Lifestraw Steel

[Sentry18]

No, I am not encouraging to you take a lifestraw that does not belong to you. I am talking about a lifestraw made out of stainless steel. While more expensive, it is definitely more rugged. Is it worth it?

LifeStraw Steel | Quick look from Costa Rica

March 16, 2018 by Erik Meisner 1 Comment

On a recent trip to Costa Rica, my wife and I had the opportunity to get out and hike in the jungle a bit. With several water sources on our adventure, we felt it was the perfect opportunity to test the new LifeStraw Steel. Back in 2016, Rick tested and reviewed the original LifeStraw personal water filtration system. Several notable improvements have been made to the LifeStraw Steel so I felt an additional article was in order.

The most obvious update to the original design is the Vestergaard stainless steel construction. This sturdy blue cylinder added a little weight from the original model but increased its durability in spades. Additionally, the LifeStraw Steel is now a two stage filter. Utilizing their proven hollow fiber membrane, the Steel will filter out virtually all bacteria and protozoa. But with the addition of an activated carbon capsule on the tip, chemicals such as chlorine, organic compounds, odor and bad taste are now significantly reduced.


Brandie taking a sip from the Costa Rican jungle water
LifeStraw Steel specifications and features courtesy of lifestraw.com

• Removes 99.999999% of bacteria (E. coli, etc.)
• Removes 99.999% of protozoa (Giardia, Cryptosporidium, etc.)
• Food grade quality activated carbon
• Chlorine reduction
• Bad odor and taste reduction
• Organic chemical matter (Pesticides, Herbicides, VOC) reduction
• Hollow fiber membrane lifetime of 4,000 litres (1,000 gallons)
• Carbon Capsule lifetime of 100 litres (26 gallons)
• Meets US UPS drinking water standards
• Reduces turbidity, filtering down to 0.2 microns
• Contains no chemicals (and is BPA-free), uses no batteries, has no moving parts
• Very high flow rate; no after taste (because no iodine or chlorine are used)
• Easy to clean. Can be stored and used periodically. Just keep uncapped so it can dry thoroughly
• Very durable stainless steel construction
• Replaceable activated carbon capsule
• No shelf life. LifeStraw Steel can be stored indefinitely
• Length: 9 inches
• Width: 1 inch
• Weight: 4.4 ounces (125 grams)
• Construction: Food grade stainless steel. Meets US Food and Drug Administration regulations and standards
• MSRP $54.95

Final Thoughts: The LifeStraw Steel is a great option to pack due to it’s relatively small profile as compared to larger pump or gravity filters. Preppers will also like this as an addition to their go-bag for it’s long term durability and lack of working parts. Although the hollow fiber filter element is not replaceable, its ability to filter 1000 gallons of water still makes the LifeStraw Steel a good purchase. The Carbon capsule has a life span of 26 gallons and is user replaceable. Take a look at LifeStraw for several water storage and filtration options. And never be caught in the wilderness without enough drinking water again.

And remember, for every LifeStraw product sold, a child in need receives safe water for an entire school year.

https://loadoutroom.com/45428/lifestraw-steel-quick-look-from-costa-rica/

 

[Terri9630]

I've never seen the steel ones. Just the plastic. For $54 you could pick up 3 of the plastic ones on sale.

 

[hiwall]

I have the Sawyer Mini's instead. You can use them just like the Lifestraws but they last much longer and can be cleaned.

 

[Sentry18]

I've never seen the steel ones. Just the plastic. For $54 you could pick up 3 of the plastic ones on sale.

I thought the same thing. Then again if you are in a rough area one steel life straw beats 3 cracked or shattered plastic lifestraws. Apparently enough people asked for a more durable model that they decided to make one. I cannot imagine that happening without some real world experience where the plastic ones gave out and broke.

I have the Sawyer Mini's instead. You can use them just like the Lifestraws but they last much longer and can be cleaned.

I have some lifestraws but I use the Sawyers Mini's too. 100,000 gallons for $20-21 is better than 792 gallons for $18.

 

[Sonya_6]

I just have a regular sawyer filter, it is small enough to fit in my GHB and the bags/filter can be hooked up to a bottle or bag for direct drinking if desired.

The way I see it a lifestraw is only for direct drinking. I would prefer something that can filter water for the animals or cooking etc...

Found mine for about $30 including two bags and all of the little hook up pieces. It was a good deal and can be used at the house too. But I am thrifty and don't buy many tactical gadgets or gear, only stuff that I really need and/or has multiple uses.

 

[The Lazy L]

I have a situation awareness problem with bending over with my face very close to a stream to suck water.

We went with gravity filter like the MSR AutoFlow: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RU3RBNE/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Our thought was fill before making camp. After camp was setup we should have enough filtered water to cook. Before turning in for the night top off our canteens and refill the filter bag. In the morning cook, wash up, take down the camp and top off the canteens. In a pinch it could be used as a sucker to drink direct form a stream?

 

[Sonya_6]

I have a situation awareness problem with bending over with my face very close to a stream to suck water.

Well theoretically you could fill up a bottle with stream water and put your straw in that.

 

[hiwall]

While I do have several water filters, my main plan is to start the genny and drink the same water I am drinking now.

 

[The Lazy L]

Well theoretically you could fill up a bottle with stream water and put your straw in that.

True. But a bottle would be something extra to carry.

 

[Terri9630]

True. But a bottle would be something extra to carry.

You'd have to carry something to drink out of with the other filters too.

 

[The Lazy L]

You'd have to carry something to drink out of with the other filters too.

I'm not going to use my canteen to put suspect water in.

 

[Terri9630]

I'm not going to use my canteen to put suspect water in.

You'd still have to carry an extra bottle or cup to scoop up the suspect water to put it in your filter to fill the canteen or to use a lifestraw to drink out of.

I have a Katadyn filter and a squeeze bottle with a filter attached to inside of lid to use. The Katadyn filter to pump water into a pot for cooking and the squeeze bottle to dip into the water source to drink for. Lifestraw as a back up.

 

[Caribou]

I have one of the plastic straws that I found on sale. I think one is enough and it is a last ditch (pun intended) reserve filter. I'm not hiking off into the wilderness or even the few miles to the store. I have an RO on my kitchen sink as primary and a Katadyn as a backup. I have enough spare Katadyn filters to make a few spare filters for trade.