A detailed review of the Titanium Grayl UltraPress water bottle purifier for travel, hiking, and backcountry backpacking.
For over half a decade of non-stop travel, my Grayl water bottle filter has been an indispensable part of my everyday life. This water purifier has allowed me to ditch single-use plastic bottles while traveling and gives me the peace of mind that I have access to clean drinking water whether it’s sourced from the precarious taps of Kathmandu or jungle streams of Colombia.
That’s why, when Grayl released their latest purifier, the UltraPress Ti which promised a fusion of a water purifier, a sports bottle, and even a cooking pot, all encased in a sturdy titanium shell—I didn’t waste any time getting my hands on one.
I’ve now been using the new UltraPress Titanium for the past year below I’ll give you a detailed review of the Cadillac of water purifiers to help you make the call on whether this bottle is worth the price tag for you.
Why You Can Trust This Review
Hi, I'm Olly, I've been traveling full-time for 6+ years and have used several of Grayl's water purifiers on trips all over the world, from the slopes of Kilimanjaro to back-alleys of Mumbai. I've also used and reviewed more than 10 other water filter bottles for travel.
In this review, I put the UltraPress Titanium to the test on a month-long trip through New Zealand to help you know what to expect from this bottle.
Grayl Ultrapress Ti - Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | CP4 Grade 1 Titanium, BPA-FREE Polypropylene, Food-Grade Silicone |
| Weight | 14.1 oz (400g) |
| Capacity | 16.9 fl oz (500 ml) |
| Filtration Time | 10 seconds per 16.9 fl oz (3L/min) |
| Pathogen Removal | 99.99% Viruses, 99.9999% Bacteria, 99.9% Protozoa |
| Chemical Adsorption | Removes PFAS, VOCs, Pesticides, Herbicides, Heavy Metals |
| Durability | Withstands 6 ft drops onto concrete |
| Cartridge Lifespan | 300 presses (150L/40 gal) |
| Multi-Functionality | Compatible with electrolytes and drink mixes, heats water, cooks food |
| Additional Features | Paracord D-Ring Loop, One-way Silicone Valve |
| Warranty | 10-Year Warranty |
Overview and First Impressions
The Grayl UltraPress Ti is a versatile water purification bottle designed for hikers, travelers, or survival enthusiasts who seek durability and multi-functionality in an easy-to-use and packable solution.
When it comes to water purification bottles, the Grayl Titanium UltraPress is by far a standout. Though it offers the same physical size and identical feature set to the UltraPress in terms of water purification (it uses the same UltraPress cartridges– more on this below), its titanium build and fold-out handles on the outer section mean that it also doubles as an ultralight backpacking stove.
This isn't just a neat feature; it directly impacts how much gear I need to carry, thereby reducing my overall pack weight and bulk.
Furthermore, after having used the Grayl GeoPress for a few years, the 0.5L size is much easier to stow and carry on longer trips and hikes.
Besides the premium price tag, my first impression of this bottle is that the look and design feel like a premium product. It is clear that this bottle is built to last and designed for rigorous use, and let's be honest, it looks great.
Cost & Where to Buy the Grayl Titanium UltraPress
You can buy the UltraPress Titanium on Grayl's website for $199.95 USD.
Yes, it's a hefty price for a water purifier bottle. However, there is just nothing else like it on the market. Considering the multi-use aspect, cost savings of not purchasing a separate cookpot, and overall quality, you can see why this water-purifying Swiss-army knife is so popular.
Pros & Cons of Using the UltraPress Ti
Pros
- Durable Build of CP4 Grade 1 Titanium, ensuring robustness and longevity.
- Multifunctional & functions as a water purifier, sports bottle, and backpacking stove.
- Amazing filtration, removes 99.99% of viruses, 99.9999% of bacteria, and 99.9% of protozoa.
- Filters water in just 10 seconds.
- Weighs only 14.1 oz (400g), easy to carry on long hikes.
- 0.5L capacity makes it easy to stow and carry.
- Comes with fold-out handles, a paracord D-ring loop, and a one-way silicone valve.
- Suitable for use with electrolytes and drink mixes, heats water, and cooks food.
- Comes with a 10-year warranty.
Cons
- At $199.95, it is significantly more expensive than other water purifiers.
- 0.5L capacity might be insufficient for longer trips without frequent refills.
