Before today’s MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment) became the standard for U.S. military gear, soldiers relied on another system the ALICE pack, short for All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment.
The ALICE system laid the foundation for modern modular packs and rucksacks. While most new defense contracts now specify MOLLE-based designs, the ALICE system remains in service for certain applications and legacy programs.
At Fieldtex, we’ve been manufacturing both ALICE and MOLLE-style packs for more than 40 years. Our experience spans early ALICE-era military gear through today’s modern tactical systems, giving us the unique capability to produce both traditional and contemporary load-carrying designs.
What Is the ALICE System?
The ALICE system was introduced by the U.S. Army in the 1970s to replace older canvas field gear. It was designed to make military packs lighter, tougher, and easier to reconfigure.
Key design improvements included:
- Nylon construction instead of cotton canvas for better weather resistance
- Clip-on attachments that could be rearranged without sewing
- Metal frame support for carrying heavier loads
- Detachable pouches for ammunition, tools, and personal gear
These packs were simple, rugged, and easy to maintain—qualities that still appeal to modern users in harsh environments.
The ALICE Pack Frame
One defining feature of the ALICE system is its external metal frame, typically made from lightweight aluminum tubing. This frame provides the structure that allows the rucksack to carry large loads comfortably while keeping weight distributed across the hips and shoulders.
Unlike internal-frame MOLLE packs, which rely on sewn-in reinforcement, the ALICE frame is a separate component that can be paired with packs of various sizes and designs. Over the years, this flexibility has made the frame a foundation for many custom or hybrid pack configurations.
At Fieldtex, we’ve produced rucksacks and load-bearing bags designed to attach to the ALICE frame, as well as modernized versions that integrate MOLLE webbing with traditional external frames. This combination gives customers the best of both worlds—legacy compatibility with updated materials and layouts.
Common Frame Applications
- Standard ALICE rucksack assemblies for legacy military contracts
- Hybrid tactical packs that combine ALICE frames with MOLLE-compatible pouches
- Custom field packs for industrial, research, and outdoor customers requiring external load support
Whether the project calls for a replica of a classic military design or a reimagined modern frame-mounted pack, our team can prototype and produce both the soft pack and the structural interface.
ALICE vs. MOLLE: What Changed
By the late 1990s, the MOLLE system replaced ALICE as the new U.S. military standard. MOLLE introduced PALS webbing, which replaced ALICE’s clip attachments with woven fabric loops.
| Feature | ALICE System | MOLLE System |
|---|---|---|
| Era Introduced | 1970s | Late 1990s |
| Attachment Method | Metal clips and straps | PALS webbing (woven attachment) |
| Load Support | External metal frame | Internal or integrated frame |
| Modularity | Moderate | High |
| Typical Material | Heavy nylon fabric | 500D–1000D nylon |
| Current Use | Legacy/specialty applications | Modern military standard |
Despite being replaced, ALICE systems continue to be requested by customers restoring or reproducing legacy packs and rucksacks, and Fieldtex remains one of the few U.S. factories still equipped to make them.
Fieldtex Manufacturing: Experience with Both Systems
Fieldtex has more than four decades of experience manufacturing ALICE and MOLLE-compatible packs. Our long history producing nylon rucksacks, tactical pouches, and webbing assemblies gives us a unique perspective on the evolution of military pack design.
Today, we continue to support both systems:
- MOLLE-Compatible Products: tactical backpacks, vests, and medical response kits
- ALICE-Style Packs: rucksacks, external-frame backpacks, and component pouches built to original specifications
We can manufacture new ALICE pack designs, reproduce legacy models, or integrate modern materials and hardware while maintaining structural compatibility with original ALICE frames.
Manufacturing Legacy ALICE Packs and Frame Systems
Producing ALICE gear requires a slightly different skill set than modern MOLLE production. The patterns are older, the materials heavier, and the frame interface demands precision stitching and rivet placement that most sewing factories no longer perform.
At Fieldtex, our manufacturing team maintains the capability to:
- Recreate original ALICE rucksack patterns and pouch configurations from historical specs or customer samples
- Sew reinforced seams and load-bearing channels to interface with external metal frames
- Integrate updated nylon fabrics and hardware while preserving the original design geometry
- Produce replacement soft packs that fit existing ALICE frames or hybrid systems
Our engineers understand the structural differences between external-frame and internal-frame pack construction, allowing us to deliver modern performance while retaining authentic design features.
Partnering with Fieldtex for Legacy and Modern Pack Production
Few manufacturers today can claim firsthand experience with both ALICE and MOLLE systems. Fieldtex can.
For more than 40 years, we’ve built packs for evolving generations of soldiers and defense suppliers—from the early external-frame ALICE rucksacks to the latest modular MOLLE loadouts.
Our team understands how legacy military designs translate into today’s production requirements. Whether you need replacement ALICE packs for refurbishment programs, are reviving a vintage model for a specialty market, or want to merge classic frame construction with new materials, we can help engineer a practical path forward.
Work with a U.S. sewing factory that still builds both the old and the new.
Request a Quote or learn more about our Tactical and Military Pack Manufacturing Services.