Seven years old, still one of the best Sawyer Mini tips videos I've found, though a bit long. Worth it.

dude. I'm gonna set my mini up exactly this way. So simple! You're a genius!

Great! 7 years later and still a very useful video. Thanks for creating and posting it. Buying the screw protectors at Lowe's today.

A common suggestion by almost all reviewers of the sawyer water filters is to use the smart water bottle cap to back flush the filter,. This is simply a bad idea for the longevity of your filter. Sawyer recommends back flushing forcefully with the syringe because the pressure created by the syringe when used forcefully will knock out the channels of the fibers that have been clogged with nasties. If you don’t knock out those nasties especially the first couple uses, the flow rate will suffer and eventually be unusable. Those first couple uses, the clogged fibers if not forcefully backflushed with high pressure, will never return to the normal flow rate. Basically you will create a path of least resistance and unwillingly create a slower flow rate and ultimately a premature end of the filter life. Of course Sawyer is in the business of selling water filters so they don’t actively state this but they do mention it in some of their videos on you tube.

I came to KZfaq looking for instructions on how to use a Sawyer, and this popped up. I want to use this on our awful city water. If it tastes like it didn't come out of a dirty swimming pool, I'll be impressed.

That screw protector hack was the best part of the video. Especially they way you presented it. I pretty much knew all the other stuff.

Even 6 years later, these are great hacks! Nice job with this video.

I just got one with all kinds of crapola attachments with zero instruction included on how to attach them. Found you video and it's perfect for all the mountain hikes I take, mostly on the trails of Rocky Mountain National Park, just minutes from my brother's place in Estes Park. Thanks for this very simple yet useful system of use. I can throw out all that other crap that had no explanation for use.

great video. love the rubber screw protector idea. Anyone in IT: same rubber protector is used to cap ST fiber patch panels. Your local IT Department might have some for free if you needed a couple.

Thank you! I just purchased this water filtration system and your video was very informative and very fair. Thank you again

Thanks for the great review. Didn't even think about the 3/8" screw protectors and that my smartwater bottle would stay on when gravity feeding! Brilliant!

I've been trawling the net for a simple, effective filter system and yours is the best to date. Thank you

You answered all the questions I had and I am now ready to buy one. I had been debating for a while but we are good to go. Thanks for a very informative video.

Outstanding! I watched a lot of other mini mod videos, and plenty are good, but this is simplification at its finest. Nice job.

Thanks a bunch, man. Just bought one of these little guys for my pack on account of all the popularity they've been getting. Really appreciate all the tips!

Great tips! I just started carrying the smart water bottles. They're pretty great. Light, strong enough and a nice thin diameter. Never thought about using the bottle to back flush the filter. Good one!

One of the best tutorial video. Thanks, keep them coming. Just bought one today for our kayak camping trip in texas. Sure beats lugging a whole lot of water bottles. I have a really nice 1 liter canvas back water pouch it screws right on. So cool

Very clever! Thank you for sharing this with us. I will be going on my first backpacking trip this summer, and I'm so intimidated by the high price of equipment. But $20 is right up my alley :)

Excellent demo. Great job on the hacks. I bought three of these one for each family member.

Absolutely wonderful... That is now also my carry system... Thanks for the amazing share...

Thanks for all the ideas folks. great stuff. great vidio.

Just bought one of these. Great find to help me be prepared for a great experience. Thanks!!!

Great video! Thank you! I'm just starting to plan my first trip EVER for next year. I already have a Sawyer, but great info!

Been using a similar system for last 3 years! I like the CNOC/Sawyer combo. Didn't know the straw end fits into the Smart Water cap, though! That simplifies things! Thanks for the vid!

Brilliant! Just what I was looking for. I have a Sawyer system and I'm trying to reduce pack weight for a long, 14 day hike in the UK. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I LOVE your system!

Fantastic tips thank you so much! Another tip I saw was to carry an extra washer just in case the sawyer one fails or gets lost or damaged!

brilliant my friend, I have been confused on which water filter to have, after seeing this I think I will go with the this system, once again thank you.

Awesome setup!!! I've been using the mini for quite some time and this is very helpful to lighten it up, thanks!

Great vid. This is the first filter I feel confident to replace my millbank filter bag and iodine tabs, which will now be the backup system. I will still use the filter bag as a first stage to remove mud and vegetation, because it's very simple to clean. Thanks again.

Great Tips! I'm new to using a water filtration system and received one of the Mini's for Xmas. Thank you for showing me how it will work.

Excellent video! Thanks for taking the time to put this together and provide the multiple suggestions!

Awesome! I've been trying to figure out what water system to use for my lightweight solo backpacking trips as I section hike the AT. Your system is the best I have seen so far. Add to it some chemical backup and I'd feel really good to go. Thank you.

awesome hacks. thank you. I own the Sawyer but I haven't used it yet. this video will keep me from getting too figure out a "better way"

I appreciate the know-how and the dry humor... Thanks....

Fantastic info good sir! Just got this filter so these hacks are going to be well timed and definitely utilized and much appreciated!!

Brilliant tips, thanks a lot! I have been putting together a long term Bug out bag and have been researching everything including hacks to make my equipment more efficient and lighten the weight of my pack. I've been watching, among others, 'Homemade Wanderlust' and Dixi mentioned a hack for the Sawyer mini filter using the smart water bottle too which stuck in my mind. She also mentioned interchanging sports bottle tops of any fitting bottles with the sawyer nozzle to keep long term use bacteria and dirt at a minimum. Your video was very helpful and easy to follow and although it was done in 2016, your tips are still relevant and useful to me, so thanks again and take care. Sincerely a Brit chick in Germany :D

Thank you. Good ideas. Of course sometimes making the end cap is part of the fun.

