SOURCE TACTICAL CONVERTUBE Drinking Tube System (REVIEW)

How to convert your Nalgene or other popular water bottle into a puncture proof, ruck carry, tube enabled, hydration system.

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Without water we die in 3 days, as simple as that! so for me for any hike long or short, three days or one afternoon, I always carry water or at least something to drink. These days I carry a Nalgene stainless steel 32oz bottle. I chose this particular bottle because it gave me the option, of being able to use it to boil if really necessary. In the U.K. there is water everywhere all year round and this will make it drinkable. I’ve also decided to carry my Nalgene bottle inside my GORUCK GR2 for two reasons;

1. When full I think it’s one of the heaviest things I carry, therefor packing it centrally and secured to my Greyman Tactical, Rigid MOLLE insert is the best place to carry it.
2. Having to pull it from my bag, every time I want a sip, forces me to stop, sit down, take my time and enjoy where I am. These are some of the best parts of my hikes.

DRINK TUBE AND VALVE SHOULDER STRAP MOUNTING

SUMMER

During the summer when we have to sip more often, the above can become tiresome so in the past, I have swapped out the bottle for Camelbak! This worked fine but I also use the same equipment for mountain biking and snowboarding, where if I were to be honest, if I didn't crash-out a couple of times, I would think that I wasn’t tying. In this case, I would be mindful of bursting the bladder if I fell on it. In the end nothing so dramatic, I managed to puncture the Camelback bladder and I have no ideas how? It was enough to loose water and soak the contents of my rucksack, it needed an upgrade.

THE SOURCE TACTICAL COVERTURE

PARTS OF THE CONVERTUBE KIT USED

I was introduced to the concept, that we could convert our beloved water bottles for access via a suck and go drinking tube by Danial R over @pnwcarrier (IG buddy). He showed us his EDC set-up that had a similar system and I thought, that's genius, that's exactly what I NEED!

THE TUBES AND CONNECTIONS

As with all my projects this took a few weeks of Google search and research but in the end, I chose the SOURCE TACTICAL CONVERTIBLE system.

It’s brilliants is its simplicity. Basically a replacement cap for the Nalgene bottle, that has a simple valve to release the vacuum as we drink and a tube to drink from done! But then the fun bit starts.

This as with all the tubes in this system has a SQC (Source Quick Connect). This is great as it allows us to disconnect tubes, valves, quick fill adapters even in-line water filters without any leakage. This makes care and use of the system lots of fun. I’d say that as company SOURCE are very careful about leakage and given the reason I decided to use their products, really appreciate that.

DEMONSTRATING DRINKING TUBE LENGTH WITH A  NALGENE 32oz

I’d say that from the factory, this system is spec’d up for a Nalgene 32oz bottle. The straw like tube that inserts the bottle is adjustable but comes straight from the factory, perfectly adjusted for the Nalgene.

THE VALVE

SQC DETAIL

The Source Tactical Convertube features, wait for it......... a SOURCE QMT Storm Push-Pull Hydration Valve with a Dirt Shield. Technically this features a SQC (Source Quick Connect) so it can be replaced with a new or different valve or even a Rapid Refill. An ingenious gadget that allows us to refill bottles with-out having to unpack it. The Valve also has an excellent push, twist, lock leak proof closure system. When I first encountered this I thought the tube was blocked : ) should have known better. So you don’t make the same mistake : ) carefully follow : )

SOURCE STORM VALVE DETAIL

1. Remove Dirt Shield
2. Twist rubber valve until it clicks (sort of)
3. Pull out to drink : )
4. Push valve to close
5. Twist to re-lock DONE

Love this a lot and it’s no trouble in the field but I told you... Source are very careful about leakage : )

THE SOURCE TACTICAL COVERTUBE comes with X4 off bottle cap adapters so you can use with other brands of bottle:

• Sigg Adapter (42mm)
• Nalgene Adapter (63mm)
• Evian Adapter (24mm)
ª Standard PET Adapter (28mm)

X 4 OFF TYPES OF ADAPTER COME AS PART OF THE KIT

WEIGHT

I've been asked by Instagram buddies how much this all weighs; 1.1/2lbs: 32oz stainless steel Nalgene bottle (empty) including the COVERTURE kit. Heavy, over engineered but practically indestructible, I like that a lot.

MODULAR

Quick over view using the SQC (Source Quick Conect) system along with the Greyman Tactical 12.25 x 19 RIP-(M) makes leak proof removal of your entire gear load-out a lot of fun. See below, steps 1/6.

PICS 1. AND 2. -  LOCATE THE SQC, AND DISCONNECT FROM THE DRINKING TUBE. NO LEAKS : )

PIC 3. AND 4. - DISCONNECTED RIP-(M) ALONG WITH YOUR WATER BOTTLE AND GEAR READY TO REMOVE

PICS 5. AND 6. - YOU ARE NOW ABLE TO LIFT THE RIP-(M) ALONG WITH YOUR WATER BOTTLE AND GEAR IN ONE GO.

IN CONCLUSION

This system does work really well, I would say just as easy to use and drink from as a Camelbak. For me, easy to manage, clean and organise and if I use my stainless steel Nalgene bottle, almost indestructible. Brilliant!

JUST LIKE LIFTING AN ENGINE FROM A CAR, MAKING IT EASY TO SEE WHAT IS GOING RIGHT AND GOING WRONG

THE GEAR LIST:

If you would like to put together a day hike, ruck carry hydration system like this, I have complied a full gear list with links below. Let me know how you get-on:

GEAR LIST:

• Source Tactical Convertube Hydration System
• GORUCK GR2 34L rucksack
• Greyman Tactical Rigid MOLLE Panel (RIP-M) 12.25in x 19in

• Nalgene stainless steel 32oz
• Tatonka stainless steel Mug

• Flyye Small Accessories Pouch

• Eagle Creek Pack It Sac

• Exped Fold Dry Dry bagS X2

ABOUT THE LINKS WITH-IN THIS POST.

I've included links so you can find out more or even purchase. In some cases items have been upgraded or discontinued so I have linked to equivalents, I hope that's OK.

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GORUCK GR1 Rucksack, EDC No1.
GORUCK GR2 - #1 - Introduction
Condor Elite Frontier Rucksack EDC
Condor-Convoy Rucksack
Day Hike Load-Out

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