Each week the BDN Maine Outdoors team takes a look at different gear you might need for your next outdoor adventure. For this week’s Gear Bag, we looked at different water bottles and water purifiers.
What is it? Water bottles and water purifiers are health essentials that Matt Bishop, hard goods buyer at Epic Sports in Bangor, recommends carrying.
Why do I need it? Hydration not only is important during physical activity such as hiking, biking and working out, but for general well-being. Having a water bottle handy helps ensure you are drinking the recommended daily amount of H2O and keeping your energy levels up. In addition to a water bottle, a portable, lightweight water purifier is helpful if you are out in the wilderness, or in a natural disaster, where access to clean water is limited. This tool helps prevent the contracting of water-borne illnesses, which are not pleasant. By filling up a little bag with water and forcing it through the nozzle, you will be provided with endless fresh water — well, at least until the filter needs to be changed.
How much does it cost? Water bottles can range from $5 for a Nalgene plastic bottle to $20 for an insulated bottle that will keep your beverage cold or hot longer. Water purifiers start around $25 and go up from there depending on if you want a filter that is for groups of people or just you.
Where do I find it? These are available locally, at Epic Sports in downtown Bangor, Cadillac Mountain Sports and other sporting goods stores pretty much everywhere.
