Water filter straws make a fantastic addition to any emergency kit or bug-out bag, day pack or car kit. Light, compact and highly effective at helping keep you hydrated in the wilderness environment, they are essential companions.
But not all water filter straws are created equal; some can be difficult to use, quickly clog, and have low durability.
Flow Rate
Many straw filters are highly effective. Not only are they relatively inexpensive and compact in design, but they’re also great at filtering a significant volume of water quickly.
However, they’re not suitable for every situation; they can easily become clogged up and need replacement filters in order to function as planned.
These containers typically only hold a limited amount of water, so you will likely require another container or to sit directly on the ground and sip directly from a river or lake to siphon from.
Lifestraws are popular choices among prepper as they’re low cost and take up minimal space, yet are difficult to use and only filter a few gallons before needing replacement – perfect for bugout bags but not suitable for primary survival shelter.
Clogging
Bringing along a water filter straw is an easy and effective way to enjoy clean drinking water on hiking, trekking, or camping trips. This handy accessory filters out debris, sediments, protozoa, bacteria, chlorine, volatile organic compounds as well as unpleasant tastes or odors from your water supply.
A good water filter straw should have a micron rating of 0.1 or lower. This allows fewer bacteria to pass through it and reduces any possible health concerns associated with consumption of tap water.
Your water filter straw should include a durable hybrid ceramic shell to protect its filter. Regular maintenance with a scour pad and clean water (no soap!) should remove mineral deposits that slow the rate of flow of your water supply, keeping you safe during emergencies and providing clean drinking water at any time of the day. A good water filter straw should last up to 1,000 gallons before needing replacement – an affordable and convenient addition for any bug-out bag!
Cleaning
Make sure that you always have access to clean drinking water by keeping a filter straw handy at home and in your car, such as an Alexapure Go Bottle with revolutionary filtration technology that uses microfiltration media to capture contaminants like lead, chemicals, heavy metals and bacteria from freshwater sources – helping ensure safe drinking water wherever it comes from. 206 contaminants* can be reduced with this filter system!
Some models of lightweight and collapsible straws make them suitable for camping, hiking, traveling and other outdoor activities. They’re also designed to work through extended emergencies so can be kept in bug-out bags. To clean them effectively, mix a 1:1 solution of household bleach and water then immerse the straw for several minutes in this solution; rinse later when finished and repeat this procedure when changing filters as necessary.
Storage
Due to being hydrophilic and working best when wet, filter membranes may dry out over time and make water flow through more slowly or cake up with debris causing health risks. To combat this situation, store straws with 1 teaspoon of salt mixed into small amount of water as a preventive measure.
Another alternative is using a scour pad to wipe down filters, as this will remove grit and debris without needing soap. Doing this will extend their lifespan while increasing their filter capacity.
Lifestraw is an excellent portable water filter ideal for survival situations. Offering the same filtration technology as our top picks but more compact and easier to use. Perfectly portable in terms of size and weight; easily stored away in any pack or pocket and even screwing onto an average water bottle makes this product one of the more flexible models out there.
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