LifeStraw is Going to HATE ME For This!

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

Lifestraw Peak Filter: geni.us/DhDChx Katadyn BeFree Filter: geni.us/YyNCHt Platypus Quickdraw Filter: geni.us/0CABg1c

[@BackcountryExposure]

I will always appreciate a company working to stay relevant and find their place in the market. Even if it falls flat or isn’t a game changer, options are good. Competition is good. I’ve enjoyed my time with these filters, especially the 3L gravity system. Although there needs to be a better way to attach the hose to the clean side. Good objective discussion here sir!

[@soobz]

Why I bought Lifestraw Peak Squeeze after buying a Befree: quality control! The Katadyn Befree was faulty from new, and that's unforgivable in this kind of product. The Befree failed the bubble test both ways, and water could easily free run with no squeezing needed. Other reviews found the same problem, hence why I think the QC has failed. The Lifestraw is also more versatile, more robust, able to be cleaned more thoroughly, and if the bag does get damaged in the middle of a trip you can still use the 'straw' part to get a drink eg from a mug or a common PET bottle - the Peak Squeeze filter also supports both threads, ie. standard water bottle and the same thread as the Befree. So I reckon it's not fair to say it doesn't offer anything new; try using your Befree with anything other than the squeeze bag.

[@nickrassenti6574]

My personal choice now for water filtering is something I picked up from a local hiking guide here on Vancouver Island, BC. I use the Katadyn BeFree filter but to ensure long-term durability, I pair it with a Hydrapak Flux 1.5 L collapsible bottle rather than the base Katadyn one, which is much thinner and prone to potential rips or punctures.

[@meinthewild]

I have a Be Free that I love and bring a Sawyer Squeeze as a back up on longer trips. Not planning to change any time soon. Thanks for the product review.

[@CastawayHikes]

Been using my Sawyer for years, it is a fine filter, but I bought a Platypus Quickdraw (on your recommendation) if for nothing else than the hinged cap and screw cap bottom so it can be sealed up for storage. Been very happy with it so far

[@anywhereroam9698]

So you move the dirty side to the clean side. What a great idea. Glad you called it out

[@JohnConstantine646]

Love this video and totally agree, Steven. Thanks for continuing to keep your videos real and building trust with the community that follows you.

[@Wyatt.the.martian]

Good points. I think the only one missed was the price. Lifestraw offers much more affordable versions of filters that may be out of reach for some people's budgets. At least here in Canada, the price difference is less than half for some basic lifestraw systems compared to the competition.

[@dontask7898]

Thanks for beeing honest even if you will take heat from particular companies.

[@natebundy2407]

Lol! "Awkward in more way than one." *wink wink*. I thought this was family friendly! Haha. Just joking. We were all thinking it.

[@jasonwondersoutdoors3702]

FACTS! 😂

[@Lepiota]

😏😏😏

[@goofsaddggkle7351]

was about to make this comment lol - figures its top comment 🤣

[@eddyflo2978]

Life straw making 70% of men feel inadequate

[@wisenber]

My six year old Sawyer Squeeze with a CNOC still works to well for me to bother replacing it. The Sawyer Mini was disappointing. I have an old MSR ceramic filter that still works after over 15 years. I take it when I think I'll need to pump from cisterns or smaller places.

[@saber1able]

I agree, not a game changer by any stretch of the imagination. I own the Sawyer Mini, Pure2Go Purifier, MiniWell Gravity water filter and my most recent purchase is the HydraPak Seeker combined with the Katadyn BeFree filter. Before making my last purchase, I did a bunch of research as I was interested in the higher quality squeeze bottles like Platypus, HydraPak, LifeStraw, Katadyn, and Cnoc. After reading reviews, watching videos and hearing a lot of complaints about the Katadyn & Platypus bottles while not having a lot of info available about the new LifeStraw, I narrowed it down to the Hydrapak Seeker or Cnoc. I chose the Hydrapak Seeker 2L as the Cnoc was not available in the bottle capacity I wanted & thread size I needed to match the BeFree filter at that time. I really like the HydraPak Seeker, and I am glad that I made the choice that I did but I may still purchase the Cnoc as a backup.

