The Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System, paired with the CNOC Premium 2-Liter Bladder, is a good choice for hikers and backpackers seeking a reliable, lightweight water filtration solution. This system combines Sawyer’s proven hollow-fiber filter technology with a high-quality, durable soft water reservoir from CNOC, delivering convenience, efficiency, and peace of mind in the backcountry.

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• Type: Squeeze or Gravity Filtration
• Sawyer Filter Weight: 2.5 oz
• Filter medium: Hollow-fiber membrane
• Filter lifetime: 100,000 gallons
• Filter pore size: 0.1 microns absolute
• Filter removes 99.9999% of all protozoa (parasites) such as Giardia and Cryptosporidia; 99.99999% of bacteria such as Salmonella, Cholera, and E.coli; and 100% of microplastics
• CNOC Bladder: TPU, BPA-free, and FDA-approved
• Bladder weight: 3.5 oz

Design and Build Quality

The Sawyer Squeeze filter is compact and weighs 2.5 ounces. It uses a hollow-fiber membrane rated at 0.1 microns, capable of removing 99.99999% of bacteria (including Salmonella, cholera, E. coli) and 99.9999% of protozoa (Giardia, Cryptosporidium). However, it’s best used with backcountry water sources and does not filter out viruses or chemicals, so users should be aware of this limitation in areas where these are prevalent, mostly urban, international, or agricultural.

The system contains a filter, bladder, backflush syringe, and a cleaning coupler.

The CNOC Premium 2-Liter bladder stands out for its durability and functionality. Made from BPA-free TPU material, it resists punctures and folds flat when empty for efficient packing. The wide-mouth opening allows quick filling from natural water sources or taps, while the screw cap ensures a leak-proof seal when tightened. The 2-liter capacity strikes a good balance between carrying enough water and keeping weight manageable.

This CNOC bladder is a big upgrade from the previous blue bladders that Sawyer used to ship with the product. In addition to holding more water, they’re transparent, so you can see how much water is remaining in the bladder. They also have 1/2-liter and 8-oz markings (up to 2 L/64 oz) on the outside that show how full the bladder is. Given how flexible the bladder is, these measurements are approximate and less precise than those obtained with a rigid container like a Nalgene bottle or a graduated cookpot. But, they’re still useful for figuring out how much water you’re carrying.

The “clean” end of the filter has a cap so water doesn’t drip out and make your gear wet between uses.

Performance

One of the defining features of this system is the ease of use. The “squeeze” design allows you to fill the CNOC bladder with untreated water from streams or lakes, then squeeze it through the filter directly into your drinking container or hydration pack. The filter’s flow rate is more than sufficient, up to 1.7 liters per minute, but slower than other hollow fiber filters from Katadyn and Platypus.

The bladder’s back opens wide to scoop water from streams or lakes.

When new, it takes the filter some time to become saturated, so presoak it before use and try to keep it “wet” during the season. This is as easy as screwing it onto a bladder filled with water and making sure the drinking cap snaps shut between uses. Sawyer provides instructions for drying, sterilizing, and storing the filter in the off-season.

The system also supports gravity filtration by hanging the bladder and letting water flow through the filter into another container, which is helpful when filtering larger volumes, say for a group. There is a hole in the slide that secures the dirty end of the bladder, through which you can loop a cord to hang the bladder, but it doesn’t come with the filtration system.

To fill the bladder, remove the slide that holds the wide end closed and scoop water from a stream or lake into it.

The water filter has a cap at the top that closes to prevent drips on your clothing or gear between uses. It also prevents the cap from becoming inadvertently contaminated with “dirty” water, which you want to avoid consuming. Between uses, it’s best to keep the “dirty” end of the filter connected to the bladder, so that end also doesn’t drip onto your clothing.

Maintenance is straightforward: the hollow-fiber filter can be backflushed with clean water using the included syringe to restore flow rate and extend filter life. With a rated lifespan of up to 100,000 gallons, this filter offers exceptional durability compared to many competitors, which typically last only 1,000 to 2,000 liters.

It’s best to keep the filter and bladder connected between uses, so they don’t leak onto you and your gear.

Pros

• Lightweight and compact: The total system is 6.0 ounces, making it ideal for ultralight backpacking.
• High filtration efficacy: Removes bacteria and protozoa effectively.
• Durable bladder: CNOC bladder is robust, leak-proof, and easy to fill.
• Fast flow rate: Up to 1.7 L/min, reducing downtime, under ideal conditions.
• Versatile use: Supports both squeeze and gravity filtration. Can also be connected to other compatible hard or soft bottles: SmartWater bottles are popular with hikers, but the filter can screw onto any bottle with a 28mm opening.
• Long filter life: Rated for up to 100,000 gallons with easy field cleaning.

Cons

• Does not remove viruses: Users traveling in areas with viral contamination risks should consider additional treatment.
• Becomes unreliable if frozen. Replace immediately if this occurs.

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Recommendation

The Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System with CNOC Premium 2-Liter Bladder excels as a lightweight, efficient, and reliable water treatment solution for backpackers and campers. Its blend of proven filtration technology with a high-quality hydration reservoir makes water collection, storage, and purification straightforward in the outdoors.

Whether you’re on a multi-day trek or weekend camping trip, this system minimizes your gear weight without compromising safety or convenience. The fast flow rate and long filter life make it a cost-effective investment for anyone serious about clean drinking water on the trail.

Disclosure: Sawyer donated a Squeeze for review.

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