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Chas Bruce

October 1, 2015 By Chas Bruce

Travel Umbrellas Without Compromise

Example of an umbrella in use in Great Britain
Umbrella in Great Britain

British PM Neville Chamberlain travelled to Munich for a 1938 Agreement, appeasing fascist Europe before WWII. Contemporary observers noted, “I wish [Hitler] had to deal with someone stronger than Chamberlain. He brought his umbrella with him you know? Bloody little bank manager…” (The Pale Criminal, Philip Kerr, 1990.)

Well. This early umbrella review seems a little harsh….

One the other hand, umbrellas sheltered English explorers for decades as they suffered steamy rainforest approaches to Mount Everest. For these adventurers, beset by leaches, swollen streams and constant drizzle, umbrellas were an expedition essential. (Everest the Hard Way, Christian Bonington, 1976.)

Unless you’re dealing with fascists, COG recommends keeping an umbrella with your traveling kit at all times.

But which umbrella tests best? We’re rejecting the nine-dollar umbrellas that pop up with the first shower, mostly at drugstores. These units are invariably heavy and flimsy: OK, but only if you’ve ignored our testing.

COG first reviewed trekking umbrellas last summer. These specialized units excel for a wander up to base camp: wide canopy coverage, study construction and stouter weight displacement.

However, with this current review we’ve the tested the lightest-weight umbrellas we could find: umbrellas less sophisticated than your diplomatic mission might require and probably not “up” for high winds at altitude. Here we’re looking at “urban” cruisers so lightweight that you can’t leave them at home.

Umbrella in use in front of a cathedral
COG tester at Il Duomo de Firenze

Check out the photo of COG tester Patricia Crawford enjoying a first look at the Renaissance architectural masterpiece, Il Duomo di Firenze (1436 AD). While less severe than the Khumbu icefall, Florence presents unique challenges. September rains overmatch Gore-Tex rain suits in seconds, driving thronging tourists inside. Notice the snapshot’s few, high-season background figures bent-over against the downpour? Their shell-jacket hoods permit zero visibility beyond rain-soaked shoes. Patricia’s GoLite Half Dome Umbrella frames unobstructed views of the Duomo’s unique, early Gothic, white marble facade.

GoLite’s Half Dome

GoLite HalfDome umbrella
GoLite HalfDome

Featuring a 41-inch canopy-arc, 6-ounce weight and super-compact size (just larger than a men’s wallet), GoLite’s Half Dome is easily the never-leave-it-at-home winner for travel umbrellas. Such convenience requires user effort, however. The umbrella must be deployed and closed by-hand: an occasionally less than graceful maneuver. Also, the 6-ounce, lightweight unit employs a skeletal framework that’s a bit unstable in brisk wind. Patricia turned her GoLite inside-out a time or two with no ill-effect: she reversed the process by facing the umbrella’s crown back into the wind. But it’s best for GoLite’s lightweight wonder to deploy crown-forward, toward the wind, with a firm grip high-up on the handle/stem.

$30

See a comparable, if slightly heavier, Trekking Umbrella from Sea-to-Summit (8-ounces), $40.00, (COG review, August 15, 2013).

REI’s Travel Umbrella

REI Umbrella
REI Travel Umbrella with vents

At the other end of our review’s strength-to-weight scale is REI’s vented, Travel Umbrella: 43-inch canopy-arc, sixteen-ounces (1lb.), push-button open/close and, folded, about the size of a compact police baton. Besides its self-defense capability, REI’s umbrella features a vented, wind-tunnel-tested canopy: the vented, double-covering allows trapped wind (when gusts force you into a horizontal, Marry Poppins configuration) to pass through the inverted canopy-arc without turning the umbrella inside-out.

REI Umbrella folded up
REI Umbrella

Your COG testers found the REI’s umbrella’s vent and study framework resisted even the eponymous “typhoonal flow,” a weather pattern unique along Australia’s northeast coast. Less euphemistically, Americans would call this sort of weather an hurricane’s outer edge: in this part of Australia, wind-driven rain courses over roof-tops in forty-foot long, horizontal “mare’s tails” spray. Our REI umbrellas didn’t keep your COG testers dry down under, of course, but the umbrellas fought the local Coral Sea typhoon winds to a stand-still. If you’re looking for the toughest, compact umbrella we’ve ever used, REI vented Travel Umbrella.

