Inline water filter ?

[flatlander51]

Hi all, I have a katadyn hiker water filter and I'm do for a new replacement cartridge which runs about 40$. A friend of mine recommended an inline water filter instead which would be cheaper and cut some weight. But I have no first hand experience with them. So if anyone with some experience with them could give me there opinion I'd appreciate it. Thanks

 

[bz_711]

My only experience is with the new Sawyer Mini - $20 and comes with everything you need, or can also be hooked inline on regular bladder...and good for 100,000 gallons! Don't see ever needing another filter until time to replace this one...

 

[JDZ]

So, are you guys just putting dirty water in your bladder, and sucking it though the Sawyer Mini as you drink?

How else are you using the Sawyer Mini?

 

[COR]

You can but I find that running two bags is my preference. Dirty water bag to drinking water bag (gravity)...You could drink directly from it and it would work fine but in cold weather you can't let it freeze so that isn't always possible while used inline from bag once October hits...I like a clean water bag without the inline filter for that reason.

 

[eltaco]

I have a separate dirty bag that attaches to a quick disconnect on my hoser tube. I disconnect my bite valve, and connect the dirty bladder with inline filter and then squeeze the dirty bladder to fill my clean. Sounds convoluted but is a pretty slick system. I tried to run the filter inline and didn't think I would like sucking through the filter.

My only (paranoid) question is how long bacterias and giardia can live on your hand if you're dipping the dirty bag in a stream to fill it. Is there any potential issue, there?

 

[JDZ]

I'd like to try the Sawyer Mini because at first glance it looks inexpensive and lightweight. But, if I have to buy and carry another bladder, it seems I've lost both advantages.

 

[MuleyFever]

Eltaco, do you ever have to remove your bladder to fill it with that method? I also like the sounds of the mini at first glance but I like that I dont have to have another bladder and that I dont have to remove my bladder to fill it with my Hiker Pro. Even with a full pack and pressure on my bladder I can pump it full of water.

 

[Matt Cashell]

I use the sawyer with one dirty bag, and use it as a gravity filter if I need clean water for something.

The system is light, easy to use, and versatile. The only downside is the freezing issue.

 

[Shrek]

I use the sawyer with one dirty bag, and use it as a gravity filter if I need clean water for something.

The system is light, easy to use, and versatile. The only downside is the freezing issue.

This ^^^ what's with the obsession with not pulling your bag out to fill it ? Are you trying to pack 10 days in a 1850 and afraid you won't be able to get your chit back in it ? It takes less time than gravity feeding or squeezing to fill the bag and you don't need a second bag. KISS ! Unless there's almost no water to fill from I can fill my big zip in a few moments and slide it back into my pack in a moment more. I cut the top off my squeeze bag and use it to scoop dirty water if the source is too shallow or small to dunk the big zip. The bottom 2/3rds of a squeeze bag weighs nothing and it's slid in the bladder sleeve with my bladder. If I need it I'm pulling the bladder out too so I'm there already. My 10L storage bladder is dirty too and I just fill the big zip from it if I need clean water out of it.

 

[stephen b]

What are most Sawyer users here using - the mini one, or the regular size inline?

I have the regular one, but have been thinking about picking up the mini.

 

[Rockchuck]

I picked up the mini and used it last weekend with good results. I fill the bladder with dirty water and drink with the mini inline. It is not much more difficult to drink thru than normal and it is faster to just pull and fill the bladder and go. I like it so far, thinking about adding a coffee filter or something to help strain water with sediment etc when conditions are not ideal. I like the idea of using a scoop or cup when needed to fill it as well.

 

[SHTF]

I use them Both Steve. One the Squeeze is my hunting bag to bag filter. The Mini I put inline when Im on the move and dont want to take the time to sit around and wait for 3 minutes to filter my bag. as cheap as they are cant hurt to have 2 =-) Mini + Squeeze runs about as much as MSR or Katadyn.

 

[Jared Lampton]

I just switched from pumping with my old PUR hiker to using the Sawyer mini. I'm doing the same thing as eltaco: squeezing dirty water back into my bladder inside the pack through the mini. It was a quick and easy set up and it's really slick. Then I don't have to dirty my big zip. I also hate trying to stuff a full bladder back into my full pack. The mini, adapter, and 32 oz squeeze bag weigh like 3 oz.

 

[Rucker61]

What are most Sawyer users here using - the mini one, or the regular size inline?

I have the regular one, but have been thinking about picking up the mini.

Had the regular, picked up the mini. I'll use the regular in a 10 liter to 10 liter dirty/clean for family backpacking or larger groups.

 

[stephen b]

...... I'm doing the same thing as eltaco: squeezing dirty water back into my bladder inside the pack through the mini. It was a quick and easy set up and it's really slick....... The mini, adapter, and 32 oz squeeze bag weigh like 3 oz.

For the squeeze bag- do you use the Sawyer squeeze bag or another type of bag?

 

[SHTF]

All my filter use is done by gravity here. I never squeeze

 

[Jared Lampton]

For the squeeze bag- do you use the Sawyer squeeze bag or another type of bag?

Sawyer

 

[ffparamedic]

Eltaco I sent you a PM a few days ago...

 

[wyelkhunter]

My only (paranoid) question is how long bacterias and giardia can live on your hand if you're dipping the dirty bag in a stream to fill it. Is there any potential issue, there?

I am also curious about this.

 

[Daniel_M]

I'm a big fan of the Platypus/Sawyer combo. I spend a fair amount of time in areas with beaver so some precaution is important.

The only time I would ever worry about skin contact would be with an open wound/cut and stagnant water.