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LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Review

This lightweight and durable filter is an excellent choice for personalized bottle filtration
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LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Review
Credit: Trish Matheny
Price:  $44 List
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Manufacturer:   LifeStraw
By Trish Matheny ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Apr 11, 2025
82
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 25
  • Water Quality - 20% 9.0
  • Durability & Maintenance - 20% 7.0
  • Treatment Time - 15% 8.0
  • Weight & Packability - 15% 8.0
  • Ease of Set Up - 15% 9.0
  • Ease of Filtration - 15% 8.5

Our Verdict

If you want a durable and versatile lightweight water filtration system, look no further than the LifeStraw Peak Squeeze. This filter features a 0.2-micron hollow-core membrane microfilter, which protects from bacteria, protozoa, and microplastics. It also offers a versatile design that allows you to drink through the filter directly from a water source or by filling the soft bottle and squeezing the water into your mouth. A sleek design and straightforward setup put this filter at the top of our list as a reliable choice for fast and light backcountry missions. See it ranked against other top products in our review of backpacking water filters.
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent design and quality
Durable and lightweight
Versatile filtration options
Extended filter life
REASONS TO AVOID
Extra maintenance to maintain microfilter

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Filter for Personal Use
Top Pick Award
Best Collapsible Bottle Filter
 Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
 
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Bottom Line A solid option for personal filtration usage during fast and light backcountry missionsOur favorite collapsible soft bottle filter, thanks to a durable design that's consistent and easy to useA soft bottle filtration system designed for lightweight travelThe best chemical treatment option that will kill all pathogens when given enough timeLightweight and easy to use, these tablets can be used as an emergency backup to regular treatment
Rating Categories LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Hydrapak Flux 1.5L Katadyn BeFree 0.6L Aquamira Water Trea... Potable Aqua Purifi...
Water Quality (20%)
9.0
8.5
8.0
5.0
2.0
Durability & Maintenance (20%)
7.0
8.0
3.0
10.0
10.0
Treatment Time (15%)
8.0
8.0
8.5
2.0
2.0
Weight & Packability (15%)
8.0
7.5
9.0
9.0
10.0
Ease of Set Up (15%)
9.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
9.0
Ease of Filtration (15%)
8.5
7.0
9.0
9.0
10.0
Specifications LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Hydrapak Flux 1.5L Katadyn BeFree 0.6L Aquamira Water Trea... Potable Aqua Purifi...
Measured Weight (entire kit) 3.8 oz 5.0 oz 2.1 oz 3.0 oz 2.3 oz
Removes Particulates (sediment, microplastics) Yes Yes Yes No No
Effective Against Viruses No No No Yes Yes
Effective Against Chemicals No No No No No
Effective Against Heavy Metals No No No No No
Effective Against Bacteria Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Effective Against Protozoa (Giardia, Cryptosporidium) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes (Giardia = yes; Crypto = no)
Type of Filter/Purifier Squeeze Squeeze, in-line, on-the-go Squeeze, on-the-go Chemical treatment Chemical treatment
Filter Media or Active Ingredient Hollow-core membrane microfilter Hollow fiber Hollow fiber Chlorine dioxide Iodine and Tetraglycine Hydroperiodide
Filter Pore Size (Advertised) 0.2 microns 0.2 micron 0.1 microns N/A N/A
Number of Liters/Gallons per Lifetime (Advertised) 2,000 L / 500 gal 1,500 L / 396 gal 1,000 L / 264 gal 114 L / 30 gal (per package) 25 L / 6.6 gal

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Peak Squeeze is our top recommendation to anyone looking for a personal 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 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 traveling a long distance between water sources. The durable, intuitive, and versatile design made this one of our favorite options among the personal bottle filters we've tested.

