3 Tricks to Optimize LifeStraw ‘Peak Sequence’ Water Filters

[ad_1]

LifeStraw revamped its namesake water filter straw and different filtration programs primarily based on years of buyer suggestions. We requested the model how greatest to take care of these new merchandise.

It took 17 years, however LifeStraw discovered methods to enhance the efficiency and usefulness of its filters. The model says the redesign offers the Peak filtration programs extra versatility and a quicker circulation price by way of its microfilter.

The unique straw got here out to attain a objective of a private water filter. As soon as the model grew its product line to incorporate different filtration programs, it noticed a must reverse engineer its full line to be extra suitable. LifeStraw additionally labored on the sturdiness of its bladders and improved the filter circulation charges as much as 3 L per minute, in line with the model.

We talked with the model to search out methods to keep away from consumer pitfalls and get most use and lifespan from the Peak water filtration programs.

Store the LifeStraw Peak Assortment

Bearded person in the mountains using a LifeStraw water bottle system to gather water for filtration holding the filter in his other hand..
(Picture/LifeStraw)

We talked with Tara Lundy, LifeStraw’s chief model officer, who has labored with the corporate and used its filters for nearly a decade. She defined what went into the redesign of the Peak Sequence and find out how to maintain the filter programs working at their — ahem — peak efficiency.

The Peak Sequence Redesign

Lundy instructed us that the principle objective of the redesign was so as to add versatility and sturdiness. Each would deal with widespread frustrations about water filters — each LifeStraw and opponents — expressed by customers within the discipline.

The model’s engineering workforce sought to breathe new life into its 17-year-old straw design. “We had been attempting to determine ways in which we will add threading and adapters with out having separate items to make the straw extra purposeful,” mentioned Lundy.

The engineers additionally noticed that as a approach to introduce new membrane configurations that would enhance circulation price in addition to forestall air traps. From there, the design workforce integrated extra sturdy supplies in its bladder baggage and its new leakproof caps.

person with lifestraw out hiking in the mountains
(Picture/LifeStraw)

Going Modular

For better versatility, the LifeStraw Peak Sequence makes use of a modular design. This allows extra methods to make use of the filters, together with interchangeably between merchandise.

“We had been looking for methods to chop down on wanted quantities of drugs by creating one thing that serves as each a dromedary or water storage system along with providing the filtration part so that you don’t have to hold two separate issues,” Lundy mentioned.

The Peak squeeze bottles and gravity programs are made with a brand new membrane and include a backwash plunger accent. New soft-sided reservoir supplies ought to add sturdiness whereas the plunger and revamped microfilter ought to end in a greater efficiency in opposition to sand and silt for extra water circulation over its lifespan. (Extra on particular person merchandise later.)

One instance of a brand new use the modular design permits is evidenced within the squeeze bottles. Now you possibly can take away the filter from contained in the bottle and thread it onto the surface. That permits you to compress the bottle all the way in which all the way down to entry the final little bit of water inside.

At camp, this operate works nicely to filter water into cooking pots or a number of cups. It additionally hooks as much as a gravity system.

person laughing while out hiking holding a lifestraw water filter
(Picture/LifeStraw)

The New Straw

Main off is a smaller construct of the unique straw, which can now match the mouth of a regular plastic water bottle — nonetheless a standard hiker staple and features a built-in gravity hose attachment. The brand new Peak straw continues to work as a private filter that is useful throughout an emergency.

“I believe the explanation why [the straw] has at all times been so well-liked is that it’s a comparatively cheap approach to have an emergency backup answer,” Lundy mentioned. “It won’t be the factor that you just’re utilizing to hydrate every day, but when it’s solely 2 ounces and really intuitive to make use of, you’ve got that choice.”

In reality, LifeStraw continues to promote these private straws in bundles, as folks are likely to maintain them in emergency kits at dwelling and in cabins, boats, backpack important stashes, and so forth.

Person using 3L LifeStraw Gravity Filtration system while camping as someone sets up the tent in the background.
(Picture/LifeStraw)

3 Tricks to Enhance Water Filter Efficiency

Whereas LifeStraw has designed its merchandise to work round widespread points, there are some areas the place the consumer can heed the following tips and get extra use and higher efficiency from their filters.

Startup: You’re Doing It Flawed

New water filters or water filters which have been dormant want a bit extra work to get them again right into a extra free-flowing state. That’s truly a function, not a bug.

“Usually, at startup, it’s going to be a barely slower circulation price for a number of sips or makes use of,” Lundy mentioned. She defined {that a} clogged filter is extra possible attributable to an air lure or drying out than grit from water.

Within the first use, there’s possible some air trapped inside. It’s greatest to moist the membrane and take a number of onerous sips within the case of the straw, or use the plunger for the opposite programs to push water by way of the filter and unlock the circulation price.

For the brand new Peak line, LifeStraw engineers labored on “venting” — which is a approach to permit air to flee the filter’s membrane — and a gravity hose to maintain the circulation price going.

You need to use the reservoir to push water by way of the filter or depend on gravity for a slow-drip activation whilst you’re off mountain climbing.

There’s additionally a quicker, easy strategy: Suck on the top of the hose, spit out the preliminary water that hits your lips, and let no matter was within the hose hit the bottom. Suction is a stronger drive to drag air out of the filter and hose and is the shortcut to unlocking a quicker circulation price.

Lengthy-Time period Storage

In case you’re not utilizing a filter for an extended time frame, corresponding to throughout a tenting offseason, you need to take steps to stop it from drying out.

