Here’s the bottom line: You should probably own the Sawyer Mini water filter.
The folks over at Sawyer have completely revolutionized backcountry water filtration over the past two years. It wasn’t long ago that your choice was between bulky pump filters, harsh chemical treatments, or fussy UV light pens. Now you don’t have to worry about any of that because the folks at Sawyer just made the choice for you, and it’s called the Sawyer Mini.
The Sawyer Mini weighs only 2 ounces, will filter 100,000 gallons of water, and cost a lot less than most water filters. It’s easy to use, extremely versatile, and highly effective (99.99999% protection against bacteria and protozoa – that’s a whole lotta nines). So there’s no need to worry about Giardia, no need to carry any extra weight, and no need to wait 30 minutes to drink funky tasting water. The Mini is nearly the perfect backcountry water filter, and if you pick one up, you’ll quickly see why.
The Sawyer Mini is a total no-brainer for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s so cheap, light, and effective compared to its competition, it will quickly become one of your favorite pieces of gear. It’s the biggest game changer I’ve seen in a long time, and that’s why I’m naming it my 2014 Top Pick for backpacking gear.
