Saddlebag Supplies may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. This doesn't change your price. Brands are examples we found and priced on Oct 25, 2026, not endorsements, and prices change. REI and Sportsman's Warehouse picks link to the product page here; Amazon and Walmart picks are linked on the 72-Hour Kit Shelf.
Canteen, about 1 qt (refillable)
A bottle you can carry and refill from your stored water.
72-hour kit: Trail-Ready · Fully Loaded
How to use it: How to Use a Squeeze Water Filter
ShoestringRothco G.I. style 1-qt plastic canteen~$11.99 · AmazonPlastic; do not put on a flame.
Trail-TestedNalgene 32 oz wide-mouth bottle~$14.99 · AmazonPlastic; do not put on a flame.
Top ShelfKlean Kanteen Classic single-wall stainless bottle, loop cap~$31.95 · AmazonSingle-wall steel, no paint inside; check the maker's page before heating.
Drinking water, 1-gallon jugs
1 gallon per person per day: drinking plus cleanup. Freeze-dried pouches take about 1 to 2 cups each from this.
72-hour kit: Starter (×3) · Trail-Ready (×3) · Fully Loaded (×2)
How to use it: Basic Wound Care: Cleaning and Bandaging Small Cuts and Scrapes · Burns: Basic First Aid and When It's an Emergency · Packing a Kids' Go-Bag (Including Infants) · Smoke Days at Home: AQI, a Cleaner-Air Room, and Daily Habits · Storing and Rotating Your Water Supply · Using Your Winter Car Kit (and What to Do If You're Stranded)
Shoestring Tap water in clean, rinsed jugs you already ownFree · At homeFree; rotate every 6 months.
Trail-TestedCrystal Geyser Alpine Spring Water, 1 gal jug~$1.56 · Walmart
Top ShelfMayday Emergency Water pouches, 125 ml, 100-pack (5-yr shelf life)~$49.20 (3.3 per pack) · Amazon100 x 125 ml = about 3.3 gal.
Squeeze-type water filter with 2L pouch
Refills your bottle from water you're unsure of.
72-hour kit: Fully Loaded
How to use it: How to Use a Squeeze Water Filter
ShoestringSawyer MINI water filtration system SP128~$28.99 · Amazon16-oz pouch; add a 2 L bottle.
Trail-TestedSawyer Squeeze SP129 with two 32-oz pouches~$45.95 · Amazon
Top ShelfKatadyn BeFree Gravity 3 L water filter~$79.95 · Amazon
Squeeze-type water filter, 1L pouch
Makes questionable water safe to drink.
72-hour kit: Trail-Ready
How to use it: How to Use a Squeeze Water Filter
ShoestringLifeStraw Personal water filter~$17.95 · AmazonStraw only; no pouch.
Trail-TestedSawyer MINI water filtration system SP128~$28.99 · Amazon
Top ShelfKatadyn BeFree 1.0 L filter bottle~$42.95 · Amazon
Stackable water container, 5 gal (fill from tap)
Holds your 3 gallons with room to spare.
72-hour kit: Fully Loaded
How to use it: Storing and Rotating Your Water Supply
ShoestringOzark Trail 5-gal collapsible water container~$16.96 · Walmart
Trail-TestedReliance Aqua-Tainer 7 gal rigid water container~$39.76 check size · Walmart Top ShelfScepter military-style 5-gal water container~$57.99 · Amazon
Unscented household bleach, small bottle
Backup water treatment. Follow EPA label directions.
72-hour kit: Starter · Trail-Ready · Fully Loaded
How to use it: Making Water Safe: Boiling, Bleach, and Purification Tablets · Storing and Rotating Your Water Supply
ShoestringGreat Value Bleach, 81 fl oz~$4.88 · WalmartBigger bottle. Use it for water only if the label gives drinking-water directions.
Trail-TestedClorox Disinfecting Liquid Bleach, Regular, 43 fl oz~$3.98 · WalmartCheck the label for EPA drinking-water directions.
Top ShelfClorox Disinfecting Liquid Bleach, Regular, 43 fl oz~$3.98 · WalmartSame as Trail-Tested: there's no meaningful premium bleach.
Water purification tablets
Backup treatment when tap water isn't safe. Follow the label and wait the full time it gives.
72-hour kit: Starter · Trail-Ready · Fully Loaded
How to use it: How to Use a Squeeze Water Filter · Making Water Safe: Boiling, Bleach, and Purification Tablets
ShoestringPotable Aqua iodine tablets with PA Plus, 2 x 50~$8.97 · AmazonIodine taste; PA Plus neutralizes.
Trail-TestedAquatabs water purification tablets, 30-pack~$11.99 · Amazon
Top ShelfKatadyn Micropur purification tablets, 30-pack~$17.95 · REIChlorine dioxide; no iodine taste. Sold at REI.Shop REI ↗ Collapsible water container, about 5 L
Keeps cooking water separate from drinking water.
Role add-on: Cookie (Cook)
How to use it: Fire Starting with a Ferro Rod and Stormproof Matches · How to Use a Squeeze Water Filter · Storing and Rotating Your Water Supply
ShoestringReliance Fold-A-Carrier 5 gal~$16.72 · WalmartLarger than 5 L.
Trail-TestedPlatypus Platy 2 L collapsible bottles, 2 (4 L)~$25.98 · AmazonTwo bottles = 4 L.
Top ShelfSea to Summit Watercell X~$38.46 check size · AmazonSize options vary. Water preserver concentrate (for self-filled storage)
For water you store yourself in clean, food-grade containers. Follow the label. Without it, replace self-filled water every 6 months (Ready.gov).
Role add-on: Cookie (Cook)
How to use it: Storing and Rotating Your Water Supply
ShoestringWater Preserver concentrate, treats 55 gal (5-year)~$18.94 · AmazonFollow the label; use with clean, food-grade containers.
Trail-TestedWater Preserver concentrate, treats 55 gal (5-year)~$18.94 · AmazonSame as Shoestring.
Top ShelfWater Preserver concentrate, 2-pack (55 gal each)~$35.00 (2 per pack) · Amazon
