ALICE Pack Frames: How to Buy Surplus Gear Like a Pro | GROUND POUNDER SERIES

In this episode of the GROUND POUNDER SERIES, I will show you how to buy an army surplus ALICE pack frame without getting ripped off. I will explain the common problems and defects that these frames have, and how to inspect them before you buy. This will help you avoid wasting money and time on a broken frame. If you like this video, please give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. Stay tuned for more GROUND POUNDER SERIES videos, and until then, have a safe journey!

[@blackoracle69]

more videos for the Ground Pounder series on the way

[@jeffrichards5106]

Great! 👍

[@williamsisk2897]

I have one of those frames in my garage that needs to be put to use. I was driving through a neighborhood on trash day and the frame was leaning against a trash can. So I saved it from going to a landfill.

[@user-zs6to9sk9l]

Blackie the hip belt has an alternate tightening strap that is made of metal that I would recommend. Its almost like a small ratchet strap. That strap is better and can tighten the hip pad where it stays taught. The majority of Alice backs I received when I was a young Paratrooper came with those straps for the hip belt.

[@timlacy2284]

Blackie, Great Video and Information on what to look for Thank You For Sharing. I've still got my Large ALICE Pack Frame and Pack from 1979-1986 and a Medium ALICE Pack and Frame.

[@blackoracle69]

Wonderful!

[@Splatterdab1]

Mine is a love-hate relationship. There are so many other solutions out there but I grew up with Alice in my 21 year career in the Army. We had so many arguments while in the field. Of course, they were all one-way. I did appreciate that Alice never talked back. How many times did I holler at Alice, "Get off my back"! But, there were always those times that Alice always had something that kept me reasonably comforable on those wet, cold nights. Are we still together? Absolutely! My Alice is the same one I was last issued. But, there are others in the family now and I've grown fond of my British Bergan as well as a little Dutch beauty that has accompanied me into the woods often. But, when I'm getting ready for a trip my eyes always go back to my sweet Alice as she and I share so many memories, good and bad. Like me, Alice has gone through some parts replacements. Her shoulder straps were replaced and she had some waist belt modifications. Recently she had her frame upgraded to a Pack Rabbit which has made my very happy. She still has a lot of life in her and my Grandson has begun eyeing her. Keep the great videos coming Blackie.

[@ostekuste3646]

I love the alice pack. I’ve tried other modern packs that were never comfortable as the alice for me. I riveted one of the shelves on mainly to protect the canvas from the ground and for extra lashing points. I did upgrade all the canvas parts to a pack made by Malcolm at the Hidden Woodsman. I don’t know if he still makes the alice style pack anymore, but his gear is solid.

[@michealkolnik1331]

I love my Alice gear since my time in the Marines

[@blackoracle69]

thank you for your service

[@michealkolnik1331]

Thank you sir

[@mrkultra1655]

Thanks Blackie. That space is also a great spot for the Glock Entrenching Tool.

[@robertrawlings2600]

I have to say thank you for the black powder knowledge I have been at this sense the 70s on black powder. 1980s for the ground pounding days. Thank you for the extra knowledge. Trust in God and the Constitution. Keep your powder dry and your eye on the target God bless you and Semper Fidelis from Arizona

[@blackoracle69]

be sure to go follow me over on rumble i am doing all my gun stuff over there now i just completed doing black powder shotguns

[@Cadiangrunt99]

this video helped me looking for an alice pack and the bit about the tarp/poncho is great and will help with my packing.

[@jaredanderson7494]

I have a medium ALICE, best modification to do imho were 1. The carry handle from braided 550 like you said 2. Replacing the fasteners on the back that buckle with buckles for quicker release 3. Rehabing the liner of the pack lid (there should he a plastic like filk under the lid on these that wears out) with something like flex seal. 4. A more comfortable broader waist strap and adding a sternum strap 5. Make sure your straps are on the correct side, THEY ARE DIRECTIONAL LIKE SHOES. You will not be comfortable with them reversed. At the end of the day I will never be in the woods with this unless shtf, just too many lighter options, but it does well at holding my ammo cans and other items for now.

[@kenbillings4842]

Blackie, I know what your talking about how hard the small Alice Packs are to find. I have 2 packs and 1 pack frame. I lucked into both of THE outside of Ft Drum, NY. They are in storage at this time, but when I get them out of storage, I'll send pictures or video of them. Ken Billings

[@oldminer5387]

Good information Blackie.

[@blackoracle69]

thanks

[@smoothvern165]

Thank you for sharing all of this great information about the Alice pack frame. This could be really helpful!

[@stolman2197]

Growing up backpacking in scouts with commercial gear, at basic training(1986) my alice pack was torture and i remembered when I made my first roycroft frame it was more comfortable than the alice. So my alice bag now resides on a roycroft frame made for that purpose. I'm interested to try the PALICE frame injection molded polymer made exactly to the alice design. As a artilleryman I never had to ruck after training. REDLEGS!

