According to previous HuffPost reporting and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), hackers have been breaking into municipal water monitors, threatening water safety in multiple states. Though the experts say we don’t have to go full-on “prepper,” they suggest taking time to better understand your water purification options. While it’s not a perfect fix, experts say a LifeStraw personal water filter is a solid buy for its portability. According to our price trackers, while they usually go for closer to $20, you can currently snag the OG model for 25% off, making it under $13 when you hit the coupon.
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This handy tool is designed to remove 99.99% of bacteria, parasites and microplastics from any freshwater — no complicated set-up or electricity needed.
Weighing just 2 ounces, the LifeStraw is a small buy with a big purpose. The brand says it can remove microplastics, bacteria, parasites and more (including E. coli, Salmonella and Giardia) from just about any water source. One single filter has a long lifespan, providing about 1,000 gallons of clean and safe drinking water — making it well worth the price tag.
(While the device does promise to filter out over 30 contaminants, be sure to check the Lifestraw’s FAQ section to see what the device cannot remove from water, including salt, arsenic, petroleum and trihalomethane, which is a by-product of chlorination.)
Unlike bulky filtreation system or boiling water, this genius straw demands nothing more than a water source and your mouth.
Think of it as a regular straw — only one with potentially life-saving filters.
Use it to drink directly from bodies of water, giving you “water tastes like bottled water” directly from a lake or puddle. “I used it to drink straight from a stream and the water tasted clean and fresh, no weird aftertaste,” one said. “It’s simple to use, no moving parts or setup, and it’s BPA-free, which is a bonus.”
It’s durable and leakproof, while still being impressively compact, measuring about 9 inches long and one inch wide. And again, it weighs just 2 ounces, meaning you may forget you’re even carrying it.
Though personal methods can’t replace municipal water treatment centers, experts say they have their own benefits.
Of course, a systemic issue, like mass water contamination, is going to demand a systemic fix. While experts told HuffPost that personal filter systems, like the LifeStraw, can’t function the same as formal water treatment centers, they certainly may help make your personal drinking water safer, especially if you know their limits.
“Camping style water filters can help by eliminating bacteria, the most common problem with untreated water, but purifying water ― with a UV water purifier, chemicals or by boiling water ― provides more protection,” one expert told HuffPost. “If you can still get water through the tap, even if untreated, then that water can be boiled, filtered or otherwise purified.”
The experts recommended a variety of methods for both collecting and purifying water (like purification tablets, rain barrels, larger water filtration units and camp pumps.
Plus, an expert explicitly named the LifeStraw as a smart buy for its portability.
“If you have to leave to go somewhere to get medicine or something like that, you can drink out of a puddle or a rain barrel if you have things like a LifeStraw,” they said. “…Those straws are great but they only last for a certain total number of liters.”
Further, LifeStraws let you drink directly from natural water sources if your municipal water service stops. As survivalist, author and television host Ky Furneaux previously told HuffPost, in times of emergency, “…simply being able to drink from any water source safely could be the difference between making it out alive or perishing in less than three days.”
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As one expert told HuffPost, unlike when we lose power, “we don’t have a generator for water yet.” While a LifeStraw can’t make endless clean water on demand, it’s a budget-friendly, physically small buy that can help you and your loved ones stay safely hydrated, no matter what is going on.
A LifeStraw personal filter is a small purchase with a BIG impact. Read more promising reviews, and grab one (or a couple!) while it’s on sale.
“This is a must have for backpacking. It’s very lightweight and sleek, super easy to pack. Also very easy to use, and no setup required. It’s made of heavy duty plastic that feels like it’s going to hold up for a long time. Water security on a home is one of my biggest fears, and this takes away all my worries. Cannot recommend enough.” — Abby j
“I should have purchased this little gem months ago Such a great way to have your water clean and fresh.” — chris moir
“Took this LifeStraw on a recent hiking trip and was seriously impressed. It’s super lightweight and easy to pack—barely takes up any space in my bag. I used it to drink straight from a stream and the water tasted clean and fresh, no weird aftertaste. What I love most is the peace of mind it gives you. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or just want a solid emergency backup, this is a no-brainer. It’s simple to use, no moving parts or setup, and it’s BPA-free, which is a bonus. I’ve also added one to my emergency kit at home. For the price and quality, it’s an essential bit of gear for anyone who spends time outdoors or just wants to be prepared.” — Ryan Miles
“The LifeStraw is hands-down one of the best investments I’ve made for hiking and emergency preparedness. It’s lightweight, compact, and incredibly easy to use—just uncap and sip directly from a stream, lake, or water bottle. No pumping, no waiting, no chemicals. What really impressed me is the peace of mind it offers. Knowing it filters out bacteria, parasites, and microplastics makes it a reliable companion whether you’re on the trail, traveling, or building a go-bag. I’ve used it on multiple backpacking trips and it’s never let me down. Highly recommend for anyone who spends time outdoors or wants to be ready for unexpected situations. It’s simple, effective, and worth every penny. Another nice feature is you can screw it on a water bottle. so fill your bottle up from a water source screw the straw on and squeez it through.” — goondock
Looking to stock your emergency bag without breaking the bank? Check out these under-$20 camping and survival finds by the HuffPost Shopping team.
A pair of tactical LED flashlights
Hawke mentioned flashlights should be among the standard list of tools one would need for camping. We selected these Gear Light tactical flashlights for their compact size, affordable price point and the over 70,000 5-star Amazon ratings. These weather-proof and high-lumens flashlights have five light modes, a zoomable beam and claim to be strong enough to withstand a 10-foot drop.
An all-purpose emergency first aid kit
It might go without saying that a first aid kit should always be among your camping essentials but Hawke said that it’s surprisingly an item that people often forget. Whatever kit you choose, Hawke said the kit should be one that will tend to both illness and injuries.
We found this popular 299-piece kit that includes everything you need to disinfect wounds, bandage cuts and soothe burns. Clear plastic interior compartments keep everything organized and the soft sided zip case makes storage and transportation a breeze.
A Ferro Rod fire starter
The Ferro Rod with striker is another fire lighting tool that came at the suggestion of author, survivalist and emergency prepping expert M.D. Creekmore, as well as Lundin, who explained that it’s a magnesium bar with a ferrocerium rod embedded in the side as an ignition source. The sharp-toothed sparker effectively shaves off hot ribbons of magnesium to make quick and easy work of lighting tinder. Creekmore suggests taking along cotton balls dipped in petroleum jelly when packing the Ferro Rod because these can help not only work as tinder for the fire, but also help sustain its burning for longer.
The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)
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