Sawyer Water Filter How To Use

How to Use a Sawyer Water Filter

In the beginning of our hiking adventures, we carried as much as 3 liters of water with us, which made our packs quite heavy because we didn’t know much about filtering water at the time. When we first started hiking, we realized that we needed to learn how to filter water in order to keep our pack weight as low as possible. Squeeze or Mini filters from Sawyer Products are an excellent choice if you’re searching for a basic and lightweight filter that can be taken on day hikes or camping excursions.

Sawyer provides the most technologically advanced and long-lasting water filtering products available on the market, all of which are remarkably simple to use.

Coli, giardia, vibrio cholerea, salmonella typhi, and leptospirosis from water, making them a vital tool to bring along on multi-day travels when water filtration is required.

In this blog article, we’ll teach you how to utilize your Sawyer filter in the appropriate manner.

• Karla fills the 32 oz.
• Step 2: Replace the cap on the water bag to ensure that the tainted water is sealed inside.
• This was the situation in which we were carrying our squeeze filter.
• Step 4: Remove the cap from the water bag and insert the filter into the pouch’s opening.
• You can drink immediately from the filter and pouch, or you can filter the water into a water bottle or reservoir bladder for later use (i.e.Camelbak).
• Take a look at our video tutorial to learn how to accomplish it here.
• Please have a look at it and let us know if you have any other questions.
• Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System is a type of water filter system.
• Fill in the blanks with your questions in the comments section below.
• Please keep in mind that Sawyer Items is a sponsor of the 52 Hike Challenge, and we only advocate products that we believe will help our community and that we use ourselves.

This page contains affiliate links, which allow us to raise funds for the global 52 Hike Challenge movement. We really appreciate your support of this effort.

MINI Water Filtration System

Outdoor enjoyment, hiking, camping, scouting, local and international travel, and emergency preparedness are all possible with this backpack.

high performance

0.1 Micron absolute inline filter with high performance that fits in the palm of your hand and weighs about 2 ounces; Sawyer manually tested each MINI unit three times to ensure that it met performance criteria in each instance.

compatibility

Attaches to the supplied sipping pouch, as well as to normal disposable water bottles and hydration packs. You may also drink straight from your water source with the provided straw.

removal rates

Eliminates 99.99999 percent of all bacteria (including salmonella, cholera, and E. coli); removes 99.9999 percent of all protozoa (including giardia and cryptosporidium); and removes 100 percent of all microplastics (including microfibers).

kit includes

Up to 100,000-gallon filter capacity; includes one Sawyer MINI filter, 16-ounce reusable squeeze bag, drinking straw (7-inch in length), and cleaning plunger (included). The Sawyer Squeeze Filter is a type of squeeze filter. The Sawyer Squeeze Filter may be used in conjunction with a hydration pack to provide additional protection. Please refer to the videos Sawyer Squeeze with Hydration Pack Using Inline Adapter and Sawyer Squeeze with Fast Fill Adapters for more information on these products.

1. The Sawyer Inline Filter is a type of inline filter.
2. What is the recommended frequency of backwashing my filter?
3. It is a good idea to backwash your filter after storage to re-wet the filters and restore the flow rate before using the filter for the first time.
4. Flow rates are measured.
5. The flow rates are also affected by the altitude (the higher you go, the slower the flow).
6. Is it possible to connect my MINI filter straight to a spigot?
7. The filters are intended to withstand pressures of up to 20 psi, and connecting the filter directly to a water source with a greater water pressure may cause the fibers to become distorted.
8. Prior to the initial wetness If the filter has never been wet, it will remain protected from freezing temperatures.
9. During journeys It is recommended that you keep your filter in your pocket or near to you at all times if you are in frigid weather so that your body heat can keep it from freezing.

More information on Sawyer’s Label Claims and Warranties is available from the company. The results of our independent lab tests, which were conducted in accordance with EPA guidelines, are accessible on our Downloads Page, as is information regarding our filters and their warranties.

Bigger than the trails

Because the products we produce are life-saving, we think we have a moral duty to assist as many people as possible. We have 140 charity partners that assist us in distributing our water filters, providing people all around the world with something that we all require to survive: clean water. It is the heart and soul of our organization. Every day, we commit ourselves to furthering this mission. More information may be found here.

