The wide intake and output give you a decent flow of water after those first few moments. It provides good filtration but struggles a little bit in turbid water. If the water is murky, this becomes even harder, and the flow decreases significantly. This system seems to be pretty durable overall with few parts. See how a store is chosen for you. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, Number of Liters (L)/Gallons (gal) per Lifetime, Effective Against Protozoa? An ultralightweight filtration system that can be used for trail running or short backpacking trips. See our price match guarantee. If the item details above arent accurate or complete, we want to know about it. No sponsored content. All trademarks property of their respective owners Because of these limitations, this filter is best for on-the-go use with less ideal options for storage. At just 1.75 ounces and a narrow profile, it's super duper easy to pack away and use for lightweight travel. LifeStraw has been generally praised for its effective and quick method of bacteria and protozoa removal and consumer acceptability. The original LifeStraw was designed as a portable water filter "straw". [17] In 2019, the Lifestraw Home water filter pitcher was launched and won the IDEA design award[18] and the Red Dot design award. It does not require pumping, and it's not a chemical treatment. Made of BPA-free plastic, this personal water filter features a hollow fiber membrane that filters up to 1,000 liters (264 gallons) of water down to 0.2 microns. The Sawyer Micro and Sawyer Mini cost just a little bit more and offer better performance and versatility overall. The LifeStraw is one of the lightest options out there. From the storage, you can then drink. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. [11] The original device does not filter viruses, chemicals, salt water, and heavy metals,[12] but newer versions of the product, (like LifeStraw Flex or LifeStraw Home)[13] are capable of removing chemicals and heavy metals including lead. While this isn't ideal, it works well enough. It's lightweight design and low price make it very attractive. They are made using hollow fiber membrane technology; some of them also incorporate an activated carbon component. [5] The company also funds a retail give back program that as of 2018 has provided safe water to more than 1 million school children in rural Kenya. The original LifeStraw is a plastic tube .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}22 centimetres (8+58in) long and 3 centimetres (1+18in) in diameter. undefined out of 5 stars with undefined reviews, Protects against 99.999999% of bacteria (including E.coli, Salmonella), 99.999% of parasites (including Giardia and Cryptosporidium), 99.999% of microplastics and reduces turbidity (sand, silt, cloudiness), Ultralight and durable, the LifeStraw weighs less than 2 ounces (57 g) so you can pack it anywhere, Long-lasting membrane microfilter will last up to 1,000 gallons (4,000 L) of water, thats enough drinking water for an individual for over 5 years, Be prepared with the ultimate survival tool, the LifeStraw has an unlimited shelf life and has been tested all over the globe to face the harshest conditions, Your purchase has impact: one purchase, one child, one year of safe water. For over a How to Select a Backpacking Water Filter and Treatment System. It's pretty simple. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. There's not much needed for set-up. After you've found your water source, suck with all you've got. It removes almost all waterborne bacteria, microplastics and parasites. Little puddles in granite pockets are a perfect place to get water while alpine climbing with the LifeStraw. What's the best backpacking water filter? Reproduction without permission is prohibited. For every LifeStraw product purchased, a school child in need receives safe water for an entire school year. The LifeStraw can provide up to 5 years of safe drinking water, with proper use and maintenance, and is rigorously tested to meet protocols established by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NSF International/ANSI. Simply wear it around your neck or tuck into your pack as you adventure through the wilderness. The device is now used as a tool for survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts in addition to being used to help combat clean water scarcity worldwide. (sediment, microplastics)? How can we improve GearLab? The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter enables you to drink water safely from contaminated water sources and is great for use by homeowners during emergencies, by campers and hikers drinking from lakes and rivers and by travelers not wishing to rely on the quality of the local water. The filter lasts around 1000 gallons (roughly 4000 liters), according to the manufacturer. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. Prices, promotions, styles and availability may vary by store & online. However, the Micro also "sucks" in silty water. If we had to choose between these systems, we'd go with the Sawyer Micro, but if money is your priority, the Lifestraw is hard to beat. Its capabilities are limited to personal on-the-go use. This handy filtration system works best in clear water but has the affinity to clean out turbid water. There are other products with a similar design that work better including the Sawyer Micro that offers a better rate of filtration flow, and less sucking strength required. The Lifestraw Personal filter is suited for solo on-the-go use. Removes Particulates If you plan on using this while backpacking and you know you have a long section without water, it's advised to carry dirty water in a storage container. Got feedback? Selecting a water treatment system is even more the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Lightweight, inexpensive, kills all pathogens (including crypto), reliable, Easy to use, super packable, lightweight, cheap in comparison to other filters, Inexpensive, lightweight, versatile, durable and reliable, Takes a long time to kill crypto, slight taste to the water, chemical treatment, Not safe to use long-term, lower value than other chemical treatments, poor taste, More expensive then other chemical treatment, chlorinated taste, does not kill Crypto, Hard to suck and squeeze, clogs easily, low durability of the included bag, These drops are a reliable and lightweight option to carry all over the world, This can be used as an emergency treatment system, but not much else, This is the lightest chemical treatment option out there, This personal and versatile on-the-go filtration system offers great value. It, unfortunately, cannot store water, unless you donate a container that you carry dirty around with you. Your purchase has impact. