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Water filter

LifeStraw Steel | Quick look from Costa Rica

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.

LifeStraw Steel
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


Stainless steel LifeStraw water filter features 2-stage filtration system that eliminates contaminants as well as odors and tastes
Durable and compact food-grade stainless steel straw meets FDA standards and is ideal for hiking, camping, backpacking, travel, and outdoor survival
Removes minimum 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites, and filters to 0.2 microns; surpasses EPA filter standard
Replaceable carbon capsule provides 2-stage filtration that reduces chlorine, organic chemicals, odors and bad tastes
Filters up to 1,000 liters and does not require batteries, pumping, or chemicals; measures 9 x 1 x 1 inches and weighs 4.2 ounces
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.

LifeStraw Steel
Floating down a Costa Rican river


Watch: Water Filter Comparison

Watch: Water Filter Comparison

We have covered several water filter systems here in the Loadout Room. Everything from the smaller portable filters to the larger family size filter systems. I typically have some type of emergency filter in my pack when out on the trail or in the woods. They are a nice option to have if you run out of water and don’t have the time to start a fire to boil water.  Dave Canterbury of Self Reliance Outfitters covers a few different options and gives his professional opinion on each.

*featured image courtesy of DVIDS

Outdoor Retailer 2017 | LifeStraw

Outdoor Retailer 2017 | LifeStraw

We decided to stop by the LifeStraw booth today between appointments to see what was new in their market for 2017/2018. They are still killing it with the tried and true original LifeStraw which we have showcased on the Loadout Room as well as a few of their other products.

  • LifeStraw Go Water Bottle
  • LifeStraw Personal Water Filter Straw
  • LifeStraw Mission Filtration System

The newest product that caught our attention is the Water Bottle Adapter Kit. These should be available September 2017.


Outdoor Retailer 2017 | LifeStraw

Outdoor Retailer 2017 | LifeStraw

Instead of having to buy their water bottle and filter combo, you will have the option to purchase the Water Bottle Adapter Kit and add the LifeStraw filtering system to water bottles you already own and use. At their booth they showed the adapter kit being used on Nalgene, Hydro Flask and Camelbak water bottles. It is also compatible with select Klean Kanteen water bottles (identified in the above product packaging). I’m looking forward to adding this to my favorite Camelbak Eddy water bottle when they become available for purchase which it slated for September 2017.Outdoor Retailer 2017 | LifeStraw

Now you can add a filter to your existing water bottle and have the ability to filter 1000 liters of water. If you have a 32 ounce water bottle, that’s 1000 bottles worth of water before needing a replacement! It’s an extremely simple product, but one that I believe will do really well for them.





GeigerRig Rigger Hydration System

GeigerRig Rigger Hydration Pack

During my service in the Marine Corps, several of us in the unit purchased the early version of the Camelbak hydration pack. That early version fulfilled its intended purpose, but had its downfalls. Since then, hydration packs have come a long way, but have always had the same issues as the original Camelbak. The two major issues with hydration packs in general are mainly associated with cleaning and hygiene.

Most bladders are difficult to clean after using them. Most common hydration bladders have a screw cap toward the top, making it impossible to get your hand inside to really scrub and clean. That small cap also makes it more difficult to refill out in the field. The other issue has to do with the drinking tube. Typically it’s a bite valve that requires you to bite down and suck in order to get water into your mouth. By doing this, you’re creating a breeding ground for germs. Naturally, nobody else wants to drink from your hydration bladder’s drinking tube.

GeigerRig has designed and produced a superior hydration pack that addresses these very issues. Let’s address the features that set this hydration engine apart from all others. The engine is able to be pressurized so that you can spray with the bite valve. The advantage to spraying vs. sucking is that you consume more water, thus staying hydrated. With your typical hydration systems, you generally need to slow down to lower your heart rate a bit in order to suck the water from the hydration bladder. With the hydration engine pressurized, you can now use the drinking tube for multiple uses.

  • Others with you can get a drink without having to actually put their mouth on the bite valve.
  • It can be used to irrigate a wound or the eyes. It can also be used for personal hygiene to wash your hands, face, and to get your toothbrush wet.
  • If you’re out on the trail with your K9, you can easily fill a bowl for your dog to drink or spray water directly into your dog’s mouth.
  • The bladder is also reversible for easy cleaning and maintenance. Just pull the bladder out of your pack at the end of the day, disconnect the hose, empty the contents, turn the bladder inside out and place it in the top rack of your dishwasher. That’s right, it’s dishwasher safe! It doesn’t get any easier than that, guys.

If you happen to be out on the trail and your hydration engine runs dry, no worries. With the inline water filter that GeigerRig has made available, all you need to do is find a water source, fill the bladder up, and attach the inline water filter. Now you’re ready to keep moving. The filter is actually an Aquamira Frontier Pro filter that has been rebranded and designed for the GeigerRig system.

