Sawyer Squeeze users

Okay, I’m way behind the times here: I know that most of you who use the Sawyer Squeeze filter use Smartwater or similar bottles. I’d never tried them (I liked the Evernew bottles.) One of the problems I’ve had with both the Sawyer and Evernew collapsible bottles is that they’re difficult going on impossible to fill horizontally from a shallow stream. (They fill fine if you have a small falling-water source.)

My question: since the Smartwater-type bottles are more rigid, are they easier to fill horizontally from a shallow stream?

You might take a look at the CNOC Vecto bottles. Like the Sawyer or platypus, but the big end opens up. I have the 2L, and it seems to work well.

Not sure if we're supposed to insert a commercial link, but just Google "CNOC Vecto".

I’ve been using the Sawyer bottle that came with my “Squeeze” for over five years now. This is the “improved” collapsible bottle, not the original problem-type bottle. I never try to fill the bottle directly, I use a water scoop made from the bottom half of a 2-liter Platypus collapsible bottle to fill the squeeze bottle. It weighs less than an ounce and can take water from sources around an inch deep. It can easily be squeezed into a pouring spout and also can serve as a “camp” water container. The scoop, squeeze bottle and filter roll up into a compact 1.5” x 4” bundle.

I’ve seen them on Amazon; they looked interesting. If I recall, though, they are about 3 ounces each, which is a bit heavier than 1L Smarwater bottles? Of course, you’d have to fill the Smartwater bottle twice...

I did see that Evernew came out with a 2L ziploc-opening bag, but the reviews said the opening was a bit small to use effectively.

Thought I might try something different with the Smartwater bottles. If they don’t work, I’ll take a harder look at the CNOC. (With CNOC, I’m wondering how it might work using a blue 2L as the “clean” container doubling as a drinking “bottle” and the orange as the “dirty” container. Any thoughts?)

I like the “scoop” idea - that would also work (probably) to gather water from seeps on rockfaces and such. I’ll have to take a look at that, and give it a try.

Seems like it might also be a good ‘bowl’ for rinsing out socks and such.

As far as depth, I’m lucky in that, in my area, the streams are mostly gravel and sand bottoms, so I can use my trowel to dig a three-inch hole in that one-inch stream.

Yep. Where necessary, we just use our soup mug to fill the bottles...

I've been fiddling for some time with a project to make a framed, collapsible water scoop. Here are some images (its still in progress):






If you have access to BPL (the other lightweight backpacking forums) I have a pretty extensive thread on my exceedingly slow progress on this project.

Most "dry bags" have a stiffener strip along the closing edge. Cut off the buckles and you have a lightweight, firm edged bag for getting water from a shallow stream. Having said that, I also use the bottom of a Platy bag as a water scoop (I cut it at the narrow "waist" area). It's plenty stiff enough to allow water to flow in. I like that my fingers don't get dunked in the water on cold days!

We just use an extra cup we take along. I know. EXTRA 2.5 OUNCES!!!!!

it works.

My 'water scoop' is a plastic container that used to hold 24 oz. of yoghurt. It doesn't collapse, which is somewhat inconvenient, but it is 1.3 oz. and does have multiple uses, including letting me wash socks in it by putting the lid on and agitating them vigorously with some water. It also sits nicely on the ground without tipping over.

I realize that you are going to filter the water but the thought of washing your socks in the container that you are going to use for drinking water just seems a little much.

you're just squeamish

I agree. But I've also seen people using their bear can to wash their underwear...HYOH, I guess ..

a few years ago I bought a flexible bottle of water at a quickie mart in Calif. the quality of plastic was similar to the Evernew flexible canteens..only the shape was like a platypus.(sort of peanut shape when filled with water) I took and cut the bottom 5-6" off (about at the waist). without content the cup lays flat, but when I'm ready to use it I can, with one hand squeeze the two welded seams together and the cut line, opens to form a large cup shape (sort of like an old school coin purse). about four scoops and a one liter dirty canteen is filled. lays flat and I rubber band it to my sawyer mini, and weighs next to nothing.

Platypus is a little more rugged than CNOS I think. I had a seam tear on CNOC.

BTW, I tried out the new Hydro Blue water filter. Works very well. Switching.