$37.50

Totes’ Lite N’ Go Travel Umbrella

Totes Umbrella open
Totes’ Lite N’ Go Travel

COG’s favorite umbrella tested to date: Totes’ new Lite N’ Go Travel Umbrella. The Lite N’ Go has two major defects:

  1. It’s got a “gimmicky” flashlight built into the handle;
  2. You can’t buy the Lite N’ Go until spring.

Of the pair, #2’s most serious. Outside of that, Totes’ travel umbrella tests best for our COG reviewers stationed in Western Europe, Northeastern Australia and, most exotically, Utah.

Side-By-Side Comparisons

Here’s the side-by-side comparison so far: our COG guy appreciates most that he can’t find his tiny GoLite umbrella until he needs it because it’s so small (it hides in his back pocket). Our COG gal likes her REI umbrella because no matter how hard the wind blows, she can make like Mary Poppins with no worries of canopy collapse. But the Totes umbrella does a great job mediating the trade-offs.

First, weight: at eleven-ounces (11 0z.), the Totes Lite N’ Go is dead-center between REI’s bomb-proof wind shedder and GoLite’s barely-there whisper. Second, strength: the Totes’ unit is tested to the same wind tunnel standard as REI’s but does without the wind-vent. COG thinks this results from Totes’ better, structurally integrated framework: frame cross-sections are closed hexagons and jointed members appear double-butted. Or something.

Weight-wise: the Lite N’ Go might discourage a small dog but is too lightweight for self-defense. 12” x 1½“ closed-size doesn’t fit in a back pants pocket, but Totes unit’s noticeably lighter in the day pack than REI’s. Also, the Lite N’ Go canopy opens and closes with a push button like REI’s. Totes Lite N’ Go Travel Umbrella, $49, maybe available spring 2014.

The Flashlight

Totes Umbrella folded with flashlight
Lite N’ Go umbrella with flashlight handle

Now about that flashlight built-in to the Lite N’ Go umbrella handle? First, distinguishing the open/close button from the flashlight switch requires close attention. If you accidentally switch-on the flashlight during daytime rambles, the light’s hard to notice since the handle/flashlight points down. By the time daylight fades, you’ll likely find your flashlight “dead.” Guard against accidental discharge by taping a spare battery (it’s dime-sized) to the umbrella handle. Secondly, the flashlight-in-the-handle concept seems weird in our outdoor (lightweight-is-right vs. function) gear-head world. Our COG guys have multiple flashlights stashed away: dashboard, sun visor, glove box, daypack (x2), shoulder bag, carry-on, bedside drawer, bathroom…so the fellows think the umbrella’s built-in flashlight’s over the top. But the COG gals think the flashlight-in-a-handle’s a neat idea…if you routinely have six flashlights at hand, how can one more hurt? Especially in the rain, at night, pointed (by default) at your footpath? Thirdly, an extra $7.00 at retail.

Auto open/close umbrellas (like REI’s and Totes’) require a two-handed maneuver to force the unit into its fully compressed position. This means wet hands every time you stow your umbrella. Guys! Don’t expect your mates to do this digit-numbing task themselves. If you find a gal so inclined, would you let COG’s HR department know?

Slipcovers and Carabiners

A note about travel slipcovers for travel umbrellas. As you can see with our product photos, both the REI and Totes umbrellas sport sleek, carabineer-carrying slipcovers. GoLite does the same, but without the carabineer. Besides looking cool, the carabineers secure umbrellas while you’re slumming around town or the backcountry in the sunshine. But it’s Murphy’s Law that, as soon as the clouds open, your umbrella won’t be where you left it: handy to have your umbrella secured by its carabineer. However, those umbrella slipcovers, empty and loose in a daypack, are certain never to be seen again. So, hang on to that little ‘biner: hook the umbrella handle. But let those slipcovers find their own special place in the universe; you won’t miss the extra weight while you’re dodging liquid sunshine.

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: GoLite, REI, totes, umbrellas

March 29, 2015 By Chas Bruce

Trekking Umbrellas

In the Sahara Dessert with an umbrella
Umbrellas in the Sahara Dessert

A hundred and five in Moab and no rain in sight for weeks. Why are we thinking umbrellas?

