Fourth of July Essentials: Freedom-Seeking Favorites

Going where you want to go is an honor and privilege.  At Active Junky, we’re out to cut you loose to find amazing places.  And these products help make it happen.

UCO Titan Stormproof Match Kit:  Blazing goodness

UCO Titan Stormproof Match Kit

When all else fails, get back to basics.  That means strike-to-light matches, but keeping them dry never gets easy.  Enter Titan from UCO, a line of products Active Junky first tried while trekking Chile’s volcanoes.  Ready to erupt with 25 seconds of controlled flame, the matches come packed in a dozen with three strikers.  The waterproof case alone is worth carrying, with a brightly-colored nylon cord to grab, strap or clip.  If you’ve never been in a tough spot, you’ve got to buy this Kit.  Been on the brink of hypothermia – or over it?  You know what we’re talking about.  Time to be a hero in advance for under $10.

Best For: Domestic and international adventure travel, day hiking emergency preparedness

Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System 0.6L:  Wiser wandering

Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System 0.6L

Active Junky absolutely loves the brand’s “Find Your Filter” approach to water purification.  For most applications, this pocket-sized flask takes the prize to save the day.  Testers applauded the EZ-Clean membrane that takes a dunk, swirl and shake in clean water to reboot for the next questionable water source.  While this model doesn’t provide generous water supplies for meal prep, it handles personal hydration with an easy, elegant, and collapsible system. The 43mm mouth is more useful than many competitive models to fill from shallow or trickling water sources.  Flow rate is solid with up to 1,000 liters of life-giving gulps before replacement. For under $40, there’s an ocean full of science and innovation going on here.  

Best For: Adventure and international travel, back-up on day hikes

Survival Straps Rapid Deployment Bracelet: Ready and steady

Few pieces of gear are so vital and simple they nearly disappear.  Until it’s go time.  This is one of them as the bracelet unravels on demand – in five seconds or less.  Reeling out 550 test military spec paracord, Survival Straps upgrades your cordage to what it used to rig military parachutes.  Depending upon the size, up to 15’ of line can secure equipment, lash a shelter together, shore up a split, keep a tarp from blowing away or even stop arterial bleeding.   Active Junky stands by the stainless steel, marine-grade shackle that’s a useful piece of hardware in its own right.  Use it in an emergency and get a new one from the company simply for telling your story.  The real deal.  Straight up.

Best For: Backcountry and international travel, gift-giving to adventurous friends and family member

Check out the Survival Straps Rapid Deployment Bracelet >