That Sawyer filter looks interesting. Comparing it's specs to the LifeStraw Family specs, things don't make sense to me.

For one, how can a 0.1 micron filter (the Sawyer) claim to filter MORE bacteria and protozoa than a 0.02 micron filter (the LifeStraw Family)? It's pore size is 5 times larger. I could maybe understand that claim if the 0.1 micron filter was much larger, thus having a greater total filter area that water has to pass through, although even then the claim would be suspect. But the Sawyer is just the opposite - it's much smaller than the LifeStraw Family. Maybe it takes so long for the water to get through the filter that the pathogens die of old age and are thus rendered harmless.

My hunch is either the LifeStraw or the Sawyer is good, not great, but fine for emergency use. But both of their claims have to be taken with a grain of salt. Especially the amount of water they will filter. At its claimed 100,000 gallons, that little 4 inch Sawyer could supply an entire town for a multi-month emergency.

For backpacking use, or keep-in-the-car survival kit use, I'd go for the Sawyer, hands down, due to it's size and incredibly cheap price. For home use or bug-out (with a vehicle) use, I think the LifeStraw Family would get my vote. I would like to see some independant reviews of these filters from a qualified lab. I did a little searching on Google for this, but only found non-formal testing done by bloggers and outdoor writers, not scientists with the proper training and equipment.