[pct-l] PCT Sawyer Squeeze Feedback

[Jackie McDonnell]

I've used the Sawyer Squeeze filter for over 3000 miles this year.  The
filter itself is great, but the bags fail.  The package comes with 3 bags:
1/2 liter, one liter, and two liter.  Starting on the Appalachian Trail,
those bags lasted about 600 miles (a little over 1.5 months) before the
seams burst.  I called Sawyer to get the bags replaced.  The rep told me
"you squeezed too hard."  Hmmm.  It's a SQUEEZE filter.

They wouldn't replace the bags for free, but they did sell me a set of
three 2-liter bags for $15, including shipping.  I squeezed more gently
with those bags, and they lasted 1400 more miles (2 more months) before all
3 eventually failed.  I picked up Aqua Mira for the rest of the AT.

I went home for a week, then started the CDT southbound with a new set of
three 2-liter bags.  That set lasted 900 miles (filtering for two people)
before they all eventually failed.  I had purchased that set from REI
(Return Everything, Inc.), so I was able to exchange those bags for new
bags for free.  I just picked up the new bags last week.

If the bags were more durable, it would be a great filter system.  FYI, the
set comes with a syringe to use to backwash (clean) the filter.  I backwash
it at every town stop.  Also, the filter fits onto a 2-liter coke bottle,
and on a platypus bladder.

I'll continue to use the filter, just being careful to replace the bags
every 700-ish miles.

Yogi
www.pcthandbook.com
On Aug 28, 2012 7:11 AM, "Jim Banks" <jbanks4 at socal.rr.com> wrote:

> I just finished a 310 mile section hike with my new Sawyer squeeze filter.
> It worked great.  I am very happy with the way it worked and never had any
> problems.  It gets easier to squeeze the water through the more you use it.
> I give it an A+ rating.
>
> I-Beam
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
> On Behalf Of John Abela
> Sent: Monday, August 27, 2012 2:53 PM
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: [pct-l] PCT Sawyer Squeeze Feedback
>
> Hey All,
>
> Do any of you hikers on the trail this year have any feedback so far on the
> Sawyer Squeeze??
>
> Wondering how it is performing for thru-hikers so far.
>
> Thanks!
>
> -Abela
> HikeLighter.Com
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