There's a 65g mini version, looks like a good idea. Expecting a potentially grim taste depending on the source but basically safe water, is that about it?

Every time I've used mine it's tasted fine. I guess if you're worried about the taste you should probably go for one with a carbon filter aspect.

They're fine James, no nasty taste.

Here's a review from the start of last year; http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.co ... eview.html

I'm still using it and no reason to stop.

Mini one is great. Small/light. Filter effectively lasts a lifetime. Can drink directly from a puddle with you really want to, which I kinda did last weekend.

Great stuff, thanks everyone. Wasn't too worried about the taste, can't be worse than suspect water with chlorine tabs in : )

Sawyer mini worked great for me on the AZT this year. The only thing Sawyer warns against is not letting it freeze, I would guess the expansion of water when it freezes can create a situation where pores in the filter would be forced open too far and may begin to allow nasties through. Overall, great/versatile/inexpensive filter, and if you expect to be filtering silty water it's flushable with the syringe and can be cleared when clogged, whereas most if not all larger carbon pump filters cannot and once clogged, are clogged until a new cartridge can be acquired.

The only thing that puts me off these, although I'm definitely in the minority, is its ability to filter out nasties

I can't remember which way it goes, but it can do one and not the other. The one it can do is the one you're likely to need, and the one it can't do is the one you're a lot less likely to need. It's talking about viruses and bacteria

I do like the compact nature of it though. I use a drinksafe filter, the one that comes in a cycling bottle. Good at removing bad guys, but more faff than I'd like

I brought mine along on a ride with my friend who has a phd in water filtration. He was impressed.

Ben, the site says

The MINI removes 99.99999% of all bacteria, such as salmonella, cholera and E.coli; removes 99.9999% of all protozoa, such as giardia and cryptosporidium

so it sounds pretty good, was there something it wasn't reliable for? Got one on order anyway, Stuart's before-after pic in the link looked to be a much better result than I get with a fine material (ahem. like a sock) and chlorine tabs. It's for filtering Alpine water so nothing too demanding.

Heres a thread highlighting the difference - http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/gear ... 51592.html

It's chemicals that it can't deal with, not an issue with upland sources but further down there's a slightly higher risk, only slightly mind

It's that reason that's out me off, despite it being a better product for most of the time

Useful, thanks Ben. Chemicals unlikely to be an issue in the places I'd use it but good to know, hadn't really thought of that aspect.

No worries, I got it wrong anyway - it's fine with viruses and bacteria!

Many people seem to have it and get on with it fine, I do like the form factor of it

+1 for the Sawyer Mini - keep it flushed and it works nicely.
-1 for the 16oz bag - around the bottom of the plastic opening tends to tear after repeated use.

Greetz

S.