The Peak Squeeze is our top recommendation for those seeking a personal water filtration system that's durable, versatile, and easy to use, while providing high water quality and protection from harmful bacteria and viruses.
Credit: Trish Matheny

Water Quality


For this metric, we assess the quality of flavor produced by each filtration system and 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 removing 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 perform several backflushs after filtering in the substantially turbid water we encountered after heavy rain in the Cochamó Valley of Southern Chile. Overall, this versatile and lightweight filter removed most visible and invisible particulates (minus a few grains of sand that sunk to the bottom of the soft bottle) and produced fresh, clean water while protecting our testers from harmful bacteria, protozoa, and microplastics.

lifestraw peak squeeze - the peak squeeze contains a 0.2-micron hollow-core membrane...
The Peak Squeeze contains a 0.2-micron hollow-core membrane microfilter that removes or destroys bacteria, protozoa, and microplastics.
Credit: Trish Matheny

Durability and Maintenance


For this metric, we assess the amount of upkeep each filter requires to remain in top performance and the durability of each component. The Peak Squeeze

really shines in this metric, especially when compared to other popular collapsible filters, due to the bottle's thicker, BPA-free plastic construction that has been going strong for the last few years. During our latest testing period in Cochamó, testers even attached the lightweight filter to their harnesses while multi-pitch rock climbing through sharp chimneys. They are happy to report only cosmetic scuffs on the plastic exterior.


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 this process 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.

Our testing team took this soft bottle on multi-pitch rock climbs in a remote Cochamó Valley, scraping it up slots and tight chimneys without failure in the durable soft bottle.
Credit: Trish Matheny

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 consistently recorded 35 seconds to fill one liter of water. While it's not as fast as advertised, its time is still highly competitive for a lightweight, collapsible option.


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 can filter sand and silt, it does affect treatment time, and a little maintenance afterward goes a long way to speed things up.

Over the last few years, we've documented the treatment time of this soft bottle, monitoring the optimal flow rate and even purchasing a replacement filter before our expedition to Cochamó Valley, Chile.
Credit: Trish Matheny

Weight and Packability


For this metric, we romped through the deserts surrounding Zion and Yosemite National Parks; we even packed into the remote valleys of Cochamó, 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 ultralight options that we tested; however, it is worth its weight in gold due to the versatility, durability, and dependability of the filtration system.


Easily fitting into the chest pocket of an ultralight trail running vest or the side pocket of a backpacking backpack, these few ounces aren't enough to register when 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. We believe carrying an extra ounce or two is worth the consistency and durability you'll find in this lightweight and collapsible option.

lifestraw peak squeeze - this collapsible bottle that packs down into the palm of your hand...
This collapsible bottle that packs down into the palm of your hand when not in use.
Credit: Trish Matheny

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, the Eastern Sierra Nevada, and Cochamó Valley were great testing grounds for this minimal 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.

lifestraw peak squeeze - steve mace demonstrates the straightforward setup of the lifestraw...
Steve Mace demonstrates the straightforward setup of the LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Water Filter System.
Credit: Trish Matheny

Ease of Filtration


Out of all the soft bottle designs we tested, the Peak Squeeze is perhaps one of the simplest and most consistent for a microfilter. 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 when your water source is too shallow to fill the soft collapsible bottle or when ample water sources abound. 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.

lifestraw peak squeeze - steve mace demonstrating one of the filtering options of the...
Steve Mace demonstrating one of the filtering options of the LifeStraw Peak Series filter while adventuring in the Eastern Sierra.
Credit: Trish Matheny

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, substantial 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, personal bottle filter, which often alleviated some of our complaints about other similar models that we've previously tested, all for an affordable price.

lifestraw peak squeeze - this durable little filter corrected all complaints that we've...
This durable little filter corrected all complaints that we've experienced with other collapsible bottle systems, making it our top choice when it comes to a personal water filter that specializes in lightweight and packable performance.
Credit: Trish Matheny

What Other Backpacking Water Filters Should You Consider?


The LifeStraw Peak Squeeze is our top recommendation for a personalized bottle water purification system. LifeStraw successfully addressed our previous complaints regarding the durability and maintenance of other collapsible soft bottle filtering systems by creating an easy-to-use and reliable system that epitomizes versatility. The straw or squeeze options set this filter apart while featuring a super-fast flow rate and a sleek, lightweight design. We want to 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; it doesn't offer the same high-quality durability. If you're interested in a similar filter that also has some durability flaws, check out the tried and true Sawyer Squeeze. Of the collapsible filters mentioned, the Hydrapak Flux 1.5L is a fan favorite due to its ease of use, competitive flow rate, durable soft bottle, and water quality. Our only complaint about the Hydropak is the extended hard plastic top, which can be limited in shallow water sources.

lifestraw peak squeeze - the lifestraw peak squeeze is an exceptional option for lightweight...
The LifeStraw Peak Squeeze is an exceptional option for lightweight filtering on the go.
Credit: Trish Matheny

Trish Matheny