Outdoor water filter for your trouser pocket: Really safe everywhere with the Lifestraw water filter

Last summer, we had a filter system that comes in the form of a bicycle water bottle. Now, however, we have tested a water filter that is hard to beat in terms of "How practical is that?". From Lifestraw, a Swiss company that is also committed to fair access to clean drinking water, comes perhaps the lightest and most compact water filter for all tours with or without a bike.

The Lifestraw Peak Series Solo water filter weighs around 50 grams and is around 13 cm long. This means it fits in any luggage, whether it's in the bottom of your MTB rucksack on tour or somewhere in your frame bag when bikepacking, for example - a continuous supply of water is ensured. The small water filter is able to remove bacteria, parasites, microplastics, sludge, sand and other turbidity from the water - at least 99.999 %.

It is also called a lifestraw because you can simply hold it in a glass and suck the cloudy, suspicious or smelly water as if through a straw - neutral and clean water arrives in the mouth. It couldn't be simpler.

Water filter: Bottle + Lifestraw = filter system

But thanks to the 28 mm thread on the inlet side of the Lifestraw filter, it can also be screwed onto most commercially available plastic bottles. With a stated flow rate of 3 litres per minute, you can fill a 750 ml bicycle drinking bottle quite quickly, for example. And, according to the manufacturer, a total of around 2000 litres, i.e. roughly 2667 large bike bottles or 4000 small ones.

From time to time and especially before storage, the Peak Series Solo water filter should be rinsed using the backwash syringe supplied. This ensures that nothing dries up and clogs the filter prematurely. However, salt water can neither be cleaned nor desalinated with the compact water filter. According to Lifestraw, once the filter is fully utilised, it should close and thus indicate that a new system is required.

Lifestraw Peak Series Solo water filter - Facts in brief

• According to the manufacturer, protection against 99.999999% of bacteria (including E. coli and salmonella), 99.999% of parasites (including Giardia and Cryptosporidium) and 99.999% of microplastics
• The membrane microfilter is sufficient for up to 2000 litres
• With 28 mm standard thread that can be screwed onto standard water bottles.
• Flow rate of 3 litres per minute
• Durable and sustainable materials, including high-quality, 50% recycled, BPA-free plastic
• The lid and base are leak-proof.
• Backwash syringe is included.
• Weight: 48.2 g / after use, water remains in the filter material, immediately afterwards the filter weighs approx. 57 g
• Size: 12.9 cm x 3.30 cm
• RRP price: 32.95 euros >> e.g. at Decathlon or Amazon available

Conclusion on the mini water filter from Lifestraw

The Lifestraw Peak Series Solo mini water filter is not the only one of its kind; other manufacturers also build very compact filter systems for bikepacking and other tours. However, we found the combination of price (32.95 euros), size (13 cm long) and weight (around 50 g) as well as the option of attaching a simple PET bottle very convincing. However, we were unable to verify the information on filter capacity and filter capability. However, the water we filtered from the rain barrel with the Lifestraw Peak Series Solo did not harm anyone and tasted completely neutral.

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