What Source Tactical Gear does

Source Tactical Gear (legal entity Shoresh Tactical Gear Ltd.) is an Israeli designer and manufacturer of integrated soldier systems, headquartered in Tirat Carmel since 1995, with operational history tracing to 1989. The company's product portfolio spans seven platform layers: hydration systems (consumable bladders and packs with proprietary Glass-Like Film, Grunge-Guard antimicrobial, Widepac closure, Storm valve, and a CBRN variant), ballistic protection (hard rifle-rated plates, soft handgun/frag panels, and female-specific armor), helmets, tactical pouches with double-safety retention, load carriage with a patented dynamic weight distribution system, combat vests and plate carriers, and an emerging Power & Sensors layer for the Future Soldier System. All products are developed and manufactured in-house at the Tirat Carmel facility, supported by a multidisciplinary R&D team including ex-IDF engineers.

Source generates revenue primarily through direct sales to national militaries and security forces under multi-year procurement contracts. Flagship programs include the UK MOD VIRTUS integrated soldier system (signed 2015, extension option to 2026), the C-VIRTUS next-generation soldier system with Israeli and Cyprus MODs (2023), and a US Marine Corps hydration supply relationship dating to 2005. Additional named customers include the IDF, US Army, and Italian Carabinieri. A secondary D2C and professional channel operates via store.sourcetacticalgear.com, distributing hydration packs, bladders, and accessories to outdoor and tactical enthusiasts at unit prices roughly ranging $14-$261. A third channel supplies OEM hydration cores to other tactical and outdoor brands. In 2024 Rakia Fund acquired 50% of the company as a strategic partner, providing growth capital for expansion. The company holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 37001:2016 certifications, and owns 20+ registered patents covering hydration, weight distribution, and ballistic innovations.

Name

Source Tactical Gear

Legal name

Shoresh Tactical Gear Ltd.

Website

https://sourcetacticalgear.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Source Tactical Gear is an Israeli manufacturer of integrated soldier systems — hydration equipment, ballistic protection, load carriage, helmets, and tactical pouches — serving military and security forces worldwide, including the UK MOD, IDF, US Marine Corps, and Cyprus MOD.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense and Tactical Equipment Manufacturing

NAICS

Military Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank Component Manufacturing (336992)

SIC

Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)

akta.pro primary industry

Military & Tactical Off-Highway Vehicles (Armored, Tactical Mobility) (IMAHAIAJ)

Keywords

• Tactical gear manufacturing
• Military hydration systems
• Ballistic protection equipment
• Soldier systems
• Load carriage equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Tirat Carmel

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tactical Gear Hardware Sales: Direct sales of combat vests, ballistic protection equipment, helmets, tactical pouches, hydration systems, and load carriage systems to military, security forces, and law enforcement agencies worldwide. Both standardized products and customized solutions for government defense procurement.
2. Consumer/Professional E-commerce: Direct-to-consumer and professional sales through online storefront for hydration packs, bladders, backpacks, and accessories to outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, and tactical professionals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Source Tactical Gear designs, develops, and manufactures integrated tactical equipment for military, security forces, and law enforcement. The portfolio spans hydration systems, ballistic protection (helmets, hard plates, soft panels, female-specific armor), load carriage backpacks, combat vests, tactical pouches, CBRN-protected hydration, and the VIRTUS integrated soldier system. The company sells direct to defense ministries and militaries worldwide and operates a consumer e-commerce storefront for outdoor and tactical professionals.

Product overview

Source Tactical Gear is an Israeli company (founded 1991) that designs, develops, and manufactures tactical gear trusted by elite military and security forces worldwide. The product portfolio centers on integrated soldier systems comprising hydration systems (hydration packs like Tactical, Rider, Razor, Kangaroo, Transporter, iVis; hydration bladders including WXP, Kangaroo Canteen, WLPS, ILPS, Ultimate M.C.; and accessories like Storm valve, Helix, UTA, SQC, Convertube), personal protection (ballistic helmets in high/mid/low-cut configurations, hard ballistic plates, soft ballistic panels, female-specific ballistic protection, and combat vests), load carriage systems with dynamic weight distribution, tactical pouches with polymer-textile hybrid retention, and the VIRTUS Soldier System platform combining personal protection and load carriage. The hydration technology portfolio includes proprietary Widepac closure, Glass-Like film, Grunge-Guard antimicrobial, and Taste-Free system. The company also offers CBRN-protected hydration for contaminated environments and is developing power/sensor systems for future soldier digitization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Virtus: World's first and most advanced Soldier System developed for UK MOD, providing integrated personal protection and load carriage for infantry soldiers.
• C-VIRTUS
• Widepac
• GrungeGuard
• Glass-Like Film

