Water filter (hollow fiber)
WaterCompact squeeze/straw filter that removes bacteria and protozoa from wild water.
- Approx. cost
- $20–$45
- Weight
- 2–4 oz
- Used in
- 1 kit
Purpose
Make streams, lakes, and questionable taps safe to drink on trips and in emergencies.
More specific types
“Water Filter” is a broad category in the shared vocabulary — kits can also reference these narrower types:
- Squeeze FilterSubtype
Hollow-fiber filter you squeeze water through — the lightweight default.
- Purification TabletsSubtype
Chemical treatment — slow but nearly weightless backup.
Used in kits
- Compact Camping Kit
Camping
Alternatives
- Purification tablets— Weigh nothing; 30-min wait and a taste.
- Boiling— Always works; costs fuel and time.
Maintenance notes
- Backflush after trips to maintain flow rate.
- CRITICAL: a hollow-fiber filter that has frozen while wet is silently ruined — replace it.
Buying considerations
- Check compatibility with standard soda-bottle threads.
- Note the filter’s rated lifetime in liters.
⚠️ Safety notes
- Hollow-fiber filters do not remove viruses or chemicals — fine for North American backcountry, insufficient for sewage-contaminated water.
Page history & editing
Revision status: approved Last edited 2026-07-01 by human editor