Military Surplus Packs: Medium Alice vs. Medium Molle

The Alice pack has been a staple of military surplus for many years. While it is a tried and true design with many great features and an affordable price tag, we wanted to show you how it compares to a more modern military surplus pack - the Molle.
In this video we compare the medium Alice against the medium Molle and show you exactly what each pack offers.

[@aSergeantMajor]

As an SF veteran who carried and jumped with both Alice packs I know them. I have never humped a MOLLE so I have no comment as to them based on personal experience. Now retired I still use my Alice packs but with a couple of modifications. I traded in the aluminum frame for s Coleman Ram X frame and added a sternum strap. Years ago I had an outfit in Fayettville make a top pouch to mount on my Alice pack flap which is detachable. Bottom line the first thing I would reject on the MOLLE is the zippers, break one in the field and you are screwed. I like the old style button fly BDUs for the same reason. I also have the ARVN patrol pack for day trips. Bottom line, I have no plans to divorce Alice anytime soon, if it ain't broke don't fix it.. .

[@JerryWDaviscom]

The top pouch on the Arcterx pack really is handy and would be great on ALICE. Would love one on my ALICE. And I want to add a good, dedicated axe mount on the left side

[@rmac1199]

I'm ab old school Maribe grunt, and I couldn't agree more I have a MOLLE and a pack the Corps webt to around 2008-2010 (my son bought it for me when he was in the Corps). I liked the camel back it came with, but ti still isn't as versatile as ALICE.

[@1337penguinman]

Alice packs were designed to be functional. Molle packs were designed to make defense contractors money. Truth be told, both are great rucks, but the newer ones are obviously not designed to last as long. Different philosophies for different wars.

[@andrewjohnston4127]

I bought a medium ALICE pack back in 1990, it was surplus but still in great condition. I used it in all my time in the army ( British army ) it's been thrown around, got soaked and bashed and it's still going strong. The new stuff is good don't get me wrong but this older generation gear shouldn't be written off. There's years of life left in it

[@DenverLoveless]

It will be interesting to see how many mollie packs will still be around in 40 yrs. Still completely functional without broken zippers ect... Edit: I think my med ALICE that is already 35 yrs old will still be just fine.

[@johneli495]

For reliability drawstring closure is the way to go, not zippers. Wish it wasn't so because I prefer zippers for everyday use I have a CamelBak BFM that is only one year old and it needs a new zipper slider. I used to own an Alice pack, but I sold it because I didn't realize the value of it

[@thenoviceoutdoorsman6895]

I second that notion

[@jameshargroder7090]

AGreed and I switched my newly bought large alice pack to the fast tech heavy duty plastic buckles on both of the lid straps and all 3 of the big outer pockets, I also fabricated a heavy duty angle aluminum shelf to the frame that enables the whole pack loaded heavy are empty to free stand on the floor/ground on it's own and I can use the frame to carry something substantial ly heavy with just the frame with the pack unattached!!

[@paulmood308]

You won’t. Zippers just won’t hold up to heavy use by soldiers in the field.

[@DenverLoveless]

@@jameshargroder7090 "Plastic Buckles".... No ,no ,no ....

[@budmeister]

That "water bladder" slot is actually where the radio's antenna comes out, and since there is a separate alice pack designed to carry radios, the regular pack didn't need any.

[@chrismejia5235]

As an 11B I will honestly say that the ALICE pack is a better all around bag over the MOLLE pack. The way that Medium MOLLE was designed is just for a radio. I tried attaching sustainment pouches to the side but it's not meant for that. Mid way through my tour in Iraq and it started ripping where the tip of the U Frame is slotted in to the bag at the top. I'm not sure if they didn't take in to account how much weight can be put in to it but It will rip. For some odd reason they only put Velcro at the top and MOLLE at the bottom so the only real thing you can attach is like multi-tools or like a small GP pouch. If you store anything small and heavy on the bottom outside pouch like ammo or radio batteries (ASIP, MBITRS, 152's), you will feel it in your back. If you look at the interior of the bag there's 3 pockets that are just meant for an ASIP radio and a couple of batteries. Now, because of the zipper instead of a flap, you'll fight the bag when you fill it up so half way you'll get it nice an tight then you do this weird "stuff and zip" to get your stuff in. If you get sustainment pouches on remember that if you're not careful when you open the bag, the zipper will get stuck at the bottom. You cant get your hand over the zipper cause the pouch is in the way. So if you pull it, the zipper wont budge without you removing the sustainment pouch or carefully bringing it back up. The only time this bag came in handy was when I got placed as the RTO for my platoon and I had to carry the ASIP radio for the a grenade range. Other then that, any field missions or box rotations in Polk, I would leave it behind for the ALICE pack with no frame.

