Overall Score
- Ease of Use 85%
- Durability 90%
- Seal 90%
- Maintenance 75%
- Insulation 30%
Key Takeaways
Truly Innovative Design
A water bottle and powerful filter in one compact unit.
Our Favorite Bottle for International Travel
Easy to transport and enables the user to drink water anywhere in the world.
Must Follow the Instructions Carefully
Use and care are straightforward, but require additional consideration because of the filter.
Design Honors
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Overview
The Grayl GeoPress is a unique water bottle with a built-in filter capable of purifying water from most sources around the world. Grayl advertises that in only eight seconds, users can purify 24 ounces of water and consume it in the same bottle. This innovative product was first launched on Kickstarter and the company exceeded their goal by almost 10X, a testament to the wide appeal of their innovative design.
From a technical perspective, the proprietary filter design has been independently lab tested and is suitable for world travel (please read the manual before using). While there are limitations, it should be able to handle most situations one would encounter hiking domestically or abroad.
HydrationReview took Grayl into the field and tested it in real-world conditions, filtering water from high mountain streams and ponds throughout the Teton range of Wyoming. Temperatures were well above the summertime average, requiring constant hydration. The Grayl was perfect for stopping at each stream crossing or spring and filling up for a steady supply of water that did not have to be carried from the trailhead.
Reviewers found the bottle very functional and were impressed with its size and weight when having to carry it in their backpacks. The GeoPress even won over the skeptic in the group who thought he would prefer his traditional water filtration systems during the trip. This reviewer ended up relying mostly on the GeoPress because of its simplicity and speed of filtration.
Grayl is available in an array of color combinations that could be described as outdoor themed. It can still pass as a normal looking water bottle and is suitable to bring to the office.
While not everyone has a need for a water filter it can serve as a great backup for hikes or international travel. In the case of an accident, such as getting lost, the Grayl GeoPress can step in and provide significant filtering capabilities until potable water is found again. Ultimately it could be the cheapest insurance policy purchased for the trip.
Ease of Use
The GeoPress has an ingenious design, allowing users to collect, filter and drink clean water safely in one vessel at a reasonable weight and size. The 24oz capacity bottle is perfect for fitting into the side of a backpack while still carrying enough water.
Grayl claims that the water in the bottle can be filtered in 8 seconds which seems like a slight exaggeration based on feedback from HR reviewers. Tap water was easy to press but it was harder to press water from a stream in the mountains indicating that the presence of additional particulate matter slows down the filtering process. The average filter time was around 30 seconds and that even required the user to put all their body weight into pressing. It’s important to note that the press really requires the user to have the bottle on an even surface and get their body weight over the bottle to generate enough force. Even so, 30 seconds with light exertion for 24 ounces of clean water is probably faster than every other filtering option, whether it be UV light or a pump filter.
The only notable drawback of the Grayl system is not being able to add electrolytes to the water because of the built in filter. If electrolytes are essential to your trip, plan to bring an extra bottle. All things considered, this still seems like a reasonable tradeoff for having a built in filter. If you can only bring one bottle and still require electrolytes consider an electrolyte gummy like Clif Bloks.
Durability
The Grayl GeoPress is made of a tough plastic and has a reinforced top and mouth that withstood rough handling during testing. It is clearly designed for traveling and getting knocked around. The biggest area of concern for reviewers was the potential damage that freezing temperatures can deliver. The instructions state the filter should be changed after two freeze/thaw cycles. This isn’t a problem if the user is traveling in tropical climates or in the middle of summer but use during shoulder seasons in mountain environments could be tricky. Winter use is completely off the table in certain climates.
It should also be noted that the Grayl GeoPress comes with an impressive ten year warranty covering workmanship and materials. Filters will need to be changed at regular intervals but this holds true for all water filtration devices. Eventually they will be slowed down by the materials they are filtering out of the water.
Seal
The seal performed well in all conditions and showed no signs of leaking. There is a cap on the mouth that can be twisted open for easy drinking and the whole top can come off for refilling the bottle and pressing the filter. The only seal that presented any problems whatsoever was the seal between the filter and the outside bottle. When the filter was first being pressed sometimes a little stream of unfiltered water shot out from below. This could be attributed to user error but is important to keep in mind when filtering water from dangerous sources.
Maintenance
The outer bottle, inner press and cap are all dishwasher safe. The filter and other components are not dishwasher safe which is to be expected. The filter can be emptied by “dry firing” the device and pressing the filter with no water. It can also be cleaned with potable water, but using soap is not advised. Reviewers found it was very easy to disassemble, clean each component, dry and reassemble for more use or storage.
Insulation
The Grayl GeoPress is not designed for temperature control and performed as expected. The single plastic wall allowed heat and cold to escape quickly, bringing the water up to ambient temperature. During testing, cold water (nearly 32°F.) warmed up to room temperature in a little over 2 hours. In hot conditions, water filtered from a cold spring warmed up in under one hour.
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