material: BPA-free Plastic
Bottle weight: 5.5 ounces
Best Uses:
- everyday use
- hiking
- camping
- cycling
Pros
- removes 99.9% of all viruses, bacteria, protozoa
- removes 99.9% of pesticides, some metals, and microplastics
- squeezable bottle with sipping straw
- large bottle size holding 34 oz of water but lightweight
- super long-lasting filter lifetime which will save money on more expensive filters from other brands.
- great flow rate
Cons
- does not remove heavy metals, chemicals such as iron, sulfur, or similar compounds
- doesn’t remove larger particles or radioactive contaminants
- sipping straw may sometimes leak
- not the most attractive of the water bottles listed
- may be too big for traveling on the go if you prefer a smaller bottle
- may not be the best option for international travel
Buy the Sawyer SP140 Filter Water Bottle here!
Filtered Water Bottle For Travel Summary
Overall my top picks for a water bottle with filter for travel would be the first 4 reusable water bottles listed.
They are either GRAYL Ultrapress Purifier Water Bottle, GRAYL GeoPress Purifier Water Bottle, Epic Nalgene OG Ultimate Travel Bottle, and the Seychelle Rad/Advanced Filter Water Bottle.
Any of these four filtered water bottles I would trust drinking the water from any country in the world. For those reasons, I would recommend for all uses including international travel.
The OKO H2O Level-2 Advanced Filtration Water Bottle is close behind the top 4 but would rely on more for at-home and everyday use.
The last two bottles listed I would only use at home in the U.S. for everyday use.
Got Travel Insurance?
Don’t leave home without travel insurance as you never know what might happen on a trip! It is always when you least expect it that something can go wrong like getting sick, in an accident or cancellation of some sort. Get a no-obligation quote from two trusted travel insurance companies for peace of mind on your next trip!
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