We tell every hiker to carry two ways to treat water, and water-purification tablets are the lightest, cheapest insurance you can add to any kit. Potable Aqua with PA Plus is the classic: a tiny two-bottle set that treats water when your filter clogs, freezes, or gets left at home.

If we could put one water-treatment tool in every day pack, it would be the Sawyer Squeeze. It is light, simple, needs no batteries or wait time, and filters as you drink. For most North American backcountry travel, it is close to the perfect balance of weight, reliability, and cost.

An insulated stainless bottle that keeps water cold for a day or from freezing in winter, with pure taste and no leaks. Our field review of the Hydro Flask 32 oz Wide-Mouth.