Last year I unfortunately ended up freezing my Platypus gravity filter while on an elk hunt in Colorado so I'm looking to replace the filter itself.

Looking at prices I found the replacement is about $65... Ouch!

Is there any reason not to just buy three Sawyer Minis for the same price and replace as needed? It seems to me the flow rate is only slightly reduced with the mini and I'll likely have to back flush a bit more, but still seems worth it?

I have used the Sawyer Squeeze, Sawyer Mini and Sawyer Micro. It is my opinion that other than possibly the flow rate, the Sawyer Mini will function well.

Hydroblu VersaFlow is the way. Pair it with a Cnoc bag or typical water bladder with integral hose even.

I go water bladder with hose to clamp to Hydroblu then screw a Smartwater bottle directly into the other side of the Hydroblu and you can also purge with a squeeze of your smartwater bottle at the end. The Sawyer does not have threads on both ends to allow this.

The Sawyer filters will work fine; the Squeeze is faster than the mini. The HydroBlu works well also.

Another reason to buy a Sawyer.

I have found the Squeeze to be very superior to the Mini, especially when there is any color/sediment. Flow rate is vastly different after the honeymoon phase is over.

Unas10: " Another reason to buy a Sawyer. "

Watched the video twice and appreciate what I gained: Perspective.

I use the platypus dirty bag still, for me it was two things, i don't know why but from my experience of about 10 trips with platy filters, I had a lot of issues with them. I could filter clean water at home just fine, but they seemed to be very sensitive to the water I filtered in BWCA. I stitched to the sawyer mini because they are under $20, they filter slower, but not enough for me to care, and my luck seems to be better with them and I can easily afford a spare backup, which I have, and if the filter goes bad from freezing, etc.., I'm not out $65. Mostly, I switched for economics, as the platy will only do one thing better in my opinion, and that is get you 4L of water in maybe half the time, which i doubt is the case, but even if it is, i can wait, I'm not running a marathon, I'm waiting to mix lemonade with vodka, which for some may be worth the platypus.

Bjfinnegan: "Hydroblu VersaFlow is the way. Pair it with a Cnoc bag or typical water bladder with integral hose even.


I go water bladder with hose to clamp to Hydroblu then screw a Smartwater bottle directly into the other side of the Hydroblu and you can also purge with a squeeze of your smartwater bottle at the end. The Sawyer does not have threads on both ends to allow this. "

I second this. I like the Hydroblu a LOT better than the Sawyer products for both the flow rate, less backflushing, and the versatility of 2 threaded ends. Never used a Platypus.

keth0601: "Last year I unfortunately ended up freezing my Platypus gravity filter while on an elk hunt in Colorado"

How'd the hunt go?!?

I have never used a Sawyer for in camp filtering, or any other brand for that matter. We have 3 Platypus filters, buying a couple backups when on sale. But after 10 or so years we are still using the original with good results. We are careful to backflush after every bag filtered and not let it freeze( I have slept with my filter on many occasions) it has paid off. We bring a backup on trips but have never needed to use it.

Can't comment on other options but I can tell yo that our Platypus gravity filter setup has been a game changer for us and one of the best equipment purchases we have made in recent years. We are a bit obsessive about water, liking to have plenty of filtered water available in camp at all times. Our typical setup includes the Platypus 4 liter dirty and clean bags with the filter along with MSR 6 liter an d10 liter clean water bags so we have 20 liters of water available most of the time(btw we are mostly basecamping). We start filtering when we get to camp and by the time camp is setup, pausing to refill the dirty bag, we usually have 10-12 liters available already and another 4 liters in process. Dehydration is a thing up there with folks not drinking enough because it is inconvenient - not at all for us any more.

Anyways we are very pleased and even amazed at how well it has worked. Other systems may be equally good. We are set for years to come I think.


Our typical water setup:

YetiJedi: "

keth0601: "Last year I unfortunately ended up freezing my Platypus gravity filter while on an elk hunt in Colorado"

How'd the hunt go?!?"

No elk, but a great trip nonetheless. I'll take any time I can get in the mountains. Early rifle the aspens were gold and beautiful and the weather was maybe a bit too nice.

Thanks everyone going to give the squeeze a try this year well see how well it compares for half the price. Like the idea of being able to use it on the go as well if need be. I usually carry a filter bottle in addition to the gravity filter maybe this way I won't have to.

Most ultralight backpackers prefer the sawyer squeeze over the mini

They work fine, definitely slower, probably because the Sawyer is a .1 micron filter instead of the Platypus .2 micron, but it filters better. Be sure to take the back-flush syringe. Also,the Sawyer is rated for 100,000 gallons compared to the Platypus at 400 gallons. Not sure how accurate either of those ratings are, they both last a very long time if you maintain them properly. Never store or allow to dry out without back-flushing well beforehand!