Armed with 4 filter systems and 2 refillable bottles, we have been travelling through Asia for 19 months without buying plastic bottles. We already wrote why we prefer not to use plastic and how we do that exactly. Today we’ve listed our loyal gadgets for you. What exactly do they filter? Which one is the most useful? What does a bottle like that actually cost? And what are the main advantages and disadvantages? In this blog, we test and compare the Lifestraw Go, Water-to-Go, Grayl Ultralight and the Steripen. After reading, you can decide which method best suits your needs and you can filter tap water while travelling yourself.

Lifestraw Go

The Lifestraw Go is a product of the Swiss-based social enterprise Vestergaard. The company’s mission is to improve the health of the world’s most vulnerable people. In addition to the water bottle, they also develop mosquito nets, which they use to fight malaria. The Lifestraw Family was developed to provide safe drinking water for the inhabitants of the most remote areas in Africa.

What does the Lifestraw Go filter?

The Lifestraw Go filters 99.99% of all parasites, microplastics and bacteria, such as E-coli. In addition, chlorine and organic chemicals are filtered. Fragrances and tastes are also extracted from the water. The integrated sieve ultimately leaves you clean and clear water.

User-friendliness

The filter is attached to the cap, making the bottle easy to use. You fill it and drink through a straw, which is connected directly to the filter. It’s important to keep a close eye on whether the filters are still good. The so-called hollow fibre filter, which stops bacteria, parasites and microplastics, can filter up to 4000 litres of water and then blocks the flow of water to the drinking spout. The carbon filter, which takes out chlorine, odours, flavours and natural chemicals, only lasts 100 litres. This filter does not block automatically. You can replace the 2 filters independently of each other. After use, you must blow through the filter before refilling the bottle and using it again.

You can easily and quickly order the Lifestraw Go via this link!

Pros:

• It’s easy and quick to use.
• The most important hollow fiber filter lasts considerably longer than its competitors.
• The hollow fiber filter blocks when it has reached its limit.

Cons:

• In the mountains the Lifestraw Go may leak a little due to the difference in pressure.
• You can’t squeeze out the water through the filter. It’s therefore not possible to transfer filtered water to another bottle.
• The Lifestraw Go does not filter heavy metals.

Water-to-Go

The British brother of the Lifestraw Go is the sporty Water-to-Go. The mission of the founder of the company is to end the use of plastic bottles. They have developed a 3-in-1 filter based on technology from the American aerospace organization NASA. Water-to-Go also works together with several social projects. The founder fights against malaria alongside charity organizations and for the preservation of nature in Africa.

What does the Water-to-Go filter?

The filter has been intensively tested in India, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Water-to-Go filters 99.99% of all possible dangers, such as viruses, bacteria and parasites, chlorine and sand and tastes and odours. Water-to-Go also filters heavy metals.

User-friendliness

The Water-to-Go is equal to the Lifestraw Go in terms of user-friendliness. The much smaller filter is also hidden under the screw cap. It’s a matter of filling, twisting the cap on, and you can drink the water safely. It’s important that you immerse the filter in water for at least 15 minutes before using it for the first time and rinse it before you start filtering tap water on your journey. The filter and cap should be kept clean and they can’t be put in the dishwasher. The bottle itself is dishwater proof.

Order the Water-to-Go via this link. If you use the code ADED15 with your order you get 15 percent discount!

Pros:

• The bottle is compact and easy to use.
• The Water-to-Go may seem small, but it has the largest capacity.
• The Water-to-Go also filters heavy metals.

Cons:

• The Water-to-Go can leak due to pressure difference when you go into the mountains.
• You can only suck the water out of the bottle through the straw and not pour it into another bottle.
• The filter doesn’t block automatically when it’s not working anymore. With normal use, you can assume that it will work fine for 3 months. If the filtered water starts to smell or taste strange, it’s time to replace it.
   
  Read more: Travel without plastic with the Water-To-Go filter bottle

  Grayl Ultralight

  After a lot of travelling, Nancie and Travis from Seattle decided that something had to be done. The waste problem and poor water quality is visible all over the world and causes many problems. That can be done differently, they thought! Simple, accessible solutions to filter water are their weapon to tackle these problems. We are the proud owner of a beautiful orange coloured Grayl Ultralight.

  

  Like the bottles mentioned above, the Grayl filters 99.99% of all viruses, bacteria and parasites. The filter also sifts sand and other types of dirt out of the water. Many chemicals and heavy metals are also filtered by the Grayl filter.