[@SummitSeeker546]

Great review… we appreciate your honest reviews. Tired of KZbinrs becoming pitchmen for corporate sponsors!

[@bretbowlin2617]

Thanks, great review as usual. My Sawyer has been great, but I agree and have found that the Quick Draw actually improved in several ways. As things go, I love that thing.

[@George1701]

The filter on the Katadyn fits perfectly on the Lifestraw bag since the size and threading for the screw tops are identical. You get all the benefits of the Katadyn fast flow and easy to clean filter on a MUCH more durable bag…

[@huexley]

Following on of your previous video, we bought a Platypus Quickdraw for that summer and we really loved it ! (I was already a fan of Platypus products so it was an easy decision) ! thanks !

[@hiddenverses]

Dude! Great and FAIR review without beating off the company. Stay like this!

[@ianstiehl1994]

I actually like running the peak squeeze with a Sea to Dummit 10L resevoir and adapter. Than way I can keep the filter stored in-bag to keep it from wetting stuf in my pack, toss some salt in the sack in winter to keep it thawed and ready in my trunk, fikter pretty quickly with the squeeze bottle, and thread it onto the resevoir bag for gravity filtering at base camp.

[@Harry-Giles]

Always appreciate and respect your honesty and perspective.

[@NordenzurZukunft]

I didn't watch your initial video on it and I was convinced the filter was clogged despite backfiltering a bunch of times. Turns out, it was the design of the filter, not being able to reach the water at the end of the squeeze bag. The main reason why I don't like the BeFree filters is due to the easy clogging and lack of backfiltering.

[@woodchip2782]

Love your honesty and your objectivity. Kind of an iconoclast too!😅😂. Everything has to be revised at one point to improve a type of product or replace it. You execute your job perfectly!👍

[@dreegy45]

I've had a Sawyer Mini for the last 3 years and haven't used it that much, but on my last trip the squeeze pouch broke around the neck. Thanks for this entertaining and informational video!

[@bernarddeboeck8405]

Lifestraw flex does have a carbon filter against polution like chimacal or industrial...wich the befree misses. That is, for me, the only plus it has against the Befree. That is why I use it complementary to my befree.

[@ithacacomments4811]

I will keep my Grayl.

[@JesusTheCity]

I use Grayl its so much easier and is a purifier as well.

[@gerardogarcia-trio3572]

I'm the kind of camper that needs to save money and weight in some items, so with water I just use two bottles, a camel bag to drink the clean water from it and a normal plastic one to get the water to potabilice: 3 drops of bleach per litre and 45 minutes for maximum security. Nothing as light and cheap, I'm happy with this basic system.

[@maxberrevoets]

If you squeeze the bottle around the filter with your one hand and squeeze the water out with your other hand you can get the last bit of water out. Also this product is more affordable than the alternatives.

[@baileymoto]

I tested it, its less than 2 tablespoons left over in the bag, heh. That, and its the water thats lining the bag from the vacuum...which every similar design will 'suffer' from.

[@johnnyhoover5870]

Not a fan of the befree. Works great as long as your water source is pretty clean. I'll stick with my sawyer.

[@skippylippy547]

I use the Sawyer Squeeze directly attached to a 1 liter Smart Water Bottle. These bottles are indestructible. I have a dirty bottle and a clean bottle for this purpose. I've been doing this for 7 years now.

[@johnnyhoover5870]

@@skippylippy547 to me it's the best system. I keep a clean, a dirty and a cnoc bag but use it exactly like you do.

[@ktownc936]

I'm still into my squeeze with a cnoc 2 liter when I go solo. My platypus 4 liter Gravity works with friends/ base camping. I've heard the quickdraw had a horrible roll out with quality control. Maybe it's changed.

[@chuckychuck]

You not suppose to squeeze that bag that hard, he's going to blow the seams out, these are the same people that would leave bad reviews on a product because of their mishandling.

