What’s up with water filters now??

cant say much about filtering in-line and drinking.. but if i had to choose between the 2? Be Free hands down. I have grown disgusted with both filters though and now use Steripen.  Though I will carry my Be Free on kayaking trips as it fits nicely in my PFD front pocket and is convenient to fill and drink from while Paddling.  Wish I could help more with your dilemma. Best of luck!

Sawyer Squeeze won’t clog too soon in varied terrain (like the southern PCT .. deserts to forests to alpine … to drainage ditch runoff under the sunrise highway) vs. the other Sawyers in many water sources.  Worth the minuscule weight bump IMHO.

On my 4th summer with mine with back flushes, … last one (winter) with a bleach solution before drying for winter storage, first one with a little vinegar to loosen any hard water deposits.  Rinse well after the latter step ..

That said I’ll go with a “BeFree” in an area with plenty of relatively detritus-free water where I really don’t need to carry much (northern forests).

I’m yet to find the perfect water treatment so I’ll refrain from commenting about that, but I just wanted to say congratulations on the move to Bend!

I’ve used the full size squeeze, the micro squeeze, and the be-free. All in the Sierra.  The micro squeeze clogged the 1st day and despite repeated backwashing never produced more than a trickle.

The be-free has higher flow than either of the sawyers.  But can’t backwash. That said should it clog, given my experience with the micro, I am not sure backwashing is truly viable.
<p style=”text-align: right;”>So my next outing I’ll bring the be-free and a spare.  About the same weight as the full size squeeze.</p>

I’m not aware of a way to splice a BeFree into a hydration hose. If you are committed to that setup you will likely need to look elsewhere.

Hi Jennifer, welcome to Oregon

I keep using my Squeeze.  If it broke, I’d probably just buy another.  Even though it’s “old” and “heavy”.  Maybe I’d get a befree instead.

Squeeze. Can take it from a clogged drip to full flow in the field.

I have switched to a hydroblu versa flow this year as part of a squeeze/gravity system and I have been quite happy with it. It would be quite easy to use inline since it has nipples (and threads) on both sides.

Hey Dan, how’s the flow with the hydroblu???  Looks just like the sawyer mini….which was meh in that department. But looks like a good compromise! otherwise I’ll just go back to the full size sawyer I guess…..

And Jerry – SOOOO glad to be in OR!!!  your state is amazing

Anecdotally, I am happy with the hydroblu flow rate, but I really don’t know how to compare it quantitatively to the Sawyer without integrating them into identical gravity flow systems. Maybe someone has done that.

Im another Hydroblu GoFlow 10L bag user with their in line filter + carbon filter. Although its a heavy system at ~10oz (which excludes their heavy hanging strap, I replaced it with ZingIt) it is so convienent to use I accept the weight penalty. I hate pumping and squeezing, so gravity is about all that’s left.

The Hydroblu filters are easily back flushed with a standard water bottle. I back flush any time the outlet is not a continuous stream which can be from 1L-15L filtered depending how clean the water is. At full flow/freshly backflushed, Im guessing its about 2-3mins per L. Also their $20 carbon filter is worth it IMO. I was drinking slightly sulfur-y spring water this weekend and was glad to have the carbon cleaning it up a tad. I’ve considered double carbon filters for short hikes with questionable tasting water, but havent tried it yet.

Also the black bag works ok as a solar shower, just detach the filter and use the hose or snap on a DIY shower head

FWIW, like many people, I’ve just been using a CNOC bag with the hydroblu. That way I can squeeze, or connect tubing for gravity feed if I have a convenient place to hang.

I realize that the OP has a different (in-line) use for the filter.

Hey Jennifer congratulations for being in Bend with better access to great trails.  Like most everyone else, haven’t found a filter that I love. What I have come to appreciate (though it’s not the lightest option) is the Aquamira pressurized reservoir (used to be called the Geigerrig) for in-line filtering.  Rather than me creating suction (which can be challenging during hard, uphill pushes), I can actually have the water squirting when I bite down.

I’ve been carrying both the original BeFree for quick drinks on the go as well as the new Platypus QuickDraw.  I like that the Platy screws onto many commonly available water bottles and the Platy bottles, and it has a much better flow rate than the BeFree.  It would seem there are several really good options out there.

Another for the full size Sawyer Squeeze, though I don’t often actually squeeze it– we usually set it up for gravity flow in camp. Cheap. Simple. Easy to backflush.

+1 on the Platypus Quickdraw. Faster than the Befree and much faster than the Sawyer Squeeze. Seems more silt-resistant than the BeFree, much more silt-resistant than the Sawyer Squeeze. Recovers better from back flushing/cleaning than either the Befree or the Sawyer Squeeze. It’s seems. to me the most versatile of the three as well in terms of bottle compatibility. But Sawyer gives away a lot of Squeezes to influencers and thru-hikers who like to post their 😍 on instagram so buyer beware.

The QuickDraw appears to be a step up in the squeeze filter category, and were I buying a squeeze filter that would likely be my choice. I do wish the output had a more versatile connection such that it could attach to a clean-side bottle. Having to hold the output over the receiving bottle not only seems rather inconvenient, but I prefer a closed system such that any dirty water drips don’t contaminate the clean water or container.  As a “drink straight from the filter” solution it looks nearly perfect.

I still prefer a gravity system.  My DIY kit utilizing the “black filter cartridge” from the sawyer SP140 filter bottle weighs 160 g and works quickly.  Most all current filtration systems work well for somebody…depends on your requirements.

Hi Jennifer, nice to see you back! My brother’s son and wife live in Bend; great choice!

I’m sold on the Steripen. No clogging. No pumping. Fast and easy. Mine has performed flawlessly for years.

Welcome to Oregon. I’m a big fan of the BeFree and have been using it four several years now. If you’re committed to using a hydration bladder you can still use the BeFree. Hydrapak makes several sizes of large water bags (like 2-liter and 3-liter) that the BeFree can be attached to. You’d fill the Hydrapak with dirty water, attach the BeFree to it, then squeeze/roll the bag to filter the water into your hydration bladder. Basically you’re just using the BeFree instead of a pump type filter, but the BeFree/Hydrapak combo is easier/less work than a pump filter in my opinion. Plus the big Hydrapak bag is great for collecting water in the evening or morning for camp cooking.

For inline or gravity use, it’s hard to beat the Sawyer SP140. It is pretty much a Squeeze with nipples on both ends. It comes as a package with a 34-oz water bottle, which would honestly make a pretty good water system all by itself. Anyways it has the flowrate of the Squeeze but weighs somewhere between the Squeeze and Mini.

I’ve had my latest one for at least 4 seasons, still going strong.

Yeah that sawyer hack from the water bottle (is that the SP140?) is what I’ve been using for years, but this last trip on a newish one one of the nipples literally broke off. So wasn’t sure if I should just keep with my tried n true, if if there was any love for the newer things. I do like the inline drinking I have to say, it helps me drink a lot more than I otherwise would.