The iStraw Emergency Water Filter just might save your butt on your next backpacking trip… literally. The iStraw is a polycarbonate straw fitted with special micro-filtration technology on a membrane that can clean your water and protect you against water borne bacteria and protozoa present in drinking water and ice in many countries.
The iStraw is compact, lightweight and simple to use and if your a worldwide traveller… it’s a must! Unlike water purification tables, the gadget leaves no funky aftertaste while reducing 99.99999% of all water borne bacteria like Giardia and Cryptosporidium and can filter up to 500 liters of water. The iStraw should not be used to filter brackish or turbid water however and does not remove chemical contaminants or viruses contained in the water. With that said, it’s still a compact and perfect utility to carry on worldwide travels to places like Mexico or China.
Suggested Price: $39.99
It’s a great idea for travel- but I just know I wouldn’t look nearly as good drinking out of it as that model in the picture does. I’d probably look more like I was chewing on a magic marker.
And you do NOT want get Giardia.
http://www.cdc.gov/Ncidod/dpd/parasites/giardiasis/factsht_giardia.htm#symptoms