Liberia

Portable water filter that is lightweight and simple to use eliminates hazardous bacteria, protozoa, cysts, silt, and 100 percent of microplastics from water; ideal for outdoor excursions, travel, and emergency preparation situations.

high performance

Micro Squeeze is a high-performance 0.1 Micron absolute inline filter that fits in the palm of your hand and weighs about 2 ounces; Sawyer has independently tested each Micro Squeeze unit three times to ensure that it meets performance criteria.

compatibility

Built-in and removable flip-top sports cap; spray water directly into mouth or bottle from supplied pouch; also fits normal water bottles with 28 mm threads; also fits standard water bottles with 28 mm threads

kits include

In addition to the reusable BPA-free collapsible pouch, the set includes a cleaning plunger, a cleaning coupling, gravity tubing, Inline Hydration Pack Adapters, and a mesh storage bag with a hook for hanging your belongings.

lifetime warranty

A lifetime limited guarantee is provided by the manufacturer (Independent Testing Laboratory Hydreion, LLC; Microbiological Report S05-03); Sawyer has manually tested each Squeeze Filter unit three times to ensure that it meets or exceeds the manufacturer’s specifications. The Sawyer Squeeze Filter may be used in conjunction with a hydration pack to provide additional protection. Please refer to the videos Sawyer Squeeze with Hydration Pack Using Inline Adapter and Sawyer Squeeze with Fast Fill Adapters for more information on these products.

1. The Sawyer Inline Filter – This versatile filter may be used as an inline filter on a hydration pack, as a pre-filter for an existing pump system, with the included faucet adapter, or with a gravity bag, depending on the application.
2. Backwashing your filter is recommended when your flow rate begins to decline, before storing your filter for an extended period of time, and when you are ready to begin using your filter again.
3. What should be the speed at which the water comes out of my filter?
4. The flow rates are also affected by the altitude (the higher you go, the slower the flow).
5. What can I do to keep my filter in good condition during frigid weather?
6. Whether you believe that your filter has been frozen, Sawyer suggests changing it after the initial soaking.
7. If you are traveling in frigid weather, it is recommended that you keep your filter in your pocket or near to you so that your body heat can keep it from being frozen.

More information on Sawyer’s Label Claims and Warranties is available from the company.

Is it true that the Sawyer filter removes the flavor, pollutants, and heavy metals from the water it filters?

Other chemicals and simple compounds are not removed by the Sawyer filter, which excludes iron, sulfur, and other pollutants.

Heavy Metals are substances that are toxic to humans.

While some portable filters contain charcoal, they are lacking in terms of the volume of media and the duration of the dwell period.

As a result, they can only remove trace levels of heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants (when used in real life applications). If at all feasible, try to find better sources of water.

Bigger than the trails

Because the products we produce are life-saving, we think we have a moral duty to assist as many people as possible. We have 140 charity partners that assist us in distributing our water filters, providing people all around the world with something that we all require to survive: clean water. It is the heart and soul of our organization. Every day, we commit ourselves to furthering this mission. More information may be found here.

Liberia

For the past five years or so, I’ve been using a Sawyer Mini water filter. It is my favorite since it is lightweight, tiny, and inexpensive, and I never have to worry about buying a replacement filter for it. The Sawyer Mini, on the other hand, is far from flawless. When you use it, you will run into various difficulties. The good news is that the majority of these problems are rather simple to resolve. Here are a few pointers for utilizing the Sawyer Mini that I’ve learned over the course of my years of experience with it.

• Sawyer Mini Review in its entirety
• How Long Does a Sawyer Mini Last in the Real World

Use a Plastic Bottle Instead of the Pouch

The Sawyer Mini comes with a little bag that attaches to the filter using a screwdriver. It is necessary to fill the pouch with filthy water and compress it in order to force the water through the filter. The pouch seams, on the other hand, WILL fail. In the event that this occurs while you are on a backpacking trip, you might find yourself in serious financial trouble. As a result, I’ve stopped using the Sawyer pouches altogether. Instead, I make use of a disposable water bottle. The Sawyer Mini is compatible with any plastic bottle that has standard threading.

However, it is still preferable to relying on a bag, which will almost certainly break.

It will, however, get distorted in the same way as this one.

Or Bring a Backup Pouch

In order to utilize a pouch instead of a plastic bottle with the Sawyer Mini, you’ll need to carry a second pouch along with you. It is rather expensive to purchase one of the ones Sawyer sells. I discovered these bags that are perfect for the Sawyer Mini and are quite inexpensive. In the long run, they will also break, but at the very least, they are not as expensive as the official Sawyer pouches. In this photograph, you can see the bag. So far, my little pouch has lasted me four travels and has not exploded.

Use Flavor Packets to Mask Bad-Tasting Water

The Sawyer Mini is a water purifier that removes germs and parasites. It will not, however, erase unpleasant flavors from water. If you are purifying water from wilderness streams, unpleasant tastes aren’t a consideration. However, if you are filtering pond or lake water, the filtered water may have a foul odor and flavor. One alternative is to bring flavor packets such as Emergen-C to the event and mix them in with the water. If you bring electrolyte packets, you’ll get extra points.

