Water Filter Bottle solution: Katadyn MyBottle or Sawyer Filter Bottle?

Please do not get the WalMart filter, you will regret it.

It is a great price. But it comes in a hard-sided bottle. If you get the "official" version

http://www.sawyerproducts.com/SP149.htm

you get a soft-sided bottle. This is way superior IMHO as it lets you assist the draw when sucking water out by giving a gentle squeeze.

But better yet you can even squirt enough filtered water to make a meal, like in the picture below. And yes, you can just boil that water with no need for the filter, but I have been taking some no-cook freeze-dried meals this summer that just use cold water. Why take a stove when it is hot all day and night, right?

I even did a cool light-weight mod to mine but I am letting our buddy Mark write it up for a review coming up. (I was his guinea pig. Man can I get through a maze fast now…)

Thanks for the info about the soft-sided Sawyer sp149. I wasn't aware of that. Being able to squeeze water is a big plus I hadn't thought of (i.e. for cooking, etc).

I have a question since you have used it. Did you find the Sawyer filter helped bad tasting water taste okay? Or would I have to get a filter with carbon component for that (like the Katadyn)? Thanks

It does nothing to improve the taste of swampy water. Only charcoal will do that.

+1 on the Sawyer Filter NOT improving the taste of the water.

I have been using the same Sawyer filter that is found in the Walmart bottle you are talking about for about 2 or 3 years now.

The Sawyer filter is using hollow tubes/fibers to strain out bacteria and particles….it does nothing to improve the taste of the water.

As was noted by the prior person, only charcoal will do that.

If you want to see what is inside of the Sawyer filter….go to the User Review Section and check out reviews on the Sawyer filter.

I have posted photos of the inside of the filter.

The Sawyer is a great filter, but does nothing for improving taste.

Also, I agree…get the soft sided bottle….the Walmart one is heavy!

-Tony

I bought the mybottle before a trip to Alaska. Didn't want the taste of chemicals to ruin the flavor of the glacial waters I'd be drinking from. Didn't particularly like mybottle for 3 reasons. (1) It imparts an iodine flavor (though this apparently lessens with time), (2) the bottle and filters are heavy, about 11.5 oz, and (3) you have to squeeze and suck hard to get water. You can squeeze some into a cup with enough pressure, but it takes a while. I've gone back to aqua mira, though I'd consider taking the mybottle on short river camping/fishing trips where weight wasn't a huge concern. Alternately, I'd be happy to sell it, cheap.