Mary Poppins with her umbrella
Mary Poppins and her magic umbrella

Not because we like the Mary Poppins look, but you’ll find umbrellas, well, incredibly and comfortably shady. Even a compact umbrella can shade most of your upper body, and the breezes will find you–just hang on tight. Ultralight gear guru Ray Jardine considers an umbrella an essential item. He of course strips them, discards unnecessary parts, reduces the weight by half, and discards the junk along with his toothbrush handle. Several manufacturers now offer umbrellas with silver reflective fabric, to ward off the hot rays of the sun. Much cooler.

Needless to say, a long stay in Portland convinced me that an umbrella topped any sort of rain gear in all but gusty conditions. Often in the drippy forests that contain the wind, the umbrella rules. The best part is the open ventilation. Rain hats and hoods just seem to divert rain down my clothing, and even with the best rain gear you can be steaming.

What if you are a two handed trekker or out to shoot photos? It really is no trouble to attach the umbrella shaft to the front strap of your pack or in some combination of pockets and straps on the pack itself. Simply take velcro straps and attach the umbrella at two points on your strap and make sure to attach through the looped cord of the umbrella, in case gusts do come up.

Telescope Handsfree Umbrella

couple with trekking umbrellas
Telescope Handsfree Umbrella

The TeleScope Hands Free Umbrella does just that. It can be easily attached on the shoulder straps and hip belt on nearly all kinds of backpacks. It can be also attached via a carrier-belt-system made by EuroSCHIRM. Both hands remain completely free which is ideal for walkers who don’t want to go without trekking poles in rain, either. Also the perfect umbrella for nature photographers, map readers, etc.

$70

Helinox Trekking Umbrella

red umbrella
Helinox Trekking Umbrella

The Helinox Trekking Umbrella is a tough Walkabout unit from our friends in Australia. Big enough for a crowd, it opens to 39 inches, with a 24 inch shaft. Even the bright red fabric offers UPF 25 of sun protection. Weighs only 200 grams. Not easy to find in the US.

$60

Ginkgo Umbrella

CUSTOM Umbrella
Ginkgo Umbrella

We’ve been keeping our eye on an Indiegogo project called the Ginkgo Umbrella. Not necessarily made for the rigors of the outdoors, it is however made of entirely recycled plastic that snaps together. No metal parts or springs to bend and break. Best news is if it every goes south on you, caught in a gust and busted, you can always heave it in a No. 6 recycling bin and call it done. They raised their goal, so it should be on the market soon.

GoLite Umbrella

Chrome Dome Trekking Umbrella
Golite Umbrella

The GoLite Umbrella is something I will use when I’m out hiking, both for rain protection and to hide from the fierce sun at higher elevation. The GoLite Chrome Dome weighs in at 8oz, but does not collapse. When I’m hiking in the backcountry I slip it in a side pocket. It’s tall enough to provide shade from there. GoLite offers a collapsible version, but all the extra parts add 3oz to the weight of the GoLite Collapsible Chrome Trekking Umbrella. The big Canopy of the Chrome dome measures 45″ (114 cm) edge to peak to edge / 39.5″ (100 cm) edge to edge. Length is 25″ (63.5 cm). Frame features high-density fiberglass ribs and a highly flexible and nearly unbreakable full stick handle. Grip is high-density EVA hard foam with grooves that ensures a dry feeling on the handle when wet. The top is lightweight, waterproof and tear-resistant polyester UV Reflective Coating (UPF 50+) that Blocks Harmful Rays and Keeps you cooler on hot days. Now I’m trying to figure a way to reverse configure this so I can concentrate the sun for a little solar cookery.

$20

Sea to Summit Trekking Umbrella

Sea to Summit Trekking Umbrella
Sea to Summit Trekking Umbrella

The Sea to Summit Trekking Umbrella is made of  waterproof 30D Siliconized Cordura, weighs only 8 oz. The 9.5 inch package opens out to 38 inches of rain and sun protection. I like the sturdy feel of this unit. The flatter crown is more compact and offers minimal protection, but is less likely to hang up on trail obstructions.  It hangs easily on the shoulder without fancy attachments. The shaft is aircraft grade aluminum with a rubber handle. Solid brass rivets lash it all together. Comes in Black Gold and Gray.

