Sawyer Mini Water Filter Review for Backpacking

The Sawyer Mini Water Filter is a well-known water filter used in the hiking and backpacking community.

Aside from its widespread recognition, the filter has been in use and extensively tested for many years within the outdoor community. I’ve used the mini since I started hiking and have filtered water with it many times.

The Sawyer Mini Water Filter is a popular choice and has been extensively tested over time.

In this review, I’ll share my own experience with this water filter, including its performance and the pros/cons of the product, to help you decide if it’s right for you.

What is the Sawyer Mini Water Filter?

The Sawyer Mini Water Filter is a part of the Sawyer brand, which has been around since the 1980s.

The company doesn’t just make water filters. They have made first aid supplies and other related products. I even buy my permethrin from the Sawyer brand.

The Sawyer Mini Water Filter measures 2” in height and 6” in width. It measures approximately 9 inches in length. It weighs approximately 4 ounces, making it ideal for carrying in a backpack. It will typically filter up to 100,000 gallons of water if used correctly. The filter type is a 0.1 Micron Absolute Hollow Fiber Membrane.

These water filters typically cost around $15 for a single unit but are also available in bulk units. You can find these filters online, at REI and other sporting goods stores, as well as at larger general retail stores like Walmart.

Why Backpackers Choose the Sawyer Mini Water Filter

There are many great reasons why backpackers and hikers choose to carry the Sawyer Mini Water Filter.

The water filter is designed to be compact and lightweight. It’s easy to organize and store, and the weight is unnoticeable, even for ultralight backpackers.

This water filter is very versatile. You can screw it onto most water bottles or use it as a straw. You can also use water bladders that usually come with the product upon purchase.

When comparing the Sawyer Mini Water Filter with other filters, pumps, and purification tablets, it often has a significantly longer lifespan than its alternatives.

Testing the Sawyer Mini Water Filter on the Trail

I have tested the Sawyer Mini Water Filter while backpacking on the trail in various hiking scenarios.

I first used it at Lusk Creek during a wilderness backpacking trip during the first Total Solar Eclipse. I’ve used it on Red Cedar Trail while backpacking with my wife on numerous occasions. I’ve also used it to filter water at Current River in Missouri.

I have found this water filter to work better when filtering water that is in motion. It’s also safer to do this. In the event of an emergency, you need to filter the water you get, and I completely understand that.

The setup process is very simple. You fill up a bottle or one of the included water bladders with the untreated water. Then screw the Sawyer Mini Water Filter onto the bottle or bladder, turn it upside down, and let it drip through into your clean water container or drink from it directly.

Pros of the Sawyer Mini Water Filter

There are a few pros to know about when considering the Sawyer Mini Water Filter as your next backpacking gear item:

1. The water filter is extremely lightweight and easy to pack.
2. The water filter doesn’t cost that much and could easily last you an entire hiking season.
3. The filter is very easy to backflush for cleaning and simple to maintain.
4. The filter has a very reliable filtration down to 0.1 microns (this removes bacteria, protozoa, and microplastics).

Cons of the Sawyer Mini Water Filter

There are, however, a few cons to consider when choosing the Sawyer Mini Water Filter as your backpacking water filter:

1. The water filter can clog up if you’re filtering from a water source with heavy sediment.
2. The filter has a slow flow rate. It can take a while to filter a bunch of water.
3. Like most water filters, this particular filter does not provide significant protection against viruses.
4. The Sawyer squeeze bag tends to have durability issues, where the bag and the fastener portion can rip or break.

Comparisons with Alternative Water Filters

Before deciding on the Sawyer Mini Water Filter, it is ideal to compare it to other products out there, including:

The Sawyer Squeeze is the larger water filter of the brand. You can effectively filter more water using the larger bladders, and the flow rate is quicker than the mini. However, this filter does a lot more and may be noticeable in terms of weight for your backpack.

The Katadyn water filter is another popular choice among backpackers. Many people find the two to be roughly equivalent. Some backpackers, however, have reported that the Katadyn filters are more difficult to pack than the Sawyer Mini Water Filter.

LifeStraw is another popular product in the water filter world. LifeStraw filters are typically used directly from the stream to the mouth. This makes it easier to use and lessens the need for a bladder. However, some people prefer to use something like the Sawyer Mini to filter into a container rather than use the filter as a straw.

Water purification tablets are often said to be more accurate in filtering water. However, the tablets can only be used once, and it may take a while (and require additional tablets) to filter larger amounts of water compared to the Sawyer Mini Water Filter.

Who is the Sawyer Mini Best For?

There are many individuals who may consider using the Sawyer Mini Water Filter.

It’s a wonderful choice for ultralight backpackers. The filter is compact and easy to store. The filter also weighs very little, making it an essential piece of gear for those who are concerned about weight.

For hikers and backpackers on a budget, this water filter ranges in price from $15 to $20 per unit and will last a long time when used correctly. The price point is low, and the usability is high, making this water filter very budget friendly.

If you have an emergency kit or bug-out bag, the Sawyer Mini Water Filter would be a great addition to it. It is very packable and will last a long time in the event of an emergency or survival situation.

If you’re a day hiker, trail runner, horseback rider, or cyclist, this water filter should be a part of the 10 essentials of hiking gear that you take with you. You never know what can happen, and you might need more drinking water. Be at ease knowing you have a water filter in your pack.

Tips for Using the Sawyer Mini Water Filter

Consider the following tips to maintain your Sawyer Water Filter and ensure that it can be used for prolonging periods of time.

Try to regularly backflush the filter to clean, maintain, and ensure that it has a really good flow. You should be doing this after every trip that you use it on.

Pack a few coffee filters to use as pre-filters when filtering from water with a lot of silt. This will help prevent your water filter from becoming clogged and unusable.

When backpacking during the colder months, store your used water filter in your sleeping bag with you to keep it warm, so it doesn’t freeze and break overnight in the cold temperatures.

Always carry a backup water filter when possible. You can purchase the Sawyer Mini Water Filter in bundles to receive multiple filters at a discounted rate.

Before taking your brand-new Sawyer Mini Water Filter on your next backpacking trip, test it at home first. This will ensure that the filter functions as intended and that you understand how to use it.

Final Thoughts About the Sawyer Mini Water Filter

As you can see, the Sawyer Mini Water Filter definitely lives up to its reputation as a well-known and well-used product.

In my opinion, the pros outweigh the cons because there are steps you can take to counter the cons of the water filter. For example, you can filter silty water through a coffee filter first to prevent clogging. You can buy better bladders instead of using the problematic Sawyer ones.

I think this particular water filter is perfect for both your day hiking kit and your backpacking kit. It’s even better for ultralight hikers because they weigh so little.

What water filter are you using on your hiking and backpacking adventures? Please comment below and let me know, as I’d love to know what other filters are being used.

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