[@WasatchWill]

QuickDraw and Sawyer Classic continue to be my two favorites.

[@ThenaturalmedicAdventures]

I still like my Sawyer mini with the Cnoc bag but may have to try the platypus

[@pochtronvirelune25]

Strange in Canada adverts explain well the multiple use that we can have with it, and they at least are a game changer in the price compared to the Katahdin.

[@SnowElf_96]

Just bought 2 Befree Squeeze bottles literally today. Crazy how these videos find me

[@filmic1]

Nice survey, and though I have a BFree 1L, and Katadyn Hiker, Pro, I STILL have my old tried and true, yet clumsy Katadyn ceramic pocket filter, the white one from the eighties.

[@cliftonselent4625]

I'm looking to get the lifestraw version for an upcoming multi-day hike. I plan to only use it as the filter bag and never drink straight from it. I will carry a couple smart water bottles for drinking from. This will be my first backpacking trip so I don't have the most UL gear so the few ounces difference between this and the befree won't bother me. I like how sturdy the bag is, and it's cheaper.

[@mennotr]

I just got a water filter + squeeze bottle for 25 euro in total at decathlon. Haven't seen any Backpackers talk about it, might be the cheapest filter on the market

[@nosslived]

I guess I will be the odd one out to sing some praise for the Life Straw Peak Series. I have the 3L LifeStraw Peak Gravity Filter, which I occasionally hang, but usually just use as a squeeze filter. It has been used on 4 trips for a total of about 18 days; one trip was 8 days long. Overall, I have been a fan of this filter. I will start with my biggest complaint about it... When the filter is used inside the bag, the top cap creates a tight seal and water does not leak, exactly what you would hope for. unfortunately, if the filter is used outside the bag and the top cap is attached to the clean end of the filter, it does not create a tight seal, and water will leak out constantly. It is upsetting because it would have been so simple to include a rubber gasket on the cap in order to prevent this. Moving on to the positives... Two of the biggest factors in choosing this filter were price and durability. It was one of the cheapest gravity filters that I could find, and had the bonus of flexibility (can use it as either a gravity, squeeze, or standard bottle filter). I also believe that it is the most durable filter bladder around; I can carry it over my shoulder while bushwhacking and I am not concerned that the bladder will tear or puncture if it rubs against a tree or thorns. Even though the filter is a standard size and can be used on something like a Smart Water bottle, it attaches to a larger cap, which attaches to the bladder. That means the bladder has a much larger opening and is significantly easier to fill. I have filled my 3L LifeStraw bladder next to somebody with a much smaller Sawyer bag on multiple occasions; mine almost always wins, in both running and still water. In terms of flow rate, it is definitely a little slow, but it is consistent and does not easily clog. I used it a total of 18 days before ever needing to backwash it, and even then, I probably could have used it for several more days before. backwashing. The last trip was 8 days and while I noticed slightly more resistance towards the end of the trip, my flow was still more consistent than the three other filters (Katadyn pump, Sawyer, and something else) that were being used by individuals in our group. I like the flexibility of using the filter inside or outside the bag. I generally place the filter inside the bag when I am moving (partly because of the leak issue noted above, partly because it is less awkward). And I generally use the filter on the outside when I am at camp, since it is easier to get all the water that way. Yes, in theory moving the filter back and forth does introduce a risk of contaminating the clean nozzles, but I feel like the risk is often overplayed. After switching, you can quickly and easily press some water through to give the clean end a quick rinse. It's not foolproof, but you could also use a little hand sanitizer to clean nozzle if you're that worried. I hope to see some others chime in with support for the Peak Series. I agree that headlines calling it revolutionary are a joke. And it is definitely not perfect, but it deserves a lot more credit than it's been receiving.

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

Very Fair points. I have the peak gravity filter. My main complaint is I haven’t found a way to attach a clean receiving bladder or bottle. Am I missing something or is this true for you too? I almost mentioned that in this video but felt like I’d said enough.

