LifeStraw Product Review

LifeStraw by Vestergaard is a portable water filtration device designed to convert contaminated water into clean, drinkable water.  The LifeStraw was specifically designed for individual use and filters a minimum of 1,000 liters (264 gallons) of water which is enough for one person for one year.  The device removes up to 99.9999% of waterworne bacteria including Giardia and Cryptosporidium.  It also has the capability of removing 99.9% of waterborne protozoan cysts.  The Lifestraw can reduce turbidity (how much floaty stuff is suspended in the water that makes it cloudy) to 0,2 microns.  One of the coolest features of this product is that it does all of this without the use of chemicals like bleach or iodine. Oh, and by the way, it’s under $20!

Here are the features straight from Vestergaard’s website:

  • Uses hollow fibre microfiltration technology
  • Purifies a minimum of 1000 litres (264 gallons) of water
  • Removes virtually all bacteria (99.9999 percent) and protozoan parasites (99.9 percent) that can contaminate water, including giardia
  • Reduces turbidity (muddiness) by filtering particulate matter larger than 0.2 microns
  • Made of durable plastic
  • Chemical-free
  • Doesn’t require electrical power, batteries or replacement parts–it’s powered by user-generated suction

How it Works

The LifeStraw uses an advanced hollow fiber technology which is an efficient method of filtration. Here are the directions from their website;

  1. Water enters and is forced through narrow fibers under high pressure.
  2. Hollow fibers trap bacteria, protozoa, and other contaminants which are flushed out by backwashing.
  3. Clean water exits through tiny pores in the walls of the hollow fibers.
  4. Filtered water is safe to drink.

Easy to Use
Anyone who can use a drinking straw can use a LifeStraw. Simply draw the unfiltered water through the LifeStraw, blow air back through the straw to flush and clear it after drinking

Dimensions

  • 9 inches by 1 inch
  • 56 grams (or 2 ounces)

The Lifestraw was much lighter than I thought it would be when I first picked up the thing.  I was shocked to learn that a water filtration device could only weigh 2 ounces!  That really is incredible.  Just to give you some context I used to lug around the MiniWorks EX microfilter by MSR which weighs a colossal 1 lb. even.

My Thoughts

There are some really significant advantages to owning this product.  Some of my favorite features include the following;

Pros:

  • The weight:  At 2 ounces, it has to be one of the most weight efficient filtration devices on the market
  • Ease of use: Just put your straw in the water, suck up dirty water, drink clean water, blow out the rest, and store.  Super easy.
  • Filter: It takes out all the bad stuff from just about any stream or pool of water that you will need it for when hiking.  It also does it without any chemicals!
  • Design Simplicity:  There are no moving parts to this thing.  Levers won’t break, tubes won’t stain, rubber seals won’t crack.  It is a very simple product.
  • Usage life:  You can filter enough water for one person for one year with this baby.
  • Price: Under $20.  Come on!

Although this product is wildly popular there are some things about this product that I just don’t like

Cons: 

  • Inconvenient for hiking in a desert:  This product is great if you are following a river but what the heck do you do if the trail leads you away from a reliable water source?  You would have to carry contaminated water in your pack along with the straw which is very annoying.
  • Usage: You have to stick your face in a water hole every time you want to use this thing.  Who wants to lie on your belly every time you need a drink?  Plus, once you are finished you have a wet filter you have to store in your pack somewhere.  Good luck with that.
  • Filter: Although it does filter out most of the bad stuff, it doesn’t filter out chemicals or viruses.  You are still vulnerable to viral disease.

Conclusion

I love this thing.  I mean, I probably won’t take it with me on every backpacking trip I take but I will take it with me on trips that have plenty of reliable water sources.  The price is incredible, the weight is fantastic, and it will filter out just about everything that would make you sick in a stream or lake.  This is an ideal water filtration device for quick overnight trips or solo adventures where you only need to hydrate one person.  I am glad I have this thing and I recommend that you get one as well.