LifeStraw
LifeStraw Sip
- Protection: 8/10 What it removes from water, and how well that is proved.
- Flow rate: 1/10 How fast clean water comes through when it is new. Real flow drops as it clogs: see Ease of use.
- Weight: 10/10 How much it adds to your pack.
- Ease of use: 3/10 Filling, squeezing or pumping effort, how fast it clogs in peaty or silty water, and how easy it is to clean.
Everyday and travel drinking where tap or stream water is doubtful
- Type
- Straw
- Removes viruses
- No
- Flow
- Not published
- Weight
- 51 g
- Pore size
- 0.2 µm
- Rated life
- 1000 L
Where to buy
WildBounds £24.95 In stock. Delivery £3.95. Shown with an earlier price of £39.95 struck through (a sale price). Free UK delivery over £50; Royal Mail Tracked 48 £3.95 under £50.
View at shop: WildBoundsAlpinetrek £27.84 In stock. Delivery £4.49. Shown with an earlier price of £33.95 struck through (a sale price). Same price in every colour. Listed delivery time 5-7 working days. Free UK delivery from £85; £4.49 under £85.
View at shop: AlpinetrekPrices checked 8 Nov 2026 on each shop's own page; shops can change them. We earn no commission on these links; shops are listed by price. More
Our ratings (out of 10)
1 to 10, compared with the whole market. Each says what it's based on. How we score
Protection
From maker's figures 8/10What it removes from water, and how well that is proved. 8: Clearly better than most.
0.2 µm membrane microfilter. LifeStraw's page says it meets US EPA and NSF P231 drinking water standards for removing bacteria and parasites (99.999999% and 99.999%), and links its lab and performance reports. A named standard for bacteria and protozoa, so 4. No virus claim.
Flow rate
Estimate from maker's specs: filter type (no flow rate published) 1/10How fast clean water comes through when it is new. Real flow drops as it clogs: see Ease of use. 1: A real weak point.
Estimate from maker's specs
Weight
From maker's figures 10/10How much it adds to your pack. 10: The best you can buy for this.
51 g for the straw alone, which is what you filter with (WildBounds' specification; LifeStraw's own page gives the same weight only in US units). 88 g with the carry case. Both are under 90 g, so it is the 5 band either way.
Ease of use
Estimate from maker's specs: filter type 3/10Filling, squeezing or pumping effort, how fast it clogs in peaty or silty water, and how easy it is to clean. 3: Below average. Fine for some trips, not others.
Estimate from maker's specs
In short
Good for
- Everyday and travel drinking where tap or stream water is doubtful
- A pocket-size back-up filter on day walks
- Trips with frequent water sources and short distances between them
- Carrying 51 g in a pack lid or hip pocket
Strengths
- 51 g for the straw, 88 g with its carry case
- Stainless steel body with a replaceable silicone mouthpiece
- Meets US EPA and NSF P231 for bacteria and parasites (LifeStraw)
- Rated to 1,000 L, with the straw 25 cm long
- Carry case keeps the mouthpiece clean
Weaknesses
- Drink-at-source only: you cannot carry filtered water
- Does not remove viruses
- Not safe after freezing: LifeStraw's recommended range is 1 °C to 60 °C
- Rated life of 1,000 L is a quarter of LifeStraw's Peak Series straw (4,000 L)
- LifeStraw publishes no flow rate, and Fellkit found only one hands-on review
Sources
We haven't tested this ourselves. Every score comes from these specs, tests and reviews.
ShowHide sources (4)
- LifeStraw: Sip, specs (weight given in US units only; 1,000 L; 0.2 µm; temperature range 1 °C to 60 °C)
- LifeStraw: Sip, performance and lab reports (linked from the product page)
- WildBounds: LifeStraw Sip with carry case, specification (51 g straw, 88 g with case, 25 cm)
- Field Mag (Katherine Englishman): LifeStraw Sip review