SmarTube Bottle Hydration System

[Stephen Barber]

While this system has been mentioned several times on BPL, some folks at the SoCal GGG hadn't heard of it before, so here's a description, a couple photos and a link.

The SmarTube turns a water bottle into a "sip anytime" hydration system. It comes with the essential cap with air intake, two adapter caps a hose mouthpiece and hose clip. The caps are the key to the system. The hose is standard size, so any normal mouthpiece, clip, etc, can be used. I don't like the clip and mouthpiece provided in the package, so I replaced them with Camelbak versions. (Note: in the photo above, there is an extra Camelbak mouthpiece that doesn't come with the SmarTube.)

Since a disastrous hydration bladder leak in my pack some years ago, I have avoided hydration systems. The SmarTube allows me to enjoy the benefits of a hydration system without having an unexpectedly soggy sleeping bag.

Link to Amazon:

[Angus A.]

Nice! Thanks for the info…I'm actually interested in this since I too, don't like using hydration bladders when I'm backpacking.

[Kevin Schneringer]

Great system, use with sawyer mini or on any standard water bottle.
Been using mine for almost a year.

One change I made was on the mouth piece. I prefer the style Osprey uses.

[Stephen Barber]

Angus, I think you will like it. But like Kevin says below, you'll probably want to change the mouthpiece. I haven't tried the Osprey mouthpiece, but I'd wager it's better than the SmarTube version!

[Jennifer Mitol]

This is the one I've been using for a while – because I don't like the bladder in my pack, I like it in a side pocket…but if I have bottles for some reason I just don't drink very much. This has been literally PERFECT for me…and super light. I use it in conjunction with the evernew bags…works like a charm!

http://www.campsaver.com/hydration-tube?gclid=CJDl3-D-qb4CFe47MgodlwMAjQ

[David White]

That Evernew one looks perfect for me. Does it use the semi-standard 1/4" hose? I need to know if my mouthpiece and quick-connects will work in it.

[Stephen Barber]

I forgot to mention above that the best way to screw the bottle onto the tube when you're refilling and the tube is still connected to your pack, is to turn the bottle, not the cap. It will become obvious to you when you first make the attempt to screw the cap on and the tube kinks up and untwists the cap!

[Jennifer Mitol]

Yep. I took off their mouthpiece and used an osprey bite valve (my favorite). What I really like about it is the hose is super flexible (both ends of it) and it's the PERFECT length to go from the side pocket of my pack, over my shoulder on the same side and not have too much hose left over to get all tangled up.

[Tony Wong]

Kevin,

How are you hooking up your Sawyer mini to the Smart Tube system?

Inline filter or simply attaching it to the end of the tube?

I just bought one of these and have my mini attached to the end of the hydration tube and have slipped on a mouth piece to the output end/nipple of the Sawyer.

Seems like a great solution to pair up with my soft sided wide mouth Nalgene bottle.

Tony

[Christopher *]

I have an indirectly related question that is kinda weird, but given the scope of knowledge and experience on this forum I figure I'll go ahead and ask here…

I have looked into a few of these bottle-to-hydration systems (the BD SmarTube, the Source CoverTube, the JetFlow, etc) but what always stops me from purchasing is the multitudinous parts for adapting to different bottles and the eventual need to choose one type of bottle to carry. I have been told I have commitment issues.

The indirect question that examining these products has raised in my mind; are there any real standards to bottle size openings? Like, can you boil it down to a few basic groupings? From standard soda/water bottle to wide mouth Gatorade bottle to Nalgene bottle to clean canteens … do these actually condense down into some distinct standardizations or is it the wild-wild-west when it comes to designing bottle tops?

[J R]

Yes there are some standard sizes and thread pitch. THe SmarTube has 3 different tops to fit 3 standard sizes — one will fit your typical water bottle, one will fit Smart Water and Evernew bottles (and matches the threads of the Sawyer), and one is a wide-mouth to fit Nalgene-type bottles.

I have the SmarTube, and while it has the advantages many have noted what I do not like about it is that only one of the tops has the hole for the tube and a valve to equalize pressure — if you need a different size top then the first top is designed to screw onto the second top. This results in a heavier arrangement than, for example, a 2L Platy Hoser. It gives you lots of options but for a weight penalty.

[James Volk]

Does anyone have recommendations/comparisons/thoughts between the SmarTube and the Convertube. I am really intrigued by these, but the reviews seem to be either "greatest thing since sliced bread" or "worthless crap".

[Rick M]

del

[Elizabeth Fallin]

I just put this together. It's an inline Mini, with a long hose inside to act as a straw (the included straw is the wrong size). I cut down an old Platy hose for the straw, and added a new Platy drink tube kit, with the screw top cut off.

[Derek M.]

Has anyone found one of these that works with the 32oz Gatorade bottle?

I just received the Jetflow and it arrived with a faulty valve and the hoses all permanently kinked, so needless to say, I'm very let down.

Also, none of the adapters will work with the 32oz Gatorade bottles, which are one of the most popular choices for lightweight backpackers. I can't understand this oversight…

[Teddy]

I attached my smart tube to the sawyer mini whcih was connecred to the bottle aND i pUT an eXtra tube from the fliter to the bOttom of bottle. Unfortunately, it was too hard to suck water.  So I put on the larger sawyer filter and it was better but still difficult.  Did I do something wrong? Any tips

[Matthew / BPL]

I used a stepdrill to drill a Smartwater cap so that I got a very nice friction fit on Platypus brand hose. I did it by hand  (I didn’t even chuck the bit into my drill) and checked the fit as I went.

It it sealed so well on the tube I realized I needed a breather hole so I used the tiniest bit I had (a lettered drill under 1/16″) and drilled a second hole next to the first one. It works perfectly other than you can get a drip or two if you lean over to tie your shoes with the pack on. Very easy, cheap and quick.

 

[Teddy]

I attached my smart tube to the sawyer mini which was screwed to the bottle and i put an extra tube from the filter to the bottom of the bottle. Unfortunately, it was too hard to suck water.  So I put on the larger sawyer filter and it was better but still difficult.  Did I do something wrong? Any tips on how to make my setup easier to sip?

[Stefan Hoffman]

I have been wanting to put a drink tube on my Klean Kantean bottle. I wish i could just install that little one-way valve and a tube, that would be easy. Anybody know a source for a one way valve? I see Matthew just drilled a tiny hole but my bottle would be in my bag with some nice down gear. Best i can come up with is a tiny little breather tube alongside the drink tube. OR a tube with a hand pump like the ones on the blood pressure cuffs, making it a pressurized system. But again, im not having an easy time sourcing stuff. A one-way valve would be simplest and plenty effective.

[JCH]

Like this?

[Stefan Hoffman]

haha, precisely, thank you. Apparently “check valve” is an important term to know.

[Matthew / BPL]

@sphinx yeah I neglected to mention I put the bottle in a side pocket on my pack although tbh I usually don’t bother and just drink out of the bottle the normal way.

[jimmy b]

We have been using these long before the kits were available on different bottles for different purposes. So easy to DYI. Drill hole in cap for hose, insert grommet, drill tiny vent hole and install your favorite bite valve,  . Use any bottle you like.

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