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When you think of the term "cutting edge", straws aren't necessarily the first things to come to mind, but for water filtration and purification brand LifeStraw, which has created personal water filtration devices for both at-risk populations in developing countries and outdoor adventurers in search of potable water since 1999, it’s a natural fit.
The brand’s latest innovation is the LifeStraw Sip, a reusable, stainless steel personal water filter straw, designed to remove 99.999999% of bacteria, 99.999% of parasites, and 99.999% of microplastics, silt, sand, and cloudiness through an internal membrane microfilter. I've been testing the first of its kind product for the past few weeks and have been impressed by the Sip's sleek and compact design—measuring 10 inches long and weighing a mere 1.8 ounces, yet capable of filtering up to 1,000 liters of dirty water over the course of its lifespan.
And when the Sip has reached its limit, you can remove the replaceable silicone mouthpiece and recycle the straw. High fives for closing the loop.
The Sip also comes with a leak proof case for traveling and daily use, which seems to be the optimum use case for this personal water filter. While LifeStraw’s ultralight Peak Solo water filter straw is better suited to outdoor adventures, the Sip seems an obvious choice for filtering water that might carry waterborne bacteria while traveling.
As for how it actually functions? While drinking out of the Sip, the water moves freely with a bit more effort than a conventional plastic or paper straw—like drinking a smoothie through a straw—but definitely less effort than a traditional water filter straw meant for outdoor use.
As a parent who often travels with my little one, this is where the compact Sip really shines. I got to try out the Sip at home and, put it to good use while traveling on a family campout and roadtrip. When every square inch of our campervan and bags were already used, the Sip was easy to stuff into a pocket without taking up much space. The case was an unexpected bonus that gave me peace of mind it would stay clean and easy to spot amid piles of gear.
I love the simplicity and practicality of its stainless steel design and how, even when we weren't traveling anywhere that water quality would be an issue, it still provided a sense of ease and safety knowing we were drinking the best quality water possible.
The new Sip sells direct from Lifestraw for $35.
Published 05-30-2024
