I have been getting heaps of requests for advice on where to hike, what gear to take, how to pack for overnight, etc. so I have decided to start a non-regular thread of blog posts on the goings on of getting out of town (just in time for winter, I know). I have been slowly updating my backpacking gear, so I am testing some newer things as I go, and will put up why I invested in them and what I think of them as it occurs to me. I agonized over the choice, so if I can save you the hassle... Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink (safely) This last weekends backpacking trip was in an area somewhat famous for having an oversupply of water, so I decided to bite the bullet and invest in a water filter to reduce my dependency on hauling in all I required (I still humped plenty just in case). Usually I tuck a few water purifying tablets in my pack, but the taste and time-to-work has always bothered me, so I decided to sacrifice a little weight for a filter. As always, I agonized over which system (of the dozens out there - comparisons of which are across the hiking-web), and settled on the Sawyer Squeeze over the Platypus GravityWorks for the following reasons: The Squeeze is more versatile (it can be used in-line as part of your in-pack water bladder, filtering water as you suck it), you can drink directly from the dirty water bag via the filter with a pop valve like a regular vapor bottle, or even as a gravity fed system for supervision free basecamp use - the primary domain of the GravityWorks. However it's work-horse function is as a quick-stop squeeze-through filter from water just scooped from the river, into your bottle of choice.
Sawyer Squeeze TLDR:
- Lightweight (3 ounces), well regarded, backcountry water filter - Highly adaptable (inline, direct-to-mouth, gravity, to container) - Almost idiot proof (luckily for me!) - Fast set up, filtering, and disassembly - Ridiculous lifetime capacity (tho how ridiculous is under debate) - Cheaper than other reusable options - Greater flow rate than others in Sawyer family allows gravity filtering at basecamp - Super easy to maintain (backwash with included syringe in field if flow slows, and after trip). - Provided bags can be difficult to fill and have been known to burst, use a disposable water bottle (same thread size) Other notes: - Cannot freeze (damages filaments), store deep in pack and sleep with it in a pinch if you get caught in the cold. Alternative filters recommended for regular high-alpine or four season use. - Blowing back water in the filter directly after use has been suggested as a way to help keep filter clean and reduce frequency of backwashing in field if handling high-sediment water. Also reduces pack weight and leakage. - Not for weight fiends and true ultra-light hiking, but pretty close - Closest competition, Platypus GravityWorks would be an admirable alternative, tho slightly heavier, bulky, and more geared toward basecamp gravity work.
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