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Product Description
A Time Magazine Invention of the Year winner, LifeStraw® contains no chemicals, no batteries and no moving parts to wear out. It features a a high flow rate and weighs only 2oz! It is perfect for the ultralight backpacker, camper, hiker, traveler, boy scout, hunter or for emergencies. Unlike many similar filters on the market today, LifeStraw® has met EPA standards for water filtration in independent testing.
LifeStraw® has been used around the world under extreme conditions for humanitarian relief. Does not filter chemicals, salt, viruses, heavy metals, taste. Shelf life has been extended to 5 years! Please NOTE: It takes roughly 3-5 seconds of sucking to start the flow of water through the filter.
How to use: While you can drink directly from puddles or streams, it's easiest to scoop water with your wide-mouthed water bottle and drink from it using the LifeStraw. When new, the filter membrane is very dry. Uncap the top and bottom caps and insert the base of the straw into the contaminated water. Let it sit for 30 seconds for water to creep up the membrane, then take 5 strong sucks to get the water flowing. When done drinking, blow a breath of air back down into the LifeStraw to purge the water out, shake, then recap. If you drink from murky water and the water flow stops, blow back into it to purge the water and mud from the filter. When you return home from a hiking trip, drink some tap water with the LifeStraw, purge the filter by blowing back into it, then leave it to dry with the caps off.
How to use: While you can drink directly from puddles or streams, it's easiest to scoop water with your wide-mouthed water bottle and drink from it using the LifeStraw. When new, the filter membrane is very dry. Uncap the top and bottom caps and insert the base of the straw into the contaminated water. Let it sit for 30 seconds for water to creep up the membrane, then take 5 strong sucks to get the water flowing. When done drinking, blow a breath of air back down into the LifeStraw to purge the water out, shake, then recap. If you drink from murky water and the water flow stops, blow back into it to purge the water and mud from the filter. When you return home from a hiking trip, drink some tap water with the LifeStraw, purge the filter by blowing back into it, then leave it to dry with the caps off.
Product Details
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
195 of 203 people found the following review helpful
By attaboyBrad
Amazon Verified Purchase
For the weight, I believe there is no better backcountry water treatment available. The LifeStraw imparts no strange flavors like its chemical brethren, its flow rate is perfectly acceptable for active pursuits, it has no moving parts to break or filters that need replacing every couple of days, and it does all this at a fraction of the cost and weight of other Filter and UV water treatment options. Besides, what other water treatment system has been tested successfully by people on a daily basis in the most contaminated parts of our planet?
145 of 158 people found the following review helpful
By Super Happy
Amazon Verified Purchase
I have used all types of water filtration - PUR Hiker, UV sterilization, and chemical.
And... I have had giardia. I guess some say you always have giardia - don't know about that, but it is nasty stuff. I actually got it by washing my face in a contaminated stream - didn't even have to drink any water.
Water filter openings are measured in microns. Since bacteria size is between 0.2 and 2.0 microns in width, a 0.2 micron filter would filter out bacteria and would also filter out protozoa which are larger than bacteria. Viruses are the smallest living organisms known to man can measure as small as 0.005 microns.
Therefore, there are limitations to this filter at the viral level.
However, by combining this filter with a UV sterilizer such as Steri Pen you can easily add the viral layer of protection.
Here is what I do for a liter of high quality H2O:
1. 1L Nalgene bottle - this will always be considered "dirty" or contaminated.
2. Fill the bottle with water to be filtered through the Steripen prefilter cup.
3. Use the Steripen UV sterilizer - 90 seconds per 1L of H2O (per manufacturers instructions). As you do this you will be agitating the bottle which will keep sediment suspended. This isn't the point of agitation - it is simply a result of the the UV sterilization process.
4. Allow the sediment to settle.
5. Finally, use the LifeStraw as directed by manufacturer in the now UV sterilized water - still in the "contaminated" bottle.
Benefits that I have noticed:
1. I always had concerns with cross contamination during both simple UV sterilization and traditional filter use. This is, IMHO, very likely with UV sterilization since it is really difficult to get contaminated water from the rim (both outside and inside) of the bottle. I actually suffered some severe stomach upset once when only using the SteriPen - and I felt like I was rolling the dice due to the issue with contaminated water being around the rim. And with a filter such as the PUR Hiker, there are a LOT of pieces. To avoid cross-contamination you do need to keep the dirty water pieces and clean water pieces separate - just a bunch of irritation.
2. I have not "found" a way to cross-contaminate unless you stick the mouth piece end into contaminated water - that is an really stupid move though.
3. I really like that the LifeStraw is so simple, compact, and light weight. It is really just 3 parts - 2 end caps and the straw.
4. I feel safer with this as a "system" due to the simplicity. I would not hesitate drinking water through this without additional sterilization. I like the bend over and drink protocal.
Additional thoughts:
Chemical treatment could replace the UV sterilization - but I have found it to be a real hassle with wait times that vary with temperature and then, of course, you always have to fliter if there is a lot of sediment.
I also will fill a 2L to 4L water bag (which is a PUR Camp filter) if I am expecting to have a long distance between water sources or if I am going to set up camp for the night. Then I can drink as required.
And finally, everyone should understand that this is really not appropriate for filtering water to use for cooking.
