The LifeStraw Portable Water Purification Straw
The LifeStraw is a straw-like portable water purification device that allows users to drink directly from a freshwater source. The Portable water purification straw device removes bacterial and protozoal contaminants but doesn’t filter out heavy metals or desalinate water.
The straw is small and unobtrusive in appearance allowing it to be easily carried in a pocket or personal belonging. It also has a quick-exchange inlet filter allowing the primary particulate filter to be easily exchanged when occluded without requiring disassembly of the straw.
The LifeStraw
The LifeStraw is a popular, ultralight personal “straw” filter that makes it easy to drink from almost any water source. It removes bacteria and parasites, preventing the majority of waterborne disease. It also reduces turbidity (muddiness) and chlorine, bad tastes, and volatile organic chemicals. The straw can be used alone or inserted into a bottle for more advanced filtration. It can even be clipped onto a backpack for easy access to clean drinking water while hiking or camping. For every LifeStraw sold, one is donated to a person in need of safe drinking water.
The Lifestraw is simple to use: simply suck on the straw and drink! The microfiltration system has hollow fibers with pores less than 0.2-microns in size to filter out bacteria, protozoa, and other harmful contaminants. Unlike other straw-style filters, the Lifestraw doesn’t require any chemicals or pumps to work; it just uses mechanical filtration. It also doesn’t clog or have any moving parts, so it’s very durable and easy to maintain. When the straw is clogged, simply blowing air out of it clears the filter.
It’s a great choice for preppers, backpackers, and outdoor enthusiasts looking for an effective yet lightweight portable water purification tool. It’s also great to keep in your survival kit, car, or purse if you’re traveling to an area with questionable drinking water. The only downside to the Lifestraw is that it doesn’t filter out viruses, which are a concern in backcountry situations where water-borne illnesses such as norovirus and rotavirus are common.
For those looking for a more robust portable water filtration device, check out the MSR Gravity Filter or Sawyer Mini Water Filter. Both of these options are Portable water purification straw manufacturer more expensive than the Lifestraw, but provide thorough filtration that will clean out any virus and other contaminants that the Lifestraw cannot. The MSR and Sawyer also have more robust, reliable materials that will stand up to more wear and tear than the Lifestraw.
Another good option is the LifeStraw Flex, a flexible straw-style filter that can be attached to many types of bottles and water bladders. You can screw it on the top of a soft bottle, place it in-line with a hydration bladder hose, or attach it to a gravity filtration system at camp. It’s a great choice for hikers, backpackers, and preppers who want the flexibility of multiple portable water filters in one package. It’s a bit pricey, but is made of rugged Tritan plastic, which is 50% recycled and BPA free.
