Gear
Gear advisor
Objective criteria for choosing gear. Product recommendations are added only once reviewed and once partner links can be transparently labelled.
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Water filters and disinfection
Filters hold back pathogens mechanically; disinfection inactivates them. Which method is enough depends on which pathogen groups are likely to be present – and on what the specific method has been shown to do.
What matters
Pore size and pathogen groups
What matters is which pathogen groups a filter has been shown to retain: protozoa (e.g. Giardia, Cryptosporidium), bacteria and viruses. Viruses are much smaller than bacteria. Many outdoor microfilters retain protozoa and bacteria but not viruses reliably. A pore size figure alone says little; what counts is the tested removal per pathogen group.
Viruses: add disinfection
Where contamination with human faeces is possible – downstream of settlements, after floods, or when travelling in regions with unsafe water supply – a filter without proven virus removal should be combined with disinfection (boiling, suitable chemical disinfection, or UV in clear water).
Chemical disinfection: contact time and limits
Effectiveness depends on dose, contact time, water temperature and turbidity; cold or cloudy water needs longer or pre-treatment. Cryptosporidium is highly resistant to chlorine. Follow the manufacturer's dose and waiting time exactly and check the expiry date.
Freezing can damage filters invisibly
In hollow-fibre and membrane filters, freezing residual water can damage the fibres without visible signs. Many manufacturers therefore advise keeping the filter from freezing (e.g. close to the body at night) and no longer treating a possibly frozen filter as reliable. Check the specific manufacturer guidance.
Flow rate, clogging and care
Cloudy water clogs filters quickly. Pre-filtering through cloth or letting sediment settle extends filter life. Check whether the filter can be backflushed, how end of life is indicated, and whether an integrity test is possible.
What filters do not remove
Mechanical filters remove neither salt nor dissolved chemicals such as heavy metals, pesticides or fuels. Activated carbon can reduce taste, odour and some substances; scope and capacity depend on the product and are limited.
Limits
- No filter or disinfection makes chemically contaminated water or seawater drinkable.
- Boiling remains the simplest method against all pathogen groups when fuel is available.
Questions to check against manufacturer claims
- For which pathogen groups (protozoa, bacteria, viruses) are test results available – and at what log reduction?
- Which test protocol or standard was used, and did an independent laboratory test it?
- Does a claim like “99.99%” refer to one pathogen group or all of them?
- For what volume of water does the stated lifetime apply, and under which conditions?
Background in the knowledge base
Sources
- World Health Organization: Guidelines for drinking-water quality, fourth edition incorporating the first and second addenda (2022)
- World Health Organization: Results of Round I of the WHO International Scheme to Evaluate Household Water Treatment Technologies (2016)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel – Water Disinfection
- United States Environmental Protection Agency: Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water
Tarp
A tarp is a waterproof sheet with tie-out points. How well it protects depends more on size, pitch and tensioning than on the material alone.
What matters
Size relative to use
The area has to cover body length, gear and driving rain. Small tarps are light but allow fewer pitches and protect less in wind. Note the dimensions after hemming.
Tie-outs and reinforcement
The number and position of tie-outs determine which pitches are possible. Points on edges and in the panel should be reinforced, because that is where wind loads concentrate.
Material and stretch
Silicone-coated nylon stretches when wet and cold and needs re-tensioning; polyester stretches less. PU coatings are usually heavier and can age. Laminates of high-performance fibres are very light but expensive and pack less compactly.
Hydrostatic head and seams
Hydrostatic head figures are only comparable when the same test method was used. Seams – especially a centre seam – must be sealed or taped, otherwise that is where water drips first.
Distance from fire
Synthetic tarps melt from sparks and radiant heat. Question “flame-retardant” claims against the specific test standard; adequate distance remains necessary.
Limits
- A tarp does not replace insulation from ground cold.
- Strong wind and snow load overwhelm many lightweight pitches.
Questions to check against manufacturer claims
- Which method was used to measure hydrostatic head?
- Are dimensions given before or after hemming?
- Are seams sealed from the factory?
Background in the knowledge base
Sources
No sources have been assigned to this category yet. The criteria will be referenced before approval.
Sleeping pad
The ground draws heat from the body by conduction. A sleeping bag is compressed under the body and insulates little there – the pad does that job.
What matters
R-value (thermal resistance)
R-value describes insulation; higher means better insulated. Values are only comparable across manufacturers when measured with the same standardised test method – look for the stated standard. Snow and frozen ground need considerably higher values than summer use.
Type: foam, self-inflating, air
Closed-cell foam pads are robust and cannot deflate, but they are bulky. Air pads are compact and often thicker but can lose their insulation through a puncture – carry a repair kit. Self-inflating pads sit in between.
Combining
A thin foam pad under an air pad protects against punctures and serves as a backup. Whether values simply add up depends on the test method; it is often stated as a rough guide.
Moisture when inflating
Breath adds moisture to the pad, which can freeze in cold conditions and reduce insulation. Many manufacturers recommend a pump sack.
Length, width and noise
The pad should fully support shoulders and hips. Some air pads rustle audibly; this is subjective and can be tried before buying.
Limits
- No pad replaces dry clothing and a sheltered spot.
Questions to check against manufacturer claims
- Under which standard was the R-value determined?
- Is a temperature figure a test value or a manufacturer recommendation?
Background in the knowledge base
Sources
No sources have been assigned to this category yet. The criteria will be referenced before approval.
Rope and cord
For guylines, ridgelines and securing loads. Life-safety uses have their own standards and require qualified training – this category does not cover them.
What matters
Fibre material
Polyester stretches little and is comparatively UV-resistant. Polyamide (nylon) stretches more and loses strength when wet. Polypropylene floats but has poor UV and abrasion resistance and holds knots less well. Natural fibres can rot when stored damp.
Breaking strength is not working load
Stated breaking strengths refer to new material under laboratory conditions. Knots, edges, age, UV and moisture reduce actual strength considerably. The safe working load is far lower.
Construction and handling
Kernmantle constructions are more abrasion-resistant and knot well; laid ropes can be spliced. Very slick cord holds some knots poorly – adapt the knot choice.
Question the labels
Trade names such as “paracord” say little about construction and strength; quality varies widely. Look for concrete figures on material, diameter and tested breaking strength.
Limits
- Not for life-safety uses such as climbing, abseiling or rescue. These have their own standards for dynamic and low-stretch ropes and require training.
Questions to check against manufacturer claims
- Is the breaking strength measured or estimated – and does it apply with or without knots?
- What are the sheath and core made of?
Background in the knowledge base
Sources
No sources have been assigned to this category yet. The criteria will be referenced before approval.