- The cookpot feature may not be necessary for casual travelers or day hikers.
- Requires regular cleaning, especially after using electrolytes or other drink mixes.
How the Grayl UltraPress Ti Works
Grayl bottles have three main parts: the Outer Cup, which holds the dirty water, the Filter Cartridge which filters the water, and the Inner Press, which stores the purified water.
These purifying bottles work by scooping or pouring unpurified water into the Outer Cup. Then, the Inner Press is inserted and pressed into the Outer Cup, forcing water to pass through the electroadsorptive media filter inside the cartridge to capture pathogens and inorganic contaminants and pass purified water into the Inner Press.
The Grayl UltraPress works in this exact way. However, the key difference is that both the Inner Press and the Outer Cup are made of CP4 Grade 1 Titanium.
Testing the Grayl UltraPress: My Review
Over the past few months, I've been using the Titanium Grayl UltraPress on a daily basis. Below are my findings.
Read: Grayl GeoPress vs UltraPress
Filter & Purifying Process
As expected, the Titanium version of the UltraPress performs just as well as the regular UltraPress and the GeoPress in terms of ease of press and clean-tasting drinking water.
This is primarily due to the fact that the bottle uses the same UltraPress cartridge. This is great as you can easily purchase replacements almost anywhere.
However, I have noticed that my Titanium UltraPress doesn't have the "squirting" issue that I've experienced with my regular UltraPress. I'm glad that it seems that Grayl has managed to resolve this with its new cartridges.
Overall, it usually takes me around 10-15 seconds to purify 0.5L of water through the bottle.
Using the Grayl Titanium Outer Cup as a Backpacking Stove
Switching from filtering water to cooking a dehydrated backpacking meal is where the Grayl Titanium UltraPress shows its genius.
The titanium Outer Cup comes with fold-out handles, making it easy to place on top of a compact backpacking stove, or near a direct flame or hot coals. The handles are sturdy, folding neatly into the side of the cup when not in use, so this functionality doesn't compromise the bottle's primary purpose: water purification.
I ditched my regular Titanium cook pot on a recent overnight hike in Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand. I used the Grayl UltraPress to heat up water for my dehydrated meals and even managed to cook my oats in the Outer Cup.
The titanium build means that the heats quickly and quite evenly. There was no sign of warping or disfiguration even after multiple uses, and the bottle was quite easy to clean. Best of all, the filtered water didn't taste like last night's dinner, which is what I was a little worried about initially.
Since the Outer Cup of the UltraPress Ti takes on multiple roles, I can afford to leave behind some cookware, simplifying my packing list and lightening my load. For multi-day hikers put off by the price tag, consider the cost-savings of not needing to purchase a separate cookpot.
Testing the Pre-Installed One-Way Silicone Cartridge Valve
The UltraPress Titanium has a built-in one-way silicone cartridge valve, allowing you to mix in electrolytes or other drink enhancers without affecting the filter's effectiveness or the taste of purified water.
Although seemingly a marginal improvement over the older Grayl cartridges, as someone who often carries electrolytes on demanding hikes, this is a game changer. Previously, if I wanted an electrolyte mix, I was forced to carry an additional bottle or bladder.
I tried out the one-way valve using Skratch Lab's hydration mix and was pleased to find that after a quick rinse with clean water, the bottle didn't retain any leftover flavors when I purified water the next time.
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The Verdict
This purifier has taken quite the beating but has never led my gut astray. If you can't tell, I'm a big fan of Grayl's products.
After extensive use on trails, and campsites, and as a bullet-proof water purifier for international travels, the Grayl Titanium UltraPress has proven itself to be more than just a water bottle; it's a versatile piece of essential gear that I take everywhere.
The titanium construction provides durability without adding weight, and its multifunctionality as a cookpot makes it an invaluable addition to my packing list. Additionally, the one-way silicone valve allows for flexibility in beverage choices without compromising filter integrity, making it unparalleled in its category.
That said, with the $199.95 price tag, you'll want to ask yourself whether you really need this bottle. For travelers or light day hikers who really won't use this bottle as a cookstove, get yourself a regular UltraPress or a GeoPress.
But, if you value premium build quality, a 10-year warranty, and the multi-purpose aspect of this bottle, then I believe there isn't anything else out there that can compete with the Grayl UltraPress Ti.
