WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 28
  1. #1

    Default Sawyer Mini + Smart Water Bottles Hack

    Just thought I'd share this with you folks that are using your Sawyer Mini with Smart Water/Soda Bottles as your hydration system.

    First let me tell you what my hydration system is.

    I use 2x 700ml Smart Water Bottles with Closure Caps
    I have a 2L Evernew Bag as extra storage to make life easier at camp.

    The Mini Sawyer threads directly onto each of these and I can use water directly from the container.

    Now, back flushing the Sawyer isn't hard but can be kind of a nuisance with the supplied syringe Sawyer gives you. If you've used it, you know that it's easy to fumble around with
    the syringe.

    Someone recommended me to pick up a smart water bottle with the sport cap. The sport cap is of those "nipple" caps. There are some advantages to this.

    1. Screw the cap directly to your h20/soda bottle and use it to back flush your mini filter. It works better and makes back flushing much easier than using the syringe. It mates perfectly with the outlet nipple on the filter and it doesn't leak. I also feel like you get a better back flush than use with the syringe. Rather than fumble with the syringe you just squeeze your water bottle.

    2. Weight savings! The syringe I got with my sawyer weighs 1.12oz on my kitchen scale as I type this. The Smart Water sport cap weighs 0.18oz. Almost a full 1 oz in weight savings for free. Not bad if you ask me.

    3. I keep the regular closure caps on my water bottles and keep the sport cap in my pack as my back flushing tool and as a spare cap just in case I lose one of my regulars.

    So, go pick up a smart water bottle with the sport cap and see for yourselves!

    Regards

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    01-19-2011
    Location
    Abingdon, Virginia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    753
    Images
    6

    Default

    Good tip! Thanks a bunch, I never did like carrying that big syringe around. Both weight wise and it's kind of cumbersome.

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    02-04-2013
    Location
    Washington, DC
    Posts
    4,316

    Default

    I have a similar system to yours (2 700 ml Smartwater bottles and one 2L Platypus). The only issue I have with using the Smartwater bottle for backflushing is the potential for contamination of the filter unless you're using a brand new smartwater bottle. Since I fill my bottles with "dirty" water and use the filter to purify, I'm afraid that there might always be a small amount of nasty stuff left in the bottle. So even if I fill up a smartwater bottle with filtered water (such as using the Platypus + mini to fill a Smartwater bottle), is the water in the Smartwater bottle truly "clean" at that point? Couldn't there be some remnant of "dirty" water in there? And if so, by backflushing, would I contaminate the filter?

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    11-13-2009
    Location
    St. Louis, MO
    Age
    70
    Posts
    2,552

    Default

    Just keep your clean containers on the clean side and the dirty containers on the dirty side, should not be a problem.
    Might be reasonable to fill everything with aqua mura water in town soak overnight to sanitize everything.
    Including squeezing some through your filter.
    Can enough nasties grow on the input side to mess things up ?? Probably not ?
    MHO

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    01-19-2011
    Location
    Abingdon, Virginia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    753
    Images
    6

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Coffee View Post
    I have a similar system to yours (2 700 ml Smartwater bottles and one 2L Platypus). The only issue I have with using the Smartwater bottle for backflushing is the potential for contamination of the filter unless you're using a brand new smartwater bottle. Since I fill my bottles with "dirty" water and use the filter to purify, I'm afraid that there might always be a small amount of nasty stuff left in the bottle. So even if I fill up a smartwater bottle with filtered water (such as using the Platypus + mini to fill a Smartwater bottle), is the water in the Smartwater bottle truly "clean" at that point? Couldn't there be some remnant of "dirty" water in there? And if so, by backflushing, would I contaminate the filter?
    Hey Coffee, I carry a 1liter smart bootle, a 1 liter evernew, and a 2 liter evernew. The way I use is the 1 lt evernew is always used to collect/carry dirty water (also 2 lt if extra h2o needed for camp). The smart bottle only receives clean filtered water. The filter already contains contaminate, by backflushing, you are clearing some of that out hopefully extending the life of the filter. When coming into town I usually replace the smart bottle as in gets kind of funky after several days use and handling.

