by J. A. Tiscareno

June 22, 2025

The best emergency water storage containers should do more than just sit in your garage waiting for a disaster—they should travel with you, adapt to your adventures, and offer reliability whether you’re hitting the road, camping off-grid, or prepping for emergencies. That’s exactly what the Sagan Life AquaBrick Food and Water Storage Container – 4 Pack delivers. Compact yet spacious, stackable yet rugged, AquaBricks are the go-to solution for mobile, versatile storage of food and water.

These multi-functional containers are also key components in the AquaBrick Water Purification System product line, which has become a trusted name in outdoor survival and disaster preparedness. Whether you’re packing up the family SUV for a weekend getaway or outfitting your bug-out vehicle for long-term off-grid travel, understanding how to transport AquaBricks safely and efficiently is essential.

In this blog, we’ll dive deep into smart travel practices, storage tips, safety hacks, and everything you need to know about maximizing these powerful containers for both daily adventures and life’s unpredictable turns.

Why AquaBricks Are Ideal for Travel

Let’s start with what makes the AquaBrick system a traveler’s best friend. Designed with both strength and flexibility in mind, each AquaBrick holds up to 3 gallons of water or 20 pounds of food. The rugged polyethylene construction is BPA-free and food-safe, ensuring you’re storing water and food in clean, contaminant-free conditions. These are truly food safe water storage containers made for mobility.

Here’s what sets AquaBricks apart:

• Portability: Lightweight when empty and featuring built-in handles for easy transport.
• Stackability: Designed to interlock when stacked, preventing shifting during transit.
• Durability: Crush-resistant, leakproof, and tested to endure rugged use.
• Versatility: Suitable for both long term food and water storage and quick deployment in emergency scenarios.

Unlike traditional five-gallon water jugs or bulky totes that tip or crack easily, AquaBricks were built to move. Whether tucked into a camper’s under-bed storage or strapped onto an ATV, they travel like a pro.

Packing Smart: Vehicle Storage Tips

One of the most common uses for the AquaBrick 4-pack is in road-based travel—whether it’s a short trip or a cross-country survival adventure. Efficient vehicle packing not only saves space but prevents potential accidents or spills.

1. Use Stackable Stability

Take advantage of the AquaBrick’s interlocking design. This ensures the containers don’t slide or shift while your vehicle is in motion. Lay them side-by-side on a flat surface such as your trunk or truck bed, then stack upward only if vertical space is secure.

2. Secure with Tie-Downs

Use bungee cords or ratchet straps to lock your AquaBricks into place, especially if transporting on uneven terrain. The built-in handles make great anchor points for securing to D-rings or cargo loops.

3. Balance the Load

Distribute your AquaBricks evenly across the vehicle to maintain a stable center of gravity. Avoid loading all four on one side, particularly if your route includes off-road driving.

4. Add Padding for Road Vibration

A folded towel or thin foam mat under each AquaBrick can reduce vibration and road shock, helping to preserve food inside and preventing wear over time.

Air Travel and AquaBricks: What to Know

While AquaBricks can be brought on air travel adventures (when empty), there are a few key considerations:

• TSA Compliance: AquaBricks must be completely empty and dry to pass security screenings. Carry-on sizes may be too large depending on the airline.
• Checked Baggage: One or two bricks may be checked in a large suitcase, though this adds weight.
• Shipping to Destination: For extended trips, consider shipping filled AquaBricks to your destination in advance.

Pro tip: Many AquaBrick users leave a dedicated set at frequent travel destinations, such as vacation cabins or backup locations, allowing safe and hygienic portable emergency food and water storage on arrival.

Adventure-Ready: AquaBricks on the Trail

Outdoor enthusiasts appreciate AquaBricks for hiking basecamps, hunting trips, and wilderness excursions. Their versatility and durability make them especially suitable for long-term, off-grid use.

1. Use with the AquaBrick Water Purification System

Pair your containers with the AquaBrick Water Filtration System to turn contaminated water sources into safe drinking water on demand. The filtration system uses a high-performance DuraFlo™ filter, removing up to 99.9999% of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa from 550 gallons of water. This transforms the bricks from mere storage into life-saving purification tools.

2. Backpacking & Portaging

While the AquaBricks are not a backpacking item due to their bulk, they are perfect for drop-point camping or multi-day canoe trips where weight is distributed via pack animals or vessels.

3. Freeze Before Use

On hot trips, consider freezing your water-filled AquaBricks (leave some expansion room!) the night before. They serve as ice blocks that gradually melt, keeping other perishables cool while providing cold water.

