Lifestraw water filter system

In my bug out bag, I have two Sport Berkey water bottles, these work great and besides filtering out waterborne pathogenic bacteria and heavy metals the bottles do double duty as a canteen of sorts. But, with clean water being second in importance only to oxygen for survival, I’ve been looking to add yet another water filtration system to my bug out bag.
For utility, I’ve divided my bug out bag into two separate bags, a full-sized backpack being the main bag and a smaller pack (US PeaceKeeper Rapid Deployment Pack) for essential items, you know the stuff you can not live without.
With the two bag system, it is easy to hide the larger bag, or leave it at camp while still allowing me to have those “must have survival items” on my person at all times without having to carry the weight and bulk of the full-sized bag.
But, while the Berkey bottles are great for a full-sized bug out bag they take up to much space in the smaller bag, so I’ve added the LifeStraw water filter system to my kit.
According to my research the LifeStraw removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria, 99.9% waterborne protozoan parasites, and will filter approximately 264 gallons of water.
When I received the LifeStraw in the mail, the first thing I noticed when I opened the package was its weight, or lack of it. At 9 inches long with a 1 inch width, it weighs about as much as a pack of cigarettes, but instead of killing you with toxins the LifeStraw could save your life by eliminating them.
When using the LifeStraw for the first time, it takes a bit of work to get the water flowing up through the filter but once you get the water moving through the straw it is easy to keep it going and to continue drinking. I could not detect any difference in taste (I used clean water for the test) when using the filter than when drinking straight from the cup.
My only complaints are that I would have liked to have had color options when purchasing, a nice olive drab would have been nice. But overall, I think the LifeStraw will be a great addition to my bug out bag and at a price of only $19.95, I think I’ll buy anther one for my car kit…