Source Vagabond Systems
Source Vagabond Systems is an Israeli manufacturer and brand owner of outdoor sandals, hydration equipment, packs, travel accessories, and tactical gear.
Last updated August 26, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Source Vagabond Systems Ltd., commonly associated with the SOURCE brand and originally known as Shoresh, is an Israeli maker of equipment for outdoor recreation, trekking, travel, mountain biking, and military or tactical use. Its portfolio combines consumer products such as sandals, hydration packs, foldable bottles, and accessories with specialized military equipment, including hydration systems, load-carriage products, and the SOURCE Virtus Soldier System. The company was founded in Israel in 1989 by Yoki Gill and Daniel Benoziliyo. Its early consumer identity was built around sandals sold under the Shoresh name. The first models appeared in 1991 and included Biblical, Roman, and Asian-inspired designs. These sandals used a triple-layer sole and the X-strap system, a patented fitting approach intended to let the wearer adjust the sandal independently around the foot and heel. In 1995, the sandal range was renamed Trek and Stream, after which the company expanded the family with models such as Classic, Gobi, and Djibouti. Hydration became a second major area of development. SOURCE introduced the Flexi-Flask system in 1993 and later added a drinking tube and related replacement or maintenance components. By 2000, its range included multiple hydration packs and accessories, including the Rapid valve, Tube Kit, Source Filler Cap, Source Tik-Cap, and a weave-covered tube kit. The company's hydration bladders subsequently attracted military use, including adoption by the United States Army for equipment associated with operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. SOURCE continued developing container and bladder technology during the 2000s. In 2005 it introduced the Liquitainer foldable bottle and hydration packs using the Widepac opening system. The Widepac design provides a broad opening intended to make filling, cleaning, and drying easier. The company also introduced valves such as the Z-Valve and Storm valve. In 2008, it entered the military hydration-system market with the WXP system, extending its technology from civilian outdoor equipment into defense-oriented equipment. From 2013, SOURCE gained visibility in the mountain-bike hydration-pack segment. Its offerings included packs and products such as the Hipster Hydration Belt, which positions the water reservoir around the rider's hip rather than on the back. SOURCE Widepac bladders have also been used as original-equipment components in packs sold by other brands, including Deuter, according to the referenced encyclopedia material. The company's tactical business includes hydration systems, packs, and integrated soldier equipment. A major milestone came in 2015, when SOURCE received a multiyear contract from the British Ministry of Defence for an initial quantity of 9,000 personal-protection and load-carriage systems for the British Army. The SOURCE Virtus Soldier System was described as an integrated protection and load-carriage platform, with first units supplied from autumn 2015. SOURCE is described as selling in 25 countries, including markets across North America, Europe, Australia, and South Africa. The company also presents a social and environmental commitment: the referenced material states that it donates 5% of net profit to social or environmental activities in its surrounding community and allocates 1% of income through the SOURCE Give-One-Chance foundation. Publicly available reference material does not establish current executives, ownership, revenue, listing status, or a current corporate website, so those fields remain unspecified.
History
Source Vagabond Systems was established in Israel in 1989 by Yoki Gill and Daniel Benoziliyo. The business developed under the SOURCE identity, with Shoresh serving as an early Hebrew-associated name. Its initial commercial focus was footwear for outdoor use. In 1991, the first SOURCE sandals were sold in three designs described as Biblical, Roman, and Asian sandals. They shared a triple-layer sole and the X-strap system, a patented construction that allowed the sandal to be adjusted to the foot separately from the heel. In 1995, the original sandal names were replaced by Trek and Stream, and the range later expanded with models including Classic, Gobi, and Djibouti. The company diversified into hydration in 1993 with the Flexi-Flask system. A water pipe was added in 1995, and by 2000 the product family included several hydration packs and service accessories. These included valves, tube kits, filler caps, drinking caps, and replacement inner bags. SOURCE hydration bladders later found military application, including use by the United States Army in equipment connected with the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns. In 2005, SOURCE introduced the Liquitainer, a collapsible bottle, together with hydration packs using the Widepac opening system. The system was designed around a large bladder opening that facilitates filling, cleaning, and drying. SOURCE also developed the Z-Valve and Storm valve. In 2008, the company entered the military hydration market with the WXP system. The brand broadened its consumer hydration presence in the 2010s. From 2013, it became more visible in mountain-bike hydration packs, including the Hipster Hydration Belt, which carries the reservoir around the rider's waist or hip instead of on the back. Its Widepac bladders have also been supplied as original-equipment components for packs from other companies, including Deuter. SOURCE's defense business expanded beyond hydration. In 2015, the company received a multiyear contract from the British Ministry of Defence to supply an initial 9,000 personal-protection and load-carriage systems to the British Army. The resulting SOURCE Virtus Soldier System was described as an integrated personal-protection and load-carriage system, with first deliveries beginning in autumn 2015. The referenced material describes SOURCE as selling in 25 countries, including Israel, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, and South Africa. It also reports a corporate social-responsibility policy under which 5% of net profit is donated to social or environmental activity in the surrounding community, while 1% of income is allocated to social and environmental projects through the SOURCE Give-One-Chance foundation. The available reference does not identify current management, ownership, financial results, or a current official website.
