LifeSaver improves an age-old off-roading staple — the jerrycan — with modern filtration technology. We tested it over a hot Texas summer of dirt roads and daily adventures to see if it really offers the peace of mind it advertises.
One of the big hurdles in remote overlanding is securing a potable water supply. Of course, the more remote the objective, the more complicated this becomes. Carrying large amounts of drinking water requires space and weighs the vehicle down, negatively affecting handling and mileage.
But filtering or purifying large quantities of water with typical backpacking filters can be tedious and time-consuming.
Enter the LifeSaver Jerrycan — a self-contained solution that is well-suited for overlanding use. This 5-gallon water jug uses a hollow-fiber membrane filter, a carbon cartridge, and a pressure pump to store, filter, and purify a large volume of water.
So far, the Jerrycan has been a permanent fixture in the bed of my truck for 3 months. It provided clean water for a summer of outdoor pursuits.
LifeSaver Jerrycan: 5-Gallon Water Filter
The Jerrycan uses a standard-looking, 5-gallon, BPA- and BPS-free, plastic, very rigid and robust jug for water storage. A large filler cap houses an air-pressure pump. A smaller drain cap holds a 15 x 1.5-inch-diameter hollow-fiber membrane filter and activated carbon cartridge.
LifeSaver offers the Jerrycan in two versions: one rated to filter 2,642 gallons ($190) and another rated to 5,283 gallons ($230).
Both the hollow-fiber membrane filter and activated carbon cartridge are replaceable. The 2,642-gallon replacement filter costs $76, and the 5,283-gallon replacement costs $90. LifeSaver rates the replacement carbon cartridges to 660 gallons. It sells packs of five for $25.
The Jerrycan is an NSF-certified water purifier, removing both bacteria and viruses. And the activated carbon removes chlorine, tastes, and odors. It also passes the P248 Military Operations testing protocol for Microbiological Water Filters.