I've used Sawyer mini for a few years now and never got sick. I've filtered from lakes, streams and rivers in Europe.

Get a bag to attach so you can squeeze fill your bottle or hang up as a gravity filter. Don't use the Sawyer bag though, they are shite and split really easily. Get a platypus one instead

Versatile, low weight/high capacity, extremely reliable, and nothing better than having all your water filtered while you eat lunch with no effort

Sawyer is great. The filters are compact and filter lots of water

Sawyer Squeeze ftw

Grayl water bottle is my new favorite, also bring a sawyer squeeze as a back up.

Just want to point out that the smaller ones do not filter viruses or chemical contaminants.

They are basically just a gimic to fund the large ones they hand out/sell in 3rd world countries.

They are ok if you use them from water that is pretty much safe but filled with sediment but not for water that has human waste in them like the water you would have after a natural disaster.

Had one in my go bag for years, nice to have as an option

There is a filter for pretty much anything. Carbon may help with some chemicals. Etc... I don't think there is a filter for radiated water. That would be interesting to see.

They apparently work if you drink from a urinal.

Hope that’s not shat water

Thank you for this! Your article is excellent, a very concise and accurate guide that should save most people dozens of hours of research (as I had done previously).

It's a little bit timely that I read this - I made a custom filter for backpacking and while I wasn't unhappy with the flow rate from the Sawyer mini that serves as the core of the system, there is significant room for improvement there.

A couple of thoughts from my own testing:

• Most hydration bladders and similar use a fairly standard quick-connect fitting. Both these fittings and extra hose are available online (from, say, Fresh Water Systems), allowing you to further enhance your system and add versatility. for example, the system I made has a 3L "dirty" bladder that I can put in my pack to drink directly from, attach to another bladder to fill it directly, or let it flow into a hard bottle or pretty much any other container. Adding Sawyer inline adapters adds even more flexibility.
• While out hiking (I know it's not the same as prepping/emergencies, but it's firsthand experience and that has value to me), we found that a useful combo was a gravity filter (at the time I had a Platypus GravityWorks) for use in camp or when you need lots of water and can just sit around and let it flow, and a pump (a hiking partner's MSR HyperFlow) to stop quickly at a source and fill or top off water bottles.
  My custom system resolves that - i can drop my pack, scoop water, put the bladder back into my pack, reattach the hose, and keep going, but if you don't want to mess about with that, a gravity filter/pump filter combo is pretty useful.
• Your article (unless I missed it) didn't put much verbage into pre-filters, which can make filters flow faster and last longer. I notice you mention it in the comments, but it seems to not be in the article much. Neither are there mentioned any alternative methods to make the filter's job easier - like letting water settle for some time in a bucket or container if possible, and decanting the water to filter off of the top, thus preventing some particulate from entering the filter.
• It's probably beyond scope for the article, but a cursory "be sure to read and take into account the instructions of the filter" and run quickly through how to do some maintenance tasks like back flushing, bleach flushing, or boiling, and also some common precautions (like how filters should not be allowed to freeze once wet). Obviously you can't cover all the bases, but giving a little attention to filter use might be wise.

Have you actually tested any of the filters effectiveness? I am willing to trust lab ratings and so on, but it would be neat to take, say, river water with a small amount of.... what, settled sewage maybe? blended in and then run through the filters and sent for testing thereafter. I know it's a lot to ask but it would sure be cool to know.

Do you have a clean water pipe at home?

-No

HND - Expert in water pipe cleaning machine

Improve water quality & Extending the lifetime of your filter

For quick, simple, short term use tablets are great. For long term use the cost adds up so a filter like a Sawyer or similar may be better. Aquatabs kill viruses and bacteria and a filter of 0.01 micron will remove them. Sawyer, MSR and others make filters that fine. It’s recommended to pre filter with something like a washable coffee filter to remove sediment before using tablets or ultra fine filters, partly to remove the viruses and bacteria living in sediment and also to prevent clogging of the main filter. It’s a good idea to check which viruses etc are most likely in the area you’re going to and make sure you use a method suited specifically to those.

I just bought a 2 pack of the sawyer filters, easy to use and each filter will filter to up to 100,000 gallons. Plus I'm pretty sure that the filter threads match my 6 gallon solar shower so that would work well for ease of use.

Sawyer with adapter for a hydration pack and and also a catch pouch. Can't go wrong.

