Hiker Jam #3: Sawyer Products on Revolutionizing Water Filtration

December 4, 2020

Listen: Stream or download above, Spotify, Stitcher, iTunes, Google Podcasts, iHeart.

I talk with Travis Avery of Sawyer Products. Sawyer makes a line of extremely popular items ranging from insect repellents to water filters.

We dive deep into how their product, the Sawyer Squeeze, revolutionized the way we consume water in the backcountry. We also talk about how the company started in 1984 with a surprisingly unique product, insect repellents, water filtration, and more.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Sawyer Squeeze
• Picaridin (topical insect repellent)
• Permethrin (insect prevention spray)
• Sawyer International (clean water non-profit)
• Tap Filter
• Hot Ones (First We Feast youtube channel)

Show Notes:

• Early days and first product (1:48)
• Why the name Sawyer?  (2:41)
• How Snakebite kits started (4:34)
• Travis's role and evolution within the company (5:13)
• Timeline of product releases (9:28)
• Entering the water filtration game (11:13)
• How does the Squeeze filter work? (19:42)
• Water filter regulations (27:30)
• How they test water filters (28:03)
• Relationships with other stores and brands (29:03)
• Partnering with Smart Water (37:22)
• Non-profit partnerships and charity work (38:47)
• How Permethrin works and why it's a game changer (44:34)
• What Sawyer is currently working on (49:28)

By Chris Cage
Chris launched Greenbelly Meals in 2014 after thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail for 6 months. Since then, Greenbelly has been written up by everyone from Backpacker Magazine to Fast Company. He wrote How to Hike the Appalachian Trail and currently works from his laptop all over the globe. Instagram: @chrisrcage.

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