In 2022, the company completely redesigned the now well-known LifeStraw and introduced the Peak Series, which improved the baseline standard in several notable ways. Yet while both were small – the Peak measures 1.26″ around by 7.7″ long – they still look very much like specialized water filtering devices.
The new LifeStraw Sip is 10″ long without its case, so it’s still not exactly pocket-sized. But it is far narrower and looks much more like a traditional stainless steel straw. This aesthetic subtly isn’t particularly helpful in backcountry settings. Still, it should be useful in travel scenarios where devices that scream, “I’m concerned about your water,” might cause offense.
Functionally, the LifeStraw Sip meets U.S. EPA and NSF P231 drinking water standards, meaning it’s capable of removing 99.999999% of bacteria (including E. coli and salmonella) and 99.999% of parasites (including giardia and cryptosporidia). And even if you aren’t in a location where you’re particularly worried about clean drinking water, it also removes microplastics, which are sadly everywhere now.
One thing the Sip won’t remove, though, is viruses, which is why it is labeled a filter instead of a water purifier. As the CDC points out, the primary source of viruses in water is human and animal fecal waste. So, any water source likely to be in frequent/heavy contact with either should still be avoided.
In terms of shelf life, its 0.2-micron pore-size filter lasts up to 1,000 liters, which is enough for daily use for over a year, according to LifeStraw’s math.
So what’s this really for? At a high-level, it seems ideally suited for adventurers traveling abroad who may have anxiety about the potability of water coming out of the tap. It’s also an excellent backup plan to consider keeping in a car glove box in an emergency. REI is already selling straws individually or as part of a three-pack.