$40

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Helinox, Sea to Summit, trekking poles, umbrellas

March 24, 2014 By Chas Bruce

Black Crater Cord Lock Light

Black Crater Cord Lock Light
Black Crater Cord Lock Light

This clever little beast of a light can replace the cord locks on any of your outdoor gear. We’ve put it on our jackets, on our sleeping bags–even on our shoes. Latch it on where ever you’ll need a handy light source. The clamping devise has allowed COG testers to attach this light to any stray cord. Hang it from the ceiling of your tent for reading. At $10 a pop you should carry several.

Black Crater Cord Lock Light in a hand
Black Crater Cord Lock Light illuminating a map

The Cord Lock Light uses a 3mm Hyper Bright white LED light and switches between 3 modes: low, high, and strobe. It’s water-resistant construction is ideal for use in harsh weather by backpackers, campers, climbers and joggers.

Black Crater Cord Lock Light on a sleeping bag
Black Crater Cord Lock Light on a sleeping bag

Weighs only 0.3 oz. (8g), and is no bigger than your average cord lock. Includes 2 lithium CR1220 batteries. The perfect addition to your gear to ensure you have light when you need it in all your outdoor activities.

$10

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: flashlight, lighting

March 21, 2014 By Chas Bruce

J. Peterman Counterfeit Mailbag

“The secret thoughts of an entire country were once carried in leather bags exactly like this one. Except this one, a copy, isn’t under lock and key…”..yada,, yada, yada…

J Peterman Mailbag
J. Peterman Mailbag

When I first came across this bag I was concerned that I had heard after years of being parodied on Seinfeld, the J. Peterman Company had gone under. As it turns out there is a story there. J. Peterman was started in 1987 by a Lexington Kentucky native and second baseman for the Pittsburg Pirates, John Peterman. With $500 and a lone product, the iconic J. Peterman Duster, the J. Peterman Company was born in the pages of the New Yorker with a simple ad. The ad, of course, used a battered drawing and cozy familiar copy to sell these dusters to New Yorker readers that never went near a horse nor sagebrush. Success came to J. Peterman and they regularly issued their clever catalogs with the hand drawings and the digressive and quirky writing. Things purred along until 1995 when Seinfeld and friends got their hands on the whole smarmy concept and began to satirize it. Sales skyrocketed and J. Peterman decided to go the bricks and mortar route. Even with sales of $75 million, the growth was too much, too fast. They did go banko in 1999. The name was bought up by another retailer. J. Peterman folded his duster for the last time. But like a Larry David script, that was not the end of it. The retailer who had forced John Peterman out then himself went bankrupt. The name was there to be recaptured. John Peterman called in Seinfeld’s J. Peterman, the actor John O’Hurley, and with some other investors, brought the fabled J. Peterman company back to life.

So needless to say there is still a J.Peterman Catalog for you to peruse and dream of your African Safari wearing, of course, your well worn J. Peterman Safari Jacket. I was disappointed to find no mention of a duster, though.

Oh, the Mailbag. Not a bad carryall. Truly a good copy of the now discontinued US Mailbag. Made of heavy cowhide with a raw finish that ages quickly.

J Peterman Mailbag
J. Peterman Counterfeit Mailbag

15″ long x 12.5″ tall x 7:” wide. One cavernous interior pouch and a small 5 x 8″ zippered pocket. Nice sturdy leather strap with heavy duty buckles.
Sling it on and make your rounds.

$295

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: bags, J. Peterman

March 13, 2014 By Chas Bruce

Grand Trunk Hammock Sleeping Bag

Grand Trunk Hammock Sleeping Bag
Grand Trunk Hammock Sleeping Bag

It’s gets cold on a desert night. We regularly see 30-40 degree temperature drops from daytime highs. And at elevation you can find yourself in 30 degree weather. Earlier in the season I tried a night out on a hammock. Light in the pack. Easy to hang. Instant bed. Great until the 40 degree weather found me with my down bag fully compressed and not insulating my back.

Fast forward to a recent night. I had Grand Trunk’s brilliant solution with me. A Hammock-compatible Sleeping bag, and good down to 30 degrees. To deal with the compressed insulation issue Grand Trunk has simply wrapped the sleeping around the hammock via openings at the foot and head of the bag.

Grand Trunk Hammock Sleeping Bag closeup
Closeup of the Grand Trunk Hammock Sleeping Bag

The GR bag is made of nylon with Thinsulate fill. Full dimensioned at 34 x 88 inches and weighs 2 pounds 10 ounces. Along with the specialized hammock openings, it has a full length 2-way zipper to fully modulate your night time comfort. You don’t need a Grand Trunk hammocks as this should work with most lightweight single hammocks.