Good luck on your purchase and I hope this review is helpful.
And... I have had giardia. I guess some say you always have giardia - don't know about that, but it is nasty stuff. I actually got it by washing my face in a contaminated stream - didn't even have to drink any water.
Water filter openings are measured in microns. Since bacteria size is between 0.2 and 2.0 microns in width, a 0.2 micron filter would filter out bacteria and would also filter out protozoa which are larger than bacteria. Viruses are the smallest living organisms known to man can measure as small as 0.005 microns.
Therefore, there are limitations to this filter at the viral level.
However, by combining this filter with a UV sterilizer such as Steri Pen you can easily add the viral layer of protection.
Here is what I do for a liter of high quality H2O:
1. 1L Nalgene bottle - this will always be considered "dirty" or contaminated.
2. Fill the bottle with water to be filtered through the Steripen prefilter cup.
3. Use the Steripen UV sterilizer - 90 seconds per 1L of H2O (per manufacturers instructions). As you do this you will be agitating the bottle which will keep sediment suspended. This isn't the point of agitation - it is simply a result of the the UV sterilization process.
4. Allow the sediment to settle.
5. Finally, use the LifeStraw as directed by manufacturer in the now UV sterilized water - still in the "contaminated" bottle.
Benefits that I have noticed:
1. I always had concerns with cross contamination during both simple UV sterilization and traditional filter use. This is, IMHO, very likely with UV sterilization since it is really difficult to get contaminated water from the rim (both outside and inside) of the bottle. I actually suffered some severe stomach upset once when only using the SteriPen - and I felt like I was rolling the dice due to the issue with contaminated water being around the rim. And with a filter such as the PUR Hiker, there are a LOT of pieces. To avoid cross-contamination you do need to keep the dirty water pieces and clean water pieces separate - just a bunch of irritation.
2. I have not "found" a way to cross-contaminate unless you stick the mouth piece end into contaminated water - that is an really stupid move though.
3. I really like that the LifeStraw is so simple, compact, and light weight. It is really just 3 parts - 2 end caps and the straw.
4. I feel safer with this as a "system" due to the simplicity. I would not hesitate drinking water through this without additional sterilization. I like the bend over and drink protocal.
Additional thoughts:
Chemical treatment could replace the UV sterilization - but I have found it to be a real hassle with wait times that vary with temperature and then, of course, you always have to fliter if there is a lot of sediment.
I also will fill a 2L to 4L water bag (which is a PUR Camp filter) if I am expecting to have a long distance between water sources or if I am going to set up camp for the night. Then I can drink as required.
And finally, everyone should understand that this is really not appropriate for filtering water to use for cooking.
Good luck on your purchase and I hope this review is helpful.
152 of 167 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
Just got back from a trip to Nepal and Cambodia. I used life straw dozens of times. Most notably while I was in the jungles of Cambodia I found myself dangerously dehydrated and my two water bottles were already empty. There was NO SAFE WATER for me to drink. I did eventually stumble onto a well used by some monks. After figuring out how to prime and pump up the water I used the life straw to drink my fill. I was so relieved, I was miles from the nearest bottle of water and I managed to get my drink on. I didn't have to take a risk that would have put me in an awful situation (severe diarrhea) , and it only cost me $25 and the weight of the straw is negligible.
In fact, I've decided that whenever I'm leaving the country to take this guy with me. Why not?
In fact, I've decided that whenever I'm leaving the country to take this guy with me. Why not?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pure water and compact.
Roughly 13 inches long and 1 inch diameter. Even comes with a string to carry it around your neck. The end fits inside my stainless steel water bottle I carry when I'm camping. Read more
Published 2 hours ago by J. D. Branyon II
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Definite Item for Survival Gear
More and more these days we are seeing people end up in situations where they have little or no access to fresh water for drinking. Read more
Published 17 hours ago by Joseph Hvezda
5.0 out of 5 stars
The perfect survival tool
These LifeStraws are great! These are perfect for anyone who wants to be prepared for an emergency. I personally have used them on deployments where the water wasn't so great an... Read more
Published 1 day ago by Christopher Drew
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome!
This product is absolutely amazing! I spend quite a bit of time outdoors and I will definitely be using the LifeStraw.
Published 3 days ago by justin buffone
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great little invention
This is really handy camping or backpacking. not ideal for your main water source but it will save your life for sure. Read more
Published 3 days ago by buckeyede06
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Buy
This is a great little tool to have for survivalists. It is smaller than I expected and works as advertised. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Alex
1.0 out of 5 stars
False security
the lifestraw may filter out bacteria and keep you from sucking up sediment, however, it does not filter out virus or smaller pathogens. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Denmother
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant!
Simple, portable, in a sealed bag for long-term storage. Great for emergency use, extended backpacking trips and bug out bags.
Published 4 days ago by ATD
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous
These are great. Bought my fiancée one for her bug out box. Almost want the zombies to show up so we can legitimately use it.
Published 6 days ago by Kakum31
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Cheapest Life Saver you will ever own!
If you camp out a lot, or simply prepared to bug out.....then this is for you. I will be buying more, just for bartering, especially when SHTF.......! Read more
Published 6 days ago by Ronald L. Lohan
Listmania!
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