I like the idea of a metal water bottle kit. I wish I could see how the split rings are attached, as that is a nice improvement if the bottle were to be used for emergency boiling over a fire. Are they wired on?

I have looked at those cheap pre-filled kits sold in a plastic water bottle and concluded that they were not worth carrying. A stainless steel bottle in which you could boil water and cook food and a kit designed for the regional needs of the user is a great idea.

I came to a better understanding of the reasons that opinions differ so much on what should be carried as I walked around the deserts near Moab, Utah this summer. Most of the things that I believe to be critical to carry in the lake and river filled boreal forest were not so important there, and other things took on a new importance for me. I don't want to hijack the thread by getting into that here.

My 'survival' kits are getting smaller, as I concede the difference between what I really need to 'survive', and what I would like to have with me for 'comfort'. I have been working on a 'core' kit that will travel from pack to bike to hunting coat. Additional gear would be added for seasonal/regional/activity differences.