[@nosslived]

@@MyLifeOutdoors that sounds accurate. It should have included the piece of hose for attaching to the filter when using as a gravity filter. Of course the hose can be placed in a clean bottle, but there's no actual attachment. Other than in two-bag systems, I don't think I have seen any gravity filters which had an airtight attachment; in most cases being airtight may prevent the water from flowing into the receiver bottle. If an airtight seal isn't needed, I'm sure something could be jerry-rigged with an elastic or a clothespin. But a fair point nevertheless.

[@skippylippy547]

Thank you for doing this update. VERY helpful! 👍

[@jays7318]

Backpackers weren't swapping Squeezes for Be Frees at all where I am from. I much prefer the Sawyer over the Katydyn filter. Also, in my experience the Quick Draw has too many quality issues. My favorite is Hydroblu Versa Flow

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

Online it certainly seemed like backpackers were swapping their filters out. But obviously that’s not all backpackers. I’m curious what quality issues you have had with the QuickDraw. Mine works great.

[@jays7318]

@@MyLifeOutdoors The QuickDraw water bag leaked at the seam after 2nd use, and excessive force was not used. Also, custom threads on the filter/water bag disallow the use of more common bottles/ water bags as replacements. It also cannot be easily used as a gravity system. The Hydroblu Versa Flow can easily be used as a gravity system as it has threads on both ends that are compatible with many bottles and water bags.

[@JeffSinon]

I seriously considered the BeFree because of its flow rate. However the more reviews I read mentioning the soft bottle failing, coupled with the drastically lower filter life(compared to the Squeeze) and the choice was clear to me. And I’ve been happy with my Sawyer Squeeze ever since. Yes I know the bags that come with the Squeeze are crap, but being able to screw it onto just about any water bottle, which isn’t possible with the BeFree, was another reason the Squeeze won out for me.

[@GIRLplusDOGAdventures]

If people invert it to use like a Sawyer, does it void the warranty? Maybe that’s why they don’t advertise it? If i ever bought that filter, that would be first thing I check. I’m still a BeFree fan.

[@MrBalas3]

I must be missing the point of all these foldable bags with the filter attached on them to squeeze back into my water bottle. I just fill up my water bottle from a running creek or reach halfway between the top and bottom of the lake, fill up my water bottle, attach my Hydroblu water filter and drink from the bottle. Never had any issue.

[@derenickp2]

The rubber mouthpiece of the Peak squeeze filter can be removed and the filter attached externally, allowing you to filter all of the water in the bag.

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

Yes. I said that.

[@ferrisk9116]

gonna be honest with you, from the few hikers that i know who used the Katadyn be free switched back because if the bag broke youre kind of stuck unless you have a replacement bag that fits. i still trust the sawyer squeeze because of the versatility and the exact same reason you mentioned in this video, the filter should be outside of the bad, after filling the bag, use your buff to wipe everything down then start squeezing

[@guitarhiker4449]

Nice review. Others i heard liked this new filter and said it had a faster flow rate than the befree? Anyways ive been using the Grayl geopress filter and its awesome! It replaced my old sawyer filter and i dont need to carry a nalgean bottle because its a filter bottle in one. I do still carry a 2L or 3L water bag just incase i need to haul more water. I definitely recommend the grayl geopress! Hike on!

[@brawndothethirstmutilator9848]

I’m a GeoPress user as well. Sawyer Squeeze is my second favorite or backup. The GeoPress is self contained, requires no cleaning, and filters liters of water faster than just about anything.

[@rrcaniglia]

Objective and clear, per usual.

[@BaxTechYT]

Thanks for the raw honesty! Imma for sure stick with my QuickDraw

[@ericyoast]

Call it how it is, that's why I watch your videos. Honesty, facts and actual hands on use. I am a BeFree guy, however would use any of these filters if needed, just very happy with my system as is. Thanks again

[@gefginn3699]

Great post my friend. 🏃‍♂️🍄

[@DanBecker]

I don't mind the filter at all. I especially like that I can use the same filter on a bladder, in a water line, and even directly on a smart water bottle (like Sawyer). I think that's where they've innovated where others haven't done as much. While they're not the best at any one of those systems at least they can do all three.

