Water

Water for 72 Hours: Carry vs. Filter

Water is the heaviest thing in any emergency kit. Here's how to balance what you carry with your ability to get more.

Water bottles and a compact water filter side by side

Two liters of water weighs about 4.4 pounds. A three-day supply for one adult — a minimum of 6 liters — weighs over 13 pounds. In a go-bag, that's most of your weight budget.

The solution is to carry a baseline supply (2–3 liters) and supplement it with a lightweight filter that lets you get water from almost any fresh source.

Next StepsUse the related guides below to keep building. Download the free checklist pack for printable reference.