Storing Food in Transit

While AquaBricks are well-known for water storage, their dry-food capability makes them indispensable for mobile pantries. Whether you’re camping or responding to an emergency, keeping food dry, rodent-proof, and fresh is critical.

1. Label Contents

Use waterproof markers or removable labels to identify what each brick contains. This prevents unnecessary opening and exposure, particularly on long journeys.

2. Separate Wet and Dry Storage

Always designate specific AquaBricks for food and others for water to avoid cross-contamination.

3. Store Upright for Quick Access

Keeping AquaBricks upright makes it easy to remove the cap and access contents without needing to unstack your setup.

AquaBricks in RVs and Vans

More travelers are converting vans and RVs into self-contained mobile living spaces—and AquaBricks fit right in. Here’s why they’re a perfect match for van lifers and full-time RV adventurers:

• Compact Design: Fits easily under benches, in cabinets, or behind driver seats.
• No Plumbing Required: Unlike built-in tanks that require pumps, AquaBricks can be manually poured or gravity-fed.
• Easily Refilled: Remove and refill at camper site spigots, rivers, or filtered sources.
• Durable Enough for Vibration: Designed for rugged terrain and long road days.

With concerns around RV campground water quality or off-grid living, AquaBricks offer a hygienic alternative to questionable tap water and unreliable filtration hoses.

Emergency Ready While You Travel

From wildfires to hurricanes, emergencies can strike while you’re far from home. Having reliable portable emergency food and water storage isn’t just convenient, it can be lifesaving.

Travel Scenarios to Prepare For:

• Car Breakdowns: Keep at least one full AquaBrick of water and a food-filled brick in your trunk.
• Hotel Lockdowns: If sheltering in place during travel, AquaBricks provide clean drinking water and shelf-stable meals.
• Unexpected Detours: Natural disasters might reroute your trip or delay access to supplies. AquaBricks keep you hydrated and nourished.

FEMA recommends storing one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days. Having multiple AquaBricks filled and ready to go ensures compliance with these best practices—even while away from your primary residence. And don’t forget, you can use the AquaBrick Component Kit for converting your AquaBrick container immediately into the AquaBrick Water Purification System. You’ll never be without pure, safe drinking water filtered from any non-saltwater source!

Tips for Efficient Use on the Road

1. Refill Frequently

Don’t wait until you run dry. Fill up at every safe water source. Your next opportunity might be further than you think.

2. Pre-Measure Your Needs

Know how much water your group consumes per day and plan accordingly. Factor in cooking, drinking, and hygiene needs.

3. Keep It Clean

Regularly wash your AquaBricks with warm, soapy water and sanitize them every few uses, especially after long trips or hot weather.

4. Integrate with Filtration

Always bring your AquaBrick Water Filtration System if traveling in remote areas. It’s your first line of defense against pathogens in natural water sources.

Real-World Travel Stories with AquaBricks

Off-Road Overlanding in Arizona

One couple shared how their AquaBrick setup kept them hydrated for a 10-day off-road overland journey through the Arizona backcountry. “We strapped them into the Jeep with bungee cords and used one for drinking, one for dishwashing, and two for food,” they said. “Not once did we have to boil water or worry about spoilage.”

Hurricane Evacuation in Florida

Another family recounted their AquaBrick experience during a mandatory evacuation. “We left with four full containers of water and a week’s worth of freeze-dried meals inside the others,” they noted. “Even the hotel manager commented on how organized we were. They’re part of our go-kit now permanently.”

Van life Essentials in the Rockies

A solo van lifer described AquaBricks as her “kitchen sink, pantry, and hydration station all in one.” Easily stored beneath her bed platform, the bricks offered enough food and water for two weeks without a single grocery store stop.

Conclusion: The Traveler’s Secret Weapon

Whether you’re planning an epic road trip, living off-grid, or bracing for emergencies while away from home, the AquaBrick 4-Pack from Sagan Life delivers unmatched versatility. It’s not just a storage container—it’s peace of mind. AquaBrick containers also come in a 6 pack version and convenient 2 pack; both of which include our Ventless Spigot Cap accessory for converting your AquaBrick Container into a free flowing beverage or water dispenser.

Built to support the AquaBrick Water Filtration System, these containers are a foundational piece of a larger preparedness puzzle. Designed for both long term food and water storage and real-time emergency response, their strength lies in adaptability. Wherever you go, AquaBricks make sure you’re never without clean water or safe food.

If you’re looking to invest in the best emergency water storage containers, ensure they’re portable, durable, stackable, and versatile. With AquaBricks, you’re always one step ahead of uncertainty—no matter where the road leads.