Originally Posted by
grampa.sjb
I use water treatment when backpacking as well, since all the water is "wild". My favorite method is the Steripen, which uses UV light to zap the nasties, all the way down to viruses, which the Sawyer can't eliminate. It takes only 90 seconds to purify a liter. The drawback is the batteries - mine uses CR123 batteries, two of them, and they are expensive. Some models use AA Lithiums, three of them, also more expensive. The reason for the spendy batteries is the UV light draws a lot of juice, so more powerful batteries are needed. Second problem (limitation?) is that it works best with fairly clear water - the UV light has to reach everywhere. If you have thick water, you may have to filter before you zap! Not a problem I've had in the Sierra, but can be in some areas.
The Sawyer Squeeze or Mini-Squeeze are both good filters. There are a number of hassles in using them, such as the bags leaking, the calcification, the need to flush out regularly. If you can deal with the hassles, they work well. They do NOT eliminate viruses, so they are not the best for remote areas outside North America. For more info on the Sawyers, search the threads at backpackinglight.com - there are more complaints, issues, fixes, etc., than you want to read about! Basic advice: Always soak in a vinegar solution before using it (no, not the first time!), backflush regularly, take along a cup or something to scoop water out of lakes and ponds and sometimes streams, and maybe replace the OEM bag with something sturdier. Evernew and newer Platypus bags seem to be the most recommended - test before your trip (I've used the Evernew bags without any problems).
Cyccommute, sounds like you experienced all the most common problems at once! Sawyer should really include more complete instructions on how to use the filters. My worst experiences have been having the bag leak on the Squeeze, so that contaminated water was dripping into the clean water, and the huge slow-down of calcification. More reasons I like the Steripen!
I'm just beginning to get into touring, with a dream of riding down the California coast, and through the Sierras, but have no actual experience yet with touring. My tendency will probably be to treat wild water, and trust civilized water.
I've looked at the Steripen but avoided it because it requires batteries. It may be lightweight but if it doesn't work, it becomes useless weight no matter how lightweight it is. And, if you feel you need to carry extra batteries, that's adds to the overall weight.
I really wanted to like the Sawyer but if you have to soak it in vinegar (and didn't know about that before hand on the second trip), backflush it regularly, take along a cup and have to worry about the bag bursting, it's not worth the hassle, no matter how lightweight it is. Yes, my Sweetwater is 11 oz and the Sawyer may only be 3 oz but when you are out of water and can't get anymore because the filter failed, lack of weight doesn't amount to a hill of beans.
By the way, I only carry the filter on backcountry trips. If I'm riding on paved roads or where there are towns and treated water sources within a regular distance (20 to 40 miles), I don't carry a filter.