First Need Purifier

“I ordered one of these from the REI sale and have a question about it. I can't tell from the picture or the description if there is an output hose with it, or if one can be attached. It says that it will fit on a Nalgene bottle, but I use a camelback bladder and a MSR drom. bag. Can someone help me out with this? It's on backorder now and if it can only be used with the bottles, I'll cancel it. Thanks for the help!”

“There are 2 hoses, input and output. I also use a dromedary bag by msr,I saved the bottle attachment from my sweetwater to fit the msr. I dont use nalgene bottles so I cant help you there.”

“I have an old First Need. It has an output hose. But you can hook the output hose up to an optional lid that fits nalgene bottles. Makes it easy to fill the bottle without spilling.

I use a PUR Hiker now. The old-style First Needs were knuckle busters.”

“So Phil, R U sayin U Use a FILTER?Or have U upgraded?”

“I have an old style 1st Need, too. It's a great filter, but as Phil implied, it can be a good workout for anyone with arthritis. The newer ones - which I believe attach or screw onto a nalgene - I have no experience with.

It hasn't let me down yet, but I also have the PUR Hiker, and found it noticeably easier to pump. It's also more "streamlined" - if you can in any way visualize that - than the 1st Need, but doesn't have the nalgene attachment. There's always a way to improvise something, but having both, I'd go for the hiker.”

“Lever action is the BEST!”

“The First Need (now retired) screws on to Nalgene bottles both wide and narrow mouth.

The thing was just too cumbersome to use so I replaced it with a Sweetwater.”

“jerbear - I just have the PUR hiker. I may upgrade to a purifier when it is time to replace the cartridge. We'll see.”

“The older 1st Needs used to fall apart while pumping. It wasn't uncommon for the hose to blow apart from the filter. I don't know how they are today. But because of the quality of them several years ago, I'm not planning to ever get one.
I love my Pur Hiker!”

“Thanks folks, 'nuff said. I'm going to cancel the backorder. I have the pur hiker but was looking to go up to a purifier. I have the Pur explorer also, but can't handle the iodine taste, I end up dehydrating instead of drinking. I bought it for a Whitney trip. That explorer sure does pump some water fast though!”

“A little while ago, people were getting sick with the Sweetwater and it was recalled. I'll put up with a tiny bit of extra weight, bulk and pumping difficulty for absolute safety - that's just me. You can get plastic tubing at your local drugstore and fix it to the canister outlet, then you can lay the unit on a rock and pump into your bladder - that's what I do. Happy trails.”

“Silly backpackers.

First, need water.
Then need purifier.

Duh!”

“Well said gemlin!”

“I got my First Need Purifier. I can't wait to try it out at Fiery Gizzard! I tried it out using tap water and food coloring. It came out crystal clear. :o)”

“BE CAREFUL. You are not supposed to filter chlorinated water through the First Need, it rots some kind of matrix apparently. Ditto for backflush cleaning - buy bottled water or use well water if you have it (I do). Happy and healthy trails.”

“Thanks for the heads up, gremlin!”

“Gemlin, the instructions in my first need state"add 5 drops household bleach to one quart purified water..." This is in the backwashing instructions.”

“Now that you mentioned it, hyperpacker, I looked at my instructions and you are correct.”

“maybe that's why he warned y'all.”