Hi AK, hose filters are a great idea. Just ordered some before heading out on the Lost Coast Trail and later back on the PCT. Thanks for your excellent tips!
Great tips! I haven’t started using my Sawyer yet, so I’m yet to experience the tricks that you’re mentioning. I’m not even sure where to get the coupler and extra washers. As long as I’m walking shorter distances of 200 miles or less, I’ve been using the MSR Guardian just because it does everything including self flushing. The penalty, however, is the weight, where walking for weeks on end would be too taxing for such a load. Glad to see a much less expensive and load friendly filter has tricks to keep the water clean.
Hi Glen. Thank you. I have links in the description to the items. I also purchased a Katadyn Be Free, which might be a nice option. It's very light, and seems simple to use. I'll let you know how it works out. I carried a Sawyer for the entire PCT, and it worked well. I did need to backflush it many times because I did draw water from some murky places on occasion by necessity. Stay hydrated my friend.
Thanks for the tip on the filter washers! Added them to my cart for next order. I already use a CNOC bag and coupler, and carry a spare gasket, but had not heard of the filter washers. While I haven't done any trips nearly as long as the PCT (longest has been 10 days out), I backflush after every trip and use the bleach mixture. Seems to keep it working well.
Yes, backflushing is a necessity otherwise using a Sawyer can be frustrating if you have to really squeeze water through it. One time in Oregon during a hot stretch I clogged my filter because we had to draw water from a questionable "frog pond." The water result looked great but the filter took a hit.
Perfect timing as I head out on another section of the PCT this weekend! Never thought to put a flip cap on my Sawyer or to use the coupling, and love the little screen filter you found! Great tips! I do have a new Katadyn that I want to try out, so hoping to try that also! Looking forward to your filter comparisons.
Good tips, thanks for sharing. My Sawyers have always worked well, and I think because I always backflush before it truly needs it. I learned the hard way. Take care
Hi, good tips. I’m currently comparing several brands of backpacking water filters. They are not cheap, in Poland sawyer is ~86USD. I’m considering a sawyer squeeze with diy or a versaflow secondary activated carbon filter. I’ve heard, that for a long-term storage vinegar solution backflushing is advised, to remove any mineral buildup.
Unless I hear differently, the vinegar solution sounds like a winner. I use that same system to clean my on-demand water heater. I'll give it a try. Thanks for watching.
I think that's a genuine concern, although it hasn't happened to me. On the trail I carry mine in a mesh bag so it airs out, and I mentioned how I clean mine using a little Clorox. Also, I will replace a filter I don't think is sound. Thank you for your excellent comment.
@@akwild1 Well, it never helps when it's a foreign language that has no problem stringing together five or six consonants without a vowel in sight and has pronunciation rules that are nowhere near english. The only reason I know how it's pronounced is I heard it so many different ways I eventually googled it.
