First time buying a water filter, For those who have a Sawyer,
KWYKN which version/model would you recommend?
Thanks
KWYKN which version/model would you recommend?
Thanks
Which Sawyer water filter kit?
- Thread starter lostplanet
- Start date
Depends what country you’ll be visiting.. pathogens, microbe’s, chemicals,metals, fertiliser run off, that sort of thing?
For the uk the Sawyer mini does a good job as a backup to boiling.
Also use a mill bank bag to rid off the debris in the water.
If you can, catch the rain water & use that.
For the uk the Sawyer mini does a good job as a backup to boiling.
Also use a mill bank bag to rid off the debris in the water.
If you can, catch the rain water & use that.
The Sawyer Micro Squeeze has a better flow rate than the mini for only a few pounds more. Works better than the mini as a gravity drip/flow filter. The mini can be a somewhat tiresome to get a lot of water through with the squeeze bags, or drinking directly. The Sawyer is fine for UK except for removing pesticides/metals etc. The sawyers can be easily back flushed do I don’t bother using any pre filter unless the water is really, really gritty.
Cattle troughs with a visible ball cock are a useful source of water.
I had all of them and I can confirm what other forums and the whole thruhike community says.
Get the biggest Squeeze SP129 filter, the mini and the micro is a bit lighter but they have a significantly reduced flow. For regular use it's a pain in the a...
Also the pouches are known for bursting (had 2 pop on me) so don't pay extra for more/bigger pouches, instead use a platypus or ordinary plastic bottle.
And the last thing, once used it will always be wet, so don't let it freeze.
Get the biggest Squeeze SP129 filter, the mini and the micro is a bit lighter but they have a significantly reduced flow. For regular use it's a pain in the a...
Also the pouches are known for bursting (had 2 pop on me) so don't pay extra for more/bigger pouches, instead use a platypus or ordinary plastic bottle.
And the last thing, once used it will always be wet, so don't let it freeze.
sawyer mini, i use a millbank bag prior if the water is very turbid or has big sediment etc in it. then run it through the mini, then boil.
Isnt fast but it works.
Isnt fast but it works.
haven't tested this theory, but someone i met 19 years ago during my walkabout told me to suck the water out of the "clean end" of my katadyn filter after use to reduce risk of frost damage...
sadly my katadyn filter is stored with friends in Oz, so i've to get another filter it one day things improve and i manage to explore the country (and the rest of central america), so i'm following this thread with interest
Sawyer says this in their manual. Also watch on YT "sawyer filter disassembly", I don't think I would trust the filter after the fibers have been exposed to frozen water.haven't tested this theory, but someone i met 19 years ago during my walkabout told me to suck the water out of the "clean end" of my katadyn filter after use to reduce risk of frost damage...
sadly my katadyn filter is stored with friends in Oz, so i've to get another filter it one day things improve and i manage to explore the country (and the rest of central america), so i'm following this thread with interest
fair enough, as said before: i didn't test this theory myself...
i guess storing the filter close to your body during a trip is the best precaution to prevent frost damage.
fortunately there are not too many places in central america where frost is an issue apart from high mountains
Thanks for all the replies. Now is where to buy a squeeze? My usual shop would be amazon but there are loads of new negative reviews saying they are possibly fake and coming from Amazon US.
Nothing on tamarack or heinnie.
Nothing on tamarack or heinnie.
Last edited:
Water Treatment | UK | Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Water Treatment equipment available at Ultralight Outdoor Gear with FREE UK+EU Delivery, product reviews, full tech specs and advice
www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk
Mini available but not the Squeeze , also the Hydroblu might be worth a look ?
does the squeeze also act as a gravity filter so if left overnight it does the same thing as the mini sawyer?
They all can work as gravity filters, The squeeze and the micro have an extra thread so you can use two bottles without messing about with pipes.
Got my filter and bits a couple of days ago. All good, have watched a couple of videos on use and it looks very easy.
I guess my only question is what water can't be used though the filter? obviously salt sea water, but are there other sources to avoid In the UK?
I guess my only question is what water can't be used though the filter? obviously salt sea water, but are there other sources to avoid In the UK?
Remember those kind of filters only make water safe to drink, they don't magically distil H2O out of anything.
So you still have to find a decent source (not chemically contaminated like a salt water or turbid puddle next to agricultural field). Also it have to be fairly clear so you don't block the filter too fast.
Sawyer just makes sure you won't end up in hospital with runs or parasites. So you are protected from a dead sheep up stream or any brain amebas floating around.
Yes, its surprising the pools and places we used to play in years ago now have toxic warning signs and don't even let animals in. Mostly Brackish and ditches nearby now.
There are some local streams I would trust with the filter. Large rain water puddles occur around too which filter and boil should be safe in a natural area? as you say away from industry etc.
There are some local streams I would trust with the filter. Large rain water puddles occur around too which filter and boil should be safe in a natural area? as you say away from industry etc.
