Sawyer Mini Water Filter Review

Field test and review

Back-country water filtration used to mean choosing between bulky pump filters, harsh chemical treatments, or fussy UV light pens. The Sawyer Mini takes that choice away because it handles all of it in one small filter.

It weighs only 57 grams, filters up to 378,540 litres of water, and costs a lot less than most water filters. It removes 99.99999% of bacteria and 99.9999% of protozoa, including Giardia, so there’s no need to carry the extra weight of a pump filter or wait around for chemically treated water to become safe, and drinkable, to taste.

The Mini can be attached to the included collapsible drinking pouch, inline on a hydration pack (that’s how I use mine), on a standard soft-drink bottle, or you can simply use the included drinking straw to drink directly from the water source. Like all Sawyer filters, a proper back-washing can restore up to 98.5% of the filter’s flow rate, which means no expensive cartridges to replace.

It’s cheap, light, and effective compared to the other options out there, and I use it on every hike where I know my water supply will need a top-up.

Pros

• The MINI removes 99.99999% of all bacteria, such as salmonella, cholera and E.coli; removes 99.9999% of all protozoa, such as giardia and cryptosporidium
• Cost Effective – About as cheap as water purifiers get.
• 57 grams – About as light as water purifiers get.
• 1 x 5 in – About as small as water purifiers get.
• 378,540 Litres Guarantee – Not too shabby either. (30 times more than comparable filters)
• Versatility – Use it with a straw, splice it into your hydration pack, attach it to a bottle, or use the squeeze bag to fill your containers. The adaptability of this product is one of its greatest strengths.

Cons

• Back-flushing – Like all filters, a little maintenance is required. Back-flushing will keep your Mini flowing strong and it’s easy to do. Back-flush at home between your trips and you’ll be good to go.
• Squeeze Pouch – When you buy the Mini, it will come with one 16 oz pouch, which will be large enough for your trail runs, but not large enough for your backpacking trips. So definitely pick up some spare pouches. I prefer the 64 oz bags.
• Squeeze – If you use this product with a squeeze bag (most common), you’ll have to squeeze water through the filter. This can get tedious on long trips with big groups, just like a pump filter can. It’s really not that bad at all. Bring one Mini for every two people and you’ll be set.
• Freeze – Don’t let your Mini filter freeze in sub-zero temps because that could damage its insides, and nobody wants that. If you’re in a pinch, put the Mini in a Ziploc in your sleeping bag at night.
• Lakes – Filling the squeeze bag from a lake will seem tricky the first few times you try it. Hold the bag by the top opening and swoop it through the water. After 8-10 scoops you’ll have a full bag.

On paper, the ability to drink clean water straight from the source, without carrying a bulky filter or harsh chemicals, is what makes this worthwhile for back-country hikers. It’s an effective, small, lightweight and versatile filter that doesn’t cost much.

Update December 2020

The flow rate was great when I first started using them, but over time it reduces to the point where the filters become unusable. Even cleaning them doesn’t seem to improve the flow. I’ve come close to getting a blister on my tongue trying to suck water through ours. They seem to have a short life.

Buy from Backpacking Light for $49.95

Tech Specs

• Filter Material: Hollow Fiber
• Removes: Bacteria, Protozoa, E. Coli, Giardia, Vibrio cholerea, Salmonella Typhi
• Cartridge Life: up to 100,000 gallons. 378,540 Litres
• Weight: 57 grams
• Product #: Blue [SP128], Black [SP105], Green [SP101], Pink [SP102], Orange [SP103], 4-Pack [SP124]
• MADE IN THE U.S.A