Vecto FAQ

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Is the Vecto compatible with Sawyer filters?
• You can also use the Sawyer Coupling or a Tornado Tube to create a gravity filtering system with your Vectos.I just got the Vecto; should I clean it? How?  
• How strong is the Vecto?
• Is the Vecto compatible with BeFree filters?
• Can the Vecto function as a hydration bladder?
• What are the different sizes available for the Vectos?
• Does the slider need lubrication?
• My new Vecto feels oily around the slider. Is it normal?
• My Vecto was stored for a few months and I'd like to clean it. What is the best way?
• My Vecto has developed a pinhole leak. Is there anything I can do to fix it?
• My Vecto has a leak from the slider end, is it defective?
• Where is the Vecto made? 
• Why has my Vecto turned yellow/green/orange? 
• Is the Vecto dishwasher-safe? 
• Is it okay to use chlorine or Aquamira™ drops or tablets in my Vecto?
  
  

Is the Vecto compatible with Sawyer filters?

Our 28mm Vecto is designed to have a perfect fit with the Sawyer filters: Sawyer Squeeze, Sawyer Mini, or Sawyer Micro.

Make sure your Sawyer filters have fully functional rubber washers to prevent leaks.

You can also use the Sawyer Coupling or a Tornado Tube to create a gravity filtering system with your Vectos.

I just got the Vecto; should I clean it? How?  

We recommend washing all the parts of the Vecto before first use to clean off any molding lubricants that were used in its production. Regular dish soap and warm water will be sufficient.

If you feel that your Vecto needs further cleaning (some people are sensitive to the plastic smell), use the juice from one lemon, 1 tbsp of baking soda and 1 liter of water to make a solution in the Vecto. Freeze overnight and then thaw and wash with soap. Allow to air dry fully before using.

Cleaning the Vecto with soap and water

How strong is the Vecto?

Very strong! The TPU body has a breakpoint of 220lbs (100kg); one even survived being run over by a car!  

You can use it as a robust dry bag or hang it as part of a gravity filter system - the slider loop is useful for creating a gravity system (with a Gear-Tie, carabiner or hanging system of choice) and will hold up to 20 lbs (9 kg).

Is the Vecto compatible with BeFree filters?

We make two variations of the Vecto: a 28mm neck designed for Sawyer or VersaFlow, which will not fit a BeFree filter, and a 42mm neck that will. 

Please make sure you have picked the correct one for your filter.

Can the Vecto function as a hydration bladder?

We don’t recommend putting your full Vecto inside your pack if you’re concerned about leaking (the chance of leaks or breakage creates unnecessary risk and danger of wet gear on a trip). If you do store any water in your pack, make sure your Vecto is secured with the slider side down and use an extra pack liner.

We don't officially recommend pairing our Vecto with a hydration tube system as other threads may not be 100% compatible with ours, and we can't ensure you will get a watertight seal with another company's product. 

There are kits out there, but CNOC Outdoors has not tested nor do we officially endorse the use of these products - pair at your own risk.

Does the slider need lubrication?

The slider works by mechanically sealing the wide opening along with the softer Vecto material, so it requires no lubrication. Just make sure you’ve folded the top correctly before replacing the slider, and keep it clean from debris!

My new Vecto feels oily around the slider. Is it normal?

The wide (slider) end of the Vecto is created by welding several parts together. A special bonding lubricant is used to make sure nothing "sticks'' in the process. Cleaning your Vecto with some dish soap and warm water should remove this lubricant.

My Vecto gives my water a plastic taste. Is it faulty? Can I get rid of the taste/smell?

The Vecto is made from TPU, which is a porous material that can cause a slight plastic taste when brand new. Some people are more sensitive to this taste and smell; give it a quick wash with soap and warm water (see previous question) before first use and on regular periods between hiking seasons.

If the taste persists, we recommend placing it in warm water with two denture tabs overnight and then emptying and washing thoroughly with dish soap.

My Vecto was stored for a few months and I'd like to clean it. What is the best way?

The best way to sterilize a Vecto is to fill it with 1-1.5 liters of water along with juice from 1-2 lemons and 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda. Put in the freezer overnight and then let thaw and wash with dish soap.

