LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Review

The Peak Squeeze is our top recommendation to anyone looking for a collapsible bottle filter. It comes with different filtering options that allow you to drink water directly from a stream by sucking through a straw or filling a collapsible soft bottle from a stream and squeezing the filtered water into your mouth. You can also remove the filter and use the included bottle for storage, which is particularly handy when you have a long distance to travel between water sources. The durable, intuitive, and versatile design are all part of what made this our favorite option out of the collapsible bottle filters we've tested.

Water Quality

For this metric, we assess the quality of flavor produced by each filtration system as well as the bacteria, parasites, and protozoa the filter removes from the water. The Peak Squeeze protects against bacteria and protozoa and meets the U.S. EPA and NSF P231 drinking water standards for the removal of bacteria and parasites.

This filter excelled when we used it in the more turbid sandstone waters of the Virgin River in Zion National Park, as the 0.2-micron filter also removes silt, sand, and cloudiness. However, we did notice a need to backflush after filtering in substantially turbid water. Overall, this versatile and lightweight filter removed most visible and invisible particulates and produced fresh and clean water while protecting our testers from the harm of bacteria, protozoa, and microplastics.

Durability and Maintenance

For this metric, we assess the amount of upkeep each filter requires to remain in top performance, as well as the durability of each component. The Peak Squeeze corrects many of our previous durability complaints with other soft filters that we've tested. The collapsible bottle is made of BPA-free plastic, and we happily experienced no rips or tears during our testing period.

Most water filters require regular backflushing to maintain optimal flow rates, and we weren't surprised when the Squeeze needed the same. The maintenance required is rather straightforward: simply disconnect the membrane microfilter from the top cap by twisting counterclockwise, attach the backflush syringe, and submerge in fresh water while using the syringe to draw water up and down the other side of the filter. LifeStraw recommends repeating as necessary, and our testers found that after a few backflushes, the filter would return to a faster flow rate.

It is also worth mentioning that LifeStraw recommends that the filter be stored in a saline solution (one teaspoon of salt in purified water deep enough to cover the device) to prevent the filter from drying out and preserve the membrane's hydrophilic properties.

Treatment Time

To rate treatment time, our process is pretty straightforward. We simply time the filtration process from start to finish and record our notes. While the Peak Squeeze delivered a competitive time, it did not come close to the advertised flow rate of 3 liters per minute. We found it difficult to refill the collapsible 1L bottle three times within one minute from certain shallow water sources. Our testers were more consistently recording 35 seconds to fill one liter of water. While it's not as fast as advertised, for a lightweight, collapsible option, this time is highly competitive.

That said, routine maintenance is recommended if you want to maintain the optimal flow rate, especially after filtering in more turbid water sources, like peak spring runoff in the mountains, as the snow is melting at a fast rate, thereby carrying lots of dirt and silt into pristine water sources. While the Peak Squeeze has the ability to filter sand and silt, it does affect treatment time, and a little maintenance afterward goes a long way to speed things up.

Weight and Packability

For this metric, we romped through the deserts surrounding Zion and Yosemite National Parks, assessing the overall weight and how cumbersome the filter was to pack while not in use. The Peak Squeeze did not disappoint. With a weight of 3.8 ounces, including the filter and soft bottle, this filter is not as light as other ultralight options that we tested; however, it is worth its weight in gold due to the versatility and durability of the filtration system.

Easily fitting into the chest pocket of an ultralight trail running vest or in the side pocket of a larger backpacking pack, these few ounces aren't enough to register when you're moving through the mountains. While our testers love the larger size, it is also worth noting that if you are looking for a smaller option, the LifeStraw Peak Series also offers a 650ml bottle that weighs even less, at 3.2 ounces. In our opinion, carrying an extra ounce or two is worth the consistency and durability you'll find in this lightweight and collapsible option.

Ease of Set Up

For this metric, we note the ease of assembling each product out of the box and beginning the filtering process. The Peak Squeeze scores well in this category due to its no-fuss setup. We love the streamlined design, which only contains a soft bottle, backflush syringe, and hollow-core membrane microfilter. If you're planning to use this filter as a straw, where you simply place the filter in the open stream and suck water directly through the filter and into your mouth, this filter is ready to go right out of the box. If you're planning to utilize the soft bottle provided by LifeStraw or another compatible bottle, simply remove the filter from the box, attach the compact filter to the desired bottle via a screw top, and scoop water directly from the stream before squirting it into your mouth.

Ultralight missions that took us through parts of Zion National Park and the Eastern Sierra Nevada were great testing grounds for this setup. Shallow water sources were no longer an issue, as we could simply choose which filtration method worked best on the fly, and the straightforward setup of either method didn't come close to slowing us down on the trails.

Ease of Filtration

Out of all the soft bottle designs that we tested, the Peak Squeeze is perhaps one of the simplest and most consistent for a microfilter of its size. While it does take more effort to suck water through the straw directly from the stream rather than to fill the collapsible bottle and then squeeze water through the filter, we love the versatility that allows us to do so.

The straw or squeeze design allows for on-the-fly decision-making during long-haul backcountry adventures. The straw method is great for when your water source is too shallow to fill the soft collapsible bottle or when ample water sources abound. And the squeeze method provides a faster and easier filtering technique. The filter can also be removed from the soft bottle, allowing one liter of water storage.

Should You Buy the LifeStraw Peak Squeeze?

The versatile performance of the Peak Squeeze is worth every penny. Peace of mind is worth the small investment for a filter that won't let you down on backcountry missions when you need it most. Multiple filtering methods, overall durability, a competitive filtering time, and a straightforward setup are just a few of the features you'll get in return for your investment. Overall, we were impressed by the performance of this soft, collapsible bottle filter, which often alleviated some of our complaints about other similar models that we've previously tested, all for an affordable price.

What Other Backpacking Water Filters Should You Consider?

The LifeStraw Peak Squeeze is our top recommendation for a collapsible bottle filter. LifeStraw successfully corrected our previous complaints regarding the durability and maintenance of other collapsible soft bottle filtering systems by creating an easy-to-use and reliable filter that is the epitome of versatility. The straw or squeeze options set this filter apart from the rest while also featuring a super-fast flow rate and sleek, lightweight design. If you wanna take a look at other collapsible bottle options, the Katadyn BeFree 0.6L is a favorite of most backcountry enthusiasts and thru-hikers. Just be prepared to replace the bottle, as it doesn't offer the same high-quality durability. If you're interested in another similar filtration system that also tops our list for best personal use, check out the tried and true Sawyer Squeeze.