With winter almost upon us, many people will be tempted to get cosy and hole up at home. But with so many beautiful seasonal delights to explore, getting out there, and enjoying an autumn or winter adventure is a must.

These adventures can take you to the most fantastic places, regardless of the weather. By packing just a few simple supplies, lovers of the great outdoors can be prepared for everything.

Wherever you plan to visit and whatever the length of your trip, one thing you’ll need is water. Staying hydrated is integral to not just enjoyment –  but survival, and chances are you don’t want to be burdened by the weight of bottled water on your excursion.

Learning how to use water in the wild is a long life skill that will serve you and your thirst for exploration well. That’s why we’re here to share the water survival tips every outdoor adventurer should know.

Find a quality resource

So, water supplies are running low, where do you begin when finding a quality water resource that’s suitable for treatment and then consumption?

As a general of thumb, flowing or moving water is your best bet. The flowing nature of the water means bacteria doesn’t get the chance to fester. Small streams are preferable, while rivers, lakes, and ponds are also acceptable if the water treatment you intend to use is up to scratch.

Rainwater is your safest option but collecting it can take some creative thinking. Here The Art of Manliness reveals the most commonly used rainwater collection methods:

“There are two primary methods of collecting rainwater. The first is to use any and all containers you might have on you. The second is to tie the corners of a poncho or tarp around trees a few feet off the ground, place a small rock in the center to create a depression, and let the water collect.

You can combine these methods and make your containers more effective by tying the poncho or tarp to funnel into your bottle or pot or whatever you have (as long as it doesn’t overflow and waste water!).”

Water can be collected from morning dew, fruits and other vegetation, plant transpiration, rock crevices, and underground stills.

Purify your wild water

Thanks to the latest technology, you don’t have to hit pause on your excursion to light a fire, boil your wild water and wait for it to cool before drinking up. You can now filter water on the go with sophisticated reusable water bottle technology.

These compact, portable water filtration options are already favourites amongst outdoor adventurers. Models like the Grayl GEOPRESS™ Water Purifier and LifeStraw Go water filter bottle make the dirtiest water clean, purified and drinkable in a matter of seconds!

With just one gadget you can filter any wild water and protect yourself against bacteria, parasites, microplastics, chlorine, organic chemical matter, dirt, sand, and cloudiness while enjoying an enhanced taste.

In addition to being quicker than boiling and distillation, filtered water bottles are easier to use than survival straws. With a filtered water bottle, water is stored and filtered as and when you need it.

There’s no messing about with disinfection tablets and UV light devices either, you simply fill up and drink.

Find more hydration tips for outdoor adventurers and prepare thoroughly for your autumn or winter excursion.