Products and services

• VIRTUS Soldier System Comprehensive integrated personal protection and load carriage system forming a scalable soldier architecture, including Scalable Tactical Vest, ballistic protection, load carriage, and hydration modules, supplied to the UK MOD.
• C-VIRTUS Next-Generation Soldier System Next-generation advanced soldier system developed for the Israeli and Cyprus MODs, extending the VIRTUS architecture with updated protection, load carriage, and integration.
• Advanced Ballistic Helmets Next-generation ballistic helmets available in high-cut, mid-cut, and low-cut configurations, using advanced ballistic materials, optimized geometry, and energy absorption technologies for a high protection-to-weight ratio with reduced backface deformation.
• Hard Ballistic Plates Ceramic and polyethylene ballistic plates engineered for maximum protection against rifle threats including 7.62x51mm, 7.62x39mm, and 5.56x45mm rounds, combining multi-layer materials and smart energy dispersion.
• Soft Ballistic Panels Flexible, lightweight body armor panels providing protection against handgun projectiles, shrapnel, and knife threats while maintaining comfort and flexibility.
• Female Ballistic Protection Anatomically-designed female-specific ballistic protection, including the VIRTUS Female Vest co-developed with UK MOD and contoured 3D-shaped panels engineered for female morphology, providing high-level rifle protection with improved fit, comfort, and load distribution.
• Combat Vests and Plate Carriers Personal protection equipment combining advanced textile engineering and ergonomic design with modular, anthropometrically-fitted configurations integrating with load carriage and hydration systems.
• Load Carriage Systems High-performance weight distribution systems based on soldier biomechanics research, with a patented mechanism that transfers weight in real time from shoulders to pelvis, reducing spinal stress and fatigue while improving balance and allowing on-the-move adjustment.
• Tactical Pouches Engineered tactical pouches combining advanced polymers and textiles with one-hand/one-motion retention, hybrid textile-polymer platforms, MOLLE compatibility, and patented Double Safety dual-retention technology for rifle magazines, pistol magazines, grenades, and other equipment.
• Hydration Systems Complete hydration ecosystem including wearable bladders, hydration packs, and accessories featuring proprietary technologies: Glass-Like Film, Grunge-Guard antimicrobial, Taste-Free system, Widepac closure, Storm Push-Pull Valve, and SQC Quick Connect, supporting hands-free drinking during high-intensity activity and prolonged field use.
• Tactical Backpacks Family of tactical cargo and patrol backpacks ranging from 10L to 95L capacity (Commander 10L, Assault 20L, Patrol 35L, Double D 45L, Pro 95L), integrating 3L hydration systems, MOLLE compatibility, and dynamic weight distribution for combat, patrol, and multi-day operations.
• Hydration Packs Low-profile MOLLE-compatible hydration packs with integrated 1L-3L bladders, including Tactical Pack, Rider 3L, Razor 3L, Transporter 2L, Kangaroo 1L, iVis Blaze 3L, and iVis Firefly 2L, designed for vest-mounted and lightweight tactical or outdoor use.
• Hydration Bladders Tactical hydration bladders in 1L-3L capacities, including WXP 2L/3L, WXP Low Profile 3L, WLPS 3L, ILPS with UTA 3L, Ultimate SOURCE M.C. 3L (FILBE-compatible for USMC), and Kangaroo Canteen 1L, featuring Widepac closure, Taste-Free PE film, and Grunge-Guard antimicrobial.
• CBRN Hydration System Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear protected hydration system combining an exclusive CBRN bladder and insulated CBRN tube with a Gas Mask Link (GML) adaptor, allowing drinking while wearing protective gas masks (Type A, F, M, Threadlock).
• Aquasource Hydration Station 20L hydration pack designed to be worn as a backpack or installed in a vehicle, serving as a central hydration station for up to six personnel.
• Power and Sensors (Future Soldier System) Integrated power management and embedded sensor systems built on the Future Soldier System architecture, turning tactical gear into a data-integrated platform that provides real-time biometric and environmental data to soldiers and command.

