Treating Water in the Wilderness [Sawyer Squeeze + CNOC Vecto]

This is the hydration system that I am currently using when hiking and backpacking. I’ve used pump filters, tablets, bleach, and drops; but the CNOC Vecto + Sawyer Squeeze + Smartwater bottle is the system that is easiest, quickest, and most reliable for me.
If text is more your thing, check out my hydration blog post @ justinoutdoors.com/hydration-...
Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below and like the video if you found it useful.
Here are links to the gear I talked about:
CNOC Vecto - goo.gl/CfmeGt
CNOC Vecto 2.0 - goo.gl/VJPvaP
Sawyer Squeeze:
Amazon Canada - amzn.to/2FFQwVq
Amazon US - amzn.to/2JQxMIg
Sawyer Connector:
Amazon Canada - amzn.to/2FFQGfu
Amazon US - amzn.to/2ODs3o0
Link to a good overview of the pros and cons of each treatment method: www.rei.com/learn/expert-advi...
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- MY FAVORITE GEAR -
Garmin InReach Mini: geni.us/inreach
Trekology 2.0 Pillow: geni.us/TrekologyPillow
REI Flash 55 Pack: geni.us/Flash55
Enlightened Equipment Enigma Quilt: geni.us/enigmadown
Garmin Fenix Watch: geni.us/FenixWatch
Lanshan 1 Tent: geni.us/Lanshan1Pro
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[@couchpotato2summitpeaker78]

Great video! I just bought one for my 1st backpacking trip coming up. This video was super helpful for this first timer! Thanks!

[@brendaboone7525]

Great step by step details and to the point, thank you!

[@justincase7661]

Very informative as usual

[@theslowwalker]

Thanks for the video. I just bought a Sawyer Squeeze and was wondering how to fill a bottle and allow some airflow from the bottle being filled. I was debating on several modifications and then saw you just didn't screw the filter tightly to the bottle being filled. A simple life is a beautiful life. Also, I was thinking of useing the adapter used to fill the bottle to use for backflushing as well. Thanks again for the video.

[@derrickstableford8152]

I use an MSR Guardian, took along the Alaska highway camping, as the water at some sites can be a little poor. No issues at all. I would treat all the water by filling the kettle from the tap, then fill the water carrier via the guardian. It didn’t take long. Kettles then back filled with clean water and a brew would go on.

[@happyfuntimereviews5600]

Exactly the system I use! I usually just hang it from something and use it as a gravity filter though. Great video!

[@JustinOutdoors]

It's a solid set-up! I'll sometimes use it as a gravity filter too while I set-up or take-down camp.

[@davidrenz5886]

Neat concise video. Thank you 🙂...

[@summittaedae2323]

Hi Justin, these cnoc vecto 2ltr bags are hard as hell to get to Scotland. I’ve finally got a orange and blue one since smart bottles in Scotland ain’t all that smart. 28mm opening but wrong threat pattern. Keep up the good work in 2022. 👍🏻

[@waynemccuen8213]

we should avoid death throughout our lives...that's some wizard like advice there........I'M MAKING THAT BIT OF ADVICE MINE? Gr8 channel Justin, thx bro!

[@dougaker5433]

Hi Justin. Great, informative video! At the 2:57 mark, you slide your smartwater bottle into a shoulder strap bottle holder (a stretchy fabric one). Can you say the make and model of this bottle pouch? Thanks.

[@JustinOutdoors]

That's made by a guy named Justin who has a shop on etsy!

[@davef5916]

weird question but if youve got the coupling, do you really need the sport cap? i.e cant you just basically unscrew the cnoc from the configuration you had while filtering and back flush that way? Or does the sports cap add some kind of higher pressure that makes it beneficial?

[@hectorplaza2980]

I would just disconnect the bladder at the end, tighten the smart water bottle to the connector, and backflush really quickly before putting the system away.

[@paulmartin2455]

great info. Do you ever use a bleach/water backflush at the end of a trip when you're going to store it for an extended period of time. Is that recommended?