Filtering Takes a LOONNNNNGGGG Time!

One bothersome aspect of the Sawyer Mini is that it has a very sluggish flow rate of 1 liter each 5.5 minutes, which is quite inefficient. This is something that I personally don’t mind. I actually look forward to purifying the water each morning as I prepare our camp meal. Because filtering takes so long, I’d recommend obtaining one Sawyer Mini for each individual in your party instead of just one Sawyer Mini. They are inexpensive and lightweight, and they allow each individual to be responsible for purifying their own drinking water.

OR… In lieu of this, consider purchasing the Sawyer Squeeze. It is somewhat heavier (2.5oz against 1.9oz), but it has a faster flow rate of 1 liter per 2 minutes, which is superior than the competition. The Sawyer Mini is being used to filter water. It takes a long time for the filter to run.

Get a Bigger Pouch

It is really inconvenient to have to keep refilling the pouch with water for filtration purposes. A more appropriate alternative is to purchase a larger-sized bag for the Sawyer Mini. The Sawyer Mini is compatible with the older Platypus totes and bags. The new ones, on the other hand, aren’t. However, I’ve heard tales of Platy bags leaking filthy water into pure water, which I believe is incorrect. As a result, I’m sticking with my inexpensive pouches, despite the fact that they are little in size.

You’ll Need a Scoop for Shallow Water

If you’re using shallow water sources, it’s difficult to fill the Sawyer pouch or your dirty-water container. Scooping shallow water into a Sawyer pouch may be accomplished using a variety of tools, as has been discussed in this thread. Here are a few suggestions:

• SmartWater bottles are slimmer than traditional water bottles, making them easier to fill at shallow water sources. ZipLock Bag: Cut a corner off of one and you may use it to fill your bag quickly and conveniently
• Making Your Own Scooper: Cut the top off of a soda bottle and use it as a scooper for water or other liquids. Despite the fact that it does not fold, it is lightweight and can accommodate a variety of items. Make Use of Your Cooking Pot: When you use it in the kitchen, it will get sanitized.

Use a SmartWater Flip Top Bottle for Backwashing

It will be necessary to backwash the Sawyer Mini frequently when the water supply is contaminated (imagine pond scum), in order to keep it moving. In order to do this, the Sawyer Mini comes with a syringe that is quite large in diameter. This negates the entire purpose of the filter’s “lightweight” design. Instead of a syringe, you may use a SmartWater bottle to administer the medication. The Sawyer Mini is a great match for the mouthpiece.

Know Your Water Threats

Remember that the Sawyer Mini does not eliminate viruses or toxins from the environment. In the bush, these aren’t normally a source of concern. However, there may be viruses in popular hiking regions due to the large number of hikers that defecate too close to bodies of water. A large number of chemicals can be found in water sources that are located in agricultural regions. Instead, you might want to have a look at some of these alternative hiking water purifiers.

Do you use the Sawyer Mini? What tips can you share?

Price:$39 on Amazon |$29.97 on the list Compare pricing at two different resellers. Features: Lightweight, versatile, simple to use, and backed by a lifetime warranty. Cons: Not ideal for group usage; it would be preferable if the bags were replaced. Amber King, Senior Review Editor, wrote a review for Sawyer on October 16, 2019. Our Editors do independent research, testing, and rating of the top items available. We only receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on one of our links.

More information may be found here.

Compare to Similar Products

There are a variety of additional “Squeeze” items available, such as the Sawyer Mini and the Sawyer Micro. While the Squeeze is slightly bigger and heavier than the Squeeze, it is more dependable, robust, and provides a significantly higher flow rate. As an added bonus, bags were less likely to break using this filter because we didn’t have to squeeze as hard throughout the filtration process. Despite the increase in weight and cost, we believe that this is the greatest filtering system available today.

Despite the fact that it does not guard against heavy metals or viruses, it will keep you safe on journeys into the backcountry across North America.

It takes water that is dubious and foul and turns it into something delectable and delightful. Take it with you on your next vacation, and use it as a backup emergency system for big crowds or as a personal carry system for your belongings.

Performance Comparison

This on-the-go solution is our favorite since it is the most dependable. Take it with you everywhere you go and whenever you need a refreshing glass of water. Amber King contributed to this image. “>This on-the-go solution is our personal favorite and the most dependable. Take it with you everywhere you go and whenever you need a refreshing glass of water. Amber King contributed to this image.