[@camdjkim]

have you tested any of the water after filtering?

[@themightiness]

I've been hearing a lot of stuff about the Platypus filter because of its flow rate but... idk seems like a moot point considering it's a worse filter being .2 micron instead of .1 micron... so the openings are literally twice the size of the Sawyer. Not sure that's a worthwhile tradeoff. I mean a piece of cloth has an even better flow rate but you're not filtering anything. Great video though as always. Thanks for letting me know about this so I can pass on it too. Guess I'm sticking with the Sawyer forever lol.

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

Yep! Like chasing grams on a scale, a lot of weight & flowrate and other idiosyncratic comparisons come down to splitting hairs. One filter system takes 15 seconds longer than the other to empty, but the other is bombproof. What matters most when packing on miles? That depends on the user's needs. There is no perfect system out there, They can all be faulted for being "not" #1 in some category. For me, diminishing returns and real world use in the field become the decision makers and I for one prefer durability over all else. Think about it, nobody thought Sawyers sucked until others jumped into the filter game, but do they suck or was that just the perception because something else performed 12% better in some lab?

[@Brockdorf]

What about the lifestraw flex? It has a carbon filter as well which makes it totally different than the other filters, no? Why did they leave the carbon filter out?

[@noleftturns]

The best purifier you can buy is the Epic Vostok | Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle with Filter with the Outdoor Microbiological Bottle Filter. bar none...

[@___xyz___]

3:56 haha I can't contain myself. What were Lifestraw thinking!? 😂

[@vauclusegear]

Great info and at a gear pace.

[@photooutdoor2574]

I agree 100% about the Lifestraw and the Befree. But can’t agree with the Platypus. I bought a Platypus and in the NEW filter was MOLD. The Shop checkt their others and found more with the same problem. The problems with all these filters except the Befree is the closed system. You can’t dry them up for storage. The backwashing is much more easy with the Befree too. There is no way, I‘ll try the platypus again.

[@secretariatbelmont4759]

I have the life straw peak series. If one just reads the instructions they can figure out pretty quickly that they can screw the filter in on the outside. But the possibility for cross-contamination is real. I’ll have to get a new filter.

[@SerronimO]

I hiked the PCT last year and I had to buy this ******g befree 3 times... It got clogged 2 time. After so many squeeze in the water, my second befree broke without I noticed and I got sick in the middle if the desert. I broke also 1 pouch. And of course you cannot buy just the pouch, if you want a new befree pouch you have to buy another filter which is very annoying because on REI a filter is 25$ but a filter+pouch is 50$. There is some other compatible pouch on the market but you cannot find it everywhere on the trail. This lifestraw filter look like perfect for me because : It's the same weight than the befree (36g) You can use it like a befree (inside a pouch) OR on a cheap water bottle. You can flush it like a sawyer (using the syringe or a bottle thanks to the adapter sp150). It's only 17$ the filter...... The only befree pro is juste this 0.01 micron instead of 0.02. Lifestraw is probably gonna be my next filter. Thank you for the video though ! The penis joke was really funny 😂

[@johnl.8616]

Truth is the truth, no hate.

[@baileymoto]

So, I felt compelled to test the whole 'cant filter past the last few ounces" claim. When sucking through the filter and squeezing the bag, I ended up with just under 2 tablespoons worth of water (less than 1 ounce) left in the bag....which was the water left over that lined the bag from the vacuum effect. I'll have to dig out my befree and see if its the same, I'm guessing it likely is. Either way, I'm not sure it's even worth mentioning. On a side note, I used the 1 liter bag.

[@alihijazi5608]

What do u think of survivorfilter?