Alternatively, a couple of drops of bleach per liter of water in the Vecto, soak and rinse will clean most materials but might slightly discolor the TPU.

My Vecto has developed a pinhole leak. Is there anything I can do to fix it?

When out on the trail, developing a leak can be frustrating. 

Because of the nature of TPU, pinholes can develop from a number of factors, including exposure to UV rays, colder temperatures, abrasion, etc. By design, the Vecto is made to balance weight and durability, and is reliable and repairable in many conditions while staying light and easy to use. 

While pinholes are annoying, they are not catastrophic and the good news is, they can be repaired easily using a variety of adhesives, all applied on the outside. We recommend using a small (round) patch of Tear-Aid Type A or a drop of superglue on the outside of the pinhole. 

If you believe you have a manufacturing defect, please visit our Warranty page and follow the steps to get in touch via support@cnocoutdoors.com.

My Vecto has a leak from the slider end. Is it defective?

To make this simple, probably not. First, check if the slider is fully closed: You should slide it all the way to the end, until it lines up with the rest of the bag. Make sure this small opening on the end of the slider is visible:

Another issue we've observed is that when a Vecto is filled, if excess water is trapped in the lips closed by the slider, this can seep out slowly over time, creating a coin-sized puddle about an inch in diameter (2.5 cm). To prevent this, once closed, give the full Vecto a good shake holding the body to remove any excess water in the neck or the slider.

If you checked all of the above and your Vecto still leaks, please send us an email at support@cnocoutdoors.com.

Where is the Vecto made? 

The Vecto is made in China at a trusted factory we have been working with for over four years.

The main reason we are manufacturing in China is that the Vecto is manually-made and very labor intensive. We make products in factories that serve our customers’ needs and align with how we want to make our products.

Why has my Vecto turned yellow/green/orange? 

It is normal for the TPU in your Vecto to become discolored, even after just 24 hours.  Our TPU is soft, lightweight, porous and BPA-free. We never use BPA (part of the polymer that keeps plastics completely clear - but can also cause cancer) in our products.  Thus, every BPA-free plastic is sensitive to discoloring, and especially our Vectos: the combination of UV exposure plus high tannins and mineral content in water sources can lead to yellowing, greening or oranging.

Discoloration does not affect your Vecto's function, safety or performance.

Fortunately, there are several easy ways to "brighten," disinfect, and otherwise rid your Vecto of its new, errr, shade using a few household ingredients!

The following tips can be applied to most other TPU products, including our 1L Vesica and our Buc Food Bag:

• On the regular: Give it a quick wash with mild, biodegradable soap and warm water, using a scrub brush on the inside if needed, and let hang (air) dry completely between uses. It's best to do this regularly between hiking seasons and long trips.
   
• For the strong taste: Soak it in warm water with two denture tabs overnight, empty and wash thoroughly with mild soap, and let air dry.
   
• For discoloration and/or a general deep clean (will also help with plastic taste):
  • Add the juice of 1 lemon, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tbsp white vinegar (optional but I think it helps - watch out for the impending bubbles).
  • Fill with lukewarm water and let stand overnight, -or-
  • Put in the freezer overnight. Let thaw. 
  • Wash/scrub with warm water and mild soap and let fully (air) dry.

“I tried using bleach to remove the yellowing and it had no effect. Then I juiced a lemon and left it in the Vecto for 24 hours...it did a great job taking away the yellow staining.”
- Mike, Vecto customer

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Is the Vecto dishwasher-safe? 

No, we do not recommend putting any of our products in the dishwasher. The high temperatures in a dishwasher may compromise or degrade the Vecto's radio-frequency (RF) bonded welds, and can cause leaks. Any of our TPU products that have been through a dishwasher cannot be covered under our Warranty. 

Please hand wash your Vecto and other TPU products with warm, soapy water and let air dry between uses. 

Is it okay to use chlorine or Aquamira™ drops or tablets in my Vecto?

Yes! It is perfectly safe to use chlorine, iodine, Aquamira™ or other "backup" backcountry water treatments in our Vectos and Vesicas.

Keep in mind that putting any additional chemical treatment in your Vecto may cause staining and/or new odors in the TPU. (Refer to the cleaning questions in this FAQ, above.)