Water Quality

You’re worried about acquiring beaver fever, aren’t you? You should not be concerned since the Squeeze will keep you safe. This little filtration system is equipped with a certified 0.1-micron absolute filtration system, which is capable of removing bacteria, E. coli, protozoa, and cysts from your drinking water without the use of chemicals. When used correctly, the Squeeze should be adequate in water sources all over North America. While jogging and trekking in Colorado and Northern Ontario, Canada, we mostly relied on this filter to keep us safe.

• After more than 50 miles of walking through these surroundings, we were able to stay hydrated and healthy, despite the fact that we were drinking water from doubtful, turbid, and flowing sources.
• The device, however, is not a water filtration system, and as such, it is incapable of removing heavy metals or water-borne viruses, which may be an issue in nations where water quality is not well monitored.
• Eddy filters water along the riverbank before we begin our ascent up the snowfield to the pass’s peak.
• Amber King contributed to this image.
• For the simplicity and dependability of the Squeeze, he selects it above other options.
• It’s perfect for everything else, including vacations around the United States.
• When you use the Squeeze, you may improve the quality of your water by changing unclean, polluted, stinky water into pure, drinking water that tastes delicious.

Durability and Maintenance

What if you get beaver fever and you’re afraid you’ll die? Be certain that you will not be harmed by the Squeeze. This little filtration system is equipped with a certified 0.1-micron absolute filtration system, which is capable of removing bacteria, E. coli, protozoa, and cysts from your drinking water without compromising its quality. Use of the Squeeze should be adequate in water sources all throughout North America if done correctly. While jogging and hiking in Colorado and Northern Ontario, Canada, we largely relied on this filter to help us see better.

1. After more than 50 miles of walking in these conditions, we were able to stay hydrated and healthy, despite the fact that we were drinking water from doubtful, murky, and rushing sources.
2. The device is not a filtration system, and as a result, it will not be able to remove heavy metals or water-borne viruses, which may be a concern in nations where water quality is not well monitored.
3. Eddy filters water along the riverbank before we begin our ascent of the snowfield to the pass’s peak.
4. Amber King is shown here.
5. For the simplicity and dependability of the Squeeze, he decides to utilize it.
6. Everything else, as well as vacations around the United States, are excellent.

When used for camping, hiking, backpacking, or trail running, it effectively eliminates microplastics from the environment. The Squeeze improves the quality of water by converting filthy, polluted, and odorous water into immaculate, consumable water that tastes excellent on the tongue.

Treatment Time

The amount of time it takes to treat you depends on how you utilize the squeeze. There are a handful of various methods for collecting and filtering water, which increases the adaptability of this fantastic system even further. Treatment time and flow rate are superior in all of the Sawyer devices we’ve evaluated, including the Micro and the Mini, and are, to be honest, rather astounding in comparison to the competition. The first and most common method of treating water is to collect the water in the supplied bags and squeeze it through the filter, as seen in the image below.

• We discovered after three testing that this bigger filtration system can filter one liter of water in around 40 seconds!
• As a result, the treatment duration in Squeeze mode is very impressively long.
• The Sawyer Squeeze produces on-the-spot bottled water for consumption.
• “The Sawyer Squeeze offers rapid access to potable water.
• Direct ingestion of water is yet another method of filtering water.
• To collect the water, you can use either the pouch or a standard water bottle, as an option.
• While the flow rate is not as quick as drinking directly from your bottle without a filter, this method gives instant filtering of water.
• The pace of flow in gravity mode was very impressive to us.
• “The pace of flow in gravity mode was very impressive to us.

Weight and Packability

This system is lightweight and compact, making it ideal for trekking and hiking excursions. We utilized it as a back-up group filter when trekking three days into the Gunnison Gorge in Colorado, which was a great experience. It is lightweight, and all of the components are small enough to fit into all of the nooks and crannies of your backpack. The pieces you carry with you on your journeys are something you may choose from a menu of options. There are a few more bags included in the package as well as a mesh bag, filter, spare O-ring, syringe for backflushing, a straw, a straw adapter, and a couple of extra bags.

1. If you are certain that you will not use the straw, you can omit it.
2. A plastic water bottle should be brought along with you for longer journeys, due to the fact that the bags are not particularly durable.
3. The weight of the set-up, which includes the essentials for a day on the trail.
4. Amber King contributed to this image.
5. Two bags (one as a backup), a syringe, and a filter are all you’ll need.
6. The filter itself is larger in size than the other Sawyer filters that have been evaluated.
7. We usually kept it in the lid of the bag so that we could get to it quickly on lengthy travels.
8. Hiking, fishing, and hiking are just a few of the activities that are made possible by this system.

