/out/ - Outdoors » Thread #78970

[60 / 20 / ?]

75KiB, 366x388, alicepackmediumolivegreen.jpg

Alice Packs

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 00:40:22 No.78970 View View Reply Original Report

Quoted By: >>79014 >>79047 >>79283 >>79906

You guys seem to know about backpacking. Would a surplus alice pack with frame be good?
http://www.armysurplusworld.com/product.asp?ProductID=17955

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 1357698829476.jpg, 157KiB, 454x700

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 00:47:55 No.78987 Report

Quoted By:

bump? What backpacks are good + affordable?

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 00:48:17 No.78988 Report

Quoted By: >>79009

It was made to withstand parachute drops and general combat use.

That means it'll take a beating and carry a lot of shit, but don't expect it to be too comfortable.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 00:54:00 No.79006 Report

Quoted By: >>79059

yes, would be one of the best packs you can get. ignore all the hippy faggots who shit on milsurp because it makes them feel insecure and scared.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 00:54:53 No.79009 Report

Quoted By: >>79059 >>79791

>>78988
this is what im talking about

they shit on it without even owning one

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 00:56:51 No.79014 Report

Quoted By:

>>78970
I was in the Army when they transitioned from ALICE to MOLLE

MOLLE's better; you can customize the pack to what you need, and it's more comfortable. Frame is plastic, which is worrisome, but hey, take care of your shit and you don't neet to worry about it.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO european-rutsack.jpg, 32KiB, 336x400

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 01:15:06 No.79032 Report

Quoted By: >>79372

was going to start a thread like this.
I got a pack from a surplus store exactly like pic related

guess i should get a frame for it. anything else i can do to customize it? add ons or something? straps are just canvas and not too comfortable, any ideas for making my own padding or something?

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 01:28:57 No.79043 Report

Quoted By:

OP I own an Alice pack. It's a good pack. They're tough as hell and if it can't hold all your shit then you have too much shit. I haven't modded mine but just look on google there are tons of mods people do for them.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO bean bag.jpg, 30KiB, 428x494

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 01:32:20 No.79047 Report

Quoted By: >>79050 >>79687

>>78970
I'm only posting this because the OP reminds me of it so much.

I bought one of pic related many years ago.
>bought it in 8th grade carried books in Junior High
>Used it all through High School, many pounds of books everyday.
>Used it all through College, many pounds of books everyday.
>Decided that it would be my suitcase, traveled with it.
>Relegated it to gym bag, still using.
They still sell it the same as it was. Only $49.95. I would not take it for a 4-day backpacking trip but for a day hike or weekend road trip it's literally everything you could need.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 01:35:54 No.79050 Report

Quoted By:

>>79047
clothing, packs or whatever... shit made out of polyester lasts for-freaking-ever.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 01:43:29 No.79059 Report

Quoted By:

>>79009
>>79006
I handled one at a surplus store and noticed 2 things:
1. It was very heavy.
2. The frame seemed way to small for me (I'm 6'2")

Most of the Military stuff will work fine but it's heavy and cheap. Built to withstand the abuse a typical infantryman will put it through (read dumb fuck resistant) and designed mostly with cost and reliability in mind.
There are much better choices but as far as better for the money?
The most important thing is that it fits you with weight in it. If it fits proper, it's probably okay.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 01:48:50 No.79064 Report

Quoted By:

Hooah hooah Airborne Rangers still use them instead of the Molle rucks we have now. I know a guy that used to be with the Rangers that said he preferred the Alice pack and that they used to do some serious long distance stuff over there in Afghanistan.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 02:12:03 No.79116 Report

Quoted By:

>cheap
>light weight
>reliable
You can only pick 2

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 02:14:45 No.79121 Report

Quoted By:

While they're still making them, Spec-Ops Gear (a Camelbak spinoff) and Tactical Tailor both make MOLLE updated ALICE packs with all fastex buckles and heavier cordura fabric instead of nylon packcloth. Down East Inc., the manufacturer for the issue MOLLE pack frames also makes an ALICE pack compatible polymer frame that's jump certified, and I've got my pack mounted to one. Look up a pack called the Hellcat as a MOLLE/ALICE hybrid. They're pretty slick.

