How To Use Lifestraw Personal Water Filter

LifeStraw's popular water filter provides access to make clean, drinkable water almost anywhere.
Its built-in filter removes 99.9 pct of bacteria, parasites, microplastics, and clay, and is easy to use.
Typically priced at $20, this h2o filter isn't difficult on the wallet and can exist used to stock emergency kits.

A sure-burn down way to ruin whatever camping trip is to contract with a water-borne illness like Salmonella, Eastward. coli, or even Giardia from not properly filtering your h2o. You lot should always have access to prophylactic, clean drinking water when going exterior and it should exist one of your essential trip details when spending time in the backcountry.

Whether I'yard going out for a mean solar day-long mountain bike ride or headed into Minnesota'southward Purlieus Waters wilderness surface area for a few weeks, I always pack a water filter I tin can trust.

For longer trips or when I'm filtering water for a group, I beloved using my MSR Guardian thanks to its quick filtering and unique automatic backflushing function that reduces clogging of the filter. But the downside is its price, weight, and size. It's far as well bulky to fit in my pack for day hikes and information technology costs over $350, so I'm oftentimes wary of losing it or accidentally breaking the unit.

For brusque outings and individual apply, I instead opt for the simplistic however versatile LifeStraw h2o filter. At just $xx, it'south highly affordable just don't take that wallet-friendly cost for granted — this reliable piddling filter is one of the near valuable additions to anyone'southward outdoor kit.

Easy to utilize and portable

As its proper name suggests, the LifeStraw is a harbinger-shaped filter that features two ends, i for inserting into a dirty water source similar a lake or stream and the other that goes directly into your mouth. When taking a quick drink, its versatility is unmatched and with the only two steps being to put information technology into the stream and so drink, it'southward quite intuitive, besides.

Even if y'all want to take water with you, y'all tin fill a h2o bottle with dirty water and use the filter from it every bit needed. Though, I do recommend being careful not to contaminate your harbinger by letting it fall into the water bottle as you drink.

The straw itself only weighs two ounces and filters iv,000 liters (or 1,000 gallons) of water before needing to replace the filter. One time you stick the filter side of the straw in muddy water, its membrane microfilter removes 99.ix per centum of bacteria, parasites, microplastics, and dirt. There's no fancy pump or other moving parts that have the potential to intermission under heavy use, either.

The LifeStraw is meaty and portable enough to bring on mount bike rides, brusque hikes, and even longer backpacking trips as a complement to a larger filtration system. It'due south 9 inches long and only over an inch broad so it slides easily into water bottle pockets or can be strapped to the outside of a backpacking bag with some string.

Cons to consider

If you're traveling with a large group or y'all require a lot of filtered water, the LifeStraw could be a hassle to apply over and over again. I'd recommend a gravity filter like the LifeStraw Flex with Gravity Purse or a pump filter like the MSR Guardian for these scenarios instead. Since the blueprint of the harbinger is intended to be used right from a water source, it tin be difficult to shop plenty clean water for your group or for a longer trip.

Although it hasn't happened to me, I've had friends mutter of their LifeStraw bottleneck up during employ and becoming unusable — something yous never desire to meet during a trip. Other filters, similar the Sawyer Mini Water Filter, come with a backflushing syringe for piece of cake cleaning only there's no real way to backflush a LifeStraw. One way to combat this is to blow air through the straw after every utilise to prevent bottleneck. Be aware of this if yous're planning on relying on the LifeStraw solely for clean water.

Should you buy it?

If you aren't concerned about providing water for a large group or using this for a long period in the backcountry, then yes. The cheap price tag allows you lot to buy a couple of filters, too — one for your backpack and one for your car for emergency situations. It'southward easy to apply and fifty-fifty minor children tin can use it thank you to the simple straw design.

What are your alternatives?

If y'all want more than versatility in a similar parcel, I'd recommend the Sawyer Mini Water Filter. It's $22 and has several different ways to use it. Screw it on top of a plastic water bottle, install it inline on your hydration bladder, or utilize it on the included squeeze bottle. It even comes with a backflushing syringe for easy on-trail cleaning.

The lesser line

At $20, information technology's difficult to contend with the cost-benefit analysis of the LifeStraw. With regular use, this filter is bound to last you years before needing to buy another one. However, I wouldn't recommend this product for extended backcountry use since information technology'southward not repairable if something goes wrong. It's bully for small outings, brusk hikes, and deserves a place in any emergency kit.

Pros: Affordable, packable size, filters out nearly water-borne illnesses

Cons: Not ideal for big groups, hard to store water in one case filtered, lack of repairability

Emily Reed

Freelance writer, Insider Reviews

Emily Reed is a freelance writer, editor, and photographer based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She gravitates towards activities that provide her the grace of a wearisome, measured arroyo so you lot'll detect her correct at dwelling rock climbing and or practicing yoga. When going fast is in the cards, she appreciates mountain biking or being pulled on her cross-country skis by her croaking mix, Charlie. Learn more than about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.