Amber King contributed to this image. “The relative weight of all of the components included within the mesh bag that is included with the filtering system. Amber King contributed to this image.

Ease of Setup

When using this filter, the setup process is quite simple. In order to obtain rapid filtration, attach the straw to the water source of your choosing and suck up the water via the straw. Alternatively, fill your bag with water, attach the filter, and squeeze the water into your preferred drinking cup. Water availability for this system necessitates being in close proximity to the source. In contrast to a manual pump, where you can just insert a hose into the water from a high bank, you must be able to either get your face near to the source for quick filtering, or you must place the bag of water into the source for collection before you can use it.

• Simply fill the bag and screw on the filter to complete the process.
• Amber King contributed to this image.
• Simply fill the bag and screw on the filter to complete the process.
• Amber King contributed to this image.
• The bag approach works best for collecting from shallow, non-flowing sources since you need to be able to scoop the material up from the source.
• Overall, the process of setting up is rather basic.
• We consider this technology to be straightforward and simple to operate.

Ease of Filtration

On the path, the rate of filtration is rather remarkable, to say the least. It is as simple as collecting some water and forcing it through the filter to get your system running. When utilizing the bag system, the filtering process necessitates a certain amount of patience as well as a solid grip. Otherwise, it’s a rather straightforward process. This filtering system has a significant quantity of surface area, which allows for a regular and rapid flow of water, making it simple to obtain water from it.

• After putting it through its paces in our squeeze filtration testing, it took just around 40 seconds to filter one liter of water, which is substantially faster than other Sawyer products that are smaller and do not have the advantage of a larger surface area.
• For on-trail filtration, this has excellent flow.
• Amber King contributed to this image “>The flow rate is reasonable, providing one liter of water in less than a minute!
• The water is immediate if you drink it straight from the filtration system.
• When filtering, it’s critical to locate a location with level ground on which to set your vessel so that it doesn’t tip over.
• On the whole, filtering is simple and doesn’t require a lot of work, especially if you’re drinking directly from the filter.

Amber King contributed to this image “A fantastic location for the Squeeze to go exploring and doing strange things like finding ski descents in August is a desert. Amber King contributed to this image.

Value

In addition to three different squeeze bags, adapters for in-line filtration to hydration bladders, as well as backup parts and a syringe, this system includes many more components. Sawyer estimates that this filter will filter 3,780,000 gallons of water during its lifetime, which is an incredible value in and of itself. This must be kept in mind while purchasing bags, as they will need to be changed or replaced with a product such as the Platypus SoftBottle. You may also find smaller ones at a lower price.

Conclusion

The Sawyer Squeezefiltration system provides incredible adaptability for a wide range of outdoor activities. It is portable and simple to operate. Utilize it in conjunction with a water bladder or simply drink directly from the source. Even though the inbuilt squeeze pouches aren’t the most sturdy, they are simple to use, pushing water through the filter and into your bottle with each squeeze. This device is extremely dependable, and it is one of our most frequently used and favored systems for wilderness travel, day walks, and everything in between, among other applications.

By making a purchase from one of our retail partners, you are assisting OutdoorGearLab in its product testing and evaluations.

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System is a type of water filter system. The Squeeze Filter System is based on hollow tube technology that has been tested according to EPA procedures down to 0.1 microns and is capable of removing bacteria, protozoa, and cysts such as giardia and cryptosporidium from drinking water. To purify the water, just fill the soft bottle provided with water and squeeze the water through the screw-on filter. Now is the time to shop. I’ve been using the Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System for the past few years and have been pleased with it.

A pop-up lid on the filter allows you to drink directly from it, or you can use it in a gravity filter mode to squeeze “dirty” water from the water reservoirs into bottles that are “clean” and ready to be consumed.

What’s Included

Among the components of the Squeeze Water filtration system are a screw-on filter, four plastic reservoir bottles in sizes ranging from 64 to 32 to 16 to 12 cups, and a syringe for backflushing the filter when the flow rate begins to diminish. When dry, the filter weighs 2.4 ounces, and when saturated, it weighs 4.0 ounces. With the screw-on end, you may use it with the reservoirs that come with it, as well as with Platypus reservoirs and most plastic soda and water bottles. The Squeeze filter is based on hollow tube technology that has been tested to 0.1 microns using EPA methods and is capable of removing bacteria, protozoa, and cysts such as giardia and cryptosporidium from water.

It will not eliminate viruses that are significantly smaller in size, and it should not be used in underdeveloped nations where viruses have been shown to infect drinking water sources in the past.

A novel feature of this filter is that it is packaged as a screw-on bottle attachment with a pop-up top, which allows you to drink from it.

