Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System

UPDATE: So I recently added the CNOC Vecto 2L bladder to this rig and got rid of my Survivor collapsible canteens. I don't think I'll be going back. The Vecto has a large opening to fill, and a 28mm bottle cap to dispense. The Mini screws on perfectly and now I can filter 2L at a time with no issues. Loving this. I also have gotten rid of all my Nalgenes from my backpacking/camping setup. I use them for the office now. I have replaced them with Smartwater bottles. The SW bottles weight less than 2 ounces each, cost $1-2 each and fit the Mini. I have also found I can get two 32 oz SW bottles into a single water bottle pocket on my pack. That means I can either carry 4 liters of water without affecting my internal storage. I have come to really value that decision. When a SW bottle wears out or breaks, I can replace it at pretty much any grocery store for less than $2. ORIGINAL REVIEW (May, 2017): Did some back country camping this past weekend and took the Sawyer Mini out with me for the first time. Reviews on it were good and I was looking for ways to cut down on weight and footprint on my old filter system (a pump). The mini is excellent. I've seen a few reviews complaining about the bag it comes with and the time it takes to squeeze "x" amount of water through it. All I have to say is, yes the bag is too small. 16 oz is kind of lame. The quality of the bag? Seems decent enough. I'll end up replacing it anyway with a pair of Survivor Filter collapsible canteens (32 oz each). As far as the filter goes, I tried it on just some regular old tap water to function test it and get familiar before taking it out. I filtered two liters of water through it (2 Nalgenes) and then back flushed it. I was shocked to see the brown much it filtered out of the tap water! I may get a second on and just screw it onto a SmartWater bottle for drinking at work! The system was easy to use. I don't know what kind of rush others are in when backpacking, but I'm not. I move at my pace and take my time. i'm not in a race when I'm backpacking or camping. I don't mind taking a couple minutes to filter some clean drinking/cooking water. The Sawyer Mini works great. I have zero complaints. I appreciate that it comes with the syringe to back flush it and keep it working well. The 16 oz bag is too small, but it works, and unless you're Hulking out on the thing, it should last just fine. That's one piece I'll upgrade, but the filter alone is well worth the cost of the set.

Used this on a backpacking trip this past weekend at Gem Lake in WA state. I was very try surprised how well this worked and how easy it was to use. It’s small and compact easy to fit in a small zipper, the water capacity I got is 16oz and worked will for me, the speed of it was depending on how your squeezed the water out, and I felt that the quality was pretty good for what I paid for. I would like to get a larger water bladder as it took me a good 15 min out es to fill up a 3L bladder. Also, I was worried about a weird taste from the filter and surprisingly I did t have an issue. If you do a little liquid iv or gatorlite can help with the taste if needed.

Best water filter I have ever used . Customer friendly, light weight easy to use long lasting high capacity

Filters arrived in a bulk clear plastic bag with cleaning tool. The sale price was very good, $10 per filter was very fair. Would buy again. Highly recommended. Excellent for preparedness kits and backup home water filtration needs.

The Sawyer MINI is a top pick for ultralight backpackers, travelers to remote destinations, or anyone building an emergency kit where weight and pack space matter. It hits a great balance of filtration performance, portability, and overall value. However, if you’ll be filtering large quantities of very silty water, or you need faster output, or you’re treating water with virus risk, then you might want to look at a bigger system or supplement it with another method. In short: lightweight, capable, versatile—just know its modest flow rate and application limits.

