|
OWNER REVIEWSAWYER MINI WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM
July 22, 2021
|
Tester
Information
|
|
| Name:
|
David
Wilkes |
|
E-Mail:
|
amatbrewer@yahoo.com
|
|
Age:
|
55 |
|
Location:
|
Yakima
Washington USA |
|
Gender:
|
M |
|
Height:
|
5'11"
(1.80 m) |
|
Weight:
|
203
lb (92 kg) |
|
Biography:
I started
backpacking
in 1995 when I moved to Washington State. Since then, I have
backpacked in all seasons and conditions. I am currently getting into
condition to summit some of the
higher peaks in Washington, Oregon, and California. I normally use a
tarp/tent or hammock for shelter. My current base weight is around 17
lb (8 kg), not including consumables.
|
|
Product
Information
|
|
Manufacturer:
|
Sunday Afternoons |
|
Year
of Manufacture:
|
2018 |
|
Manufacturer’s
Website:
|
https://sawyer.com/ |
|
MSRP:
|
NONE
|
Dimensions: | Measured (not listed) 5.5" X 1.5" (14cm X 4cm) |
| Weight: |
Listed: 2 oz (57 g)
Measured: 1.75 oz (51 g) |
|
|
Product
Description:The
SAWHYER MINI is a hollow fiber-type water filter rated up to 100,000
filtered gallons of water, advertised as being able to remove 99.99999%
of bacteria and protozoa, and 100% of microplastics. It can be used
inline or attached directly to some common water containers. |
|
Report
|
Use:
- 3
days on the Pacific Crest Trail (Washington Cascades, Chinook pass to
White pass) Used to filter mostly running stream water and some lake
water for 1 person. This was a difficult trip and I drank about 3L of
water a day in addition to what I used for cooking/cleaning.
- 3 days Packwood Lake Washington (~4 mile 6 km hike to the lake) Used to filter lake water for 1 person ~3 L per day
- 2.5 days Dewey Lake (Washington Cascades) Used to filter mostly running stream water for 1 person ~3 L per day
Note:
The product is available from multiple on-line as well as brick and
mortar retailers. The SAWYER web site lists some retailers and has a
tool to help locate local retailers that carry SAWYER products. I don't
recall where I purchased mine from, possibly a local 'big box store'.
 I
dislike how much water weighs so I endeavor to only carry a little more
than I think I might need, and refill my water along the way. So my
hydration system of choice is a large (2-3 L / 70-100 oz) water bladder
for collecting/holding raw water (which I normally carry empty), and
two or more smaller (0.5-1 L 16-32 oz) clean drinking containers. The
adjacent image shows my normal hydration setup.
The SAWYER MINI
has hose barb connections on both ends allowing it to be used in line
either to drink directly through it, or as a gravity (or pressure by
squeezing the bag) set up. The water in side of the filter has a
standard 28mm threaded connection allowing it to be attached directly
to common soda bottles (a common bottle is the "Smart Water" product)
or even some soft-sided bottles/flasks. The kit I purchased included a
16 oz (0.5 L) pouch, a straw, and a "cleaning plunger" (aka large
syringe for back-flushing the filter).
While I have tried
drinking directly from a hydration bladder through the filter, it is
not my preferred method as it does require some effort to suck the
water through the filter. Not a lot of effort, but enough that I would
prefer not to have to do it while exerting myself during a hike. So
when I am on the trail I will fill one of my bladders, attach the
filter to the output and squeeze the bladder to filter the water
quickly. I will admit this is not without some risk as I have had the
tubing come off the fitting due to the pressure, and I also managed
to tear a poorly made pouch (not a SAWYER product) by squeezing too
hard. While setting up camp, I will fill my largest water container, and
set up a gravity feed system either by hanging it from a tree or
placing it on top of some object (rock, tree stump, etc). This allows
me to fill my water containers while I am busy doing other tasks (or
just relaxing) and help to minimize the number of trips I have to make
to my water source. It also gives me a ready supply of drinking water
as needed.
While the product came with a syringe for back
flushing, and I have verified that it works quite well, I have never
found the need. While on the trail I make it a habit of at least once a
day run some of my clean water backwards through the filter which
achieves the same purpose. I have had occasion when I was filtering
water with more than average particulate matter, that the flow of water
would slow down due to the filter becoming clogged. But a quick back
flush as described has been all that is required to get the filter
flowing back to its original rate.
While I found nothing wrong
with the water pouch that came with the filter, I found it was not
effective for me. The opening is small and so can be difficult to fill
at some water sources, and the pouch too small for my needs requiring
that I refill it multiple times. Also the shape does not allow it to
fit well into my water bottle pockets nor is it convenient to carry. As
such, I have only used it at home to verify its functionality (and
initial trial of the filter).
One thing I would mention is that
like most, if not all, filters that I know of, allowing water to freeze
inside the filter will damage the filter membrane making it no longer
safe to use. To avoid this I either protect the filter from freezing
(e.g. keep it in my shelter with me) and/or ensure to drain all of the
water out of the filter if there is any risk of it freezing.
|
|
Likes
|
Opportunities
for improvement
|
Lightweight, small, easy to use,
easily to back-flush in the field, high flow rate, can be used directly
in line or as a gravity filter system, versatile (can be used with
various hydration systems).
|
None
|
|
|