I anticipate that this, as well as the introduction of roll-up hydration reservoirs, will make this device highly appealing to day hikers as well as backpackers in the near future.

Pop-up Top vs Gravity Style Filtration

In addition to a screw-on filter and four plastic reservoir bottles in sizes of 64, 32, 16, and 12 ounces, the Squeeze Water filtration system includes a syringe for back-flushing the filter when the flow rate begins to decline. When completely dry, the filter weighs 2.4 ounces, and when completely soaked, it weighs 4.0 ounces. Compatible with the supplied reservoirs as well as Platypus reservoirs and most plastic soda and water bottles, the screw-on end is also compatible with the included reservoirs.

Generally speaking, this is sufficient for backcountry usage in the continental United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and I’d use it without hesitation in those places.

Sawyer has been using the hollow tube filtration technique in their products for numerous years, which is why the Squeeze is not a new invention.

I anticipate that this, together with the presence of roll-up hydration reservoirs, will make this device highly appealing to both day hikers and backpackers.

Pre-Filter Modification

In my testing of the Squeeze filter on overnight hiking excursions, I discovered that when you place the filter on the ground, it is quite simple for sand and grit to get into the screw-on end of the filter. There is also no pre-filter on the Squeeze, which would have been useful in removing suspended particles from turbid water and preventing the filter from being clogged. Attaching a pre-filter to the Squeeze filter module is one approach to address both of these issues at the same time. This was accomplished by salvaging the pre-filter element from an old Aqua-Mira Frontier Pro filter and screwing it into the base of the Squeeze.

Sawyer Water Reservoirs

There are a handful of things about the Sawyer water reservoirs that come with the Squeeze filtration system that I don’t particularly like for. The first is that they are not transparent, so simply glancing at them will not allow you to determine how much water is left in your container. The second issue is that they don’t actually hold the quantity of water that they claim to hold on to. For example, the 32-ounce reservoir can only contain 28.3 ounces of liquid when fully charged. I find this type of thing upsetting since I use my reservoirs to measure out water volumes for cooking and drinking throughout the day; a 15 percent mistake rate is simply not acceptable to me.

However, while I appreciate the economic and convenience of utilizing the supplied reservoirs, my choice is to use the Squeeze in conjunction with the transparent 3 liter platypus reservoir and the soda-bottles that I carry with me when trekking nowadays.

No Break-in Period

One of the aspects of the Squeeze that I particularly appreciate is that there is no break-in time. You can simply fill one of the provided water reservoirs with water, attach the Squeeze filter onto it, and start drinking. There is no activated charcoal to wash out of the filter, and there is no need to prime the filter either. The initial few sips of water do not include any suspended particle matter, and the water has a clean flavor. This is a concern with the Aquamira Frontier Pro which features an activated charcoal filter element.

Comparable Water Treatment Options

Make / Model	Type	Lifetime (in Liters)
Sawyer Squeeze	Squeeze Filter	100,000
HydroBlu Versa Flow	Squeeze Filter	100,000
Katadyn BeFree	Squeeze Filter	1,000
Aquamira Purification Drops	Chemical Purification	120
Platypus Gravity Works	Gravity Filter	1,500
Katadyn Hiker	Pump Filter	1,100
Steripen Ultra	UV Purification	8,000
Grayl Geopress	Squeeze Filter	250
MSR Miniworks EX	Pump Filter	2,000
MSR Guardian	Pump Purifier	10,000

Overall Recommendation

This water filtration system is ideal for day hikers and backpackers who want a simple and quick method to rehydrate on their adventures. It works equally well with the system’s included reservoirs or with your own smaller, soda-bottle compatible water bottles. In addition, because of its high flow rate, it is an exceptionally rapid method of filtering a big volume of water for small parties, or for individual usage at the end of the day when you want to cook and prepare your water for the following morning.

SectionHiker was provided with a complimentary Sawyer Squeeze Filtration System in exchange for testing purposes.

We may (but not always) get a small portion of any sales made using the links provided above.

Although the cost of the product remains the same for you, your purchase allows us to continue to test and create unsponsored and independent gear evaluations, beginning FAQs, and free hiking guides for you.