I bought the Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System for backpacking trips where every ounce counts and reliable hydration is non-negotiable. I needed a simple, effective, and incredibly light solution for personal water purification, and my initial thought was that this little filter was almost too good to be true, given its tiny size. After using it on multiple outings, it has proven itself to be a surprisingly powerful guardian against waterborne pathogens. The Mini excels in its simplicity and versatility. The 0.1-micron absolute hollow fiber membrane filtration provides top-tier protection against common threats found in natural water sources. I've used it in-line with my hydration pack, as a squeeze filter with the included pouch and a Smartwater bottle, and even with the straw to drink directly from a clean-flowing creek. It delivers clean water reliably, which is its most critical function. The filter’s advertised lifespan of up to 100,000 gallons essentially makes it a lifetime investment. The key features truly shine in the field. Its two-ounce weight and compact size are a game-changer for my ultralight setup, making it barely noticeable in my pack. While some filters struggle with flow rate, the Mini provides a respectable flow when squeezing, though it's certainly slower than its larger cousin, the standard Sawyer Squeeze. The included syringe for backflushing is a brilliant and necessary tool, restoring the flow rate easily, even on the trail, which goes beyond just what's in the product listing. However, in silty or turbid water, you will definitely need to backflush frequently to maintain a decent pace. Pros Incredibly small and lightweight (approx. 2 oz) for ultralight backpacking. Highly effective 0.1-micron absolute filtration removes 99.99999% of bacteria (like E. coli, Salmonella) and 99.9999% of protozoa (like Giardia and Cryptosporidium). Exceptional longevity, rated for up to 100,000 gallons. Versatile connection options: included pouch, standard disposable water bottles, hydration pack inline, or use the straw for direct drinking. Easy to maintain and flow can be restored in the field with the included backflush syringe. Very affordable compared to many other long-lasting filter systems. Cons Slower flow rate than the larger Sawyer Squeeze, especially when filtering larger volumes or when it begins to clog. Does not filter out viruses (which are rare in US backcountry but a factor internationally). Does not remove chemicals, heavy metals, or improve taste from non-pathogen sources. The small 16 oz soft pouch included with the kit can be fragile and prone to tearing if squeezed too hard. Must be prevented from freezing once wet, as freezing can damage the filter fibers and render it unreliable. Verdict The Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System is an essential piece of gear for any solo backpacker, hiker, or traveler focused on low weight and small packed size. It is a fantastic, no-fuss filter that delivers clean water from backcountry sources without fail, provided you're consistent with maintenance. The trade-off for its ultra-portability is a slower flow rate than other options and the lack of virus/chemical protection. Therefore, this filter is best for individual users on trails in North America where viruses are a low risk. It is absolutely worth the price for the freedom and safety it offers. For international travel or areas with known virus or chemical contamination, pair it with chemical purification tablets or a different system. Otherwise, it is a 5-star lifesaver.

Amazing for Fixing Cloudy Lava Lamps! I bought this straw for my lava lamp project, and it worked perfectly. My brand-new lamp came out of the box murky and cloudy, but using this straw cleared it right up. I’m honestly amazed at how well it worked. Very pleased with the results!

Wow. I've been hiking the Appalachian trail solo as out-and-back day hikes this year. Over the summer, I started taking 2 water bottles with me for my 12-mile and longer hikes. And I would refill them, unfiltered, from water sources along the trail. My brother pointed out that I as certifiably insane to do such a thing. After some thought, I decided to agree with him. After some searching, I ended with this setup. I wanted something I could take with me that was ultra-light and ultra-small. I usually have my iphone and some trail mix in one pocket of my running shorts, a water bottle in my hand, some backup carbs on the other pocket, ID and cash in the back pocket. That's it. While it's reasonable to do 5 miles this way, or even 8 if you have water at your destination, 12-15 miles requires a refill. And this is how you refill. The filter is tiny, and if you're using clear water from a moving stream or spring, the flow is pretty fast. As fast as my Katadyn hiker filter that I've had for years. After a few trips with this baby, I'm hooked. A couple tips and things I've learned: 1) You're carrying 2 water bottles anyway - one to fill from a water source, and one to drink from. I fill the clean bottle with filtered water, and fill the other bottle with unfiltered water. 2) The bags are unreliable. I haven't had one break yet, but it's a common thing. So don't rely on 1. Bring a backup. Or, 3) Use another bottle with a cap that fits. The package says the filter fits on most water bottles. I have not found that to be the case with 2 different house brands of water bottles. I did find that the house brand 0-calorie clear soda (it comes in peach, blackberry, etc, you know what I mean) bottles did fit. So for 68 cents, I have an unfiltered bottle I can use. I think that soda bottles will reliably fit, but that's just a guess. 4) lastly, because the equipment is so small and light, it is easy to lose. I started off on a 15-mile hike last week and 3 miles in discovered that my water bag was gone. I assumed I had left it in the car accidentally or it had dropped on the trail. I went ahead and did the hike anyway, refilling at a clear spring, right at the source, without filtering. I found the bag on the side of the trail on my way back. So use a zipper pocket, bundle the items to something bigger with a rubber band, do something to protect yourself. I have not used this for a camping trip yet, but I would not hesitate to do so. It's amazing. I would make sure to take the backwash plunger with me if I was backpacking, though. I love this system - it simply can't be beat.