[@JustinOutdoors]

100%! I backflush often and will bleach before storing

[@craigmannell5824]

Hey Justin! have you ever tried any other squeeze style filters? i just used this setup on my first West Coast Trail experience and maybe i got a bad fitler, but my Sawyer broke down on day 1!? it would filter water for about 10-15 seconds then clog. no amount of backflushing would fix it and it was a brand new filter. we used my friends mini sawyer but it took us 25 minutes to filter 3 litres 🤔 someone one the Trail had the katadyn BeFree style and it worked so fast!

[@JustinOutdoors]

Hey Craig! I haven't used the BeFree but have heard a lot of reports of it clogging after a season or less. It sounds like you got a bad filter as I have been filtering with my Sawyer Squeeze for about 60+ days of trips and it hasn't slowed down. I do spring maintenance on it though. I am curious about the Versa Flow filter but it isn't compatible with all 28mm thread types (e.g. smartwater bottles). The only thing I can think of other than that you may have gotten a bad filter is that you maybe tested it out at home using tap water and that your tap water is fairly hard/mineraly. Using hard tap water will gum up the filter like there is cement in it and no amount of backflushing will work. The only way to fix a filter that is gummed up with minerals is to do the following: 1. Backflush with vinegar (5-6+ plunges with the syringe). 2. Submerge and soak in vinegar for 30-40min. 3. Backflush with hot distilled water. I actually follow these three steps every spring too to get the filter going like new. Some follow up tips would be to never use tap water in it, backflush with distilled water after every trip, and do a thorough cleaning every spring following steps 1 to 3. For reference my squeeze still filters a litre in around 40s using the CNOC bladder.

[@azubyte]

I haven’t used this system myself, but is it possible the other bottle was screwed on too tightly and created a vacuum? I tried the lifestraw and could barely get any water out of it….same with my hubby’s filter.

[@aaronstanage]

Back flush with different tip than the one you drink out of. Definitely don’t want to be drinking from the dirty end

[@Ak-jm5fm]

Hey man, does the sawyer connector fit onto the sawyer mini squeeze? Or should I jst get the regular Sawyer? Thanks dude

[@JustinOutdoors]

fits on all of them :)

[@johnnyg8782]

When hiking, do you use your CNOC Vecto to carry water inside your pack? I thought this being a container that water goes in, meant for the backpacking crowd, that it's a no-brainer to say "yes" to this question... yet CNOC themselves, on their 2022 FAQ specifically say they "don’t recommend putting your full Vecto inside your pack if you’re concerned about leaking"!!! So what the heck? I don't get it. A water bladder for hiking that you CAN'T put in your pack if there's water in it???

[@mtpstv94]

Where the hell did you get that connector?

[@JustinOutdoors]

amazon!

[@wanderworm]

Hi Justin: Nice to see Canadian content. I also use the Sawyer Squeeze and the CNOC Vecto 2L bag. I use the two Saywer bladders to store filtered water since they're too difficult to use to scoop water and I've heard they can fail when squeezed too hard. I added a screw cap to the dirty end of the filter partly to stop it dripping but mainly to ensure the gasket stays in place. I cut the top off a 2L pop bottle then I was able to force its cap onto the cut end to seal it and use the threaded end to screw into the filter. Nice and light and keeps the gasket in place. Here are photos of it. drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ADGsMJ9P6yQvzI6pl0YdEwwfpltdfUu2?usp=sharing

[@JustinOutdoors]

Ooooo! Nice! Love the ability to stop water leaking out. That happens to me when I store the filter in my quilt when it's cold at night. Thanks for the tip!

[@theleveretts4179]

Fun story... I learned this year that chronic dehydration ALSO can cause kidney stones... ask me how I know...

[@JustinOutdoors]

Not ideal! haha

[@seanschannel6786]

Trying to avoid death right now

[@JustinOutdoors]

Hydration is no joke

[@danielsingh9415]

I wish I knew this 8 days ago...maybe my M-i-L wouldn't be on death's door as she is now. Dehydration is no joke

[@JaredandTasha]

This keeps my hands from freezing