Personally, I've got a Spec-Ops Brand Recon Ruck (updated ALICE with PALS webbing) mounted to a DEI frame with a BDS Tactical kidney belt meant for ALICE rucks with PALS webbing on it with enough space for a canteen cover or general purpose pouch. I've used the bag by itself for travel and walked to and from the supermarket with a couple week's worth of groceries stuffed inside without any trouble, but the frame and belt help a lot, and they're tougher and more comfortable than the original aluminum frames and thin LC1 belts they came issued with. These are pricier options, but still cheaper than a commercial internal frame pack, so there's a tradeoff.

Spec-Ops Recon Ruck: $89.95
http://www.specopsbrand.com/tactical-gear/retro-tactical-gear/recon-ruck-ultra.html
BDS Kidney Belt: $29.95
http://www.bdstacticalgear.com/pd-bds-tactical-ruck-kidney-pad.cfm
Down East 1606 ALICE compatible frame: $35.91 http://downeastinc.com/cgi-bin/online/storepro.php

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 1364524039685.jpg, 802KiB, 2000x1339

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 04:17:17 No.79283 Report

Quoted By: >>79287

>>78970
I made a thread about this a few days ago and here's a cool pic someone posted. good example of efficient packing with an ALICE pack Not my work.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO pack pack.jpg, 43KiB, 807x581

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 04:20:26 No.79287 Report

Quoted By: >>79331

>>79283
I made this pic a few days ago myself. For general internal frame packs.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 04:46:36 No.79329 Report

Quoted By:

I use a large Alice Pack. Not the best, but it can hold a lot of stuff easily, and is cheap. It's kind of large and awkward on the maneuverability scale, but I use it for only a few mile hikes.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 04:46:57 No.79331 Report

Quoted By: >>80402

>>79287
if its winter or you live in a place where it can rain, having your rain fly at the bottom of your pack is a bad idea

anonemus

anonemus Tue 09 Apr 2013 04:58:06 No.79359 Report

Quoted By: >>79658

I've got a medium alice pack with a frame. If anyone has questions or picture requests i can help out. All those who bitch about comfort need to man the fuck up.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 05:03:46 No.79372 Report

Quoted By:

>>79032
If you really wanna make it comfortable, use a cleaned squirrel hide cut into a long strip with straps to wrap around the bags strap. Think a messenger bag shoulder pad, only made from a glorified tree rats hide. Ima try this, post results here in a bit.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 10:11:30 No.79623 Report

Quoted By:

What packs does everyone have?

Looking to get a good one, not too expensive either.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO DSC09943t.jpg, 8KiB, 200x247

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 10:16:58 No.79628 Report

Quoted By:

I use a pack my dad bought from Aldi 22 years ago.
It's heavy, but indestructible and comfy.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO Muh_FSMO.png, 22KiB, 640x480

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 10:26:24 No.79638 Report

Quoted By:

I would post mine and show my customisations if I had my camera

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 10:54:17 No.79658 Report

Quoted By: >>79719 >>79729

>>79359
i would like to see the size of it, what can you fit in it etc

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 11:23:17 No.79687 Report

Quoted By:

>>79047
i got an LL Bean back pack in 8th grade too
love it, still comfy and i now use it on my motorcycle
had it for about 15yrs now
still in great shape

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 11:53:05 No.79719 Report

Quoted By:

>>79658
give me a minute to take a picture.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 1.jpg, 789KiB, 2509x1840

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:09:29 No.79729 Report

Quoted By: >>79731 >>79760 >>79761

>>79658
sorry if this doesn't help. The soda can is for scale.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 2.jpg, 1MiB, 1840x2910

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:10:02 No.79731 Report

Quoted By: >>79733

>>79729

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 3.jpg, 1MiB, 1840x2769

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:10:34 No.79733 Report

Quoted By: >>79735

>>79731

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 4.jpg, 1MiB, 1820x1870

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:11:09 No.79735 Report

Quoted By: >>79736

>>79733
this is one of the outer pouches

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 5.jpg, 557KiB, 2178x1762

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:12:27 No.79736 Report

Quoted By: >>79767

>>79735
you can fit a hell of a lot of stuff in the main pouch. one of the outer pouches can fit a mess kit and flash light.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:30:30 No.79760 Report

Quoted By: >>79761 >>79764

>>79729
Can make a picture of the front? Do you have it modded? I have noticed the alice packs have different straps on left and right. Do you know why that is?