[@williamolliges2622]

Much more comfortable if you retrofit with Molle waist belt and straps.

[@user-yn5yg8tz1b]

Blackie you need to do a bit about boot blousings they come in way handy to keep ponchos rolled up and hooked to the pack frame

[@jeffrichards5106]

Hi Blackie, great video. Luckily I have 2 frames, one for my medium and large Alice packs. I would like to get another one or two. They have become quite expensive. I've seen a lot of knock off ones, but I don't trust those. Look forward to more of the Ground Pounder videos! Thank you. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@hiramhaji7813]

Great video

[@blackoracle69]

thanks

[@kennethwilson8633]

And they keep your back from sweating in winter so you don’t freeze… if you are ever gonna use one that’s for sure the best time…We used to carry a chemical detector on the shelf too…Have fun stay safe.

[@blackoracle69]

So true!

[@MichaelR58]

Good video and tips Blackie , thanks for sharing YAH bless !

[@blackoracle69]

My pleasure

[@Pantechnicon]

New subscriber. I just wanted to comment how much I appreciate the depth of your observations here on relevant topics (especially black powder shooting).

[@blackoracle69]

welcome aboard !!

[@MrRourk]

Lot of good mods to run the ALICE Pack frameless

[@blackoracle69]

i agree thats how i roll untill winter then the frame get used

[@vibelife5133]

Awesome!

[@jelkel25]

I went for the Norwegian Telemark backpack instead of the Alice, their pack frames are just solid lumps of metal and I'm too old to deal with all that!! Found an old 70s external framed pack in what you would call a good will, great aluminium frame, backpack shot. Am slowly converting the frame to fit the Telemark pack, lighten it up a little and be able to use the frame independently. A bit of a learning curve but worth it.

[@blackoracle69]

sounds like you have worked it out

[@JPMerolla001]

Nice tips. Good to know.

[@gospelninja2.016]

Thanks for the info. Learned a lot.

[@blackoracle69]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gospelninja2.016]

Huh! I found the Vietnam pack at a random buy and sell store. And I was wondering if it was genuine or not. And I was kind of regretting my purchase because it didn't say USA. But it felt solid. And I questioned it. But you made my day saying their rare... lol.

[@blackoracle69]

yep if you find one they are rare as i recall we gave the bilk of them to Vietnam while we were there

[@outbackowl3040]

Hi Blackie, greeting from Australia 🇦🇺, thank you for your time to make these videos. Could you please let us know what are thoughts and experiences with the new plastic frames . Thank you, muchly appreciated.

[@blackoracle69]

Will do

[@lovingmesomeoutdoors8729]

I'm 6'6 and tried backpacking with a medium alice and frame, my lower back never hurt so bad in my life

[@Kasofalltrades]

Great info Sir! Do you think steel pop rivets would hold up in place of the factory ones as long as you drilled them out properly? Might be a good way to save some money.

[@MiClLC]

The Nighthawk gets beefy when you strap on two of those sustainment pouches

[@blackoracle69]

yes it does i will be doing that video soon

[@waynehendrix4806]

I hear that they could not keep the small Alice past the first season of the Brady Bunch. The Thanksgiving episode was blamed. 😁

[@blackoracle69]

lol

[@jonathanfrisbee8889]

I zip tie my shelves on to the frame. Still have 5 frames I have to repair for selling or givaways.

[@PP-uv1kw]

the bottom plugs are intentionally removed to drain the water out of the tubes.....

[@blackoracle69]

i can see that

[@stevenladrig9592]

All my rivets and everything has been welded and good and don't move

[@blackoracle69]

good job

[@brienbell2146]

Blackie you are the Man ! Ultimate Silver Wolf 🐺 But really??? A gifted Teacher ! But Look up Grizzly Bikes ! They are Up in South Carolina Now . They did The First FRONT WHEEL MOTOR, and Now, the Grizzly 2 has front AND Rear Wheel Motors . So it’s Killer Campsite Transportation ! Anyway, I Wonder how you do it !!! It’s great and inspiring and interesting !! I’m a Retired Union Bridgtender , 27 years , Crusty as They Come !! 👅👅 I’m a site manager part time now, public storage . Thanks for your vids ! Go see PROMISED LAND the movie ! This guy digs Unfarmable Lands and Conquers All to make a Community !! You’ll be Quite Amazed at how THE REAL SILVER WOLVES SURVIVED !! LO fuckin L !! How many people you think could survive now ??!! 😃😃👍

[@blackoracle69]

i will check them out thanks

[@JohnTBlock]

What are the ALICE frames made from, Blackie? Steel tubing, or aluminum? Never handled one myself...

[@asmith7876]

I'm digging deep into the past for this but I'm pretty sure the originals were magnesium. Wish I'd kept mine...

[@blackoracle69]

aluminum i think a magnet does not stick to it

[@JohnTBlock]

@blackoracle69 thanks, Blackie.