LifeStraw is Going to HATE ME For This!

Summary

The video script critiques the LifeStraw Peak filter, disputing claims of it being a revolutionary product. It argues that the filter uses common hollow fiber technology and, while it has improved ease of use, it's not the fastest or easiest to use. The script points out design flaws, such as difficulty in squeezing out the last ounces of water and potential for cross-contamination when the filter is used outside its bag. It also discusses the trade-off between durability and weight, comparing it to other filters on the market. The narrator concludes that while the LifeStraw Peak is a functional filter, it's not as groundbreaking as advertised.

Takeaways

• 🏔️ The Sawyer Squeeze was once the top choice for backpackers, but the Katadyn BeFree emerged as a faster and easier alternative.
• 💧 The LifeStraw Peak filter has been touted as revolutionary, but the script suggests it's more hype than innovation.
• 🔄 The technology used in the LifeStraw Peak is not new; it's a hollow fiber filter, which is common in the market.
• 🚰 Speed is crucial in water filters as it equates to ease of use, and LifeStraw has improved in this aspect but is not leading the market.
• 🤔 The LifeStraw Peak series includes a straw, gravity filter, and a squeeze bag filter, with the latter being their flagship product.
• 🤷‍♂️ The squeeze bag design of the Peak filter has been criticized for not working as well as the BeFree due to its single entry point.
• 🔄 The reviewer initially thought the Peak filter was designed poorly, but later corrected this view after learning it could be used outside the bag.
• 🚫 A potential risk with the Peak filter's design is the possibility of cross-contamination when drinking from the dirty end after external use.
• 💪 LifeStraw emphasizes the durability of their new design, which comes at the cost of some bulkiness and weight.
• ⚖️ The LifeStraw Peak filter is heavier than some competitors, but it still performs its function of filtering out contaminants effectively.
• 🌟 The script suggests that while the LifeStraw Peak is a decent filter, it's not as groundbreaking as claimed and other filters like the Platypus Quick Draw may offer better design innovations.

Q & A

What are the main types of water filters mentioned in the script?

The script mentions the Sawyer Squeeze, Katadyn BeFree, LifeStraw Peak, and Platypus QuickDraw as popular water filters used for backpacking.

Why was the Katadyn BeFree filter considered an improvement over the Sawyer Squeeze?

The Katadyn BeFree was considered an improvement because it was faster and easier to fill, which made it more convenient for backpackers compared to the Sawyer Squeeze.

What is the core technology behind most backpacking water filters, including the LifeStraw Peak?

The core technology behind most backpacking water filters, including the LifeStraw Peak, is hollow fiber filtration, which has been used for years in filters like the Sawyer Squeeze and the BeFree.

What improvement has LifeStraw made with the Peak series compared to its previous filters?

The main improvement LifeStraw made with the Peak series is making it easier to push water through the filter, addressing the problem of difficulty in getting water through earlier models.

Why does the author criticize the LifeStraw Peak for not being truly revolutionary?

The author criticizes the LifeStraw Peak for not being revolutionary because it uses the same hollow fiber technology as other filters and has not introduced any groundbreaking innovations in design or functionality.

What are the three basic designs available in the LifeStraw Peak series?

The LifeStraw Peak series offers three basic designs: a new straw filter, a new gravity filter, and a squeeze bag filter, which is considered their flagship product.

What design flaw does the author highlight about the LifeStraw Peak's squeeze bag?

The author points out that the squeeze bag has a flaw because water can only enter the filter from the bottom, which makes it difficult to squeeze out water once the water level falls below the filter’s entrance.

How can the LifeStraw Peak filter be used more efficiently, according to feedback from users?

According to user feedback, the filter can be used more efficiently by removing the rubber spout and threading the filter onto the outside of the squeeze bag, though this method is not advertised by LifeStraw.

What concern does the author raise about cross-contamination when using the LifeStraw Peak filter?

