LifeStraw Review & Giveaway

The LifeStraw®product and information have been provided by Vestergaard

I’ve got something fun for y’all today!

Awhile back, the crew at LifeStraw sent me one of their backpacking water filters to test out on my mountain adventures. Want to hear what I thought? Then read on, my friend!

Photo by Will Rochfort

{And if you’re really just here because you want to win a LifeStraw filter of your own, scroll to the bottom of this post. I know the way your brain works!}

We always carry a water filter while backpacking. Not only do Will and I both need to drink a ton of water, but so does Tally. I’ve already experienced giardia once in my life {thanks to a suspiciously placed rope swing in Costa Rica}, so I’d really rather avoid any additional stomach parasites. Sure, the mountain streams at 12k are likely clean, but who knows? Weird things could be up in that water!

Tech Specs

The LifeStraw filter is a bit different than most because it truly is just a straw! It is a long tube with a mouthpiece on one end. The filter inside can process at least 1,000 liters of water and removes 99.9% of waterborne bacteria and protozoan cysts. It has no batteries or moving parts, so it’s very durable. I dropped it on a rock at least a dozen times with nary a scratch!

And did I mentioned that the entire thing weighs a mere two ounces?! I think my shoelaces weigh more than that!

How It Works

Unlike other filters that work via gravity or a hand pump, the LifeStraw uses the suctioning powers of your own mouth {Yes, that sounds strange. Work with me here.} Quite literally, you put the mouthpiece in your mouth, stick the other end in a {preferably} moving stream or lake, and begin sucking the water up through the tube.

Photo by Will Rochfort

At first, it will seem like the filter isn’t working and you won’t feel any water in your mouth. However, it takes just a second for the water to pass through the filter. Once it gets going, it is very similar to drinking through a straw.

Who It Is Best For

The LifeStraw filter shines for two distinct reasons: the minimal weight and the budget-friendly price. The tube that I tested retails for $19.95 which is a lot less than other filters on the market! Because of this, I think it is great for people who are trying to watch their money. I also think that I will be bringing it as a backup filter to our larger gravity filter. Because it weighs so little, I don’t feel bad about carrying it around in case of emergencies, you know?

Bummer

The one downside with this filter is that it isn’t exactly easy to use! Because it acts as a straw, you literally have to lay down on the ground and stick your face up to the water. While testing it at Gray’s Peak this past weekend, I was trying to avoid laying on the earth since it was sopping wet. As a result, I had to awkwardly crouch and bend at the waist, which wasn’t very comfortable. It also doesn’t provide you with filtered water to carry in a bladder or a water bottle. I suppose you could fill up a Nalgene from a stream and then use the LifeStraw as an actual straw, but that would be slightly awkward as well.

Bottom Line

If you’re trying to watch your budget or want a backup filter, I think the LifeStraw is a perfect option. It could also work great while traveling in countries with questionable water.

Or, maybe you can win one and try it for free! Check out the Rafflecopter below to see how you can enter. Contest closes at midnight on Thursday, July 17. I’ll track the winner down on Friday!

ETA: The winner of this giveaway has been chosen: Heidi Kumm! Thanks for entering everyone, and stay tuned because I have another good one coming in a few weeks!

a Rafflecopter giveaway