The day ultralight backpackers and trail runners alike have waited for has finally arrived; you can now purchase Sawyer filters and Cnoc reservoirs as a single system! With 3 options to choose from, these reservoirs are the perfect pair to our industry-leading filtration systems.

We sat down with Cnoc Founder Gilad Nachmani to get the inside scoop on the new collaboration.

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To start… How many people get the pronunciation of CNOC right on the first try?

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That is indeed a classic, and we have been really enjoying hearing all the ways folks say it. The reality of it is very (very) few people get it right from the start and some never do… It is a funny word that is fun to say, but even in the Celtic circles that the word comes from - it’s the old Irish, Welsh, and Gaelic word for hill - there is a disagreement on how to pronounce it.

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At the end of the day, people can pronounce however they like as long they talk about us!

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What outdoor activity/activities are you most passionate about?

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Backpacking and Bikepacking are my favorite. I’ve enjoyed backpacking for decades now, especially if I can get a few days in, though I have no dire need for multi-month trips.

A good 3-10 day trip is my sweet spot - enough to get over the 3rd day hump but before hiker-hunger sets in too aggressively.

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Bikepacking is a newer addition for me and mainly came from having a family. It allows me to have a similar experience to backpacking while covering more miles in the same time frame.

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What filter do you use when you go (insert favorite outdoor activity here)?

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In making our gear, I’ve gotten to use pretty much every single filter out there, including some that are not even available.

My go to for most outdoor adventures is still the Sawyer Squeeze.

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I’ve been a user for about 15 or so years and still remain as such. When I’m solo, I usually pair it with a two liter VectoX - that’s the same pairing we’ve collaborated with Sawyer on. When I’m with the family, we like to use a four or six liter prototype Cnoc is currently working on.

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What makes the reservoirs of CNOC now different from the first model(s) you made back in the
day?

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The very first Vecto has come a long way to what it is now, especially now that the VectoX is slowly becoming the more widely used version. The first Vecto had no tether to keep the slider and cap attached, thinner TPU in the bladder, and soft, non-continuous threads. It was also only available in a two liter size and one color.

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The latest version - the two liter VectoX - has a thicker TPU that allows it to hold hot water and have a much higher breaking point, a stiff neck for easy use even with numb and cold fingers, a tethered cap and slider, and a variety of size variants.

It is still extremely similar to the original version, but we’ve continually updated it based on the feedback we got from people that were out there using it regularly.

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What do you hope folks will be most excited about with this collaboration?

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Since the start, the Vecto was very much a way to “upgrade” the experience of using most backcountry filters. This meant that its users were mostly experienced adventurers - folks who had a preferred filter and then learned about the Vecto through research or field use and chose to update their filter system.

This collaboration between Cnoc and Sawyer means that the best way to use our gear with Sawyer filters is available for everyone without the added hurdle of learning about another brand and another use.

All levels of users - from folks just picking up backpacking to thru-hikers - can pick up a kit that is already all set up for their needs.

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Check out all 3 of the new filtration systems, now available at REI and online at Sawyer.com.

Micro filter + 750 mL Pouch

Squeeze filter + 1 L Bottle

Squeeze filter + 2 L Bladder

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