This may have been one of the last minute summers in recent years, with snow and rain hammering much of the country up until the summer solstice. Slowly but surely, the mountains are thawing and if you’re like me, you’re eager to get out into the backcountry on long rides or camp trips.
We’ve reviewed a number of water filters in recent years, but the Lifesaver Wayfarer is probably one of the most unique we’ve seen in a while. It’s a little bit bigger than a 12oz can, so it’s not the most practical or portable pump out there compared to something like this soft-sided Lifestraw filter and bottle, but it leans toward being a portable filter that can pump and fill a lot of pure water into bottles or reservoirs. Lifesaver says it’s their smallest, lightest water purification system yet.
Lifesaver Wayfarer specs
The Wayfarer weighs 11.4oz or 323g. The filter uses an Ultrafiltration Cartridge to remove 99.9999% of bacteria, viruses, and cysts and it will purify up to 1,320 gallons as a unit. The included carbon discs need to be replaced after 100L however. These cost about $27 for a 3-pack. Lifesaver uses these to reduce chemicals and metals like chlorine, lead, nickel, and cadmium, while improving the taste.
Lifesaver says that when the pump reaches its life expectancy, the membranes will block water from flowing, thus letting users know it’s time for a new one.
Lastly, the suggested retail price for the Wayfarer is $105. This includes the pump, hoses, included carbon disc, and a travel pouch.
On the water
The Wayfarer is a fairly straightforward device to use. There are two hoses, as stated, and the filter end has the bulb attachment at the end, signaling that it’s the dirty one. It’s also a darker hose than the exit hose. It’s a simple way think about it: dark hose=dirty, clear hose=clean.
The ports on the filter are marked “in” and “out” also. Other than that, you basically put one hose in the water source, the other in a reservoir, and start pumping.
On my first few pumps, the water exiting the filter was charcoal-tinted. It threw me off at first, but I poured the first bottle out and pumped another one and we were in the clear. I asked Lifesaver about this and they said it is dust from the carbon filter, which is completely normal and harmless.
The intake hose and bulb sort of floats on top of the water while pumping. It doesn’t take a lot of force to start bringing water in, but there is some effort involved. I’d say filling up a standard bike water bottle took me about 15-30 seconds.
The hardest part is getting everything to stay put and finding a stable place to stabilize the parts while you’re filtering. I placed the filter between my feet and the bottle off to the side of it while I used both hands to pump.
It’s hard to say if this will be a big hit with mountain bikers. I prefer smaller, lighter filters for backcountry day trips, but if you’re on an extended bikepacking trip and need a sturdy system, this could be a great option if you don’t mind the weight.
The taste will of course depend on the water source. From our neighborhood drainage creek, it tasted like filtered water, but if you find yourself up by a mountain creek or alpine lake…well that’s the good stuff I always look forward to filtering and drinking lots of.
Pros and cons of the Lifesaver Wayfarer water purifier
Pros
- Good flow rate for filling multiple bottles compared to some squeeze and drip filters
- Long hoses make it easier to get into tricky water spots
- Decent price for a solid filter
Cons
- Can be difficult to balance the filter and pump (easier with a second person)
- Heavy and bulky for some types of ventures
Closing thoughts
While the size and weight may be bulky for many mountain bikers, the Lifesaver Wayfarer makes it easy to pump and filter large quantities of tainted water to stay safe in the backcountry.
- Price: $105
- Buy from REI.