[@jesusarias6661]

saludos desde colombia...soy soldado ,yo diria que el molle no cumple con las funciones que uno espera, a mi pais llegaron unos molle medium y tambien paquetes de asalto y los soldados no se adaptaron recurrimos al paquete ALICE ....porque el alice? , porque el alice puedes introducir ciertas cosas y con sus correas puedes apretar y no deja que se mueva durante la caminata,si es poco lo que llevas,el molle tiene que llenar toda la bolsa y si no la llenas quedan bailando sus cosas que traes dentro ....yo tengo 3 alice pack 2 de u.s. medium y grande y 1 fabricado aqui en colombia con el camuflado de mi pais ....tengo un molle y lo utilizo para ir de paseo .....bien el alice porque llevo exagerado de peso y no se rasga mientras que el molle no sirve para ucho peso .....sobre el marco le doy la razon chris gana el alice el marco molle aqui en colombia se dañaron fisuras al lanzarlos en paracaidas los soldados colombianos botaron sus marcos molle y colocaron sus marcos alice...conclusion no cambiamos los alice , el molle aqui no vive...saludos a la gente de u.s. y a sus soldados.

[@tygrant9910]

I bought both new from millitary clothing sales and the alice has more use and looks newer still than the molle. Also the alice has shelves and ammo box carriers that go on it to make it multi use.. I know I'm older but I still see alice packs in Afghanistan. The younger guys love them. I wouldn't trade my alice for 30 molles

[@NYHalfassprepper]

Pro tip: flex seal works great to repair the disintegrated water proofing on the flap.

[@davidlinihan3626]

NYHalfassprepper mine just arrived from a,axon today! Spraying tomorrow

[@John-li6tn]

Also spray the bottom especially if you don't have the neoprene liner or use a garbage bag inside. It protects it when you lay it on the ground or is on a pallet.

[@huntclanhunt9697]

Came for the pack comparison, stayed for the Inch Worm.

[@vermontvermont9292]

This is the way.

[@soldierloz]

ALICE pack by a country mile. Robust, strong and very useable. 👍🏻

[@stevenkilpack3563]

No zipper no breaky breaky

[@thenoviceoutdoorsman6895]

You don’t carry a water bladder inside your Alice pack. You strap a camel back, and an independent patrol pack to the outside of Alice pack. That way you can leave your Alice pack and still have water. Same goes for just taking your patrol pack and grounding your Alice pack at camp.

[@akompsupport]

Great video on a specific comparison many would be interested in watching. Thanks for posting! Great job!

[@misfitkitties]

I have the medium alice, love it.

[@daniels.3920]

When I was with the 101st in 91-92 we were issued a new style of ruck sack to field test. After just one FTX we gladly turned them back in because they didn't hold up. Much preferred the large Alice Pack.

[@BackpackingWithJason]

Good review on both packs. Enjoyed it.

[@Robert.78]

Great video Kev!

[@sandracarlson8215]

I've had an Alice pack for years. Had no frame so I put my Coleman camp stool on the back. stool rests on my fanny pack which acts as my hip belt. But it was only today when I watched your Vid that I now know about the extra little pocket on the top flap. Thanks for the info. Liked the video a lot.

[@JerryWDaviscom]

I love my ALICE. She is my fave.

[@wishiwasamuffin]

Thank you for being nice to the inchworm!

[@jameshollen9723]

F the inchworm

[@JerryWDaviscom]

Yeah. F the inchworm.

[@irelandgunner9511]

F the inchworm must be what y'all exes told ya 😂🙈

[@saetmusic]

An excellent comparison of the two packs!

[@thomasnugent7602]

Very good. Thank you very much

[@nobodyinparticular709]

Picked up 3 medium lC2 packs yesterday at a Surplus store in South Africa, brand new 100% new and original, if I did a bit of digging I am sure I could find more there and for less than $40

[@almontepaolilli4909]

Great video!

[@rajmallya3632]

Good information, enjoyed the video , thank you very much god bless America, love from India.

[@bruceyung70]

Love Alice pack.

[@hondaman6918]

I agree, woodland camo is the best pattern, hands down.

[@qontoh2s872]

Great comparison video! You're not kidding about the prices. I picked up a 1976 surplus medium Alice and it was $90.00. However. I got the entire kit, pack, frame, all the pads and straps in mint condition. Considering they're selling for upwards of $200.00 and piecemealing one together would be just as, if not more expensive, I'm good with it. I did a lot of customization and turned it into a medium malice pack. Extra pockets, canteens, upgraded all the metal fasteners to plastic quick clips. And managed to find a back plate. So, it can sit upright or carry a heavier load. Best pack the military ever came up with.