Tablets are gross. Not only do they add a flavor, they don't filter any particulate so you'll be drinking briny stink water.

If you're serious about being outdoors a good water filter is a must have. Katadyn and MSR are the brands I recommend. They have a relatively large upfront cost, but you can't be messing around with water.

I like it not only for an easy camping / bug in shower, warm water solution, but it's also a container that can hold 5+ gallons of water, and it takes little space to store.

Any thoughts on getting a steripen? Expensive but works fast. You will still need a way to get sediment out. I just got one, haven't used it though.

The pumping ones are not the best option if you value your forearms not feeling like they are on fire. They are also the heaviest and bulkiest option.

Most people would recommend a Sawyer squeeze. A gravity filter like the Platypus Gravityworks is also a fgood option.

Sawyer Squeeze is a no brainer. Depending on how long you'll be out and your distance to civilization, I recommend bringing some iodine tablets as backup.

Pumps were the standard for many years. I still have the old version of what is now the Katadyn Hiker. It's an excellent pump, and it has never let me down. It is also pretty darn heavy, and time consuming to use. I would recommend it to anyone who was interested in it.

However, I recently switched to a gravity system. I personally have a Sawyer Squeeze filter with two CNOC bags. I do not regret switching one bit.

Edit/addition: Many people still use pumps, and they are still a good option. I didn't mean to make them sound antiquated.

Just spent a week in the boundary waters using the platypus gravity works. It worked great, would definitely recommend

Also a Katadyn BeFree guy. Good flow rate, cleans water well, and packs up very small

Have owned both a Brita and a ZeroWater pitcher filter system that go right in the fridge

ZeroWater is a great filter. Even comes with a device to test water purity so you know when the filter needs changing

Better than Brita by far

I for the lack of a better word owe my life to a sawyer mini. I hiked up a mountain that was supposed to have water in 2 different locations and as I made my way up there by sundown it turned out that both springs were dry.
I filtered about 5 liters of standing swamp water with a thick algae build up live to tell the tale.

Ok if you do here's a HUGE tip. The filter has a threaded end meant to connect to the (dirty)water pouch so you can squeeze it to push it through the filter. Well the thread also happens to be the same size(28mm) as the standard soda top. What I personally do is use a Smart water bottle and fill it up at any running water source and cap it. If i ever need water I can simply pop the top of, screw the filter on and drink.

For daily tap water drinking, Zero Water is my go to.

For Emergency use, Survivor Filter Pro has beat everything else I have tested. Getting down to 0.01 microns and removes even viruses.

The filters seems to work pretty fine, however the bag is kind of awkward to get filled. In general is a great product

Sawyers are pretty extensively used by long distance thru-hikers. If you want something portable, seems wise to look to the people that live a portable life.

Katadyn is an industry leader. Expensive but worth it.

All you need for brewing is a sediment filter, carbon filter and ro membrane. Takes my 560ppm tap water down to 6ppm. A few hours before I'm going to brew I turn it on and let it fill my kettle. I run a system rated for 75gpd because a membrane with a higher rating requires more water pressure than I have.

For reference this is the system I have: https://www.buckeyehydro.com/premium-ro-systems/

You could easily make it portable.

Not answering your question.. But I have been buying RO water from those fill stations at the grocery store, $4 gets me 10 gallons. I did the math and it just didn't make financial sense for me to get a RO system.

I'll weigh in with my knowledge of RO/DI.

I asked a pure water expert was DI safe to drink. They never responded but as we're boiling the water I don't think it matters.

There are 2 types of water purification RO and DI. Reverse Osmosis pushes the water through a membrane while Di pushes it through a resin. Both can purify water.

DI purifies on demand but can get expensive if used long term. 2 purifying units should produce enough water for your needs (one as a rinse). As a brewer this is the simplest and probably cheapest method.

RO gives a drip, drip, drip but can prove more cost effective long term. NOTE* The gallon per day is a theoretical limit and is never achieveable. It depends on your tap water TDS and your water pressure. For me I can equate GPD to Litre's per day. For a 50 GPD RO I can produce 50LPD which isn't much but enough to brew with.

Stages are just pre filters that will prolong your RO membrane. They aren't necessary but will massively prolong the life of your RO. The final rinse will be DI which sort of backs up my reasoning that DI is safe to drink.