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    02-04-2013
    Location
    Washington, DC
    Posts
    4,316

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by July View Post
    Hey Coffee, I carry a 1liter smart bootle, a 1 liter evernew, and a 2 liter evernew. The way I use is the 1 lt evernew is always used to collect/carry dirty water (also 2 lt if extra h2o needed for camp). The smart bottle only receives clean filtered water. The filter already contains contaminate, by backflushing, you are clearing some of that out hopefully extending the life of the filter. When coming into town I usually replace the smart bottle as in gets kind of funky after several days use and handling.
    I find it easier to collect water from sources using a hard sided bottle like the Smartwater bottle vs. using something like a Platypus. I normally fill the Platypus by first collecting water in the smartwater bottle and then pouring into the platy. However, you raise an interesting point. I could designate one of my two Smartwater bottles as the "always clean" bottle and use the other Smartwater for collection. Then this backflush system would work very well.

  7. #7

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Coffee View Post
    I have a similar system to yours (2 700 ml Smartwater bottles and one 2L Platypus). The only issue I have with using the Smartwater bottle for backflushing is the potential for contamination of the filter unless you're using a brand new smartwater bottle. Since I fill my bottles with "dirty" water and use the filter to purify, I'm afraid that there might always be a small amount of nasty stuff left in the bottle. So even if I fill up a smartwater bottle with filtered water (such as using the Platypus + mini to fill a Smartwater bottle), is the water in the Smartwater bottle truly "clean" at that point? Couldn't there be some remnant of "dirty" water in there? And if so, by backflushing, would I contaminate the filter?
    Valid Point. I never contaminate one of my smart water bottles with dirty water. Only filtered water goes into it. I do so because I like to use drink powders every now and then. And I dont want to mix drink powder with contaminated water then put that through my filter.

    I typically only carry a Liter of water while I'm hiking and know I'll make it to a water source. So I usually just drink from the dirty smart bottle with mini attached.

    If I want to add Gatorade powder for example, I'll fill the other bottle with filtered water, mix, and drink away. If I need to carry both water bottles filled, the time it takes to filter 700ml isn't bad at all. And at that point, I usually take the time to do a back flush while I'm at it.

    Regards

  8. #8
    Registered User
    Join Date
    01-19-2011
    Location
    Abingdon, Virginia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    753
    Images
    6

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Coffee View Post
    I find it easier to collect water from sources using a hard sided bottle like the Smartwater bottle vs. using something like a Platypus. I normally fill the Platypus by first collecting water in the smartwater bottle and then pouring into the platy. However, you raise an interesting point. I could designate one of my two Smartwater bottles as the "always clean" bottle and use the other Smartwater for collection. Then this backflush system would work very well.
    I like to fashion a Leaf as to channel a stream into my collection, then filter!

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    01-19-2011
    Location
    Abingdon, Virginia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    753
    Images
    6

    Default

    Just Airborne.

  10. #10
    Registered User
    Join Date
    03-23-2014
    Location
    Fayetteville, NC
    Posts
    599
    Journal Entries
    4
    Images
    7

    Default

    Excellent idea! Thanks for the post. I'm surprised the Sawyer syringe wasn't better engineered.

    As for keeping clean water bottle separate from dirty water bottle, I either use a different type of bottle for my dirty collection, or put some tape around so I know which is which.

  11. #11
    Registered User
    Join Date
    01-19-2011
    Location
    Abingdon, Virginia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    753
    Images
    6

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by JumpMaster Blaster View Post
    Excellent idea! Thanks for the post. I'm surprised the Sawyer syringe wasn't better engineered.

    As for keeping clean water bottle separate from dirty water bottle, I either use a different type of bottle for my dirty collection, or put some tape around so I know which is which.
    Yup... Straighton.

  12. #12

    Default

    I use the Mini with 2x1L or 700mL Smartwater bottles. Dirty water goes into a 1.5L Evernew.
    Carrying the Mini and straw separately in a shoulder strap's pocket lets me drink directly from water sources on the go, carry up to 3.5L of water on a dry stretch using the Evernew, and backflush via the Smartwater fliptops.
    A chopped 1L Smartwater bottle gives a way to collect water from even a puddle or small trickle, while the screened funnel keeps as much crap from getting in the filter and makes pouring into the Evernew simple and easy. I like how everything fits into the cutoff 1L, which is my latest idea. Tried some other containers, and used a lighter 500mL water bottle through this past week with the Mini, and the Squeeze before, but it didn't pack as well, and made crinkly noises.