[@willgrant719]

I like the ACU it makes you stand out. Only camouflage that beats out blaze orange in visibility.

[@Danefrak]

Rit dye

[@crypto_pinto2660]

I'm really glad you saved that inchworm

[@aSportishOne]

You dont want a medium MOLLE on a long movement, medium ALICE will save your back and shoulders

[@shadowstalker130666]

I cant help being suprised by people calling a medium alice small. I use mine as my big pack for winter. What all are you guys trying to put in a pack?

[@vocalpatriot]

with regards to heavier items...if they are placed near the top, then the need to lean forward is reduced.

[@scottsummers6357]

Alice was my first love, so I'm not very big on molle. That's why it's good that everyone has their own tastes.

[@15centmango]

Everyone talking about the Alice and Molly i’m here thinking about the ARVN rucksack everyone forgot about.

[@catlady8324]

Did the Inchworm make it out OK?

[@AllOutdoorcom]

We haven't seen him since our encounter and are awaiting correspondence.

[@geraldmiller8973]

you did not tell people about the opening behind the three outside compartments on the alice pack. you can take your shovel. no handle. and put it into that opening and whatever else you have that will fit in there. did you know about that? i didn't until i watched a video on the alice pack.

[@ChrisC30]

Don't sweat it. He didn't know.

[@WR3ND]

I go with Alice rucksack and Molle plate carriers and admin pouch. I'm a forest camo, classic OD, and black ops tactical boy. Cheers.

[@scoutsniper485]

I did take the shoulder straps and the waist belt from a Molle Pack and put them on my Alice boy what a difference makes it an ultimate comfortable pack of course you do have to have a sternum strap

[@nomadmarauder-dw9re]

A Hem...the suspension system on the MOLLE 2 Large already has a sternum strap. If you're just rocking the belt, O.K. But you really should go whole hog there.

[@Chocoboranger]

"looks like mylar" lol no. that looked like a poptart wrapper

[@scoutsniper485]

Id never give up my alice. U can use and abuse them and they will hold up

[@preparacaosobrevivencia]

Good Review i like Alice!!!!

[@shanenewport1988]

ALICE pack all day!!!

[@jackpumpkin]

Will the sustainmant pouches for the large molle ruck fit the medium molle ruck?I got them to fit on my assault pack.im looking for something a little bigger then mine.

[@projekt679]

Alice!

[@VAMobMember]

You can get “dry sacks” for the three ALICE PACK front pockets

[@JerryWDaviscom]

Thats cool. Do you have a source for them?

[@JohnBrinkPhoto]

We use three medium ALICE packs with frames setup as Hellcats and they work great. That is the pack attached to the frame using the newer molle straps and waste belt and a sleep carrier or other bag attached to the bottom of the frame. We like them. These can also be worn over an SDS FLC vest with the waste belt riding on the hips without overlapping the bottom of the vest. The vest can be outfitted with your most critical needs so you are not without essentials even without your pack. We were lucky to buy the packs like new and like new frames and new molle straps and belts. The vests can be bought new from SDS or other venders. I recommend the Super SDS FLC with the three zippers (two are for pockets). Good to see people still using surplus equipment because so much camping and outdoor retail equipment is out of peoples budgets.

[@sheltowee8079]

I've got an Alice pack I've had since highschool, I'm 38 now and have used every camping season since, and it was used surplus when I got it. Have I had to do repairs and replace the aluminum frame yes but hell that things lasted longer than two marriages bahaha

[@hiota45]

Some apple green rit dye really dresses up the ucp pattern as a useful camouflage pattern. A couple of stripes of camo spray paint makes it even better.

[@KevinNordstrom]

ugh the acu were the worst uniforms. What was the DOD thinking, invading the moon?

[@hiota45]

@@KevinNordstrom IDK man huge corrupt bureaucracies work in mysterious ways.

[@jrozanec1]

Do I see two different types of shoulder straps on medium Alice? Is this original setup? How this affect comfort?

[@josephrogers8213]

One side has a quick release for rolling out while prone ect

[@scarling9367]

I'm not a big fan of the ACU either, but I'll be danged if ALICE gear has gotten expensive compared to the ACU stuff. It went from military surplus to military "collector" status, I guess.

[@donniewhitten8630]

What about the 8 pocket ruck pockets on the out side of Alice pack.I no there out there.

[@AZDesertExplorer]

The webbing in the back pouch is for use when rigging it for a jump. Civilians can just cut the straps out.