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:32:41 No.79761 Report

Quoted By: >>79765

>>79760

>>79729 this is the front

if you need something more specific i can take another

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:34:29 No.79764 Report

Quoted By:

>>79760
also no i do not believe this has any mods

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:36:14 No.79765 Report

Quoted By: >>79767

>>79761
Oh, sorry, I mean the back then. Where the shoulder straps are. For me that is the front - the side that faces the body. So, different shoulder straps etc.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:38:05 No.79767 Report

Quoted By: >>79773

>>79765
Ah dang I am a retard...
>>79736
Is already the "back". But there you can also see the button on the riight shoulder strap and nothing on the left one. So, do you have any idea why the straps are different? Does it serve a prupose?

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:41:42 No.79773 Report

Quoted By: >>79774

>>79767
there is a button on both sides the quality of the picture is just shit. let me know if i need to take a better one of the straps.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:43:38 No.79774 Report

Quoted By: >>79778

>>79773
So the straps are identical? I have seen one with two different straps. I though it was some kind of special military utility function thing.
But yes, I would like to see another picture of the straps.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO IMG_0721.jpg, 2MiB, 2592x1936

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:47:27 No.79777 Report

Quoted By: >>79779

alice frame jump ruck

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 6.jpg, 2MiB, 1840x3264

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:48:06 No.79778 Report

Quoted By: >>79780

>>79774

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO IMG_0720.jpg, 1MiB, 2592x1936

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:48:14 No.79779 Report

Quoted By: >>79796

>>79777

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 7.jpg, 2MiB, 1840x3264

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:48:41 No.79780 Report

Quoted By: >>79781

>>79778

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 8.jpg, 1MiB, 1840x3264

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:49:15 No.79781 Report

Quoted By: >>79785

>>79780

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:51:45 No.79784 Report

Quoted By: >>79796

ALICE packs are awful. Nobody that actually knows what they're doing would ever recommend one of these shit stains for anything more than storing gear. I could list hundreds of reasons why but I'll just go with the biggest, they're impossible to balance no matter how you pack it. You'll have to lean forward to compensate and the bag while constantly shift side to side. The pack is considered "short range" by the military for this very reason. It's meant to thrown on a transport.

If you can't see why this is a bad thing than I strongly recommend that stay out of the woods. You're just going to get yourself hurt.

Also don't give me none of that "It's so rugged" bullshit. The fabric is no stronger than any other decent pack on the market and for the price of an ALICE+required shoulder strap and waist mods you'll find something much better.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:52:59 No.79785 Report

Quoted By: >>79787

>>79781
Thanks mang.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 12:55:02 No.79787 Report

Quoted By:

>>79785
np

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 13:00:44 No.79791 Report

Quoted By:

>>79009
it's true, when you need it to work you don't worry too much about weight.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 13:10:14 No.79796 Report

Quoted By: >>79803

>>79784
i dont know about the us army issued alice but the ruck i made with the alice frame is proven (and i havent bought a better hip belt yet which will make it exponentially better)..

the issued alice compenents are shitty but if you invest in better shoulder straps w/ chest strap and especially hip belt- it works like a champ.

>>79779
this is mine

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 13:20:03 No.79803 Report

Quoted By: >>79816

>>79796

The shoulder straps and hip belt do nothing to balance or stabilize the pack. Here's a fairly in depth 2 part review that really gets into the packs shortcomings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbOqb24pVfg

It's a great pack for storing gear but that's about it. It really annoys me when people pretend that it's a good choice for hiking because it can be very dangerous.