[@snoop2477]

Katadyn Be Free, job done. It is epic paired with Hydrapak soft reservoirs. Katadyn filter screws into the Hydrapak reservoirs - the Be Free bag is manufactured by Hydrapak, which are much more robust, packable (to the size of a clinched fist) and they even have soft flask 1 litre bottles to replace your nalgen. Great flow rate, wide mouth on the bags for scoping water. No more hoses, filter fittings. Goodbye Sawyer and Lifestraw. To wash the Katadyn you just fill the flask with fresh water and shake out. Even add a liittle bleach after a big trip to clean up. Had problems with the Sawyer, not the Katadyn. Game changer. You won't look back

[@PacemakerandButtons]

I need a hat like yours for this winter hikes. Can you let me know what it is?

[@brucehunter3780]

Way back I picked up the LifeStraw then went with the integrated LifeStraw into the Life Straw water bottle . Seems that Life Straw is doing the thing again with no appreciable performance or development gains. Picked up the Sawyer Squeeze for a couple of years now I'm on to the to the Platypus - Can't find a better filter out there in my opinion.

[@msnikkiuk]

Life straw filters microplastics, be free does not, is that right? Can’t find info on that

[@sleeper4381]

its still a good filter tho right?

[@FloridaGirlAdventures]

Great observations

[@tomk3732]

I got rid of filters more then 10 years ago. Have not looked back. No filter no problem - no extra weight either.

[@brawndothethirstmutilator9848]

Same. I drink pond scum and the pain is just weakness leaving my body. “Cryptosporidium, fools I pity ‘em.” - Eminem, probably

[@mehdiyazid2869]

where can il buy this !!!!

[@freddonelson5505]

Great honest review! Love the "awkward" joke!!

[@Xhadp]

I like it because it doesn't attempt to reinvent anything, just remove all of the hassles with existing filters and takes the best parts about them. Befree, you have to swish to get faster flow doesn't always work. Sawyer has a gasket you can't lose and needs an aftermarket bag. Quickdraw, is about on par with this one but horrible to backflush. This one just takes the best of all the worlds while not adding anything new to make it a hassle to use. On the bags, it has a 1L bag you can buy it with now, not sure if that held true when making this video.

[@leqin]

Okay so I will think about making a upgrade to my BeFree when they update the filter and everytime you put stinky feaces infected water into it you get ice cold chocolate milkshake out - can we hurry up and make that a thing.... please..... like yesterday 😁

[@shawnr6117]

I'll just stick with what I got until it's time to replace it

[@iviewthetube]

Will the filter take the taste of a garden hose out of the platypus bladder?

[@3eracap]

Another top video. The topics you address are not talked about by any German youtuber. I celebrate that very much. I bought the befree half a year ago and am very satisfied with it (a German youtuber had presented it). I'm still thinking about whether I should get a grayl. Or is the befree enough, what's your opinion? Greetings from Germany

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

I don’t know about Germany Hiking but I assume your mountain streams are just as clean as the US. Most the places I hike a Grayl is overkill, bulky, and heavy. I think a befree or Platypus QuickDraw would be sufficient if German streams are free of chemicals and viruses.

[@alemieux3542]

I've owned 2 befrees and they are nothing but problems. Whether they get clogged by minerals or the bag punctures

[@ChrisHufnagel_Polymath]

My 8 liter lifestraw peak gravity bag laughs at your 1 liter quickdraw. Seriously though, Interesting conclusions but I think all the filtration systems are on the same playing level and you would be fine with whatever system you decide on.

[@lacka90]

Can't you use the straw on its own?

[@mcapaldi3]

Wait he skim past the fact that it fits on a smart water bottle. Been usong the beefree and I wish it could do that.. might be switching now

[@jimihenrik11]

I still use my Sawyer mini. The speed is totally fine and i see no filter on the market that offers anything worth switching for. The only thing I would deem worthy for an upgrade would be a higher filter capability (like the grails) in the package of a typical squeeze filter.

[@janschulte8434]

Kind of clickbaity title but solid points

[@garrycollins3415]

I have no interest in Life Straw. I don't think Katadyn is worth bringing. I'm with you on the Platypus which I alternate with Sawyer Squeeze. I do own all of the above (I love gear).

