Sawyer Squeeze Review: Why It's The Only Filter You Need
The Good
- Rated for 100,000 gallons (effectively a lifetime supply)
- Filters 99.99999% of bacteria (Salmonella, Cholera) and protozoa (Giardia)
- Can be used as a gravity filter, straw, or screwed onto standard water bottles
- Field maintainable via backflushing
The Bad
- If it freezes while wet, the fibers break (and you won't know it)
- Included pouches are notoriously hard to fill in still water
- Does not filter viruses (rarely an issue in North America)
Water is the "Rule of 3." You can survive 3 weeks without food, but only 3 days without water. In reality, after 24 hours of dehydration, you become useless.
The Sawyer Squeeze is not just a piece of gear; it is a $40 key to infinite water. Unlike tablets that run out, or pump filters that break, the Squeeze just works.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System
0.1 Micron Absolute Filter. Removes 99.99999% of Bacteria.
Check PriceHow It Works
The Squeeze uses Hollow Fiber Membranes. Imagine a bundle of thousands of microscopic U-shaped straws. The holes in the straws are 0.1 microns wide.
- Bacteria (0.2-2.0 microns) cannot fit through.
- Protozoa/Giardia (1.0+ microns) cannot fit through.
- Clean water flows freely.
Performance Test: The "Mud" Challenge
We took the Squeeze to a stagnant beaver pond in the Adirondacks. The water was tea-colored and filled with particulates.
- Filling: The included bags are annoying to fill. We recommend cutting the bottom off a SmartWater bottle to use as a scoop, or upgrading to a CNOC Vecto bag (a must-have accessory).
- Filtering: We screwed the filter onto the dirty bag and squeezed.
- The Result: Crystal clear water. No "swamp" taste. No chemical aftertaste (unlike iodine).
- Flow Rate: About 1 liter per minute with moderate pressure.
The Achilles Heel: Freezing
This is the single most important thing to know about the Sawyer Squeeze. If you use the filter, and then let it freeze (e.g., leave it in your car in winter, or in your pack overnight), the water inside the fibers will expand and shatter the filter matrix.
- The Danger: It will look fine physically, but dirty water will flow right through the cracks.
- The Fix: In winter, you must sleep with your filter in your sleeping bag and carry it inside your jacket close to your body.
Winter Warning
If you suspect your Sawyer Squeeze has frozen, THROW IT AWAY. There is no way to test if it is broken, and risking Giardia is not worth saving $40.
Comparison: Sawyer Squeeze vs. LifeStraw
| Feature | Sawyer Squeeze | LifeStraw (Original) | Winner | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Lifespan | 100,000 Gallons | 1,000 Gallons | Sawyer (100x more) | | Versatility | Straw, Bottle, Gravity, Inline | Straw Only | Sawyer | | Pore Size | 0.1 Micron | 0.2 Micron | Sawyer (Safer) | | Maintenance | Backflushable | Blow out (hard to clean) | Sawyer | | Price | ~$40 | ~$20 | LifeStraw |
The Verdict: The LifeStraw is a cool gimmick or a last-ditch backup. The Sawyer Squeeze is a legitimate filtration system for a group. Being able to screw it onto a SmartWater bottle makes it infinitely more useful.
Essential Mods & Hacks
Out of the box, the kit is okay. To make it "Pro" level:
- Ditch the white syringe: Buy the "Sawyer Cleaning Coupling" ($3). It lets you backflush using a clean water bottle.
- Get a CNOC Vecto Bag: The wide-mouth opening makes collecting water 10x faster.
The Good
- Best lifespan-to-dollar ratio in the industry
- Threads onto standard soda/water bottles (SmartWater)
- No pumping required (fewer moving parts to break)
- Flow rate is fast enough for drinking on the go
The Bad
- Freezing destroys it permanently
- Included bags are durable but hard to fill
- Does not remove heavy metals or chemicals (need a purifier for that)
Final Verdict
The Sawyer Squeeze is arguably the most important $40 you can spend on survival gear. It solves the problem of hydration permanently (or at least for your lifetime).
Don't buy the "Mini" (it clogs too fast). Buy the full-sized Squeeze.
Rating: 4.9/5 Stars Recommended for: Everyone. Seriously, buy one.