Fatigue is a big cause of broken ankles sprained ankles and you will become fatigued after fighting with your swaying, unbalanced pack after only a mile or so. It doesn't matter how fit you are. There are other issues like getting pinched nerves while trying hike with a pack like that but I'm not going to get into it. It's a great way to get yourself stranded.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 13:31:44 No.79816 Report

Quoted By: >>79823

>>79803
hip belt is the most important components for weights stabilization. the issued alice fails at this but again components can be bought for the frame to make it an incredible system (and still much cheaper then other options).

http://www.checkpointcharliesurvivalsupply.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16176&category_id=292

if the bag is swaying then its not set up properly. if youre just a dude hiking then i agree i wouldnt use the alice, probably an internal frame instead. for innawoods/military purposes the alice, with some improvements, works well.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 13:35:47 No.79821 Report

Quoted By: >>79822

I like milsurp ALICE packs because they're cheap (this one is important, considering that I'm one of those people who abuse the shit out of their gear), durable and big enough to hold all of your shit, but MOLLE packs are more comfortable and have all kinds of options you can slap on - but they're more expensive and slightly less durable.

There are actually better options for cheap, durable backpacks out there than 'Murrican ALICE gear; find a milsurp thread on /k/ and ask around in there.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 13:36:46 No.79822 Report

Quoted By:

>>79821
*default 'Murrican ALICE gear

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO Untitled.png, 178KiB, 536x345

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 13:37:51 No.79823 Report

Quoted By: >>79833

>>79816

You can not fix how far these packs stick out on all sides. The pack sways sideways because it's too wide by design, this is what I'm talking about when I say that you'll have to fight the pack the entire time you wear it. There is no mod that can fix the crappy design.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 13:45:22 No.79833 Report

Quoted By: >>79841

>>79823
i dont use that configuration, i use the jump ruck as shown and again here:

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/589/ruck1w.jpg

the large alice that guy is using is ridiculous but the frame is an improved version of the canadian 64 frame which is still used today by troops over the newer internal frame rucks issued with all the modern additions civilian hikers enjoy. there is a reason for this.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 13:53:29 No.79841 Report

Quoted By: >>79843

>>79833

I just don't see how that would be preferable over any other pack in the same price range. Even that looks too wide.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 13:55:30 No.79843 Report

Quoted By: >>79867

>>79841

Also the main compartment seems to sit a bit a low. I don't have personal experience with it. Could you find a picture of somebody wearing a loaded one?

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 3RCR.jpg, 42KiB, 295x450

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 14:20:54 No.79867 Report

Quoted By:

>>79843
third guy from the front, best picture i can find

guywithagolf

guywithagolf Tue 09 Apr 2013 15:05:46 No.79906 Report

Quoted By:

>>78970
I have an ALICE Pack, and im 6'2. I think its perfectly fine and holds a shit tone of shit, a down sleeping bag, tent, food, and everything else all within the bag.

There are two sizes for the frames, medium and large. I have the large.

The only thing I can complain about is the shoulder straps are kindof a pain, but I dont think I had it properly set up before/I might get some MOLLE Straps.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 16:18:36 No.79993 Report

Quoted By:

I own an ALICE pack. Got a medium and large. Both have frames and the shelf. I like the medium one far more than the large, but when hiking, i'm the one with the large. Providing you pack right, it's a good pack as far as i'm concerned. The large can be stuffed with acres of shit so it's easy to pack yourself silly.

That being said, I am buying a cheap surplus MOLLE pack here shortly so i'll have some reference.

The thing about ALICE or any other military pack is that they're practically bomb proof. This is the pack you want when you know you'll be fucking it up.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 09 Apr 2013 22:56:03 No.80402 Report

Quoted By:

>>79331
I have a poncho tent either in a cargo pocket or my ribzwear. It's a go-lite and I forget its' weight but it's hardly anything.

Capcode	All Only User Posts Only Verified Posts Only Moderator Posts Only Manager Posts Only Admin Posts Only Developer Posts Only Founder Posts
Show Posts	All Only With Images Only Without Images Only Spoiler Images Only Non-Spoiler Images
Deleted Posts	All Only Deleted Posts Only Non-Deleted Posts
Ghost Posts	All Only Ghost Posts Only Non-Ghost Posts
Post Type	All Only Sticky Threads Only Opening Posts Only Reply Posts
Results	All Grouped By Threads
Order	Latest Posts First Oldest Posts First

On these archives

Your latest searches

Alice Packs