I owned a Brita for a while.

In an attempt to be eco-friendly and cut down on my water bottle usage, I purchased one at Target and put it in my fridge. Since then, it has been nothing but a hassle. Not only does it take forever to fill, the filter seems to constantly need replacing. The worst part is it is big and bulky, and almost every time I am pouring a glass of water, without fail, the top falls to the ground and covers me with water.

When CamelBak announced that they were releasing a new water pitcher, I jumped at the chance to try it. CamelBak is already well-known for their hydration packs and water bottles. Their small water bottle filtration systems are also widely used by hikers and campers, making a group hike without someone bringing a CamelBak product extremely rare. With the addition of this pitcher, I think we will be seeing more CamelBak products not only around the campfire, but in our homes.

By simply tweaking the common water pitcher design, CamelBak has offered a superior product. Like other filters on the market, the carbon filters are plant-based and promise to remove 97 percent of chlorine, taste, and odor from your tap water. CamelBak’s pleated filter design offers double filtration, once as you fill the pitcher and again as you pour it. This double filtration system delivers a crisp, clean taste every time.

Putting the pitcher together was a snap, literally. The filter easily snapped in place after a quick rinse, and the top securely snapped shut to ensure that my days covered in water are a thing of the past. The water also passed through the filter at the speed of the faucet, so I could immediately pour myself a glass once I hit the 10-cup fill mark.

I was impressed by other parts of the design, including a spout that, though it looked wide, poured the water in a smaller stream, allowing me to fill my water bottle with ease. The narrow, square design of the pitcher fit perfectly in my stocked fridge. When it was really packed, the pitcher was narrow enough to fit in the door as well. This square frame also makes the pitcher portable, allowing it to be easily packed alongside, on top, or below other camping gear.

Dishwasher-friendly, and with a filter that lasts four months, this pitcher could not be easier to maintain. I was also impressed by the price—at $36.99 this pitcher goes for about the same as its competitors. The difference is the $30 dollar pack of replacement filters that, though it may seem steep when you buy it, last twice as long as others, meaning that you are getting more bang for your buck.

It is easy to see why this product is getting rave reviews. I will be using mine for a long time.

Images courtesy Lauren Montemurri