Planning to book that trip to Laos’s Houaphan province you saw in our feature? Don’t let a swig of tainted water ruin the journey. Steripen, which pioneered the use of ultraviolet light in portable water purifiers, has created the ultimate drinking companion for travelers. The ¹ú²ú³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏr weighs less than four ounces and, with the push of a button, neutralizes the viruses, bacteria, and protozoa that cause trip enders like dysentery and hepatitis. Its UV bulb purifies a liter of water in less than two minutes without altering taste or temperature. Two rechargeable lithium batteries will treat about 50 liters, and with the solar recharger case ($50; sold separately), you’ll never get stuck looking for a battery store in Uzbekistan. $129;
Impulse buy
Put a soft shell on your head with Outdoor Research’s water-resistant, breathable halcyon Sombrero. $34;