The author raises concerns about cross-contamination when placing the dirty end of the filter near the drinking spout after using it outside the squeeze bag, which increases the risk of ingesting unfiltered water.

How does the weight and durability of the LifeStraw Peak compare to other filters like the Platypus QuickDraw?

The LifeStraw Peak squeeze bag and filter weigh 4.3 ounces, which is slightly heavier than the Platypus QuickDraw at 3.8 ounces. However, the QuickDraw has double the capacity, and the LifeStraw Peak's durability adds extra weight and bulk.

Outlines

00:00

💧 Hype vs. Reality: LifeStraw Peak Filter Review

The paragraph discusses the hype surrounding the LifeStraw Peak filter, which is being touted as a revolutionary product in the water filtration market. The author challenges this notion by comparing it to the Sawyer Squeeze and the Katadyn BeFree, which were previously considered top choices among backpackers. The LifeStraw Peak is criticized for not introducing any groundbreaking technology; it uses hollow fiber filtration, which is common in the industry. The author emphasizes that while speed is often associated with ease of use, the LifeStraw Peak's design, which mimics the BeFree's squeeze bag, has flaws. Notably, the filter's bottom-only opening makes it difficult to squeeze out the last bits of water, and there's a risk of cross-contamination when the dirty end of the filter is placed near the drinking spout. The author also mentions a previous video where they called the Peak filter the worst new gear of 2022 due to its design issues, but they acknowledge a design workaround that they were initially unaware of. Despite these criticisms, the paragraph concludes by stating that the LifeStraw Peak is a functional filter, albeit not as revolutionary as it's been marketed to be.

05:02

🏆 A Superior Design: Platypus Quick Draw Filter

In the second paragraph, the author shifts focus to the Platypus Quick Draw filter, which they consider to have made significant improvements in water filter design. The author expresses their preference for this filter, suggesting that it has been thoughtfully designed and stands out from the competition. The paragraph serves as a recommendation for viewers to check out a video that discusses the Platypus Quick Draw in detail, positioning it as a superior alternative to the LifeStraw Peak. The author concludes with a call to action for viewers to like, subscribe, and engage with the content, and thanks them for watching.

Keywords

💡Water filters

Water filters are devices used to remove contaminants from water, making it safe to drink. In the context of the video, water filters are essential equipment for backpackers and hikers, as they purify water from natural sources. The video discusses the evolution of water filters, particularly focusing on the LifeStraw Peak filter and comparing it to other filters like the Sawyer Squeeze and the Katadyn BeFree.

💡Sawyer Squeeze

The Sawyer Squeeze is a type of water filter known for its reliability and efficiency in filtering water for backpackers. The video mentions it as a benchmark against which other filters, like the LifeStraw Peak, are compared. It was once considered the 'king' of backpacking water filters until newer models like the Katadyn BeFree emerged.

💡Katadyn BeFree

The Katadyn BeFree is a water filter that gained popularity for being faster and easier to use than its predecessors, such as the Sawyer Squeeze. The video script indicates a shift in backpackers' preferences from the Sawyer Squeeze to the Katadyn BeFree, highlighting a trend in the market towards filters that offer improved speed and ease of use.

💡LifeStraw Peak

The LifeStraw Peak is a new water filter that the video claims has been heavily marketed as a revolutionary product. However, the video argues that it is not as innovative as it is portrayed, but rather an iteration of existing hollow fiber filter technology. The LifeStraw Peak is compared to other filters throughout the script to discuss its features and drawbacks.

💡Hollow fiber filter

A hollow fiber filter is a type of water filtration technology that uses tiny, hollow fibers to filter out contaminants. The video explains that despite the LifeStraw Peak being marketed as innovative, it is essentially a hollow fiber filter, which is not a new technology. This term is central to understanding the video's argument about the lack of innovation in the LifeStraw Peak.

