LifeStraw Personal Water Filter Review -- I Drank From a Stream (And Lived)

I carry a LifeStraw on every hike, even day hikes where I bring 3 liters of water. It weighs 2 ounces and costs \. If I twist an ankle and am stuck on the trail longer than expected, that 2-ounce straw becomes the most important item in my pack. I actually tested it by drinking from a high mountain stream (the water was crystal clear, flowing fast, no beaver ponds upstream) and experienced zero gastrointestinal issues.

The LifeStraw is the most affordable entry into backcountry water filtration.

How the Filtration Works

The hollow fiber membrane has pores of 0.2 microns. Bacteria (like E. coli and salmonella) are 0.5-5 microns. Protozoan parasites (Giardia and Cryptosporidium) are 1-15 microns. Both get physically trapped as water passes through the membrane. No chemicals, no iodine aftertaste. The water tastes like... water. Clean, cold, mountain stream water.

What It Does Not Filter

Viruses (0.02-0.2 microns) can pass through. In North American backcountry, waterborne viruses are extremely rare -- bacteria and parasites are the real concerns. The LifeStraw also does not filter chemicals, pesticides, or heavy metals. Do not use it downstream from a mine, factory, or agricultural runoff.

Emergency Preparedness Bonus

I keep one in my car emergency kit and one in my home emergency supplies. If a natural disaster disrupts water service, a LifeStraw provides 1,000 gallons of safe drinking water. For \, that is the best emergency prep value available.