By storing it in water, the filter stays in a hydrophilic state. Meaning it will likely be simpler to get it again into peak efficiency. You may also add a teaspoon of salt to battle the expansion of algae or micro organism.

Moreover the filter, you possibly can rinse out the bladders and caps with dish cleaning soap or bleach after which allow them to air dry. Retailer them with the caps off.

When it’s time to reuse, you’ll need to flush the stale water and salt, which must be straightforward to detect.

Word: This is applicable to membrane-only filters, which is what the Peak assortment makes use of. (Filters with carbon must be saved dry.)

Keep away from Freezing

In easy phrases, a water filter is a collection of tiny holes that block bigger particulates and let water squeeze by way of.

The LifeStraw membranes microfilters encompass small straws with microscopic pores that measure 0.2 microns in diameter. That is sufficiently small to permit water previous however will catch contaminants like micro organism, parasites, and even microplastics.

A frozen filter is a compromised filter. You’ll get a terrific circulation price, however no filtration. A moist filter that freezes means the water expands and stretches the filter’s holes. When it thaws, these bigger holes might then permit bigger particles to go by way of — like silt and dust, or doubtlessly dangerous micro organism if it’s current within the water supply.

Whether or not you’re mountain climbing, tenting, or backcountry snowboarding in freezing temperatures, you need to disconnect the filter and retailer it inside your jacket. Yep, that smartphone pocket could also be higher used as a water filter pocket.

Throughout shoulder season or in alpine circumstances, campers ought to separate the filter and retailer it inside their tents simply in case the temperature dips beneath freezing in a single day. That is one other profit that the LifeStraw workforce considered, having the ability to take away and retailer the Peak collection filters separate from the water storage.

Backflushing

File this beneath suggestions you might already know however nonetheless don’t do sufficient.

Throughout heavy bouts of use, like a multiday hike with the filter, use the plunger accent to usually backflush the filter to maintain up the circulation price.

For the unfamiliar, backflushing includes operating water from the facet offering consuming water and out the facet connected to the water supply. With the plunger, you possibly can draw up clear, filtered water after which screw it onto the “out” facet of the filter.

While you push the plunger down, it is going to drive water by way of the filter and flush out silt and different particles. A number of backflush rinses ought to restore the circulation price, after which it’s prepared for use usually once more. (The Peak Sequence squeeze bottles and gravity filters include a plunger accent.)

With the straw, you possibly can draw water to your lips and easily blow it again by way of a number of instances for related outcomes.

Peak Sequence Water Filter Techniques

Peak Straw: $20

Product photo of two LifeStraw Peak Straws, one blue and one black.
(Picture/LifeStraw)

This new model of the model’s iconic straw introduces a brand new grip, a quicker water circulation price, and could be built-in with a gravity hose or squeeze bottle. The filter ought to last as long as 5 years of use.

Store Now

Peak Squeeze (1L & 650ml): $38 & $33

Product Photo - LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Bottle Water Filter System 1 liter and 650 mL
(Picture/LifeStraw)

These include a tethered cap in addition to a leakproof over-cap that LifeStraw says has twice the sturdiness of different bottles. The bottles can operate as hydration flasks or can be utilized to push water by way of an outward-mounted filter to offer water for others. The model additionally built-in these with different Peak gravity programs by eradicating the filters.

Each include a Peak Membrane Microfilter and backwash plunger.

Store Now

3L Gravity System: $60

Product photo - LifeStraw Peak Series - Gravity Water Filter System - 3L
(Picture/LifeStraw)

Made for backpacking and small tenting teams, the 3L gravity baggage embody a fast connector hose, carabiner, leakproof cap for water storage, straightforward carry strap, and backwash plunger.

The filter could be eliminated to work as a standalone “straw” and can be utilized with commonplace water bottles.

Store Now

8L Gravity Techniques: $80

Product photo of LifeStraw Peak Series - Gravity Water Filter System- 8L
(Picture/LifeStraw)

LifeStraw calls this a dromedary/filtration hybrid system. This high-capacity reservoir could be saved in camp or in a automobile with a leakproof cap.

When it’s time to offer the camp with water, a filter and gravity hose can connect and begin filtering water down beneath. As with the remainder of the road, the detachable filter can be utilized by itself, with a smaller Peak squeeze bottle or with commonplace water bottles.

Coming Quickly

The LifeStraw Ethos

LifeStraw microfilters proceed to supply safety in opposition to micro organism and parasites, in addition to microplastics, silt, sand, and cloudiness.

The brand new Peak Sequence builds off its fame amongst campers, hikers, and different outside fans with a revamped line of water filtration choices that promise improved efficiency.

What’s extra, the model has met the requirements to develop into Local weather Impartial Licensed and a licensed B-corp. It additionally continues its pledge to offer a 12 months of protected water to 1 baby for each buy.

Store the LifeStraw Peak Assortment

A person using the 8L LifeStraw filtration system on the awning of the van as three friends sit around a lake.
(Picture/LifeStraw)

This text is sponsored by LifeStraw. Be taught extra concerning the Peak Assortment of hydration and water filtration programs on-line.

Peak Series LifeStraw Personal Water Filter Straw
After 17 Years, LifeStraw Upgrades Iconic Filter Straw With New ‘Peak Sequence’
After 17 years, the outside water filtration specialist has up to date its authentic filter straw — and launched a brand new era of Peak Sequence filtering units together with it. Learn extra…

[ad_2]

Supply hyperlink