Online: www.REI.com
URL for this product:

From the U.S. and Canada — Call 1-800-426-4840
Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT.
International — Call 1-253-891-2500
Mon. through Sun., 4 a.m. through 11 p.m. PT. English language only.

MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System

$99.95

(55)

Item # 671111

REI Members get back an estimated $ 10.00 on this item as part of their annual member refund.

The REI Member Dividend

The REI dividend is a unique benefit of membership in the REI co-op. It's comprised of your member refund—typically 10% back on eligible purchases—and/or your REI Visa® card rebates.

Each March, active REI members and REI Visa cardholders who earned a rebate receive a refund in the form of an annual dividend notice.

Only active members receive annual dividend notices. To maintain your active status as an REI member, you need to make net merchandise or shipping purchases of at least $10 per year, unless you joined that year. Member numbers are issued in one name and only that person receives the member refund. Your number can be used by others in your family, but it cannot be transferred to someone else.

Questions? Call us at 1-800-426-4840 for more about your dividend or its redemption.

Learn more

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Gear and Advice You Can Trust

This item ships for free! Learn more

To view videos or use the zoom feature on REI's websites, please download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player.

NOW PLAYING

This MSR system combines the proven filtration of the SweetWater® microfilter with the chlorine-based SweetWater Purifier Solution for safe, clean water worldwide.

Simply pump water and add the included MSR SweetWater Purifier Solution to innactivate 99.99% of waterborne viruses, bacteria and protozoan parasites
Chlorine-based purification has no unpleasant iodine taste
One of the easiest pumps to operate—features dual-action draw and a mechanical advantage to quickly supply you with clean water
Sturdy lever-action pump handle provides a 4-to-1 mechanical advantage, drawing water on both the down and up stroke
Lightweight copolyester construction is tough and durable; compact design stows easily
Built-in filter replacement safety indicator keeps tabs on usage, filters up to 200 gal.
Its 0.2 micron filter eliminates waterborne bacteria and protozoa such as giardia and Cryptosporidium
SweetWater Purifier Solution is able to safely disinfect "worst case" water sources
SweetWater Purifier Solution comes in a 2 fl. oz. bottle that treats up to 80 gal. of water
Field serviceable and easy to clean with no small parts to lose; includes a universal bottle adapter and a cover to keep the output clean

Please note: MSR products can only be shipped to U.S. addresses.

Made in USA.

Item 671111

View all MSR products

REI Membership

REI Membership $20.00

MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System

3.9

(based on 55 reviews)

75%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Lightweight (43)
Good filtration (42)
Easy to clean (40)
Easy to pump (36)
Maintenance (35)

Cons

Hard to pump (10)
Hard to clean (6)
Poor filtration (5)
Filtered water doesn't taste good (3)
Heavy / bulky (3)

Best Uses

Backpacking (45)
Hiking (35)
Day trip (23)
Car camping (16)
Kayak / canoe / rafting (3)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid adventurer (36), Casual/ recreational (10), Casual adventurer (5)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (22)

Reviewed by 55 customers

Sort by

Displaying reviews 1-10

Previous | Next »

Jun

2013

1.0

Do Not Buy

By backpacker11

from Montana

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight

Cons

Hard to Clean
Hard to pump

Best Uses

Day trip
Hiking

Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:

I recieved this water filter as a gift a couple of years ago and kept trying to convince myself this was a good filter. For the first weekend trip, it worked well and I was diligent about cleaning it and trying to keep it in good condition. After that trip, it went downhill. During any aggressive pumping, the filter started to release the water through the pressure relief valve, leaving no water coming out of the outlet tube. The only way to get water through was to move the lever really slowly or to filter tap water. Mind you, this wasn't because the filter was dirty. I tried it with tap water and it would do the same thing. After that, the internal housing pump cracked and it began leaking. To top things off, by the fifth weekend backpacking trip, the bottom siphon guard was so gummed up with junk, it wouldn't pump at all and there is not way to clean that or reverse the flow out to flush the dirt shield in the field. All in all, I wouldn't trust this filter for more than a day with anything other than what comes out of the tap.

Comment on this review

Jun

2013

4.0

Iovr it its great for long hikes.

By Gordon Freeman

from silverton oregon

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to clean
Easy to pump
Good filtration
Lightweight
Low maintenance

Cons

Best Uses

Backpacking
Car Camping
Day trip
Hiking

Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:

i use it for backpacking and it works great. light easy to use and good filtration.

Comment on this review

Jun

2013

5.0

Built to last

By DBest

from Scottsdale Arizona

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to clean
Easy to pump
Good filtration
Low maintenance

Cons

Bulky

Best Uses

Backpacking
Hiking

Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:

My Sweetwater filter broke and had to get this newer model. Thing is, I did the math and realized I had my first Sweetwater filter for over 15 years. The newer model seems to perform the same way as the older version. Having 15 years experience with this filter, I can set up and break down without even thinking about it. Once you get the hang of it (suggest practicing at home before taking it into the field) you can't go wrong with it. Pumped gallon after gallon with this thing, water is always good, no sickness - what more do you want? I would highly recommend this product.

