Hiking is thirsty work. Throw in hills and hot weather, and the risk of dehydration is a real one. But water is heavy – every litre adds a kilogram of weight to your pack – so it’s tempting to go light on fluids, and this could be a mistake.
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But hang on a minute! The great outdoors is full of plentiful water sources, isn’t it? From the tarns and meres of the Lake District and the lochans and burns of Scotland, to the llyns and waterfalls of Wales and the countless glacier-fed rivers of Europe and beyond, surely water is everywhere outdoors? Well, yes, unless it’s been a particularly dry summer there’s usually water to be found on most hiking trails. But here’s the question: is it safe water?
The truth is, it’s not east to tell. Even the purest looking of mountain streams could be hiding invisible nasties in the form of parasites and bacteria. Luckily, there’s a quick and convenient way to make this wild water safer: filtering. And when it comes to making water safe to drink, few organisations have as much to offer the hiker as LifeStraw.
LifeStraw
LifeStraw have been making water safe to drink for 25 years. From tackling Guinea worm disease in Africa to improving water quality in kitchens around the world, making water purer, safer, and better is what they do. Their range of water-filtering products includes pitchers for home filtering (including some designed specifically to sit in your fridge for cool, pure hydration) along with bottles and flasks for day-to-day and travel use. But for fans of outdoor pursuits, it’s their Peak Series that’s of most interest.
The Peak Series
Building on the success of the original LifeStraw design, the Peak Series features six products, all of which incorporate innovative designs and upgraded materials to offer durability, versatility, lightweight and compact carrying options and – most importantly – a safe, reliable water solution in the outdoors.
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Extreme durability: the series is built with tougher, thicker premium materials that withstand long-term wear and tear.
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Leak-proof storage capabilities: custom caps prevent leakage and enable leak-proof storage while not filtering.
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Enhanced microfilter performance: the products remove bacteria and parasites. Also included is a backwash accessory that helps maintain flow rate and remove sand and silt from the filter.
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Highly versatile: designed with quick connects and universal threading, the products are interchangeable with other pieces of gear, and the filters thread onto universal water bottles.
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Ultra-compact with no extra parts: The filters are removable and reconfigurable for ultimate packing flexibility.
The range
LifeStraw Peak Series Personal Water Filter Straw
After 17 years of distinguished service the original LifeStraw Personal Water Filter Straw (the most popular outdoor water filtration device available) has been updated with a fresh design and improved versatility, sustainability, and usability. The new Peak Series Personal Water Filter Straw (£29.95) is an ultra-lightweight personal water filter that boasts a better grip, an enhanced flow rate for easy sipping, a built-in gravity hose attachment, and universal threading for attaching to squeeze bottles. No backpack, pocket, or glove compartment should be without one!
1 of 4Using the Peak Series Straw direct from source.
2 of 4The Peak Series Straw is compact and highly portable.
3 of 4Using the Peak Series Straw to filter dirty water.
4 of 4LifeStraw Peak Series Personal Water Filter Straw.
LifeStraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze Bottle with Filter
Ideal for trail running, thru-hiking, climbing and more, the Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze Bottle Water Filter System (650 ml £44.95 / 1L £49.95) is an all-in-one water storage and filtration device made from premium durable materials that are twice as thick and strong as any squeeze bottle system on the market.
1 of 5Drinking direct from the Squeeze Bottle.
2 of 5Using the Squeeze Bottle to filter water.
3 of 5Using the Squeeze Bottle to filter water.
4 of 5The LifeStraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze 650ml Bottle With Filter.
5 of 5The LifeStraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze 1L Bottle With Filter.
LifeStraw Peak Series Gravity Filter System
The Peak Series Gravity Water Filter System (3L £79.95 / 8L £99.95) with a 47-inch hose is a simple, economic, lightweight, and compactable option for group camping and backpacking. The optimized filtration cartridge boasts a high flow rate and ability to remove sand and silt without clogging. It’s easy to hang from a tree or vehicle for quick hydration at basecamp.
1 of 5Taking water from the 3L Peak Series Gravity Filter System.
2 of 5Collecting water in the 3L Peak Series Gravity Filter System.
3 of 5Taking water from the 8L Peak Series Gravity Filter System.
4 of 5The 3L Peak Series Gravity Filter System.
5 of 5The 8L Peak Series Gravity Filter System.
LifeStraw Peak Series Gravity Water Filter System with Safe Water Storage
The best in dromedary bags meets the best in filtration performance with the Peak Series Gravity Water Filter System with Safe Water Storage (£149.95). This kit pairs the 8L Gravity Water Filter System with an additional 8L pouch for the safe storage of clean water. This extra strong and leak-proof water storage bag provides faster and even more convenient access to hydration for small groups in a basecamp environment.
1 of 4Collecting water in the 8L Peak Series Gravity Filter System.
2 of 4Carrying the 8L Peak Series Gravity Filter System.
3 of 4The LifeStraw Peak Series Gravity Water Filter System With Safe Water Storage in use.
4 of 4The LifeStraw Peak Series Gravity Water Filter System With Safe Water Storage.
Responsibility and sustainability
LifeStraw aren’t just interested in making water safer for hikers and travellers – their work to make a positive impact in providing access to safe water is global and ongoing.
Through their Give Back Program, for every LifeStraw product sold, a child in need receives access to safe water for an entire year. With more than 7.6 million people reached to date, the programme maintains local, on-the-ground teams of educators within each community to provide consistent and comprehensive education, follow-up, product maintenance, and data collection.
Peak Series products will enable outdoor adventurers to explore the backcountry by providing reliable access to safe water. In turn, sales of these products enable us to deliver on our mission to provide equitable access to safe drinking water across the globe.
Alison Hill, CEO of LifeStraw
Part of LifeStraw’s efforts to do good include making their products as sustainably as possible. Their range of water filtration products already offset the need for millions of single-use plastic water bottles, but they also strive to create the products themselves from sustainable alternatives to more wasteful options such as single-use plastics. LifeStraw also create sustainable packaging that avoids use of plastic and maximises recyclability and composability. They are a Climate Neutral Certified Brand and are committed to not only offsetting but reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
