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Underwater photo of a Sawyer filter being filled with water and a hiker visible above the surface of the water.

Our Roots

From day one, we’ve created our own higher standards for research and testing to develop products that offer the highest level of protection. There’s a lot at stake. We don’t forget that.

Early 1980s

An Idea Was Formed

An idea for a new type of company was born, one where he can call his own shots, and make community-driven marketable products. Company President Kurt was in partnership with NFL Hall of Famer Gayle Sayers on selling view Finders but ultimately saw more potential with the Sawyer Extractor Pump Kit.

Vintage Sawyer Extractor Ad with Gale Sayers
Vintage Sawyer Extractor Ad with Gale Sayers
1984

Established the Sawyer Extractor in the US

The Extractor Pump Kit was shown to Roger Fortier and the wheels where set in motion. SV marketing (Sports View Marketing) was shut down and Gayle Sayers got on board with the Extractor Pump Kit.

Vintage Extractor Ad 1984
Vintage Extractor Ad 1984
1985

First Aid Kits Added

While attending a conference in 1984 at the University of Arizona, John Sullivan and Doc Forgey were leading the way in First Aid Kit discussions when wilderness medicine was determining what various protocols would be for specific real world scenarios. Sawyer was able to help build higher standard First Aid Kits that used the same boxes as the Extractor Pump Kit.

Remote Emergency First Aid Kit
Remote Emergency First Aid Kit
1988

Sunscreen and Repellents Added (MAXI-DEET and DEET+ formulas)

Sawyer won the sunscreen bid for the US Military during Desert Storm.

Vintage packaged Sawyer products laid out on table
Vintage packaged Sawyer products laid out on table
1991

Permethrin Added

The founders of Coulston who originally developed Permethrin Fabric Treatment for military uniforms perfected an odorless after drying consumer grade formula. Sawyer went on to acquire Coulston. Permethrin insect repellent becomes widely available in consumer markets.

Bottle of insect repellent for clothing
Bottle of insect repellent for clothing
1991

Controlled Release Added

The still popular Controlled Release Time Release Lotion comes on the market and briefly wears the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.

Sawyer controlled release deet formula bottle
Sawyer controlled release deet formula bottle
1990s

Horn of Africa Study

Tulane University proved that using permethrin treated bed sheets reduced malaria by 70-80%. A study on permethrin treated shawls in Horn of Africa was also conducted.

Samburu family stands together in Kenya Africa
Samburu family stands together in Kenya Africa
2001

Sawyer Begins Exploring Water Filtration Category

After being introduced to some water filtration technology through Passport Health, we begin to work with Innova which was not only the closest company to us but also had the most advanced fibers on the market at this time

White and green Sawyer water bottle and box
White and green Sawyer water bottle and box
2005

Introduction of 0.1 Micron Filter and 0.02 Micron Purifier

Sawyer's proprietary Hollow Fiber Membrane filters and purifiers enter the market.

Packaged biological micro filter
Packaged biological micro filter
2007

Picaridin Spray Added

The active ingredient Picaridin is added to our topical lineup. Temporarily sold under the "Fisherman's Formula" name due to it's gear safe nature. However the formula was very well received by an even wider audience so we later dropped the "Fisherman's Formula" name.

Green insect repellent bottle
Green insect repellent bottle
2007

Low Cost Gravity System Created

Sawyer Point ONE bucket filtration
Sawyer Point ONE bucket filtration
2008

Pilot programs of sustainable impact projects (beta Sawyer INTL)

July - Water With Blessings formed and installed the first Sawyer Filters.

Woman surround by group of children
Woman surround by group of children
2008

The Fiji Project Begins

Sawyer Partners with GCW with bucket filters

Family of three from the give clean water project
Family of three from the give clean water project
2009

GIS Tracking is Introduced in Ongoing Fiji Projects

Give Clean Water starts tracking household data outcomes with filters - GCW started using basic GIS now, and upgraded to full-blown GIS in 2012.

Image caption for missing image
Image caption for missing image
2009

Ultra 30 Formula Added

Ultra 30 insect repellent in box
Ultra 30 insect repellent in box
2010

First big International Filter Implementation in response to earthquake in Haiti (120,000+ filters)

Once other NGOs saw what the filters were doing in Haiti, they were impressed and now interested

Image caption for missing image
Image caption for missing image
2010

Introduction of Squeeze Filter

Man drinking directly from squeeze filter
Man drinking directly from squeeze filter
2012

Squeeze Filter won Editor's Choice from Backpacker Magazine

Squeeze water filter with editors' choice backpacker stamp
Squeeze water filter with editors' choice backpacker stamp
2013

Introduction of Sawyer MINI

Packaged Sp128 filter in box
Packaged Sp128 filter in box
2015

Picaridin Lotion Added (March)

We knew that Picaridin was a good active but all the 5-15% formulas up until now were not effective.

Sp564 filter in packaged box
Sp564 filter in packaged box
2015

Begins Partnership with The Last Well to bring border to border clean water to all of Liberia

Begins a partnership with The Last Well to bring border to border clean water to all of Liberia. The Liberia project had already started but they were struggling with "the last mile" installations.  That is when they realized that the tracking dynamic was vital to the success of these rural installations and prove that these filters were not going to get people sick.

Village kids lined up holding buckets
Village kids lined up holding buckets
2017

Introduction of Select Series of Foam Filters and Purifiers (as well as Micro Squeeze)

Woman squeezing Sawyer filter by water
Woman squeezing Sawyer filter by water
2017

Puerto Rico Hit by Two Hurricanes, 200,000+ filters

Man holding comparison dirty and clean water from two gallon filter bag
Man holding comparison dirty and clean water from two gallon filter bag
2018

Began Marshall Islands Project

Clean water project for all of the outer Marshall Islands in every household on the way to border-to-border clean water by 2022.

Woman inserting water from syringe into Sawyer filter
Woman inserting water from syringe into Sawyer filter
2020

Tap Filter Launched

We were excited to offer this to the domestic audience but we are even more excited to see the impact these systems can make internationally.

Sawyer filter connected to outside faucet filtering water into bucket
Sawyer filter connected to outside faucet filtering water into bucket
2020

Liberia Completed - Border to Border clean water (137,000 filters)

Last Liberia family with filter
Last Liberia family with filter
2021

Kibera Slums Program Launches

The next major project starts, bringing clean water to one of the world's largest slums with the Tap Filter.

A Kibera Resident Holding a Cup of Filtered Water Next to a Cup of Unfiltered Water
A Kibera Resident Holding a Cup of Filtered Water Next to a Cup of Unfiltered Water
2023

Marshall Islands Completed

Meet the incredible women behind KIO - the all-volunteer group that led the collaborative charge between community and government to help bring a sustainable clean water access to the Marshall Islands.

Charity KIO Celebrating Border to Border Clean Water Access in the Marshall Islands
Charity KIO Celebrating Border to Border Clean Water Access in the Marshall Islands
Early 1980s
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Better Protection, Bigger Purpose

If there’s a way to keep you better protected, we find it. If there’s new science, we discover it. Profit never comes before our mission to create best-in-class products that offer you better days in nature. This higher standard also applies to our charitable giving. Since millions don’t have access to clean drinking water, we donate our filters to save lives. Your purchase does a world of good by funding 40 charities in more than 80 countries.

100%

Sustainable and supported with research and data

3X

Water Filters tested

100,000

Gallons of water per filter

LEARN ABOUT IMPACT