GeigerRig Rigger Hydration Pack
In-line water filter.
  • Filter size – 5.5″ long by 1″ in diameter.
  • Filter capacity – Rated to filter up to 50 gallons of water. You now have a much greater range while hiking. Fifty gallons can take you a long way! You’ll know when the filter needs to be replaced when the water flow rate becomes increasingly slow. The general rule of thumb is to start with a new filter each season if it’s something you’re using on a regular basis.
  • Filter certification – Removes 99.9 percent Cryptospordium and Giardia. Your hydration pack now protects you when you need to refill in the field, on the hiking trail, or on a two-week backpacking trip.
  • Filter maintenance – After each use, fill your hydration bladder with clean water and flush the filter. After you flush the water filter, empty the water out of the filter by blowing air through the filter. Allow 24 hours to dry and store in a cool, dry place.

MSRP – $120.00 for the Rigger Compact Water System (shown in the featured image). They have quite a few hydration systems to choose from, along with accessories for each.

1TAC Outdoor Survival Water Filter Straw

1TAC Outdoor Survival Water Filter Straw

Water is one of our most precious resources on this earth. Without it we do not survive!  We all know murphy’s law, when something bad can go wrong, guess what, it will. So why not have a survival tool that is easy to use that will allow you to quench, refill or process unsanitary water with you at all times? The 1TAC Outdoor Survival Water Filter Straw is a must have for all outdoor enthusiasts.

The 1TAC Outdoor Survival Water Filter Straw is a must have for all outdoor enthusiasts.

This survival water filter straw manufactured by 1TAC is ideal for hiking, camping, travel and emergency preparedness. The emergency filter straw is compact, lightweight, weighing in at only 2 oz. and is made from BPA free ABS plastics. The hollow fibre UF membrane & coconut activated carbon can filter up to 1,500 Liters, or 396 gallons with one single straw. Once activated and used properly, the straw’s flow rate is 550 ml per minute. Included in the package is an easily attachable extension pipe for hard to reach water sources. This adapter will also allow you to fill plastic water bottles through the straw for you to take on the go. Each survival straw is 6.75” in length and has a shelf life of 5 years. The special filter used in the straw is rated for removing 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria,including E-Coli as well as 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites, which includes Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Below are some specs that are listed on the 1TAC website.

Water Filter Survival Straw package includes the following:

  1. (1) Extension Pipe

  2. (1) 10ml Syringe for Cleaning Your Straw

  3. (1) 15.5” Removable Lanyard for Carrying Around Neck

  4. Integrated Connector Thread to Attach Bottles and Bags

  5. User Manual with Discount Code for Future Purchases

Definitely pick one of these up!  They are currently discounted heavily on the 1TAC gear website.  You can also purchase a 1Hydro Filtration System Refill for your straw once you have exhausted its use.  Don’t get caught in a life or death situation and wish you had a survival water filter straw, this product is a must have for your adventure load out kit.


Author – Chandler Brookins is a former US Navy Veteran with multiple deployments to SE Asia and The Middle East, while attached to many Tier 1 Special Operation Groups.  Chandler has also served as a Dallas Police Officer for 3 years, before focusing his efforts on civilian SERE training and security assessments.

Upgraded personal filter for Marines on the go: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Upgraded personal filter for Marines on the go: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

The Marine Corps is investing in a next-generation water purification system that will allow individual Marines to get safe, drinkable water straight from the source.

The Individual Water Purification System Block II is an upgrade to the current version issued to all Marines.

“With IWPS II, Marines are able to quickly purify fresh bodies of water on the go,” said Jonathan York, team lead for Expeditionary Energy Systems at Marine Corps Systems Command. “This allows them to travel farther to do their mission.”

Finding ways to make small units more sustainable to allow for distributed operations across the battlefield is a key enabler to the Marine Corps becoming more expeditionary. Developing water purification systems that can be easily carried while still purifying substantial amounts of water is part of that focus.

The current system filters bacteria and cysts, but Marines still have to use purification tablets to remove viruses. That takes time – as long as 15 minutes for the chemical process to work before it is safe to drink. IWPS II uses an internal cartridge that effectively filters micro pathogens, providing better protection from bacterial and viral waterborne diseases.

“IWPS II will remove all three pathogens, filtering all the way down to the smallest virus that can be found,” said Capt. Jeremy Walker, project officer for Water Systems. “We have removed the chemical treatment process, so they can drink directly from the fresh water source.”

IWPS II can also connect to Marines’ man-packable hydration packs.


Continue reading on Soldier of Fortune

Photo courtesy of Soldier of Fortune

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