Mike Islander
WKR
Been using the Sawyer Squeeze for about a year, and very happy with it. When they came out with the mini, I picked one up. I was concerned about the flow, but flow is actually great. I get about 1 liter a minute using gravity only. If I squeeze the bag a little bit, it's probably a third faster. What I like about it is the form factor. Compact with small diameter. Easier to keep in a pocket in freezing weather if necessary.
Like other folks, I use a CNOC for my dirty bag and whatever fits well in my pack as the clean reservoir. Originally I used the Katadyn Quickfill QD connection kit in my hose to swap between the bite valve and the fill bladder. Those are not available on Amazon anymore, so I use now use the Sawyer SP115 Fast Fill Adapter. This is actually a better kit, because it includes two male and one female connector (like the Katadyn) but also adds the screw on adapter for the Sawyer filter. Works great and my clean water bladder never has to leave my pack to fill it. I run an EXO 4800. The water compartment is completely separate from the cargo area and waterproof. I keep a spare CNOC or EVERNEW bladder flattened inside that compartment as well. With the quick connect system you can rig any bladder with a standard soda threaded cap to the bite valve, so you have a ready replacement for either the clean or dirty water bladder in one spare bag.
CLEANING THE SAWYER
Sawyer has an excellent video on how to clean their filters. They go so far as to include how to soak a completely clogged filter in hot water, and then if necessary vinegar, to restore flow. They didn't need to do this and could sell more product if they didn't. I have a Sawyer Squeeze that I left dirty water in and let it dry (neglect, not on purpose). Using their backflow syringe I was able to restore about 2/3 of the original flow. I'm going to try the hot water soak tonight and see how that goes, and then go with the vinegar soak if necessary. They basically say you should be able to restore flow for almost any clogged filter following these steps. IT REALLY WORKS. Don't throw away good filters (send them to me instead).
VIDEO -
PDF - https://sawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/sawyer_bucket-cleaning_2016-01-15e.pdf
Like other folks, I use a CNOC for my dirty bag and whatever fits well in my pack as the clean reservoir. Originally I used the Katadyn Quickfill QD connection kit in my hose to swap between the bite valve and the fill bladder. Those are not available on Amazon anymore, so I use now use the Sawyer SP115 Fast Fill Adapter. This is actually a better kit, because it includes two male and one female connector (like the Katadyn) but also adds the screw on adapter for the Sawyer filter. Works great and my clean water bladder never has to leave my pack to fill it. I run an EXO 4800. The water compartment is completely separate from the cargo area and waterproof. I keep a spare CNOC or EVERNEW bladder flattened inside that compartment as well. With the quick connect system you can rig any bladder with a standard soda threaded cap to the bite valve, so you have a ready replacement for either the clean or dirty water bladder in one spare bag.
CLEANING THE SAWYER
Sawyer has an excellent video on how to clean their filters. They go so far as to include how to soak a completely clogged filter in hot water, and then if necessary vinegar, to restore flow. They didn't need to do this and could sell more product if they didn't. I have a Sawyer Squeeze that I left dirty water in and let it dry (neglect, not on purpose). Using their backflow syringe I was able to restore about 2/3 of the original flow. I'm going to try the hot water soak tonight and see how that goes, and then go with the vinegar soak if necessary. They basically say you should be able to restore flow for almost any clogged filter following these steps. IT REALLY WORKS. Don't throw away good filters (send them to me instead).
VIDEO -
