Jake's Thoughts...
Let's cut to the chase, the Sawyer Squeeze may be the best all around water filtration system there is for backpacking, hunting, and any backcountry endeavor in moderate temperatures.
It's light, cheap, easy to use, and reliable.
That being said, there are many options in regards to water filtration, make sure to check out our water filtration options article.
Overview
The Sawyer Squeeze is a portable water filter system that removes bacteria, protozoa, and microplastics from fresh water. Designed for backpacking, hiking, and emergency kits, it offers fast flow rates and provides water on demand (some water treatment options like aquamira or potable aqua take time to treat).
It comes with the filter, water bladders (which suck), a syringe to back flush it, as well as the needed accessories to turn it into a gravity filter at camp.
Sawyer makes 3 different sizes of this filter (micro, mini, and standard) and from my experience the standard version is well worth the additional weight.
Comparison: Sawyer Squeeze vs. Mini vs. Micro
| Filter | Weight | Flow Rate (Typical) | Best Use Scenario |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sawyer Squeeze | ~3 oz (85 g) | 1.4 – 1.9 L/min | Fast filtering, thru-hikes, basecamp use |
| Sawyer Micro | ~2.2 oz (62 g) | ~1.3 L/min | Ultralight hiking with moderate filtering needs |
| Sawyer Mini | ~2 oz (57 g) | ~1.0 L/min | Emergency kits, solo ultralight setups |
How it use a Sawyer Squeeze
Like the name implies, you simply squeeze water through the filter with bladder. But that's not the only way you can use this thing. Additionally, you can:
- Hang it upside down and turn it into a gravity filter.
- Place it on the hose of your hydration reservoir and suck water through it turning it into an inline water filter.
- Attach it directly to a smart water bottle and squeeze it into your mouth. This is especially convenient if your bladder pops.
Pros:
- Ultralight and compact
- Cheap
- Easy to use
- It's fast
- No batteries needed
Cons:
- To be honest, there aren't too many downsides to this water filter
- The original pouches that came with the Sawyer are prone to breaking. We suggest using a CNOC bladder instead
- It can freeze, which will damage the filter and make it unusable
- It does not remove heavy metals or viruses - check out the MSR Guardian or Grayl.
How to Maintain the Sawyer Squeeze Filter
What I love the most about this filtration system is how easy it is to clean.
The Sawyer Squeeze comes with a large plastic syringe which allows you to forcefully push water through the filter and dislodge any materials that could be reducing the flow rate. You can see a video How to back flush a Sawyer Squeeze here.
Pro Tips for using a squeeze type filter
- Make sure you buy the newer version which has the CNOC Outdoors bladder. The original bladders they came with in older models are much more challenging to fill.
- If the water you're pulling is on the dirty side, pre-filter it to keep your flow rate high.
- Wipe off the bladder, or keep some distance between the bladder and your bottle when filling to avoid any runoff of contaminated water.
- Back flush it when your flow rate starts to decrease.
- If it's likely to freeze at night, toss it in a ziplock and into your sleeping bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fact that it can freeze, but you can simply stick it in your sleeping bag at night to prevent that.
Throw it away. If water inside freezes, it may damage the internal fibers and compromise filtration.