Great video with lots of interesting and simple fixes to all the complaints I’ve heard about the mini. Thank you!

This is super cool video. Thanks man. Been wanting to buy one of these for awhile now but kept forgetting to. Finally did like 3months ago, and just opened it up. Found out My toddler opened it before me, so my instructions were gone. Really informative video and tips and tricks. Thanks again

Super ideas. Thank you for taking the time to educate all of us.

Great practical tips for even easier use of this effective easy to use filter! Thank you!

A fair and good review, mate. There's no accounting for some that will pick any little hole they can about a product - but I did laugh when you suggested the hardware store for an easy fix to someone getting upset about a little water. Thumbs up!

i have watched a few of your videos and i have to say. very professionally done. good job and thanks

Great video! really like the screw protector idea.

Just purchased a mini. Appreciate the great tips!

Great video! Thanks for the letting us know about your experiences with Sawyer mini! Some helpful tips too

I just got back from my second ever backpacking trip (I've only ever backpacked solo) and these are some great tricks! I used the smart water bottle system but don't have a flip cap. This is a must for me now.

Great video and awesome ideas, boy did i get lucky your the first video i looked at on this subject...no need to look anywhere else now!! Thanks i appreciate the knowledge!

Excellent job on your presentation! These were good hacks. Thanks!

Thank you! I liked your system very much.

You have a VERY GOOD system there my friend ! I teach mountain survival in the rocky mt. chain & am always asked the same questions about water bottles. I still carry a full camelbak bladder along with 2 1 qt. canteens from the military & always, ALWAYS have 2 sawyer minis with me & filter cloth for putting water in the bag then filter it with the mini. If people would actually READ THE SAWYER INSTRUCTIONS , They tell you to ALWAYS BACK FLUSH AFTER USING IT !!!!!!!!!!! Great info ! great video ! Keep 'em coming ! : )

Real nice video. Thanks! Your tips added a lot more value to my recently purchased Sawyer.

Very informative, great tips included. Well done!

Best filter out there. I also use a smart water bottle, attach to filter, screws on perfectly. Ill try your idea, thanks!

Thanks for sharing your tips, very thoughtful advice!

Thanks for sharing. When it comes to the end cap, now why didn't I think of that!

You answered all my questions. Thank you sir!

Thanks for the video. I am going to give the Mini a second chance thanks to your hacks. Makes a lot of sense.

Great video. Thank you. I am doing my first solo backpack and just got my Sawyer Mini. Will practice at home first. Thanks again.

thanks for the hacks! You sold me on this system.

Thanks for the review. Going to pick one of these up for sure!

Loved this video! And thank for explaining solutions for those who need them. 🙏🤙

Thanks for the tips! The smart water bottle is perfect!

Thanks for the video. It was really good. I got a lot out of it. Liked your commentary. I also liked how you took your time letting the viewers actually see what was going on. Good work buddy. Safe hiking.

Great info put plainly and easy to understand for us “noobs”. Thank you .

Thanks so much! Well done and informative too.

Amazingly helpful. Thank you.

Thank you very practical.....I like that. Also I appreciate that you have hired Mr. Bill so he can take care of his family. I haven't seen him for awhile!

Thanks for the tip on the Smart Water bottle. I'm getting the Mini anyway, but you really simplified what I thought I was going to need for a filtration system!

great vid, very helpful tips as im new to using this system. thanks

Great ideas! Thanks for the video.

Going to Bali in November bringing one of these just in case! Fantastic info. Thank You!

Excellent. I like your system I'm going to go with it.

Hey man, good setup. Appreciate all the tips. I really like the sawyer mini. And for the amount of water I ever filter, which isn't much, it works great.

Thanks for the tips. I will definitely be trying these!!

Great video, answers every question I had on Sawyer mini.

Great tips. Thanks for posting.

Thanks man, great tips. Heading out tomorrow on the trail for 2 days and picking up some smart water on the way.

Great vid, I learned a lot.

New sub. Love your vids. Especially cook kit and sawyer mini, (so far)Excellent info. Thanks

Thanks for the info and hacks. Very useful.

This was a very helpful video. Thank you for sharing.

great video good idea using a screw protectors thought I never thought about that

This was so helpful. Thank you and have a great day👍

Great video and (I feel) essential viewing for the Sawyer Mini neophyte!

Great tip on the sports bottle cap. The fact that the Sawyer tip fits into the bottle never crossed my mind

Very Nice Kit, thanks for the advice

Never thought to use it as a filter like from the sink, filter water from one container to the next. This will help loads as I have been trying to think of ways to use it with my GI canteens.

Thanks great video, out of all the guys that talk about using a smart water bottle to back flush ect, you're the first one that I have seen show it. Up here in Canada I don't think we get those bottles but i'm going to keep my eyes open for one. That would lighten my water system some for free, best way to cut weight.

Nice video. Love my Sawyer mini and I agree 100% that platypus is a superior flexibale bottle. I also always have smart water bottles around. I was not aware of the screw protector or sport top on the smart water bottle. Good tips!

Excellent balanced and helpful review. Thank you.

Agree, the 16 oz squeeze dirty bag the unit comes with is too small. However, if cut at an angle in half, forms a good transport shell to other dirty container when collecting water in tight spot. Excellent video, thanks!!

This is a great video! Thanks for sharing!

Awesome vid bud! Glad I watched it! Thanks for sharing!

I really liked the backflush hack! Thanks!

Just ordered one. Thank you.

great video and some really useful hacks - thanks

Just saw this ... loved the little green cap idea. I love my mini. Good ideas ... subbed so I can learn more. GREAT job!

Thanks bro I feel 100% more confident in this purchase