💡Speed of filtration

The speed of filtration refers to how quickly water can be filtered through a device. The video emphasizes that speed is crucial for the ease of use of a water filter, with faster filters allowing for easier water passage. The LifeStraw Peak is discussed in terms of its filtration speed, which the video suggests is not as revolutionary as the marketing implies.

💡Design

Design, in the context of the video, refers to the physical construction and functionality of the water filters. The video critiques the LifeStraw Peak's design, particularly when used in a squeeze bag, suggesting that it is not as effective as the Katadyn BeFree's design. The design is a critical aspect of the video's evaluation of the filter's practicality.

💡Cross-contamination

Cross-contamination is the unintentional transfer of contaminants from one substance or surface to another. The video raises concerns about the potential for cross-contamination with the LifeStraw Peak's design, where the dirty end of the filter could come into contact with the drinking spout, posing a health risk.

💡Durability

Durability refers to the ability of a product to withstand wear and tear over time. The video mentions that the LifeStraw Peak's durability is one of its selling points, with a stiff shroud around the squeeze bag's collar. However, it also suggests that this durability comes at the cost of packability and weight, which are important considerations for backpackers.

💡Weight

Weight is a critical factor for backpackers, as they need to carry their equipment for long distances. The video compares the weight of the LifeStraw Peak filter system to that of the Platypus Quick Draw, indicating that durability often translates to increased weight, which can be a disadvantage for users prioritizing lightweight gear.

💡Platypus Quick Draw

The Platypus Quick Draw is another water filter mentioned in the video as a comparison to the LifeStraw Peak. The video suggests that the Platypus Quick Draw has made significant improvements in water filter design and is the reviewer's favorite filter, implying that it offers a better combination of features and performance than the LifeStraw Peak.

Highlights

Sawyer Squeeze was the leading backpacking water filter until the Katadyn BeFree emerged.

The LifeStraw Peak filter has been touted as a revolutionary game changer in the water filter market.

The LifeStraw Peak filter is criticized as being overhyped rather than truly innovative.

The LifeStraw Peak uses hollow fiber filtration, a technology already prevalent in the market.

Filtering speed is equated with ease of use, which is a significant factor in filter design.

LifeStraw has improved the ease of filtering but is not the first to do so.

The LifeStraw Peak series includes a straw, gravity filter, and a squeeze bag filter.

The squeeze bag design of the Peak filter is compared unfavorably to the Katadyn BeFree.

The Peak filter's design flaw is its inability to filter water effectively when the bag is nearly empty.

The reviewer initially criticized the Peak filter but corrected himself after learning it can be used outside the bag.

Using the Peak filter outside the bag can lead to cross-contamination risks.

LifeStraw emphasizes the durability of their new design, which comes at the cost of packability.

The durability of the Peak filter adds weight compared to other filters like the Platypus Quick Draw.

The LifeStraw Peak is a functional filter but does not offer revolutionary improvements over existing designs.

The Platypus Quick Draw is recommended as a filter with thoughtful design improvements.