First thing to buy is a cheap TDS meter. This will tell you your Total Dissolved Solids in your tap water. $10 should buy one delivered. If your tap water is really high + 100 then forget about DI and buy RO but even if your tap wtar is below 100 then RO is probably the best option for the least amount of hassle.

Source, I'm a window cleaner (washer to you US folk) who purifies water for cleaning windows. I'm also a home brewer.

Thanks for the thoughts and info gang!

Not sure if it's portable enough for you, but I've really enjoyed my APEC Countertop RO System. It's slow but reliable and gets my ~300 ppm TDS water down to <10 ppm.

I use the sawyer squeeze and it works great. If it gets slow you just use the syringe to back flush it a few times and it gets going again. The bags they give you that act as bladders work but could be better. Just get a 1L smart water bottle. The filter will screw right on the top of that. Much easier to fill and drink from.

I use the Sawyer squeeze (not the mini). Small lightweight and works well. Also threads onto a Smart Water Bottle directly if you want to omit the bags.

Water born illnesses are no joke.

Sawyer squeeze all the way. Your friend is an idiot. You can tell them I said that.

I have a friend who was comfortable drinking unfiltered water and now he has chronic giardiasis.

Yup, that means he has chronic explosive diarrhea, among other symptoms. He has had many rounds of treatment, but it still flares up. Not super easy to hike/work/exist when your ass is constantly pissing poop-water. Also if you think you have giardia, get treatment ASAP.

Anyways. Always filter or treat your water! Better safe than sorry. I like the Sawyer squeeze because it’s easy to use and doesn’t change the taste of the water at all. I carry backup chlorine tablets, just in case my only water source looks gross, but I’ve never had to use them. They’re in a tiny packet and weigh like 0.1gram or something.

Also I’m very frugal, but clean drinking water is my #1 priority on hikes. So $30 for a Sawyer squeeze is very reasonable, considering that (in the US) you’d probably spend thousands on medical treatment for GI issues from drinking dirty water!

Ditch the plastic bag that comes with the Sawyer, it sucks. I use 2 smart water bottles, removed the label from my “dirty” bottle. You need to “burp” the bottle every so often when filtering, but it’s easy to do. Yeah it takes a couple minutes to filter water, but again, would you rather risk CHRONIC DIARRHEA!?!?!?!!!

Yes, they are absolutely worth it. Any water coming directly from a spring is fine to drink straight, since the chances of that water source being contaminated by an animal is basically zero. However, the chances that a spring will be readily available and accessible when you need water are also low. Rivers, ponds or puddles are usually in abundance in woodland environments, and any water from those sources should be treated.

For filtration, the Sawyer is the gold standard among backpackers. It's small, light, effective, and will last indefinitely (I don't believe you will go on enough backpacking trips in your lifetime to filter 100,000 gallons of water before it needs replacement).

If you watch any thru-hiking videos on Youtube, especially on the PCT, these hikers are safely drinking water out of some absolutely vile, nasty water sources (like rainwater cisterns that livestock drinks from, or with dead animals in them) after filtering with the Sawyer. They're also just a good thing to have around the house. I've used mine during boil water advisories in my town.

The squeeze, not the mini!!!! Also, get a cnoc bag for it. It makes it so much easier to use!

I was one of those people. 300 miles into my first AT thru hike attempt my filter messed up and I decided that I could "visually tell" if the water was good or not... Man I was a jackass back then... At 698 miles I was very sick for two weeks and ended up going home.

Please, please, use a filter. I have one and another as a backup on me at all times now

I'm a fan of the Sawyer MINI due to its compact size, its 0.1 micron filter, and the 100,000 gallon filter capacity. Sawyer also offers a lifetime warranty for their MINI. I've done a lot of research on the MINI as well as other portable water filters and I've compiled all of the information here: https://worldwaterreserve.com/potable-water/purification/best-portable-water-filters/

&#x200B;

The Sawyer Squeeze is the best for the money. It can filter the most water and has the best flow from the research I did. You can then mix that with a flexible bag like this

I love my sawyer mini. 10/10. Would recommend.

I keep a life straw in my car and a katadyne pump in my primary bag and a sawyer gravity filter in my auxiliary bag.

I recently purchased a Katadyn BeFree and am really happy with it. Compared to the Sawyer the flow rate is greater and it’s lighter. Pairing it with a Seeker for gravity filtration. Sawyer is a solid choice as well.