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System

• The Squeeze Filter, which has been updated from the original design, comes with two 32-ounce pouches, a cleaning coupling, and extra attachments for gravity and inline usage. In addition to removing 99.99999 percent of all bacteria, including salmonella, cholera, and E.coli, a hollow-fiber membrane filter also removes 99.9999 percent of all protozoa, including giardia and Cryptosporidium. Mylar foil is used to construct the collapsible pouches, which can be reused hundreds of times. Fill the water pouches with water from a lake or stream, screw the hollow-fiber filter onto the pouch, and squeeze the pouch to force the water through the filter
• It’s that simple. With the built-in push/pull cap, you can spray water directly into your mouth or use it to fill a water bottle
• The squeeze filter fills most water bottles in less than 30 seconds
• The filter is dishwasher safe. It also comes with the Inline Adapters, which allow you to utilize your squeeze filter inline on a hydration pack. Includes gravity tubing, which allows you to use the Squeeze Filter as a gravity filter if you so like. Additionally, a syringe is included for back-flushing the filter in order to maintain a high flow rate. Fits most bottles of water purchased at a supermarket
• Comes with a mesh storage bag. It is important not to freeze this filter since freezing can damage the hollow-fiber membrane.

Made in the United States of America. See the full range of Sawyer Gravity Water Filters.

Sawyer Micro Squeeze Water Filtration System

• This small filter, which has a capacity of up to 100,000 gal. and a field weight of 2 oz., is built to last a lifetime and fits in the palm of your hand
• Despite its tiny size, it is capable of removing 99.99999 percent of bacteria (including salmonella, cholera, and E. coli), as well as 99.9999 percent of protozoa (including Cryptosporidium and giardia). Attach the Micro Squeeze filter to the sipping pouch that comes with the kit, or use the straw that comes with the kit to drink straight from a water source. To fill your reservoir (which is not included), connect it to the tubing on your hydration pack, or screw it into ordinary disposable water bottles with 28mm threads
• In addition to a 32-ounce resealable squeeze bag, drinking straw, cleaning coupler, spare gasket and cleaning plunger, Micro Squeeze also includes the following accessories: Its small size makes it perfect for use on plastic bottles as well as the Sawyer Select filters and purifiers (which are supplied separately). If water sources are few, bring along additional squeeze pouches (available separately) to store water and filter later.

Made in the United States of America. See the full range of Sawyer Straw Water Filters.

Amazon.com : Sawyer Products SP160 One Gallon Gravity Water Filtration System w/Dual-Threaded Mini Filter : Sports & Outdoors

5.0 stars out of 5 for this product Although I like the product, I wish the opening had been more thoughtfully placed. On July 10, 2018, a review was conducted in the United States. I used it for three days this past weekend and was generally pleased with it. I’d recommend it to others. While it worked great and was simple to fill when I had access to fast-moving water, slow-moving water drove me into attempting to either immerse it or make a scooping motion to even get it halfway filled. A better location for the inlet on a bag of this nature must surely exist.

It was good to be able to fill up at camp and know that you had water available for cooking, cleaning, drinking, and whatever else you needed.

My solution was to wrap the leash of my pole through it and back onto the pole to hold it in place, then link all the other poles’ leashes and rest them against anything with a wide stance, which was really quick and simple.

It is much more efficient than pumping and is relatively light. Overall, I’m quite pleased with it!

Top reviews from the United States

verified purchaseReviewed in the United States on June 10, 2019Verified Purchase To begin, you do not require a water filter to make tap water drinkable – these devices are intended for use when traveling. There are a handful of things that happen when you’re doing this. First and foremost, no matter what you do, you will end up with some silt in your dirty bag at some point. Second, you are well aware that the dirty bag contains “unsafe” water, and that every droplet on the bag, the fitting, the hose, and other parts of the system is just ready to ruin your night by contaminating your clean water.

1. I am not sure where other people backpack, but I don’t backpack in areas where there is no flat table to lay this thing on.
2. That works perfectly, and it even raises the output hose’s “port” a few inches above the filling port, giving silt a place to collect.
3. I really wish they provided a pre-filter for this because it would be SO simple for them to incorporate a high-flow cone-type filter that pushed up into the dirty bag and was kept in place by the output hose connector into their production process.
4. It worked, but it wasn’t the best solution.
5. It is dripping filthy water down upon its own body.
6. The filter’s output is sent to a drinking valve that looks like a water bottle and is operated by pulling on the handle.
7. It’s really difficult to “target” into objects, and the filter is extremely heavy, causing it to flop around on the end of the hose.

You don’t want to be using your unclean lips to open the valve, especially if you’re sharing this system, and it requires a lot more power to open than any bottle I’ve ever owned.

Fortunately, all of these issues are rather simple to resolve; I just wish Sawyer would take the initiative and do it himself.

A second Sawyer “hydration pack adapter” kit, which costs $6 and can be found here on Amazon.

2.

Attach the adapters above to the output side of the filter, and then connect the hose to the adapters above.

3) A set of tube “pinch clamps,” which are little plastic clamps that are squeezed together to seal off a water supply tube.

They’re often marketed for aquariums and cost about a dollar or two individually (although I purchased a 6-pack).

