The Nalgene OG Story

In the 1970s, conservationists began discouraging the disposal of cans and glass bottles by burning and burial in wilderness & recreation areas, and some places began forbidding such materials by regulation. Nalgene products became popular replacements among backpackers for storing consumables; the light, wide-mouthed high-density bottles were more secure than plastic bags and were used for both liquids and solid foods.

Originally, wilderness travelers purchased Nalgene products from laboratory-equipment suppliers, or perhaps gained access to them in their workplaces.

Company lore has it that Nalgene Company president discovered that his son's Boy Scout troop was using Nalgene laboratory containers when camping. Since then, the company has re-packaged and marketed items for consumer sales through their line of Nalgene Outdoor Products. In 2018, Epic Water Filters & Nalgene began to discuss a collaboration between the Nalgene 32 oz wide mouth bottle and the Urban Filter system from Epic Water Filters (both made in the USA). By early 2019, we finalized the concept and launched the bottle/filter combination.

Why OG?

"OG" back in the day used to mean Original Gangster although some people these days use OG as a quicker way of saying "The Original" - at Epic, we thought, what is more OG than the Nalgene 32oz wide mouth bottle? That is why we call it the Epic Nalgene OG. It's the original gangster.