Chicago Tribune: The best water filter straw

Carrying water bottles or a hydration pack quickly gets to be a burden when engaged in an outdoor activity such as hiking. Fortunately, in many situations, you don't need to bring water with you because it's already available in abundance wherever you go.

Before drinking, however, water must be filtered so it's safe. A water filter straw is all you need to drink directly from a freshwater lake or stream. Our top choice is Sawyer Products' MINI Water Filtration System because of its superior filtering capabilities and its versatility. To learn more about this model or the features to look for in other water filter straws, keep reading.

Read the full review from Allen Foster on the Chicago Tribune's website here.