This should be attached to the very end of the new output pipe.

Close the hose clamps above and below the filter when you have finished filling the dirty bag.

With its lengthy length, you don’t have to worry about the output side being dirty or dripped on because it can be placed in any position without blocking the flow of the water.

Pouring into a bottle is as simple as connecting a bottle coupler to the last/unused screw fitting and attaching it to the end of the hose.

When you’re finished, remove the pinch clamps and begin filtering.

Again, you can complete all of this with the flow turned off and then turn it back on after you’re finished.

However, they transform the entire experience of filtering water from “kind of touch and go, be cautious” to “no sweat, this is easy.” The product will be reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2020.

I shouldn’t have bothered with it in the first place; it was a complete waste of $43 bucks.

I’m not a complete moron, so I’m rather confident that I got that part correctly.

This must imply that the product is so simple to use that I don’t require any assistance.

Although I could still detect a faint taste in the water, the quality of the water where we were was already among the best in Mexico (still not drinkable straight from the tap however).

I subsequently resorted to utilizing the filter entirely from that point forward.

As I was traveling alone, this was a significant challenge.

My strength had finally returned after a week spent in bed, crawling back and forth to the restroom.

I had to travel for almost another week to get back on track.

I am extremely dissatisfied with the overall quality of this product, as well as the lack of clear instructions on how to use it in a safe manner.

A firm providing a device that, if used wrongly, may make the difference between someone being well and developing a life-threatening condition (I’m looking at you, Sawyer) should be held accountable.

In any case, I am DISAPPOINTED. And because I’m still in Mexico, I won’t be able to return it in time for a reimbursement. Have you ever felt so ill that bodily fluids were pouring out of BOTH ends of your body at the same time? If you want to find out, you should acquire this product.

Top reviews from other countries

3.0 stars out of 5 for this product The filter itself was excellent, however the pouches were disappointing. Purchased on August 24, 2018 in Canada and reviewed on August 25, 2018Verified Purchase After more than 15 years of service, our MSR pump failed. We decided to test the gravity system since we use a lot more water now that we have a family, and it can be filtering water while we are preparing dinner, etc. All in all, we found the Sawyer technique to be an excellent one; it is quick, even in silty water, and we even had luck using it as a “life straw” direct from a creak.

It was the pouches themselves that were the source of the trouble.

We anticipate that our children will assist us in little ways.

When it opened up, the entire contents splattered on the floor.

We were left with a shortage of water and only one clean water bottle.

Because there is no built-in hanger, I secured the carry handle to a branch stub with a piece of wire.

I’m currently tying it on using a rope I made myself.

We weren’t expecting these setbacks after relying on vinyl/fabric water-bags for so long.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have a replacement vinyl bag with me, and the bags themselves don’t fit the Sawyer connection threads anyhow.

Despite the fact that I have a strong filter, I do not trust the bags, particularly when trekking and having limited room in my backpack to carry extras.

4.0 stars out of 5 for this product Very handy while you’re camping!

Purchase that has been verified When it comes to the amount of water I consumed on my most recent back country canoe journey, this is a game changer.

The filter was quick to respond and was simple to clean after use.

I was really cautious with how I hung it and packaged it, so I’m not sure how or why the tubing got up in that state of disarray.

The plastic of the bag seems fragile as well, so hopefully this will not become an issue down the road.

On July 18, 2021, a review will be conducted in Canada.

It was quite convenient to have a bag of water that I could filter and use as required while camping.

It was until after the second day that I saw that the rubber tubing was full of fractures and holes, and it was leaking (see attached photo).

It deteriorated steadily throughout my vacation and will need to be replaced as soon as possible.

The photographs in this review 4.0 stars out of 5 for this product In Canada, on August 12, 2019, Versatile was reviewed.

Included are all of the components need for a simple gravity feed and cleaning.

The backwashing procedure was straightforward.

The only other item required is a string strap to hold the bag in place.

5.0 stars out of 5 for this product Works Reviewing the situation in Canada on April 22, 2020 Purchase that has been verified I already have a Sawyer Squeeze bag filter kit, which is excellent, but this one will be used for everyday tap water filtration purposes.

Edit: The 1 gal.

At that price, it should have been packaged with a bladder that was softer and more rubber-like, similar to that of the platypus.

By the way, place the filler where the handle is and the handle where the filler is on the handle.

Purchase that has been verified I appreciate the flow that comes out of the filter and all of the accessories and fittings.

The bladder bag for the water bladder is a very poor design. It is difficult to pack since it does not roll or fold well. Bag seems like it will puncture easily if folded because of its big fill entrance, which does not lay flat when folded.