Rigid jerrycans for the bulk, and know what they weigh.
Water is a litre per kilogram, which makes it the heaviest thing you carry and the figure most trip planning forgets. A 10 litre container is 10 kg, and dried food only saves weight when water is free – see the arithmetic on the rehydration page.
Rigid containers for the main store, because collapsible ones fail at the seams and always at the worst moment. Food-grade, with a tap if it is going to live in one place.
Read before using this
Chlorine dioxide tablets
Chlorine dioxide, not ordinary chlorine. The distinction is the point.
Collapsible water carrier
For refills, not for the main store.
Gravity water filter
Filters while you do something else, which suits a base camp or a kitchen tap.
Water filter
Check the absolute pore size, not the marketing.
Water storage barrel
For the household case, where the question is days rather than litres carried.
Last reviewed 16 September 2026. Specifications and availability change and we do not track them, so check the listing against what is described here.