r/tacticalgear • u/ReaperOfHell52 • 1d ago
Is ALICE Webbing still relevant?
I know there’s better, but does the ALICE Webbing or pouches still hold and water in today’s preparedness and/or tactical climate? I’ve seen ALICE suspenders still used on MOLLE belts and the ALICE pack used by marines and civilians, any reason to keep the system alive?
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u/Azrakoth Scrub Lord 1d ago
They’re still cheaper than the $500 rigs that are being marketed to us and they still hold up relatively well. The ALICE packs in particularly are quite good and can be easily upgraded with new frames and bits & bobs. I’ve been rucking with a large ALICE pack myself, gradually upgraded it with a new polymer frame (MC 1606 is the model I believe) and a MOLLE II waist belt from the Army’s current issued rucks.
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u/Fewgel 1d ago
Not really, there's much better options from the PCLE lineage, which do the same thing but better and more comfortably. (See JayJays, Crossfire, Carcajou, etc.)
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u/Fifth-Freedom 1d ago
Don't let them get you down. They've yet to experience the comfort of a yoke with 6 points of contact. I'm looking at you, overpriced spiritus jungle rig!
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u/Senior_Road_8037 21h ago
From a budget point they're not bad, they still work. But with the PLCE style systems being just a little more modern at the same surplus availability its hard to justify
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u/Independent-Mix-5796 1d ago
Broader question, when does or will a particular style or spec of gear fall out of relevancy?
This is definitely an extremely subjective and open-ended question, so I’m just interested in hearing from everyone about what their thoughts on this is.
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u/PearTheGayBear 15h ago
I would argue it's when a better alternative is available for a similar price point. In this case, Alice is a bit outdated, but its dirt cheap. JayJay's webbing is definitely better, but its expensive as hell. Alice maintains its relevance through the lower price point.
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u/ExplosiveFetusActual 1d ago
It needs upgrades, but it will work. Add a Blackhawk belt pad for comfort. The harness is OK, but it soaks up water and the metal hooks suck. For staying budget I would get a PLCE harness and attach it directly to the buttpack, and use paracord to attach to the front mag pouches. The pouches themselves should be attached with MALICE clips instead of ALICE clips. Between the mag pouches, canteen pouches, SAW pouches (for GP), and the buttpack, you have modularity covered. Plus MOLLE pouches will work on an ALICE belt. The mag pouches are slow and have no retention when opened, so I would modify them with shock cord tied around them to have some hold on loose mags inside. Three PMags are pretty tight but you can fit them with some stretching. I would use a micro rig if I wanted faster reloads, and treat the belt mags as supplemental.
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u/theoneoldmonk 1d ago
Its serviceable and cheap, but there are better options following the same concept. You can build an ALICE setup just for giggles and practice with it and make it work.
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u/undefeated-moose 1d ago
Bought a full Alice lbe from eBay for $90 and I love it. Super comfortable and looks cool as hell. I put 3 saw pouches on it and put some camping gear in them.
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u/yeetmysheets 1d ago
Been playing some MGS Delta eh?
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u/ReaperOfHell52 19h ago
Unfortunately not. I’ve been seeing clips and it got me thinking. Plus I’ve always had a hard on for the Vietnam vibes.
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u/Coffee____Addict 23h ago
I'd say yes but if I was looking for a cheap option for carrying magazines, I'd go with a taps rig.
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u/BasedWelder96 22h ago
If you can get them cheap then yes! I pieced together a whole kit from flea markets, garage sales and surplus stores.
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u/Accurate-Side-8697 21h ago
By the time you get it set up right, you're going to wish you spent slightly more for better kit. Is it usable? Sure, but most people spend so frivolously that they can afford to cut out a luxury for a week or two and get something they'll actually use.
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u/FrankCastle_4557 20h ago
Classic for a vibe and works. I hated it in '93 because well Fort Benning...Molle gear is so much better/versatile and modular, more color options.
If you like it, get it.
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u/kommandr84 17h ago
You can stuff your mags into a Civil War era M1855 Cartridge Box and it would still work. Not optimal but functional.
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u/Unicorn187 12h ago
I like some things better about it and some things about MOLLE better. ALICE belts should be the norm with most of the weight on the hips, not on the shoulders. On the shoulders means it's on your back.... the only connection between the upper and lower body is the spine. Wearing a belt on the hips, puts the weight on the hips. I don't mean where you wear your pants, I mean on your natural waist, where backpackers wear the waist belts to carry around 80% of the backpacks weight. On the pelvis instead of the spine.
MOLLE is nice if you are going to be changing your kit around, but if not, permanently sewn pouches are the best. A MOLLE pouch will have all four siddes, plus flap and bottom. A sewn on pouch will not have the rear panel, or the attachments. A couple ounces here and there adds up to pounds. Especially over the entire vest. Those old Eagle or even Blackhawk vests with the sewn on pouches were IMO the best of the vest, followed by the commercial enhanced LBV (had all double mag pouches so would hold 8 mags instead of 6, and had cargo pouches on the sides). A mix of the two, with sewn on pouches, and some MOLLE webbing to adds things that the user wants would be great. Same for the ruck, I like the add on MOLLE webbing that some people have put on the sides of their rucks. Not adding 2 pounds to it by covering it in webbing, but enough to easily add the sustainment pouches, and any other mission specific pouches needed.
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u/deviantdeaf 1d ago
Yes, particularly the rucksacks. The current MOLLE 4K Jumpable rucksacks is basically an upgraded Large ALICE with the 1606 frame which also works with older ALICE rucksacks, and the pack can also work on metal ALICE frames. There are still some things that works good with the ALICE gun belts, like holsters. Pouches are a bit on the heavy side but I've never seen one fall apart without being abused for the last 50 years. The metal clips are the weak points though but replace with zipties, paracord or even MALICE clips, good to go.
Edit. Also, there aren't many MOLLE pouches that work as well for 2qt canteens as the original ALICE ones. The Safariland ELCS versions are the next best thing if you must have MOLLE 2qt canteen pouches.