Every MOLLE vest, backpack, and tactical pouch relies on one critical feature: PALS webbing.
Short for Pouch Attachment Ladder System, PALS is the grid of nylon straps that allows pouches, holsters, and accessories to attach securely to modular gear.
At Fieldtex, we’ve been sewing PALS webbing panels into tactical vests, military backpacks, and pouches for decades. Our factory’s programmable tacker systems make it possible to produce high volumes of MOLLE webbing panels with unmatched speed and precision—ensuring every strap is perfectly aligned, reinforced, and ready for heavy use.
What Is the PALS Webbing System?
The PALS webbing system—short for Pouch Attachment Ladder System—was developed by the U.S. Army’s Natick Soldier Research Center in the late 1990s as the foundation of the MOLLE webbing system.
It consists of 1-inch horizontal webbing sewn onto base fabric at precisely 1.5-inch vertical intervals.
This creates a universal attachment grid used across all MOLLE-compatible gear—from backpacks and body armor to medical kits and field pouches.
Because the spacing is standardized, accessories made by different manufacturers can all attach to the same panel. That level of interoperability is what made the MOLLE system the military standard.
The PALS webbing system is more than a pattern—it’s the structural backbone of the entire MOLLE ecosystem.
How the MOLLE Webbing Panel Works
A MOLLE webbing panel is the surface onto which accessories are woven.
Each row of PALS webbing acts as an anchor point for pouches and attachments. To attach a pouch, straps on the back of the accessory are woven through alternating rows of webbing, locking the pouch tightly to the surface.
Because the weave distributes load evenly across multiple points, PALS-equipped gear resists sagging and shifting under movement—a major improvement over older clip-on systems like ALICE.
At Fieldtex, every MOLLE webbing panel we produce is sewn with consistent tension, parallel spacing, and reinforced bar-tack stitches to handle heavy use in the field.
Automated PALS Production with Programmable Tackers
Producing PALS webbing by hand is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Traditionally, sewing a single webbing panel could take an experienced operator up to eight minutes.
To meet modern production speed and precision requirements, Fieldtex uses programmable tacker sewing machines that automate the PALS panel sewing process.
These systems:
- Reduce panel production time from eight minutes to under one minute
- Ensure exact spacing and stitch alignment across every webbing row
- Allow repeatable, large-batch manufacturing without requiring specialized operator skill
- Maintain exceptional consistency from prototype through full production
This automation gives us the ability to integrate PALS webbing panels into vests, bags, and backpacks quickly and cost-effectively—without compromising on strength or accuracy.
Our programmable tackers can be reprogrammed for custom spacing, stitch patterns, and panel sizes, allowing us to adapt to new product designs instantly.
These automated systems allow Fieldtex to combine American manufacturing quality with production efficiency typically seen in large-scale overseas factories—while maintaining full domestic control and Berry compliance.
Materials and Construction Standards
Fieldtex manufactures PALS and MOLLE webbing systems using:
- Berry-compliant nylon and polyester webbing
- Bonded nylon thread for high-tensile strength and abrasion resistance
- Industrial bar-tack reinforcement at every stress point
- ISO 9001:2015-certified production processes for traceability and consistency
Our engineers monitor web spacing, stitch tension, and layout accuracy through template checks during every production run.
PALS Webbing in Tactical Pouch Manufacturing
In addition to integrating PALS webbing into large items like vests and backpacks, Fieldtex also manufactures a wide range of tactical pouches designed to attach to the MOLLE webbing system.
These include:
- Medical and utility pouches
- Magazine and ammunition carriers
- Hydration and radio pouches
- Custom OEM pouches designed for specific equipment or tools
Our pouch production lines use the same PALS-compatible standards, ensuring that every product we produce—bag, vest, or accessory—integrates seamlessly into the MOLLE ecosystem.
PALS vs. MOLLE: The Relationship
While the terms are often used interchangeably, PALS refers specifically to the webbing grid, while MOLLE refers to the entire modular system of equipment that uses it.
In short:
- PALS = The platform (the webbing pattern)
- MOLLE = The system (the gear built around it)
Without PALS, MOLLE wouldn’t exist. Every piece of MOLLE-compatible equipment relies on this standardized attachment architecture.
Partner with Fieldtex
Whether you’re developing a new tactical vest, MOLLE backpack, or custom pouch line, Fieldtex can manufacture your design with true PALS compliance and the production speed your project demands.
Partner with a U.S. sewing factory that builds precision PALS webbing systems at scale.
Request a Quote or learn more about our Tactical Gear Manufacturing Services.