Let’s have a look at why you should carry a water filtration straw in your bag for outdoor activities.
Other than the quality, the taste of the water can also vary from one source to another. A water filtration straw filters out any contaminants from the water so you can enjoy clean and crisp tasting water.
When out camping, hiking, or any other outdoor activity in an unfamiliar area, it’s difficult to determine the type of contaminating the nearby streams or water source. Some water sources can be filled with deadly parasites that can make you severely ill. A water filter straw takes out any contaminants that might be present in the water, providing you with water that is safe to drink and clear of any contaminants.
Drinking water with unsafe levels of contaminants can be very dangerous for you. It can cause several health problems. A water straw can remove up to 99% of waterborne types of bacteria and parasites. To keep your health in check and be on the safe side, it’s always a good option to keep a water filtration straw in your bag while participating in outdoor activities.
To pick the right water filter straw for yourself, you must keep the following factors in mind:
The filtration efficiency of a filtration straw depends on the filtration technology it uses. Most of the filtration straws feature a hollow fiber UF member with pores of sizes between 0.1-0.2 micron that help filter out any contaminants in the water. Typically, the smaller the size of the pores, the more harmful contaminants and substances would be filtered from the water. Hence, for best results, it is recommended to opt for a water filter straw with 0.1 micron pores.
The lifespan of each water filtration straw can vary. Some have a lifespan of hundreds of gallons, whereas some go up to thousands of gallons, allowing them to be used for several years. If you love traveling or go for outdoor activities often, then it’s a better choice to opt for a water filtration straw with a long lifespan since you’ll be needing it frequently. However, if you only enjoy outdoor activities once in a while, then a water filter straw with a 100-gallon capacity should be more than enough.
The weight and size of the water filtration straw is another factor that you should take into consideration. The bulk and weight of each water straw differs according to its filtration technology, design, and construction material.
Make sure the weight and the size of the filtration straw apply to its lifespan. Lighter and smaller water filtration straws usually have a shorter life span. Whereas, heavier and bigger ones last for years.
Despite the super fine pore size of a UF membrane, it is not effective enough to remove bad odor and taste and most heavy metals and chemicals in the water. For this purpose, it’s better to choose a filter straw that comes with carbon blocks. Carbon blocks help remove odor, bad taste and chemicals such as chlorine from the water through ion exchange.
It’s recommended to opt for a multi-stage water filter if the water resource you are dealing with is heavily contaminated. Water with a bad odor and taste is likely to be contaminated by chemicals or heavy metal. If the water source is relatively clean, clear, and doesn’t have any odor, then a single stage water filter straw should be enough to get the job done.
If you’re looking for the ultimate water filter straw that can clean up your water without taking up too much room in your backpack, then you must get your hands on the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter. Featuring a two-stage carbon filter, this model claims to filter out even the smallest microplastics found in the environment (down to 1 micron) and reduce turbidity down to 0.2 microns.
The activated carbon filter is also effective enough to remove some bacteria, eliminating odors or color in your water. Despite its compact and slim design, this model can filter up to 4,000 liters of water. This product from LifeStraw is the best overall because it meets the FDA standards and is made from BPA-free materials.
The Membrane Solutions Portable Water Filter Straw is the ultimate survival gear for outdoor water needs. This mini, lightweight water filter straw weighs only 2 pounds but has a lifespan of up to 5,000 liters of drinking water. With its five-stage filtration system, it tries to remove most bacteria, odor, and parasites from river or tap water.
When compared to its competitors, this filter straw has a smaller frame and more filtered modes, which makes it great for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. For maximum durability, the frame of this water filter straw is built from strong food-grade plastic. Also, to ensure your safety, all components of the straw are BPA-free and safe to use.
With a lifespan of up to 100,000 gallons, the Sawyer Products Water Filtration System is a travel buddy you should always have by your side. This high-performance 0.1 micron inline filter is compact enough to fit the palm of your hands. Tested three times to performance standards by Sawyer, it claims to remove 99.9% of all bacteria, including E. coli, cholera, and salmonella. It also filters out microplastics.
This easy-to-use water filter straw allows you to drink straight from the source. It comes with a 16-ounce reusable squeeze pouch that allows you to take water with you. Also, the cleaning plunger included helps you clean the straw within seconds to extend its lifespan and use it for years after purchasing.
The Logest Water Filter Straw is another great option that reduces the risk of infection from contaminated water by removing harmful substances and bacteria from water completely. With a 0.01 micron filtration system, this water filter straw is guaranteed to provide you with crisp, clean and odor-free drinking water.
Thanks to its easy to use and carry design, it can easily fit inside your bag without taking much space. The carrying strap makes it further easier to carry the straw from one location to the next. It boasts a 600-liter filter capacity, and the package includes two survival water filters, so you always have a spare on hand.
Last but not least, the Survivor Water Filter Straw is a world-renowned model that’s been tested at multiple certified labs to show close to 99.9% removal of bacteria from water. Its triple filtration system helps remove any hint of harmful substances that might have been present in the water.
Unlike most water filter straws available in the market, this one can be cleaned and used again. It boasts a filtration capacity of 264,000 gallons, meaning this is bound to last you for years. Thanks to its versatility, this water filter straw can be used directly from a fresh water source with any bottle.
A: Water filter straws feature a micron filter system that helps filter out any parasite, germs, and bacteria from dirty water. Since water filters have shown effective results at cleaning contaminated water, it can be said that they work. Most do not remove salt or other unlisted contaminants and chemicals.
A: Yes, water filter straws usually come with a long lifespan, allowing them to be used for several years. To get a better idea about how many times a water filter straw should be used, you can check its filter capacity.
A: Not all water filter straws remove salt from water. For that, you’ll need to get a water filter straw with a reverse osmosis system.