Comment on this review

Feb

2013

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

MSR Sweetwater

By Tom the Dude

from Heaven, Colorado

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to pump
Good filtration
Lightweight
Low maintenance

Cons

Best Uses

Backpacking

Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:

After using this product, as well as the Katadyn Hiker Pro, I have to say as long as used properly these products should last a lifetime. The Katadyn broke on me once when me and my friend where midway through our trip, pretty much in the middle of nowhere. It was our fault. If you read the paperwork that comes with most any filter you should know (and I didn't but now I'll never forget) if you experience a lot of effort while pumping it is usually not the filter clogging up but instead it is usually a piece of dirt jammed in the housing leading to the filter. just cleaning the piece and clearing it of any debris should free it right up.
After saying that I prefer the Sweetwater over the Katadyn simply because of the pumping action. Both work great in the field and both are durable, neither leaves a bad taste and both are reasonably light and priced. All in all for what they do these pieces of equipment are invaluable in the backcountry. nothing works perfectly but for what you need and what these do, they get pretty dang close to being a perfect backcountry companion.

Always bring iodine, you never know what will happen. Also, read the instructions there is a lot of valuable info in there about maintenance in the field, including how to properly back flush the system to clear out any clogs.

Comment on this review

Sep

2012

5.0

Awesome! Even a kid could use it...

By Vicko

from Fort Lauderdale, FL

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to clean
Easy to pump
Good filtration
Lightweight
Low maintenance

Cons

Best Uses

Backpacking
Hiking

Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:

I'm new to backpacking and took my first 'real' adventure backpacking in the Juniper Prairie Wilderness, Ocala National Forest in Florida (it was HOT)- and it was either hike in with three + days water or filter what we found. We found camp right near a fresh water pond/ spring. Water was low by the first night so we filtered for the rest of the night and the next day. The MSR Sweetwater worked GREAT! It pumped fast and filled our bottles in no time. My son thought it looked fun, so he took it over and had no problems with it. The water tasted great. We didn't need the sweetwater drops that came with the filter, but it was nice to know we had them if we needed them. The MSR sweetwater is easy to pack and takes up very little room. I will confess I also carried a Steripen as I was concerned and wanted it just in case for backup. I tried the Steripen too, and it worked awesome as well, but it was not necessary to carry both- the Steripen is smaller and a bit lighter, but the MSR sweetwater doesn't depend on batteries!

Comment on this review

Aug

2012

1.0

Not Durable

By Mike in the Mountains

from Salt Lake City

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Backpacking

Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:

We used the system on a recent three day hike in the Wind Rivers but the plastic plunger separated at the base on the first day. The system is sealed so there was no way to repair it. Luckily, we had second Katadyn purifier along. If durability is important to you, avoid the MSR Sweetwater.

Comment on this review

Jul

2012

(0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

pressure relief valve too leaky

By AlaskaLady

from Anchorage, AK

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Lightweight

Cons

Hard to Clean
Hard to pump

Best Uses

Backpacking

Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:

I followed the directions precisely on intial cleaning and set up. took it on a camping trip, and the pressure relief valve leaked so badly, that more water came out the side and spilled than was filtered. Tried cleaning it again several times, but it still leaked badly. ended up borrowing someone else's filter, and this one is getting returned.

Comment on this review

Jul

2012

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Love it and don't go out without it.

By Snowdude0230

from Charlotte NC

About Me Casual/ Recreational

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to clean
Easy to pump
Good filtration
Lightweight
Low maintenance

Cons

Best Uses

Backpacking

Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:

Bought my filter back in 2000 under the original Sweetwater (I think Guardian) name. I have taken care of it and it has taken care of me. Did a ton of research on every filter I wasn't already very familiar with at the time and 12 years later, I still wouldn't trade mine for anything on the market. Size, weight, ease of pumping, liters per min, and overall system design. I have nothing bad to say about any of it.

Comment on this review

Jun

2012

5.0

purifies water, enough said

By KRHIKE

from Denver, CO

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to clean
Easy to pump
Good filtration
Lightweight
Low maintenance

Cons

Best Uses

Backpacking
Day trip
Hiking

Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:

Don't know what all the complaints are about. I've had this passed down to me and it still works great. Never gotten sick, isn't that the point? Don't be stupid, filter from moving water as much as possible.

Comment on this review

Jun

2012

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

2.0

good pump - in ideal conditions

By JTCausa

from Reston, Virginia

About Me Avid Adventurer

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to clean
Lightweight

Cons

Prefilter clogs

Best Uses

Comments about MSR SweetWater Water Purifier System:

At first, I loved this pump. Compared to my buddy who has the microfilter, this thing pumped way faster and with less effort. The mechanical advantage of the lever means approx 2 pounds of force per pump vs an average of 9 or 10 for most other filters. The pumpm worked great, until I came across some less than ideal pumping conditions in Shenandoah National Park and some sections of the AT along the blue ridge. If the creek or spring isn't deep and crystal clear, the prefilter began clogging every fill. I would have to pull off the inlet hose and blow out to clean the silt out of the prefilter. To top it off, one of the internal valves stuck open leaving me to rely on my friend's pump for a recent outing.

I took it back, and am about to try out the Katadyn hiker pro. I thought I had a winner at first, but it just didn't stand up to backpacking every weekend for more than 3 months.