Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System

Sawyer Squeeze water filtration system uses a hollow-fiber 0.1-micron membrane that removes 99.99999% of bacteria and 99.9999% of protozoa from any water source — the same filtration effectiveness as pump filters and gravity filters in a package that weighs 3 oz and squeezes water through the filter directly from the included soft-sided pouches. The Squeeze is the most versatile filter in Sawyer's lineup: attach it inline on a hydration bladder hose, squeeze water from a pouch into any container, or use it as a straw.

0.1 Micron vs. 0.2 Micron Filtration

Protozoa (Giardia, Cryptosporidium) average 1-20 microns in size; bacteria average 0.5-5 microns. A 0.2-micron filter removes both protozoa and bacteria reliably. A 0.1-micron filter provides additional margin against the smallest bacterial strains. Neither removes viruses (0.02-0.3 microns) — for international travel or destinations with known viral waterborne illness risk, a filter combined with chemical treatment or a UV purifier like SteriPen is required. For North American backcountry use where viral waterborne illness is rare, the Sawyer Squeeze's 0.1-micron filtration covers the realistic risk.

• 0.1-micron hollow-fiber membrane — removes bacteria and protozoa
• 3 oz weight — ultralight for backpacking and thru-hiking use
• Multiple use modes — squeeze from pouch, inline on bladder, or as drinking straw
• Million-gallon rated filter life — with proper backflushing maintenance
• Included soft-sided pouches — flexible source water containers

Maintaining the Sawyer Squeeze

Backflush the Sawyer Squeeze after every trip using the included syringe to maintain flow rate — forcing clean water backward through the membrane dislodges trapped particulates that reduce flow over time. Never freeze a filled Sawyer filter — water expanding during freezing can rupture the hollow fibers, permanently destroying filtration effectiveness with no visible external damage. Store dry between uses. A filter with significantly reduced flow rate can often be restored by vigorous backflushing followed by soaking in clean water for an hour.