Grand Trunk makes a complete line of accessories to make your nights even more comfortable:

  • Pair it with the lightweight Grand Trunk Nano 7 Hammock.
  • Don’t forget a Tree Sling to protect the trees. / $20
  • Where it’s buggy you might want a Mosquito Net / $80
  • If it’s drippy you might consider a Rain Fly / $80

$180

Filed Under: Camping Gear Tagged With: Grand Trunk, hammocks, sleeping bags

March 11, 2014 By Chas Bruce

Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed Sleeping Bag

Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed Sleeping Bag
Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed Sleeping Bag

Sierra is about to take the zip out of the mummy bag. This bag is meant to be more bed than mummy.

With an integrated pad-pocket the base bag is not meant to move with you, but allows you to move within. Access is through the large opening. Comfort is provided by a separate comforter that can be tucked in or out as comfort and temperature dictate. Sierra is also going to offer an Ultralight Quilt, that will feature an integrated hood with hand and arm pockets. These and a Movable Mummy will all be revealed at the upcoming Outdoor Retailer Show. All of them stuffed with Sierra’s proprietary DriDown. We hoping to take them for a test drive.

Filed Under: Camping Gear Tagged With: Sierra Designs, sleeping bags

March 7, 2014 By Chas Bruce

PowerPot

PowerPot
PowerPot

In this age of 24/7 connectivity, that goes for the backcountry as well.
How do you power your cellphone, GPS, Digital Camera, iPod, etc miles from the nearest outlet.

Cue the PowerPot. A 1 1/2 liter aluminum pot that will provide power while you cook. The PowerPot has a thermoelectric generator embedded in its base that converts heat into 5 volts of DC electrical power. Fill the pot and place it on a heat source and the PowerPot will powering up any of your mobile electronics. The PowerPot uses a USB port with 3 feet of flame resistant cable.

The handy thing about this PowerPot is you can use any heat source–from open campfire to a gas range at home. Works on trail or in an unexpected power outage at home.

PowerPot Kit
PowerPot Kit

We loaded it up with a package of freeze dried Chicken Marsala and in ten minutes had a steaming hot meal and we registered an extra bar of power on our iPhone. Probably close to 20% of a charge. Certainly enough to make a call or two. It would take at least an hour, if not two, for a full charge. That’s a lot of cooking. But for emergency power–and a opportunity to sterilize some water.

Five watts of power or 1 watt of continuous 5 volt power. Pot is made of hard anodized aluminum and is 4.5:” x 8″ with the lid/bowl in place. Weighs 18 oz with cord and lid.

$150

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: charger, cooking pots, PowerPot

March 5, 2014 By Chas Bruce

Gerber Daily Carry

Gerber Daily Carry complete set
Gerber Daily Carry complete set

This is a concept not unfamiliar to the COG team: preparedness. Being at the ready for everyday crises, big and small. Especially important on the trail miles from civilization. But also when you’re trundling down dark city streets. Besides your key fob and cell phone, what do you need? There are endless blogs and websites discussing these very needs.

Common daily carries
Some examples of ‘daily carries’

Every Day Carry (EDC) One popular site has the readership submit photos of their EDC. Interesting to see what individuals consider the essentials. Another blog has similar content. A surprising number of folks consider a small pistol to be part of their EDC. As a writer/doodler my first weapon is always a pen. You can’t imagine how dear and hard to find a writing tool is when you need it. And a scrap of paper. So that’s it for me: cell, keys, pen and paper and a small knife to take on tough apples. And a small LED flashlight to push back the darkness.

Gerber Daily Carry shard
Gerber Shard

Years ago Gerber gave a EDC tool, the Shard. I still don’t know what to make of it. It looks a bit like a performing seal. But if I thought I needed a small and medium flat screwdriver and a Philips head driver with pry bar, wire stripper, and bottle opener, I’d carry it. Still on the books for eight bucks. Complete with hole to add to the keychain.