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. LifeStraw is a brand of water filtration and purification devices. [19], Brand of water filtration and purification devices, Slingshot (water vapor distillation system), "LifeStraw Go 2-stage filtration - LifeStraw", "Kenya: Lifestraw Water Filters Saving Lives in Mutomo", "SWEETLab deploys half million water filters in Rwanda", "Business as a Tool for Compassion: LifeStraw Brings Safe Water to One Million Children in Kenya", "LifeStraw - We make dirty water safe to drink", "IDEA 2019 Reveals Gold Winning-Product Designs", The Straw that Broke the Bacterium's Back, Weizmann Institute of Science, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=LifeStraw&oldid=1101307298, Articles with dead external links from February 2020, Articles with permanently dead external links, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 30 July 2022, at 09:30. You only need to find a water source that you can access. It filters a maximum of 4000 litres of water, enough for one person for three years. [6], Contrary to popular belief, the original device does not incorporate a reverse-osmosis membrane nor is it able to filter out salts or mineral.[7]. Utilizing a hollow fiber filtration cartridge with 0.2-micron pore size, it can filter out particulates, bacteria, and protozoa including Giardia and Cryptosporidium. While originally developed for people living in developing nations and for distribution in humanitarian crisis, the filters have gained popularity as consumer products. However, this isn't ideal as you have to sterilize that storage container before filling it with clean water once again. [15], LifeStraw has been praised in the international media and won several awards including the 2008 Saatchi & Saatchi Award for World Changing Ideas, the 'INDEX: 2005' International Design Award and "Best Invention of 2005" by Time Magazine. For the first few seconds, you won't get anything as the tube needs to fill with water first before you can get water. LifeStraw, the original ultralight backpacking and travel-friendly straw water filter, makes contaminated water safe to drink and helps to prevent most waterborne diseases by removing bacteria (like E.coli), parasites (like Giardia and Cryptosporidium) and microplastics. You help support OutdoorGearLab's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. We found that it was a little too long to use with a hydration vest as it got in the way, but could tuck into a pocket in the back. These are designed for family and community use.[3]. The LifeStraw's longer length doesn't require you to get your face right into the water, but we typically found ourselves on our knees getting muddy or having to get into the water source to access the water. In the Mutomo District in Kenya which has suffered from long term drought, the Kenya Red Cross supplied filters to 3,750 school children and 6,750 households. This model can also be used to drink from a bottle, allowing you to collect water at the source and carry it with you, and then you can drink it later. It's a great emergency filtration system because of its quick ability to attain water. [4] In 2015, they were deployed in Rwanda. This value is hard to beat. While you can't clean this directly, you can blow the water back through if it gets clogged. If it clogs, it's hard to unclog. GearLab is reader-supported. Unfortunately, you can't troubleshoot this filter as everything is enclosed and inaccessible. The entire process is powered by suction, similar to using a conventional drinking straw, and filters up to 4,000 litres (1,100USgal) of water. 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors. All Rights Reserved, Hollow fiber membrane filters up to 1,000 liters (264 gallons) of water down to 0.2 microns, Enables you to drink water safely from contaminated water sources, Great for homeowners during emergencies, campers and hikers drinking from lakes and rivers and travelers not wishing to rely on the quality of the local water. Enter your email address to receive our latest deals, personalized offers, and MVP access to pre-order notifications.See Details, LifeStraw Personal Water Filter - view number 1. Drink directly from lakes, rivers and streams or fill a container to use your LifeStraw on the go. However, it's sucking speed is a little "sucky" and there are better products out there if you're willing to shell out a bit more cash. It might be hard to reach a river with a super steep bank or use this on-the-go filtration system off the side of a big boatunless you feel like getting in. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. [14], Although the devices are available for retail sale in the developed world, the majority are distributed as part of public health campaigns or in response to complex emergencies by NGOs and organizations that give them away for free in the developing world. [2] In addition to these portable filters, the manufacturer also produces high-volume purifiers powered by gravity that also remove viruses. [1] A bottle was later developed which incorporated a LifeStraw cartridge into a 650-millilitre (22USfloz) BPA-free plastic sports water bottle. A decent option if you're looking for a fast on-the-go filtration system. [16] It was featured in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, A simple and inexpensive on-the-go filtration system designed for the solo adventurer. It slides nicely into a side pocket of backpacking, or you can wear it around your neck with its removable lanyard. Another caveat to this system is that it doesn't store any water. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. [9] While the initial model of the filter did not remove Giardia lamblia,[10] current models remove a minimum of 99.999% of waterborne protozoan parasites including Giardia and Cryptosporidium. The water filters are designed by the Swiss-based Vestergaard Frandsen. The filters can provide clean water without the need for batteries or chemical treatment. The devices were distributed in the 2010 Haiti earthquake, 2010 Pakistan floods, 2011 Thailand floods, and 2016 Ecuador earthquake, among other crises and initiatives. It does not treat viruses. Our only worry is the LifeStraw could snap along the length of the tube because it's so long. [8] Water that is drawn up through the straw first passes through hollow fibres that filter water particles down to 0.2m across, using only physical filtration methods and no chemicals. Blowing it out the other way works, but it's not very efficient. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. (Giardia,Cryptosporidium). A lightweight personal filter that allows you to drink from virtually anywhere. Let us know! The mouthpiece that provides some flow, but takes a little effort at first. A look at the intake for the LifeStraw. No ads. Using the power of suction, attaining water is instantaneous.