Works better than any other hydration system I've tried amazing little add on.

Works better than any other hydration system I've tried amazing little add on.  Read Less

When I was in the service, we were issued two 1-quart canteens, a cover for each, and a canteen cup. Nowadays, our troops can ...  Read More

When I was in the service, we were issued two 1-quart canteens, a cover for each, and a canteen cup. Nowadays, our troops can be seen with the ubiquitous Camelback no matter where they go or what they are doing.Although I think ensuring our troops are well-hydrated is a great idea I've examined the Camelback concept for use by myself and have decided it is not a workable solution for my own hydration needs. For example, while anyone can fill a Camelback with a hose or from a faucet, how do you fill this thing up quickly from a creek? Instead, I've come up with a workable solution in between the Camelback concept and the canteens I was issued way back when.I saw this canteen straw kit somewhere online so like always I researched the concept and saw that it might just be the ticket for me. I looked around and saw who was selling what and decided to buy this because of its reasonable price and the fact that it is made in the USA.Upon receiving this gadget from Amazon, I dug through my MOLLE pouch bin and located a large multi-cam utility pouch from theTactical Tailor which I attached to the middle of my patrol belt where it would ride in the small of my back. I attached the canteen straw kit to a 2-quart Army surplus canteen and filled it up with water and placed it in the utility pouch. It was a slightly snug fit getting it in; it comes out much easier. Once I put the rig on I tried sucking on the straw and it worked ok without an on/off switch. While the straw has a simple minimal bite valve this is a bare bones rig after all I decided I'd rather have a better bite valve. I replaced the valve with a standard valve from an Israeli hydration rig and I was in business. The opposite end of the clear plastic tubing which goes into the canteen was longer than I needed so I measured it to fit a 2-qt canteen exactly and cut the tubing to length accordingly.My patrol belt is an old LBE belt with the Y-shape suspenders like I was issued over 30 years ago. This set-up allows me the option to carry a 2-qt or a 1qt military canteen as is or with the straw kit. But when the straw kit is in play and the canteen is empty I refill it just as I have always done and replace it in the utility pouch. Now when I need a drink I don't have to stop, pull out the canteen, take a swig, and put it back in its case - just take a swig from the straw that is secured to the shoulder strap of my LBE - a kind of Redneck Camelback that works great for me.  Read Less