[@MrLuffy9131]

Just wondering where did you get your Alice pack?

[@jameshargroder7090]

E bay has them, search under military surplus alice pack.

[@shadydave6036]

At 7:39 when you pulled up the flap who is the man looking back at us? I know it's not the print

[@vermontvermont9292]

Acu is terrible. No idea why they ever went with that? Sticks out like crazy, unless you're in an urban environment maybe? But I'm with you, woodland or erdl . The woodland digital is decent, but still think the woodland is best. The estonian digital is nice as well, but very hard to get. I still use my medium Alice pack, and prefer it. Great video

[@sitongking8005]

Eldon Austin-bradley I got the same question too. Maybe ACU is cheap to produce

[@jameshargroder7090]

A spray can of olive drab are desert tan spray paint can fix that digital pattern real quick!!

[@JerryWDaviscom]

Tiger stripe is also excellent, especially in Texas hill country. My personal favorite is the Vietnam era solid green bdu's with the angled/slash front chest pockets. That makes a damn good looking uniform.

[@brianbender8752]

Without the frame would a waist strap be necessary would the frame waist strap work and where would it hook to the compression d rings ,? Sorry to many questions thank you

[@cb750k1974]

Can you use an ALICE frame on the Molle pack?

[@Gabriel_the_Shemite]

I want to know too

[@vermontvermont9292]

Where are people finding these camo alice packs? Ive never ever seen one in person. Just the OD.

[@nomadmarauder-dw9re]

I've never humped the medium Molle, but it seems that instead of a permanent pouch with PALS, it would be better with just PALS webbing. That way one could use a variety of pouches instead of just one type. And, the medium Molle can't upgrade to the M2 large harness, but the Alice can? Id've Made that standard.

[@crypto_pinto2660]

Anyone tell me which is more reliable is the medium Alice pack at least comfortable for Journeys

[@alexwilliamson8225]

It's comfortable over long distance as long as you keep it under 40 lbs.

[@herbertschroeder3739]

alice pack is a more reliable pack than other packs out there even though the large is less comfortable than the medium.

[@geraldmiller8973]

you failed to mention the slot in back of the middle outside pocket where you can put the handle of your gi folding shovel. if you do not need a shovel you can use it as a weapon to smash someones face in. i like multiuse tools.

[@shanewhetstone7977]

thats on the Large Alice. The medium has tunnels behind all three pouches

[@danielburgosfrez9048]

Hey allout door can you huckme up with a alicebackpacks theres no military flea markets in puertorico

[@johngalt6929]

That ACU camo is so damn stupid. . . .

[@scouttroop291]

Just got al today was 400 in his. Box. There out here just got look SOS. Army store. Id.

[@budmeister]

you can attach the assault pack to the back of the large molle pack.

[@aleksfoxtrot8044]

You can rig the alice to do that too. I've done it before.

[@jackieeastom8758]

Should of ate the worm

[@MadManInMyVisions]

NO US LOGO ON THE BACK? THIS IS A NO GO!

[@JerryWDaviscom]

It has one. The ALICE, right?

[@user-xl7ei9tv6r]

ALICE rucks are worth more on Ebay than MOLLE rucks.

[@petermuna5024]

So i have been issued that medium pack. I promise you . That polymer frame can be removed and the pack can be used with out it . Ive done it many times till i had to turn it in

[@poppaluv]

@Katie Rae i was told nothing comes back from the sand lands due to possible contamination

[@aleksfoxtrot8044]

@@poppaluv yeah. They tell you that then, without cleaning or sanitizing anything they throw it in trucks to auction off to army navy stores. 😂

[@wolffo999]

I’d dye the digital camo with brown RIT in a 5 gallon bucket - digital is horrible

[@kazimierz52wojtczak99]

Witam i tak zawsze wolę Alice , takie jest moje skromne zdanie , a może to przez nostalgię

[@scoutsniper485]

That molle frame is junk. They all crack at some point or another

[@jameshargroder7090]

That's What I have HEARD IN MANY COMMENTS!!

[@adamc6371]

I have literally never seen a molle frame crack but I’ve seen plenty of bent Alice ones

[@tanneroverton1338]

inch worm lol

[@rippersix293]

You’re comparing a medium ALICE pack to the MOLLE pack, that’s apples to oranges. Try comparing a large ALICE pack to the MOLLE pack. The MOLLE was intended as the replacement for the large ALICE, not the medium. The MOLLE assault pack was the intended replacement for the medium ALICE.

[@aleksfoxtrot8044]

This is the medium molle2. Not the molle2 ruck and not the molle2 assualt pack. Its larger than the assault pack but smaller than the ruck.