A portable filtration system that is easy and affordable for the solo traveller.
Our Verdict
On your next adventure, the Lifestraw Personal Filter can easily collect water from puddles and other water sources. To get water from the ground into your mouth with this straw filter, you must exert some effort. It is incredibly affordable, lightweight, simple, and easy to use. It can filter out bacteria and protozoa (including Giardia and Cryptosporidium) and particulates, but it cannot filter out viruses. The 1.75-ounce Lifestraw is unbeatable if you’re looking for a cheap, lightweight, on-the-go filter.
Our Analysis and Test Results
For long travelers, the Lifestraw Personal water filter is ideal. It is very alluring due to its lightweight construction and affordable price. There are better products available if you’re willing to spend a little more money, but its slow speed is a little “sucky.” a respectable choice if you need a quick on-the-go filtration system.
Water Quality
It can filter out particles, bacteria, and protozoa like Giardia and Cryptosporidium by using a hollow fibre filtration cartridge with 0.2-micron pore size. Viruses are not treated by it. Although it prefers clear water, this practical filtration system can also remove turbidity.
Durability & Maintenance
With few parts, his system appears to be generally quite durable. It’s fairly easy. The LifeStraw’s potential to break along the tube’s length is our only concern. The filter’s manufacturer claims that it lasts for approximately 1000 gallons (or 4000 litres).Unfortunately, because everything is enclosed and inaccessible, you cannot troubleshoot this filter. It’s challenging to clear a clogged drain. The other way of blowing it out does work, but it’s not very effective.
Treatment Speed
Obtaining water is quick and easy with the aid of suction. It is not a chemical treatment and does not call for pumping. Its quick access to water makes it a great emergency filtration system. Unfortunately, it cannot store water unless you give it a dirty container to carry around.
Weight & Packability
One of the lightest options available is the LifeStraw. With a 1.75 ounce weight and slim profile, it’s incredibly simple to store and use for light travel. It slides easily into the side pocket of a backpack, and its detachable lanyard allows you to wear it around your neck. It could tuck into a pocket in the back, but we found that it was a little too long to use with a hydration vest because it got in the way.
Despite the longer length of the LifeStraw, we frequently found ourselves on our knees, getting muddy, or having to enter the water source in order to access the water. If you don’t feel like getting in, it might be difficult to access a river with a particularly steep bank or to use this mobile filtration system from the side of a large boat.
Ease of Filtration
Suck with everything you’ve got once you’ve located your water source. You won’t receive anything for the first few seconds because the tube must first fill with water before you can receive water. After the initial few seconds, the wide intake and output give you a respectable flow of water. This becomes significantly more difficult and the flow decreases if the water is murky. Other products with a comparable design perform better, such as the Sawyer Micro, which offers a higher rate of filtration flow and requires less sucking force. The Micro does, however, “suck” in muddy water.
This system’s lack of water storage is another drawback. It is advised to carry dirty water in a storage container if you intend to use this while backpacking and you know you will have a long section without water. After that, you can drink from the storage. This isn’t the best solution, though, because you have to sterilise the storage container before you can refill it with fresh water. Due to these restrictions, this filter works best for mobile use and has less than ideal storage options.
Value
This price is difficult to beat. Its functionality is restricted to personal mobile use. The Sawyer Micro and Sawyer Mini are slightly more expensive but provide overall better performance and versatility. If we had to pick one of these systems, we’d pick the Sawyer Micro, but the Lifestraw is tough to beat if cost is your top concern.
Conclusion
A single person can use the Lifestraw Personal filtration system while on the go. It doesn’t have storage capabilities, but it instantly treats water. Although it can be difficult to suck through the filter and there are alternatives that perform better, the low cost is difficult to match. Excellent for short outings into the backcountry where there will be plenty of water or for use in an emergency.