The Gerber Daily Carry line, GDC includes four pocketable tools  the Zip Blade, the Zip Driver, the Zip Hex, and the Zip Light, each going for $12. They are certainly minimal, just enough to get the job done, and they easily unclip from the lanyard to your fob/keychain. The Zip blade only protrudes about 3/4″, just enough to slice our mail open. The Zip light is a coin cell unit with a bright LED, running on CR1616 coin cell, with 8 lumens and a 3.5 hour runtime. The Zip Hex provides hex wrenches, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm. Just the combination to tighten the water bottle holder or the seat post on my commuter bike. The Zip Driver has a large and small flat screwdriver, and a large and small Philips screwdriver.

Gerber Daily Carry keychain plus
Gerber Hook Knife

Another in the line is the GDC Hook Knife. Has a large ring for your finger and slips from its plastic sheath with a tug. Made to cut through seatbelts and such. We found it to be bit small for that task, although it was just about perfect for cutting zip ties.

$12 each

Filed Under: Knives Tagged With: Gerber, multi-tools

March 3, 2014 By Chas Bruce

JOBY Gorilla Torch 100 Flashlight

Joby Gorilla Torch 100 Flashlight
The JOBY Gorilla Torch Flashlight

I can’t say when we’ve had so much fun on a test review. JOBY’s Gorilla series of tripods and now this adaptation to a handy light just look like fun monkeys. The Gear Guys are always looking for better illumination. The Gorilla Torch is one of the handiest we’ve found. The fully articulated legs will wrap around virtually anything. This hands-free LED flashlight fires off a brilliant 100 lumen beam. Now that’s bright! And according to the specs that will run 23 hours on a set of three AA batteries. Swing the dimmer to low and you’ll get 80 hours of runtime.

Joby Gorilla Torch 100 Flashlight with batteries
JOBY Gorilla Torch batteries

And that’s the thing: a dimmer to adjust to just the light you need. Take it  most of the way down, say to about 12 lumens and you’ve got a heck of a reading light, and the legs will wrap around any old branch and the head tilts and turns to just where you want it. We took it took out to the dark parking and lot and found the magnetic legs would hold it to anything. Street lights. The fender of the car. We gripped the legs around the handlebars of the staff commuter bike and made an monkey headlight. Even better we gripped the vents of a bicycle helmet and made it into an alien spider monkey light. Endless fun!. Barrels of laughs! And a handy lighting tool.

Joby Gorilla Torch 100 Flashlight used in car repair
Using the JOBY Gorilla Flashlight in car repair at night

Kind of scrunches to a an 8 1/2 x 3 x 2 inch package weighing 6 1/2 ounces.

$30

Filed Under: Technology Tagged With: flashlight, JOBY, lighting

February 28, 2014 By Chas Bruce

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

Lifestraw
LifeStraw

The retired SEAL next door told me that filter straws were all they carried on missions through the desert. Good enough for me. I thought I would give the LifeStraw a try. My only hesitation is virus elimination. Apparently, not such an issue for us in North America. I would be more cautious if I were in the Afghan desert. The Lifestraw is rated to remove virtually all bacteria and protozoa parasites (more than 99.9 percent) that can contaminate water. The units also do a fine job of reducing any particulate matter in the water.

LifeStraw
LifeStraw in use

First stop was an open pothole in the Utah desert. Clear water, lots of moving organisms. Looked good. I was confident the filter would keep the fauna and silt out of my teeth. I pulled the 2 ounce, 1 inch diameter by 9 inch tube from a side pocket of the pack. Dipped in the edge of the water and sucked. It took a moment and a bit of effort, but once it started I got a fairly good flow of water. A refreshing gulp of neutral tasting water. Then the  procedure is to step back and blow air throw the unit to clear it after drinking.

Lifestraw
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

Next stop: water flowing from a seep near Mr. Grandstaff’s Canyon. This time the LifeStraw was hanging around my neck by the lanyard. Easy to tip into the water once you crouch down. Another intense draw, but once the first flow started I could enjoy the really cool water. The only grumble being without a hose you have to lie down in the rocks at water’s edge to use the LifeStraw. So quit complaining and get a cup.

Good for 1000 liters (264 gallons) of filtered water. They also make a Family LifeStraw with a bucket to draw water and hose to filter 16,000 liters of water, enough to last a family of 5 for three years. In celebration of the U.S. retail launch, both Eartheasy and Green Beetle will donate one LifeStraw® for every ten sold. 

$20

Filed Under: Hydration Tagged With: LifeStraw, water purification

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