  User-friendliness

  The way you use the Grayl has a disadvantage in our opinion, which also has an immediate advantage. The Grayl consists of 2 separate components: the bottle itself and a removable filter. To filter the water you push the filter into the filled bottle, through which you push the water through the filter. The disadvantage is that pushing the filter is a little hard. That’s not that bad, but compared to the other bottles, it takes a little longer before you can drink. The advantage is that you can pour the clear, clean water into another bottle or a glass.

  You can order the Grayl Ultralight easily and via this link!

  Pros:

• You can transfer the filtered water.
• The bottle is not leaking
• You don’t have to drink through a spout.

• Cons

• Pressing the filter into the bottle is a little hard and takes about 30 seconds.
• The Grayl has the least capacity.
• The Grayl is the most expensive filter bottle on this list.

Steripen Ultra

Last but not least: the Steripen Ultra. Instead of a filter, the Steripen uses ultraviolet light that shines into the water through a glass rod. The light is good for 8000 times of filtering and the battery of the Steripen Ultra can be charged via a USB cable that comes with it.



What does the Steripen Ultra filter?

The Steripen kills bacteria, viruses and parasites. Because there is no way to use a sieve it’s important to use clear water. Even heavy metals and chemicals are not removed from the water.

User-friendliness

The use of the Steripen is simple. By pressing the button you choose to filter 0.5 litres (press once) or 1 litre (press twice). Then stir the water for 60 or 90 seconds with the flickering light. After that, the water is safe to drink. Just like when using the Grayl, the advantage is that you can pour the water and therefore you can take a larger amount of filtered water with you. The rechargeable battery of the Steripen Ultra ensures that you don’t have to buy batteries.

You can order the Steripen Ultra easily via this link

Pros:

• Rechargeable battery and no hassle with replacing the filter.
• Compact and handy device.
• The Steripen filters by far the most water of all options.

• Cons:

• Steripen does not filter sand or other debris.
• Steripen does not filter heavy metals.
• The filtering of the water takes longer than with the other bottles.

Which bottle do you choose?

In the end, all bottles and the Steripen are handy in their own way. They do what they promise, make sure you don’t have to buy plastic bottles anymore and are easy to use. With all bottles, we have filtered water without any problems in more than 10 countries in Asia. Steripen also works very well.

Compare the 4 options for tap water filtering on trip

In the overview below you can see at a glance which bottle suits your trip best.

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* € 9.95 for the carbon filter (every 100 litres) and the Hollow Fiber € 25.95 (4000 litres)
** The Water-to-Go and Grayl filters are for sale in a 2-pack
*** With 1 fully charged battery

How about just taking your refillable bottle?

In addition to the beautiful technology of the filtered bottles and the UV light with which we filter tap water while travelling, our refillable bottle is still one of our most important travel companions. We really enjoy our Dopper Insulated, which also keeps the water nice and cool.

Tip: Refill my Bottle

Refilling your refillable water bottle has never been easier. More and more hotels and restaurants offer the possibility to refill your bottle. Usually free, sometimes for a small fee. With the Refill My Bottle app you can quickly find the nearest refill station.



Tip: Trash Hero

In Asia, more and more great initiatives are emerging to combat plastic waste. Such as Trash Hero. These are not just heroes. No, they are waste heroes. The initiators of Trash Hero organize beach cleanups and there are more and more places you can buy their stainless steel, refillable bottles. Do you want to do your bit? Click here to see where you can join a beach cleanup!

Disclaimer for when you filter tap water while travelling

Although we are experienced when it comes to filtering tap water while travelling, we would like to emphasize that the correct use of filter bottles is your own responsibility. Thinking about buying one? Read the user manual carefully. For example, seawater can never be filtered. Filtering water in areas where many heavy industries are to be found also entails unnecessary risks.

To help you make your choice we link below to the ‘frequently asked questions’ pages of the various companies. Always use your common sense and make sure you are well informed when travelling! If you do that, filter tap water while travelling is safe, convenient and good for the environment!

Click here for the frequently asked questions of:

• Lifestraw Go
• Water-to-Go
• The Grayl Ultralight
• The Steripen

Looking for local activities while travelling?

The Backstreet Academy is a company that makes it very easy to find the best activities with locals involved. Traditional archery? Making tempeh? Learn how to make momos? Or get a tour through a big Asian city with a local guide? Find your local experience at the Backstreet Academy!




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