Whether you’re safeguarding against dehydration on a long bike ride off the beaten track or prepping for the apocalypse, a small portable water purification system is a useful bit of kit.
A Camelbak/LifeStraw collaboration has given birth to a clever 1-litre bottle designed to harvest and purify water from lakes and rivers by filtering out bacteria, parasites, and microplastics, as well as reducing lead, chlorine and other unwanted chemicals.
Cycle touring in the UK was at its most popular in the 1950s, but a renewed interest in camping over the last few years has seen the pursuit rebranded as ‘bikepacking’ as a new generation look to holiday by bike. And while most won’t venture too far from civilisation, why not hedge your bets with a bidon that can purify water in an emergency?
For every 500 products LifeStraw sells, the company donates a commercial purifier to a school in need which provides safe water to 100 school children for five years.
Win your own portable water filtration system
We have a Camelbak Eddy water bottle equipped with a LifeStraw purification system to give away. To be in with a chance of winning it, simply leave a comment below.
The ethical choice
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.
The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.
Joel
Looks a useful bit of kit
Iain
That will be well used
Mags
Great for wild camping, on foot or by bike
Gary
I am soooo thirsty right now!
Les Gunbie
River deep, mountain high 🙂
SP
Definitely needed in this weather! Fingers crossed.
JohnB
I’d love to have one of these!
Sam
Such a good idea and product.
Tim
Could it even make the trent Mersey canal drinkable?
John Reed
What a brilliant device. A real win win for everyone. The manufacturer makes money, school pupils get safe drinking water and one fortunate ETA cyclist gets one free. A triple win win. So yes please, ETA, I would love one for my next ride. Thank you. 🧡🧡
Moragh
Would love one of these & if I don’t win I will probably buy one.
Kate
What a great idea.
Pete G
What a great way to ensure correct hydration when you are out and about in the wilds.
Steve Carden
Looks great for Dartmoor adventures
Peter Chisnall
How refreshing!
Anthony
Clearly a clever bit of kit
Jenny C
What a great idea!
Olly
I have been doing this raffles for years and never win. This is the last straw (that I will ever need)
Esther
Pure genius
Yousaf Mirza
An excellent bit of kit for a thirsty adventurer!
John Darby
My wife and I do a lot of cycle touring – this would be a very useful bit if kit and would save waiting for a campsite kitchen or a friendly cafe to fill up!
James
Looks a great item for the heat outdoors
Chris
Good bit of kit
Chris
A brilliant idea with so many waterborne nasties.
Richard
And if I don’t win there are always iodine tablets
Jonathan Hunt
Well this would get a good test in the UK waters these days! I’d be willing to try.
Torun
Camel Straw purifier. Can it be used at Christenings..?
Colin
handy bit of kit in these polluted times
Jim W
Great for when cycling off the beaten track and away from a handy tap!
Kevin
Perfect bit of kit
Karl Wallendszus
This looks useful for long hikes, not just bike rides. Excellent.
Bazza
Cool clear water on the go. Great idea.
Vinnie
This would be very useful for me as I live near the rivers Aire, Worth and Wharfe. “The River Aire [being] polluted by sewage 3,571 times in 2022 – lasting 13,810 hours.”
“River Wharfe polluted by sewage 1,687 times in 2022 – lasting 10,798 hours.”
“River Worth polluted by sewage 294 times in 2022 – lasting 742 hours.”
Source : https://top-of-the-poops.org/waterway/yorkshire-water/river-worth
Jennie Parsons
The end of ‘range anxiety’ for your next water stop! So useful.
David frith
Looks a cracking idea would be handy on long journeys by bike or running
Judith Rout
What a great idea. Sounds rather like the kit used by Oxfam etc in emergencies
Lloyd Pope
Yes, please. 🤞
Raf
This would be great for our upcoming adventures in Costa Rica!
Bryn Gwyndaf Jones
How useful !!!
David
I was contemplating the options – I’ve used sterilising tablets in the past, but this solution should make better tasting water, especially up here in the Scottish Highlands.
Phil
Ex straw dinary
Mark Popplewell
Can’t make decent tea on the go unless I have decent water
Peter Clark
Wasn’t even aware these were a thing but now I know I kind of want one!
matthew newell
definitely what I need – although I can run out of water pretty much anywhere
Darren C
Clearly a good idea!😁🚴
Damian Connaughton
Would love one of these for wild camping!
wesley
This would be very reassuring when thirsty in remote locations.
Steve
Pure pour pour moi!
imogen
looks amazing!
james
suck it and see
CraigSA
Fantastic for bike tours off the beaten track!
KathyC
The Bidon cycling water bottle is a great idea. So important to have safe and healthy water.
Chris Bromwich
This looks interesting, never thought of having one of these but now I think I need one!
Dave
Lovely stuff
Sarah
Very useful piece of equipment
Iain
Could definitely use one of these for trips into the hills
Inge
Cheers to that!
Colin W
The water purifier is an exquisite design, I would love to own one.
Anita Brayford
Great for peace of mind when it’s necessary to use less conventional water sources.