Gearhead: Purify your water with Sawyer’s new filter

Imagine not having to lug a huge supply of water on a days-long backpack trip. Sawyer Products' award-winning water filtration system makes it possible - and without the use of chemical additives, thanks to its proprietary screw-on/off PointONE filter. It removes more than 99.99 percent of all bacteria (such as salmonella, cholera and E.coli) and protozoa (such as giardia and cryptosporidium) from water in streams, lakes and ponds.

The system is incredibly easy to use, too. Just fill up the Sawyer water pouch, screw the filter onto the pouch and then either squeeze the filtered water into a water bottle for drinking or drink directly from the filter's push/pull cap.

The filtering process is quick. The pouch, filter and a syringe used for cleaning out the filter weigh a mere 6 ounces total and can be rolled up when not in use, taking up almost no space in your pack. Filters are durable and capable of lasting a decade without replacement. Comes with a lifetime warranty. $59.99. sawyersafetravel2.com.

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