SERVICE

	Step 1 Loosen all straps and load your backpack with a realistic weight for your adventures and put the backpack on.
	Step 2 Place the hip fins on the top of your hip bone and fasten the buckle system. if positioned to heigh you will feel a cut into your stomach, positioned to low will cause grinding on your groin while you walk.
	Step 3 Tighten the shoulder straps until the padded back section rests firmly on your back. Do not pull too tight, because the main load is carried on the hip belt.
	Step 4 Position the height adjustable chest strap above the chest. Tighten it firmly so the shoulder straps are stabilized and the backpack sits comfortably on your back.
	Step 5 Tighten the hip belt. Depending on the activity/terrain, tighten the hip belt firmer for more load transfer or loosen them for more freedom of movement. If needed tighten the position adjusting straps on top of the shoulder straps for a more direct back contact.

	Open the roll-top pocket Unroll the pocket and open the velcro at the top. Slide in the battery. It maybe a little snug, but that's ok.
	Horizontal fixation of the battery After sliding the battery all the way down, close the horizontal webbing with the velcro.
	Closure of the roll-top pocket Close and fasten the top velcro.
	Roll-up the roll-top pocket Roll up the tube until it sits to secure the battery.
	Fix the battery Buckle up the left and right side and pull the webbing for a tighter fit. The height of the pocket is now in set-it-and-forget-it-mode: You can release the battery simply by opening up the buckles on the side of the pocket, no need to re-roll the top part!

Handle Your Bladder Like A Pro

Before we get to the cleaning and maintenance part, here’s a few tips that will be helpful for sure for anyone new to life with a hydration bladder – and some of these pro-users tips are probably helpful even for seasoned water bladder owners:

1. After filling and closing the bladder, turn it upside down to suck out remaining air – so it doesn’t slush and take up less space.
2. Blow into the tube after drinking, to push the water back into the insulated reservoir – this way you avoid the first sip of lukewarm water (or prevent hydration freeze, depending on where you’re sporting your bladder).
3. For hot summer days: Fill the bladder to 3/4 and keep it overnight lying flat in the freezer (without the tube). You’ll be packing a frozen bladder with ice that will gradually melt during the day, keeping your water nice and cold for hours!
4. Your SOURCE Hydration System can store cold as well as warm drinks, up to 60°C or 140°F (never use boiling water!)
5. After rinsing the tube: To speed up drying the tube, hold it by the valve-end and swing it in a circle once or twice (only recommended outside with sufficient space around you).
6. If you want to create a “fountain” from your bladder, for example to fill a cup with water, squeeze the Helix Valve with your fingers and apply pressure on the bladder, to force the water through the hose (see picture below)
   
   

Cleaning and Drying Water Bladders

If used with regular water, SOURCE bladders do not require specific cleaning, drying or draining. However, if used with sweetened or isotonic drinks, or before longer storage, we recommend the following cleaning procedure:

1. Disconnect the drinking tube and remove the Widepac closure from the bladder.
2. Wash the bladder with soapy, lukewarm water and scrub with a soft brush if needed; rinse well;
3. Hang the bladder upside down and let it air-dry; do not use a hairdryer! Avoid direct sunlight!
4. To clean the tube, connect it to the bladder; open or disconnect the valve and press water through the tube by rolling up the reservoir top-down; rinse the tube with soapy, lukewarm water; to clean the tube thoroughly from residue of sweetened drinks, consider cleaning it with our Tube Brush
5. Lastly, this is beyond routine cleaning, and only recommended when your valve got pushed deep into the mud or if it’s for some other reason completely messy and dirty: disassemble the Helix drinking valve as pictured below.
   
   

Storage

When all parts of the SOURCE Hydration System are completely dry, connect them and store them in a dry and clean place. Do not store them wet or humid. After extended storage time, rinse and then fill up, drink – repeat.

Source manual for download

 

 

 

Fabrics used for the production of our products are treated with a water-repellent layer on the outside. On the inside, the fabric is provided with a polyurethane (PU) coating. After treatment, the fabric would technically be considered waterproof according to German industry standards (This corresponds to a water column <1400 mm). Coarser mesh fabrics, for heavy-duty use, on the other hand, only achieve water columns below 1000 mm. Furthermore, if the product is new, rain and splashing water will bead up on the water-repellent fabric exterior. Through daily use of the backpack, both the water-repellent finish on the outside and the PU coating on the inside wear off. Thus, one can not speak of "waterproof" according to DIN standard. Also, in prolonged rain through the seams or zippers moisture can penetrate into the backpack. An additional rain cover provides a solution here.

Please do not wash the backpack in the washing machine, as abrasive stresses act on the material (PU coating) and can cause damage in the long term. Also, detergent residues often remain. For sensitive skin types, this can lead to skin irritation on the shoulder straps, for example. A chemical reaction of sweat, detergent residues and UV radiation also promotes faster decomposition of the materials. The right method, depending on the size, is to put the backpack in a bowl or bathtub in the water and clean it with ph-neutral soaps or shower gel. Dirt on the backpack can then be easily removed with a brush. Salt marks on the carrying system can be rinsed out by squeezing several times by hand and using soap and plenty of water. Afterwards, it is very necessary to store the backpack in a dry place and let it dry completely before using it again.