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

Haha. “I love gear” made me chuckle. Me too my friend.

[@ArbitraryLifestyle]

The BeFree sucks though. Myself and many folks I know have thrown them away because they simple don't let water pass through after a trip or two. I had to bail on my 2nd trip with it because I didn't bring any backup filter options and the BeFree wouldn't let even a drop pass through no matter how hard I squeezed. Reddit backpackers agree, the thing is trash.

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

More reason not to copy it.

[@garrethikes]

I'll never get why people filter from one bottle to the other...whats wrong with screwing the filter right onto your water bottle?

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

I for one use a straw adapter to turn my bottle into a reservoir. I don’t want dirty water in my bottle. I also use my bottle to mix powder drink mix. Another reason I don’t want dirty water in my bottle.

[@jamesking4225]

Platypus quick draw for the win

[@marccieplinski995]

I'll take my platypus Gravity works over anything.

[@gregbowden1552]

I think most of the filter discussion is just hype. I never got ill from swimming in back country water.

[@nrnrnrify]

Outside mounted with compressef bad looks like Nico-Dick (look: WKUK)

[@kalkiecospherellp6845]

Check Kalki Ecosphere products from India. The real difference and innovation you can find.

[@michaelhedges8839]

Whew, life straw can suck it (literally)! Well done, love honest reviews

[@natehoover5266]

Quickdraw all the way!

[@nomanejane5766]

Did u delete that other video where u wrong and trashed the product? Ordid u atleast include a comment linking to this video?

[@shmish]

I think most people shouldn’t or wouldn’t worry about the contamination issue with flipping the Peak. All water filtration and purification is a numbers and risk tolerance game. I can’t imagine just how seriously water would have to be contaminated if a person were to get sick from flipping the Peak, wiping it down, and then drinking. It’s possible to get sick from this, just very unlikely. That doesn’t mean I think the design is good (or bad).

[@GoodkatNW]

Is that a new Lifestraw in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me? Odd that a Katadyn clone would be described as "game changing" or any of the other descriptors used in other reviews. It's just a black Katadyn that performs worse. Their other unit just looks like a Platypus Quickdraw...not sure what their engineers are up to, but it's not a good sign of things to come if their "revolutionary" new release is essentially a (mediocre) copy of the competition.

[@Oldsparkey]

I ran the gauntlet on water filters and even purifiers including the grayl which I consider junk. Got one when they 1st hit the market , used it one time and into the junk drawer. The one for me today is the Katadyn BeFree filter and a Hydrapak bottle.

[@sebastianh5408]

my lifestraw peak was terrible. it slowed down after maybe 3 filters, even after backwashing with filtered water several times it still was fairly slow when even compared to my gravity filter. to make matters worse, it started leaking from the screw top! i ended up having to filter the same bottle of water 2-3 times just to make sure what was leaking from the bag was safe itself. terrible filter, i have no faith in lifestraw as a company. before i even returned home from my trip, i stopped at an rei and returned the peak and replaced it with the katadyn befree, which i hope to use on upcoming trips.

[@bashkillszombies]

Sadly lifestraw is the only filter that removes forever chemicals, PFAS, PFOS, etc. And only ONE of their filters does it. And it's not the portable versions. So if you're looking for actual highest quality filtration you're stuck with Lifestraw.

[@BroJediChuck]

Not so fast - they all have minuses, from non-user/soon to be user perspective. I own #lifestraw and Katadyn - but i already have my own opinion. Manufacturers still are far away from practicality in uses of those filters in military and civil defense. Katadyn may be the worst. You cannot easily use Katadyn without filter (a must for me who wants to use a bottle just as collapsible bottle) although it has a 28mm cap. On thhe other hand lifestraw is the best filter with loads of using applications. Katadyn doesn't provide a half of those possibilities a lifestraw does, but only Katadyn bottle neck may be used along with 3M Scott Safety M95 gas mask water bottle cap. #Lifestraw cap is to short to fit in gasmask cap so you can drink while wearing gas mask.