Water purification has never looked so cool. Though Ive had mixed feelings about the overall usefulness of the Grayl Geopress Ti, my final assessment always comes back to the same point: Its fun as hell to use. Theres an undeniable joy from hefting this sleek water bottle into a stream and drinking the purified product through solid titanium.

　　However, making a titanium version of Grayls plastic purifiers allows for an additional use: It doubles as a cook pot. Thats a neat plot twist, but is it a good choice for prolonged hiking trips? Ultralight obsessives might find plenty to argue about with that one, but Id say the answer is not so clear-cut.

　　For 2-3-day solo trips, I found the Geopress Ti worked great for purifying water on the go, or boiling it for a rehydrated meal. But those were casual hikes on the Appalachian Trail. With its weight, bulkiness, and $220 price, the Geopress Ti seems unlikely to become a standard trail item. But I see this an excellent option for international travel to countries with dubious water quality.

　　Stove and gas are not included with the Grayl Geopress Ti; (photo/Andrew McLemore) In short: Making a titanium Geopress is a bold move. Given the multiuse design and attractive aesthetic, I wouldnt be surprised to see more casual hikers sporting these bombproof bottles. But those looking for minimal weight and bulkiness — or a cheap price tag — will prefer something different.

　　Grayl Geopress Ti Geopress Ti

　　(Photo/Grayl) Specs Capacity 24 oz. Weight 20.125 oz. Height 10.125 Diameter (at base) 3.25 Materials Titanium, BPA-FREE polypropylene #5, food-grade silicone, TPE and ABS food-grade plastic. Fastest flow rate 8 seconds per 24 oz. (5 L per minute) Pros Beautiful aesthetic Fun to use Effective filter Double as cook pot Cons Heavy Expensive Andrew McLemore Grayl Geopress Ti Review The classic Geopress has become the go-to choice for many hikers looking for reliable water purification in a lightweight package. Constructing portable purifiers from plastic makes them ideal for backcountry camping trips, and many modern brands —Grayl, LifeStraw, and Sawyer — have followed that strategy.

　　Even among the competition, Grayls filtration technology has stood out for its reliable purification of even the nastiest water. For those unfamiliar, the Geopress design involves filling the bottles outer cup from a stream or lake, then slowly (sometimes laboriously) pressing down on the inner cup, which forces the water through a filter. Once the purifying inner cup is completely inside the outer sleeve, youve got 24 ounces of drinkable water.

　　Filling up at the river; (photo/Andrew McLemore) But reimagining Grayls same design in all metal yields a surprising function: a titanium sleeve that serves as a Jetboil-style cook pot. After all, the original plastic version merely served as the receptacle for unpurified water. By making it metal, hikers now get a durable cup for boiling water. According to Grayl, its tough enough to survive a 10-foot drop onto concrete without damage.

　　Also, the inclusion of two butterfly handles allows you to move the heated metal on or off a flame. This results in an interesting advantage over a Jetboil, for example. The simplicity of the titanium cup means you dont technically need a stove. The titanium sleeve will boil water just fine over a campfire —just make sure you protect your hands when moving it.

　　With a pocket stove, the Geopress Grayl isnt going to boil water as fast as a Jetboil Flash. But the option to ditch the stove altogether may offer sufficient advantage for many hikers. By combining these two pillars of camping (water purification and cooking), Grayl has created a potential way for hikers to trim their kit.

　　(Photo/Andrew McLemore) In the Field: Water Purification I found myself excited to use the Geopress Ti during three multiday hikes in the mountains of northern Georgia. Using it to purify water from streams along the way felt like a fun side quest rather than a chore. Personally, I relish the effort of pushing down the filter to quickly cleanse a couple hours worth of water. But I can see how some people may not look forward to the extra physical effort required.

　　However, the bottles 24-ounce capacity isnt enough to keep you hydrated for long distances, so I brought along a 32-ounce Nalgene to carry extra. I was dubious at first about Grayls claims that its filter will purify water faster than the LifeStraw and Sawyer products Ive used, but I was quickly proven wrong.

　　Though pressing down does take some effort, it still only took me 2-3 minutes to fill up both the Nalgene and Geopress Ti. For purification, Im not convinced this strategy is the most efficient or lightweight, but it was effective and enjoyable.

　　(Photo/Andrew McLemore) In the Field: Cooking Cooking with the Geopress Ti is more of a mixed bag. It will get the job done, but not easily or quickly. When I wanted a hot lunch, I just grabbed a pocket stove and gas tank to boil some water for my Backpackers Pantry meals. Even when filled with water, the outer cup balances decently well on the small stove, but youll want to keep an eye on it. The slightest wind gust is still liable to knock it over.

　　Moreover, Im not sold on the G-Ti Cook Lid. This $25 accessory is meant to pop on the outer cup for quicker cooking, smoother pouring, and effortless straining, according to Grayl. The strainer isnt too shabby, but pouring and boiling still work fine without the lid. In fact, it took me at least 4 minutes to boil water in the Geopress, whether I used the cook lid or not.

　　To pour, I just used a T-shirt or other clothing to grab the handles without burning myself. Overall, cooking with the Geopress Ti worked fine, though I missed my Jetboil when it was time for dinner. When youre starving, even a 5-minute wait for boiling water can feel interminable. Again, it feels like the Geopress Ti functions great for casual outings — not so much for hikes on the bleeding edge of difficulty.

　　(Photo/Andrew McLemore) Considering Weight and Price Many hikers will take one look at the weight and price of a Geopress Ti and walk the other way. After crunching the numbers, its clear there are other options for those who want to spend —and carry — less.

　　For example, you could replace a Geopress Tis basic functions with a $130 Jetboil Flash and a $44 LifeStraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze 1L Bottle With Filter. Bought together, youd spend $154 —a fair bit less than the $220 Geopress Ti.

　　In combined weight, the two items come out to 17 ounces (13 ounces for the Jetboil and 4 ounces for the LifeStraw). Thats still 3 ounces lighter than the 20-ounce Geopress Ti.

　　So, the math for some hikers will simply not check out when weighing the Geopress Ti against other ways to organize their kits.

　　However, I could see the Geopress Ti occupying a sweet spot among international travelers. I used my LifeStraw Go for years while traveling throughout South America. I can already tell that I would vastly prefer the Geopress Ti in that context. Its more durable, wont leak water, and doesnt have a detachable lid (I always lose them).

　　It only takes about three plunges to fill up a Nalgene and the Geopress with purified water; (photo/Andrew McLemore) Grayl Geopress Ti: Final Verdict Grayls Geopress Ti has everything I love about outdoor gear: Its innovative, multifunctional, and durable. And with a topographic map decorating the outer cup, its also quite fetching.

　　For experienced hikers and campers, it wont reinvent the wheel or convert them away from other options. But the beauty of nature is we dont all have to enjoy it the same way. The Geopress Ti feels substantive and durable in a way that lots of outdoorsy folks will immediately appreciate.

　　This filter/cook pot hybrid may find even more converts among travelers looking for a tough purifier bottle. Bringing along a bottle like this not only supplies safe drinking water, butit also cuts down on plastic waste. Could they spend $100 on a normal Grayl Geopress and get the same results? Probably. Will it look as cool as this one? Doubtful.

　　11 Ounces, 1,300 Gallons: LifeSaver Wayfarer Packable Water Purifier ReviewUnlike other filters on the market, the LifeSaver Wayfarer blocks viruses from passing through its hollow fiber membrane filters — it's rated to one of the highest levels of certified water protection. Read more

　　Andrew McLemore