Transcripts

water filters are one of those things

that just about everyone's going to take

backpacking and for years the sawyer

squeeze seemed to be the king of

backpacking water filters that is until

the catidin b free came out and then

suddenly everyone was talking about this

water filter that was not only faster

but easier to fill up backpackers all

over the world were switching out their

trusted soldier squeeze filters for the

new catadine b free well and you might

think it's happening again with the new

lifestraw peak filter maybe you've seen

the articles of the videos talking about

how revolutionary this new filter is

that it's a game changer or the

lifestraw somehow reinvented the water

filter well don't believe it here's all

the reasons why the new lifestraw peak

filter is just a bunch of hype first of

all nothing has really been reinvented

here this is just a hollow fiber filter

in a new package hollow fiber filters

have been around for years that's what

the soyuz squeeze is the b3 the platypus

quick draw most filters on the market

today are hollow fiber filters the

biggest change in recent years has been

the speed at which you can filter which

you might think that really isn't that

important but speed really equates to

ease of filtering the faster a filter is

the easier water will pass through the

filter i remember the first life straw

that i got and how hard it was to get

water through the filter it wasn't like

drinking through a straw at all or if it

was it was like drinking a really thick

milkshake but significant improvements

have been made that make filtering much

less difficult that's the main thing

that lifestraw has done they finally

caught up to the rest of the market and

made it easier to push water through

their filter but they're not the first

to do this and far from it and they

aren't even the easiest or the fastest

so first off nothing has really changed

here the game has not been changed it's

the same technology that everyone else

is using but just because you're using

the same technology doesn't mean you

can't make some significant improvements

to the design and lifestraw has made

some improvements from past life straws

but they still haven't come out with

anything truly new so the new peak

series has three basic designs a new

straw a new gravity filter and their

flagship filter the new squeeze bag but

it seems like all lifestraw has really

done here is copy the design of the

largely successful b free by putting

their new filter inside the squeeze bag

the only problem is it doesn't really

work very well that way the reason this

works for the be free is it's open all

the way around the filter allowing water

to enter from any side but the peak only

has an opening on the bottom which means

once you get down past the last few

ounces you can't squeeze water out

anymore because it's fallen below the

entrance of the filter itself now i need

to confess that i put out a video

earlier this year calling the new peak

filter the worst new gear of 2022 at

that time i believe there was no other

way to use this filter but with it

inside the bag but several of you

educated me that i was wrong that you

can actually pop off this little rubber

spout here and thread the filter onto

the outside of the squeeze bag i was

wrong and i admit that but that's not

how lifestraw is shipping these filters

it's not how they're advertising them

and to the best of my knowledge they

aren't really doing anything to let

people know that you can use it this way

if you didn't know like i didn't you

might think that this is the only way to

use this filter and that's not even the

worst part about this design let's say

that you do flip this filter around and

use it outside the squeeze bag for the

sake of convenience but then you want to

put it back and drink from it like the

beef free you're now putting the dirty

end of this filter right where you're

planning to drink risking dangerous

cross-contamination all the unfiltered

parasites and bacteria are dangerously

close to where you're going to be

putting your mouth so even though i was

wrong and lifestraw realized that they

needed a way to put this filter outside

the bag they didn't really think it

through enough in my opinion now the

last big selling point that lifestraw is

pushing is the tough durability of their

new design and i'll admit that the

squeeze bag does feel very durable

especially with the stiff shroud around

the collar of the squeeze bag but it

also makes it really hard to pack up to

a compact size especially when you have

the filter on the outside of the bag it

just makes the whole thing a little more

awkward

in more ways than one and durability

usually translate to more weight

sometimes that's worth it and sometimes

it isn't in this case it doesn't add too

much weight to the filter my half liter

squeeze bag and filter weighs in at 4.3

ounces compared to my platypus quick

draw that weighs in at only 3.8 ounces

now keep in mind that my quick draw

squeeze bag has double the capacity of

this half liter peak series now i do

feel like i need to say that this is a

perfectly fine filter to buy it's going

to do its job and filter out bacteria

and protozoa and other contaminants

typically found in backcountry water

sources you're not going to be in danger

or get sick just because you choose to

use this filter and it also has some

features that make it useful like a

standard 28 millimeter thread that

allows you to screw it onto a smart

water bottle or a cannot bag it's a

perfectly fine filter it's just not

revolutionary and that's my main

complaint here lifestraw really hasn't

done anything that hasn't been done

already by other filter companies all

lifestraw has done is catch up to the

competition and then pat themselves on

the back and claim that they're being

revolutionary but if you really do want

to see a filter that i believe has made

some really good improvements in water

filter design check out this video right

here all about the platypus quick draw

this is my favorite water filter and one

that i believe has actually had some

real thought put into its design be sure

to like subscribe and do all those other

things and as always thanks for watching