- 2015
British Army Virtus contract
[1]SOURCE received a multiyear British Ministry of Defence contract covering an initial 9,000 personal-protection and load-carriage systems.
- 2013
Expansion in mountain-bike hydration
[1]SOURCE expanded its presence in mountain-bike hydration packs and introduced products including the Hipster Hydration Belt.
- 2008
WXP military hydration system launched
[1]SOURCE entered the military hydration-system market with the WXP system.
- 2005
Liquitainer and Widepac introduced
[1]SOURCE launched the foldable Liquitainer bottle and packs using its wide-opening Widepac bladder system.
- 1995
Sandal range renamed and hydration tube added
[1]The original sandals were renamed Trek and Stream, while a water pipe was added to the hydration system.
- 1993
Flexi-Flask hydration system introduced
[1]SOURCE began its hydration-equipment line with the Flexi-Flask system.
- 1991
First Shoresh sandals sold
[1]The company introduced its first sandals in Biblical, Roman, and Asian-inspired designs using a triple-layer sole and X-strap fitting system.
- 1989
Company founded in Israel
[1]Yoki Gill and Daniel Benoziliyo founded Source Vagabond Systems.
Products and positioning
An Israeli equipment specialist positioned across outdoor recreation, trekking, hydration, and tactical markets, with an emphasis on proprietary sandal-fitting, bladder-opening, and fluid-delivery technologies.
Outdoor footwear · 1991
SOURCE Sandals
SOURCE's original consumer product line began with Shoresh sandals in 1991. Early designs included Biblical, Roman, and Asian models, all using a triple-layer sole and the X-strap adjustment system. The range was later renamed Trek and Stream and expanded with Classic, Gobi, and Djibouti models.
Hydration system · 1993
Flexi-Flask
Introduced in 1993, Flexi-Flask was SOURCE's first identified hydration system. It formed the basis for later reservoir, tubing, valve, and pack accessories, with a water pipe added to the system in 1995.
Hydration reservoir · 2005
Widepac Hydration Bladder
The Widepac system uses a broad reservoir opening intended to simplify filling, cleaning, and drying. Widepac bladders became a key SOURCE hydration product and have also been supplied as original-equipment components for packs from other brands.
Collapsible bottle · 2005
Liquitainer
The Liquitainer is a foldable bottle introduced as part of SOURCE's mid-2000s expansion from hydration reservoirs into portable travel and outdoor liquid containers.
Military hydration system · 2008
WXP
WXP is a military-oriented hydration system introduced when SOURCE entered the military hydration market in 2008. It extended the company's reservoir and fluid-delivery expertise into tactical equipment.
Mountain-bike hydration equipment · 2013
Hipster Hydration Belt
The Hipster Hydration Belt is a mountain-bike hydration product that places the water bladder around the rider's hip rather than in a conventional back-mounted pack. It was among the products associated with SOURCE's growth in the mountain-bike hydration segment.
Military personal-protection and load-carriage system · 2015
SOURCE Virtus Soldier System
The Virtus Soldier System is an integrated tactical platform combining personal protection and load carriage. SOURCE supplied the system under a British Ministry of Defence contract for the British Army, with initial deliveries reported from autumn 2015.
Brand decisions
2015
Expansion into integrated soldier systemsStrategyBackground
SOURCE's tactical portfolio already included hydration systems and packs, while defense customers were seeking integrated personal-protection and load-carriage equipment.
Action taken
SOURCE secured a multiyear British Ministry of Defence contract for an initial 9,000 systems and supplied the Virtus Soldier System to the British Army.
Aftermath
The contract marked a significant expansion of the brand's defense role beyond standalone hydration products.
2008
Entry into military hydrationStrategyBackground
SOURCE had developed civilian hydration reservoirs, packs, valves, and related accessories before expanding toward defense customers.
Action taken
The company introduced the WXP system and entered the military hydration-system market.
Aftermath
The move broadened SOURCE's business from outdoor and trekking equipment into tactical hydration and later integrated soldier equipment.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/source-vagabond-systems · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled