Positive, you can screw a Sawyer Mini onto a Platypus drinking water bottle, or use a Lifestraw to consume correct from a creek, but there is one thing so quick and straightforward about a hydration bladder that a water filter that attaches to a bladder’s drink tube is about as great as it will get.

And that is MSR’s Thru-Backlink filter.

It’s tiny, ’bout the size of a banana. It clips very easily on to most hydration bladders, so there is no need to lower tubes and futz with finicky adapters, like you will offer with if you check out this with most inline filters. MSR made this 1 specially for hydration bladders and it is effective completely.

I appreciate it on bike rides. I use the Patagonia Nine Trails hip pack when using, and clip the Via-Connection onto the pack’s included bladder. When I hit a burbling creek, I top off the bladder and I’m up and using again in a minute.

The suitable filter for cyclists or hikers out on spring trails when creeks are flowing.

And it’s economical, at about $40.

• BUY: REI

– Justin Housman