Quantifiable outcome

• Dynamic weight distribution transfers weight from shoulders to pelvis in real time, reducing spinal stress and fatigue
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Israeli Ministry of Defence (C-VIRTUS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Next-generation soldier system C-VIRTUS contract signed with Israeli MOD in 2023 for equipping with advanced soldier system.
• Cyprus Ministry of Defence (C-VIRTUS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Next-generation soldier system C-VIRTUS contract signed with Cyprus MOD in 2023 for equipping with advanced soldier system.
• UK Ministry of Defence (VIRTUS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Multi-year contract signed in January 2015 for supply of integrated personal protection and load carriage systems to British Military. The VIRTUS system is the world's first and most advanced soldier system, developed specifically for UK MOD requirements. Contract can be extended by UK MOD until 2026.
• Israeli Ministry of Defence (Bergen Contract)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Contract awarded in 2006 for supply of 60,000 90L Bergen backpacks and 3L hydration systems following the Second Lebanon War.
• US Marine CorpsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Multi-year contract awarded in 2005 for supply of US Marine Corps Hydration Systems. Ongoing partnership with SEK Solutions for supply to USMC.
• Global Tactical and Outdoor Brands (OEM)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerAdvanced hydration cores are chosen by world's leading tactical and outdoor brands to power their own products through OEM partnerships.
• SEK SolutionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSEK Solutions supplies Source AquaSource hydration products to US Marine Corps.
• LA Police GearminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLA Police Gear carries Source Hydration products for retail distribution to law enforcement and professional users.
• Source Hydration USAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEstablished in early 2015 to work closer with customers and partners in the USA, establishing new partnerships and better relationships.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• CamelBak: CamelBak is a leading manufacturer of hydration packs, bladders, and accessories for military, outdoor, and consumer markets. Directly comparable to Source's hydration systems product line, and competes for similar defense hydration contracts (e.g., US military). Now owned by Vista Outdoor.
• Crye Precision: Crye Precision designs and manufactures advanced tactical clothing, plate carriers, and load carriage systems for elite military and law enforcement customers. Directly comparable to Source's combat vests, plate carriers, and load carriage product lines, and competes in similar integrated soldier system procurements.
• Mystery Ranch: Mystery Ranch is a US-based manufacturer of military, hunting, and tactical backpacks with strong load-carriage engineering heritage. Directly comparable to Source's load carriage and backpack product lines (Commander, Assault, Patrol, Pro 95L) and serves overlapping military procurement channels.
• 5.11 Tactical: 5.11 Tactical is a major manufacturer of tactical apparel, packs, and gear for military, law enforcement, and consumer markets. Comparable to Source across multiple product categories (backpacks, pouches, tactical gear) and competes for both government contracts and consumer e-commerce share.
• Blackhawk Products Group: Blackhawk manufactures tactical gear, holsters, plate carriers, and load-bearing equipment for military and law enforcement. Comparable to Source's combat vests, tactical pouches, and load carriage offerings, and serves similar US and allied defense procurement customers.
• Ops-Core (Gentex Corporation): Ops-Core, a Gentex company, is a leading manufacturer of advanced ballistic helmets, communications, and integrated head protection systems for elite military forces. Comparable to Source's Advanced Ballistic Helmets line and competes in similar integrated soldier system helmet procurements.
• Point Blank Enterprises: Point Blank Enterprises is a major US manufacturer of body armor, ballistic vests, and protective solutions for military and law enforcement. Comparable to Source's hard and soft ballistic panels and plate carrier product lines, and competes for similar government protective equipment contracts.
• Revision Military: Revision Military designs and manufactures advanced protective equipment, including ballistic eyewear, helmets, and soldier power systems for militaries worldwide. Comparable to Source's helmet, ballistic, and power/sensor product lines and competes for similar integrated soldier system and personal protection contracts.

Broad incumbents

• Elbit Systems (Soldier Systems Division): Elbit Systems is a large Israeli defense electronics company that, through its soldier systems activities, competes in the same integrated soldier, helmet, and personal protection market as Source. Comparable as a fellow Israeli defense manufacturer with IDF as a major customer, but operates as a much broader, publicly-listed prime.

Emerging players

• Hydrapak: Hydrapak is a US-based manufacturer of hydration reservoirs and packs for outdoor, military, and law enforcement markets. Comparable to Source's hydration bladders and packs, particularly as an OEM partner/competitor in the defense hydration space, and is a smaller, more focused competitor than CamelBak.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SourceTacticalGear
• Facebookfacebook.com/SourceTacticalGear
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/source-tactical-gear
• Instagraminstagram.com/sourcetacticalgear
• Xx.com/sourcetactical

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Source Tactical Gear