    The stuff sack is from an old Sierra Designs rain jacket:

  13. #13
    Ricky and his Husky Jack
    Join Date
    05-04-2014
    Location
    Dalton, Georgia, United States
    Age
    40
    Posts
    794
    Images
    14

    Default

    for some reason, I can not find sawyer mini at the stores in my area.

    Walmart (2 stores in Dalton, Ga)
    Academy Sports (Dalton, Ga)
    Sportamans Warehouse (Chattanooga)
    Rock Creek Outfitters (chattanooga)

    Now, all these places have the spot on the shelf with tags, but the shelf is empty..... yet every one of these places has "Sawyer Squueze" for about $35..... I don't want to pay that. I want to pay the $20 for the mini.

    It's weird that its listed at all these places, but everyone is out.

    Have you other members had a good supply of these in your local stores?
    Me: Ricky
    Husky: Jack
    Skeeter-Beeter Pro Hammock.
    From Dalton, Georgia (65 mi above Altanta, 15mi south of Chattanooga)

  14. #14
    Registered User
    Join Date
    05-21-2013
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    459

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ricky&Jack View Post
    for some reason, I can not find sawyer mini at the stores in my area.
    Have you other members had a good supply of these in your local stores?
    You can buy from Walmart online, and have it shipped to store for free.

  15. #15

    Default

    Up in the Northeast, more specifically Southern New Hampshire and Greater Boston area. Every Walmart, EMS, & REI I've been into has had at least one hanging on the shelf. Ranging from $20-$25. I was in REI a few days back and they had about 8 or 9 on the rack.

    Deff hold out for the Mini, I personally think it's better than the squeeze.

    Furthermore, you could always just purchase it online. EMS and REI always have them in stock online. Amazon has them in stock. Walmart has them in stock. And if you do have to pay for shipping it's only like $5. You'd spend that on gas getting to the store and back.

  16. #16

    Default

    Great tip! Another useful water collecting trick is to carry a single coffee filter for you dirty water bag so you can eliminate debris almost completely and thus have to back wash even less!

  17. #17

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ricky&Jack View Post
    for some reason, I can not find sawyer mini at the stores in my area.
    Have you other members had a good supply of these in your local stores?
    In stock at Thunder Adventure Co for $24.95 and free shipping.

  18. #18
    Registered User
    Join Date
    03-23-2014
    Location
    Fayetteville, NC
    Posts
    599
    Journal Entries
    4
    Images
    7

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by fastfoxengineering View Post
    Up in the Northeast, more specifically Southern New Hampshire and Greater Boston area. Every Walmart, EMS, & REI I've been into has had at least one hanging on the shelf. Ranging from $20-$25. I was in REI a few days back and they had about 8 or 9 on the rack.

    Deff hold out for the Mini, I personally think it's better than the squeeze.

    Furthermore, you could always just purchase it online. EMS and REI always have them in stock online. Amazon has them in stock. Walmart has them in stock. And if you do have to pay for shipping it's only like $5. You'd spend that on gas getting to the store and back.
    yeah, Amazon is your friend. I didn't know they even came in different colors until I went to MRO. I had to get the pink one.

  19. #19

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ricky&Jack View Post
    It's weird that its listed at all these places, but everyone is out.

    Have you other members had a good supply of these in your local stores?
    good and bad...bad for you they're out, good knowing that they sold and will certainly be restocked, keep checkin' back.

    ...yep, our wally world has em, $19.95

  20. #20
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-02-2011
    Location
    Neptune Beach, Fl
    Age
    49
    Posts
    6,238

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by OwenM View Post
    I use the Mini with 2x1L or 700mL Smartwater bottles. Dirty water goes into a 1.5L Evernew.
    Carrying the Mini and straw separately in a shoulder strap's pocket lets me drink directly from water sources on the go, carry up to 3.5L of water on a dry stretch using the Evernew, and backflush via the Smartwater fliptops.
    A chopped 1L Smartwater bottle gives a way to collect water from even a puddle or small trickle, while the screened funnel keeps as much crap from getting in the filter and makes pouring into the Evernew simple and easy. I like how everything fits into the cutoff 1L, which is my latest idea. Tried some other containers, and used a lighter 500mL water bottle through this past week with the Mini, and the Squeeze before, but it didn't pack as well, and made crinkly noises.



    The stuff sack is from an old Sierra Designs rain jacket:
    What is yellow thing ?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •