MSR Lightning

Stoves are categorized by fuel type

• Canister: Screws onto canisters of isobutane or propane; easy to use and low maintenance but the fuel canisters aren't refillable

• Liquid fuel: Connects to refillable fuel bottles and burns fuels like white gas, kerosene and unleaded gas; works well in cold weather and at high elevation but requires priming

• Wood: Burns sticks and twigs and other wood; fire bans may limit use

Key features

• Integrated canister systems: Burner pairs with a fuel canister and integrated cooking pot
• Auto ignition: Push-button spark igniter (often on canister stoves) makes lighting easy
• Ultralight: Lightweight designs reduce pack weight

What capacity tent do you need?  

• How many are in your group? Tents vary in size from 2- to 8-person. 
• Assume a close fit for the number of people your tent is designed to accommodate. If you need more space for dogs and gear, size up. 

Choose the seasonality 

• 3-season tents are great shelters for most of the year. They have ample mesh for good airflow and can withstand basic downpours. 
• 3+- season tents are a little sturdier, and with less mesh, and are warmer than their 3-season cousins. 
• 4-season tents are engineered to handle high winds and other severe weather. This can make them stuffy in warm weather. 

Decide on key features 

• Peak height: Look for a taller peak height if you want to stand up in the tent.  
• Floor length: Can you fully lie down if you’re tall? Will it fit your cot or air mattress? 
• Doors: If multiple people are sleeping in the tent, you might want more than one door for more convenient access. 

Filter vs. Purifier

• Filters: Remove protozoa (Cryptosporidium, Giardia) and bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella)—main concerns in the U.S. and Canada. 
• Purifiers: Also combat viruses such as hepatitis A, rotavirus and norovirus.  

Filter Types 

• Straw: Light, easy to use. Only works at water source. 
• Bottle: Lightweight, quick, affordable. Water volume limited by bottle size. 
• Gravity: Easy to use, handles large quantities of water, has a replaceable element.
• Pump: Precise, works in shallow water, has a replaceable filter. Bulky.
• Ultraviolet light: Fast, no filter to replace. Requires batteries and prefiltering for cloudy water. 
• Squeeze: Compact and affordable. Water quantity limited by reservoir size. 
• Chemical: Inexpensive, ultralight backup method. Long wait time, doesn't taste great.