My Alice Pack

[garethw]

Hi there
I've had this old Alice pack for years, and mostly used it for fishing. More recently I've got it out from retirement and started to modify it a bit...(there are loads of Alice mods on the US forums). First mod was to swap the metal buckles for plastic fastex type clips on the top flap and pockets.. Access is now easy and quick.
Second mod was to improve the carry of the pack. The old LC1 straps and kidney pad were very uncomfortable and hard... Made the pack sit on your shoulders and as its big and heavy this was not a viable carry system. So I ordered a set of Molle straps and kidney pad from the US and fitted them. Boy what a difference. Bigger, better padding, sternum strap etc, have now made the pack very comfy to carry even with 15kg of load.
I like some of the army bergens but good ones are over £100. Karrimors Sabres for instance are even more money. So for 10 Euros of clips, and 35$ of straps I have transformed my old Alice into an excellent backpack, that I sure couldcarry for a good distance. It also a pack reputed as virtually indestructable.
Cheers
Gareth

[garethw]

Here are a few photos

http://www.gwenllyn.com/alice04.jpg
New straps and belt

http://www.gwenllyn.com/alice02.jpg
Close up of the new belt

http://www.gwenllyn.com/alice03.jpg
The new straps

http://www.gwenllyn.com/alice01.jpg
the plastic snap buckles.

cheers
Gareth

[garethw]

Hi there
I've been messing around with the ALICE/MOLLE hybrid pack since I first saw it on this and other forums. After using a large pack without a MSS carrier, I've finally gone for the medium with the carrier. Mostly beacause it is less voluminous and doesn't bulge out from your back as the large pack does.

Front view of the finished pack.

http://www.croixblanchelakes.com/Newalice01.jpg

A side view with frame and sleep system carrier in place.

http://www.croixblanchelakes.com/Newalice02.jpg

The DEI 1606AC frame makes a big difference, lighter, flexible and fits the MOLLE stuff better.

http://www.croixblanchelakes.com/Newalice003.jpg

I hook up the shoulder straps just like on the Aluminium frame, using only the lower set around the frame, and tucking the upper straps in behind. With the loads lifters, and central webbing, they are very solidly attached.

http://www.croixblanchelakes.com/Newalice03.jpg

I added a webbing loop to make a handle on the top... an essential addition for me.

http://www.croixblanchelakes.com/Newalice04.jpg

Here you see the MSS carrier cinched up to the pack. There is absolutely no bounce when fitted like this.

http://www.croixblanchelakes.com/Newalice05.jpg

I copied the way the MOLLE ll pack has its fastex buckles fitted. I can thread these through the first set of loops on the front of the MSS carrier to cinch it to the main pack.


http://www.croixblanchelakes.com/Newalice06.jpg

The MSS carrier is fitted with 4 toggles to attach to the MOLLE frame. As the DEI frame is shorter I used just the top set to attach it to the 1606 frame. Like this is is held firmly to the frame, and doesn't come undone when you loosen the straps. The webbing straps ( you can se one on the right of the image), go around and under to compress the carrier when its full.

http://www.croixblanchelakes.com/Newalice07.jpg

So there you go. After several attempts with different configurations I've got the pack modified how I want it. It carries well, has enough space for all my gear, and has a retro look that I like. I was never a big fan of the way the original Alice carried, but this is a totally different beast.

cheers
Gareth

[LandRoverMatt]

Nice Alice pack mate:)

[comanighttrain]

hey thats pretty neat! is it heavy?

[markal17]

cool pic were can i get one of those pls

[garethw]

hey thats pretty neat! is it heavy?
Not really much more than other military packs. I guess around 5-6lb. I hiked with over 18kgs in it last weekend, no problem, very managable and comfortable. Far better than the original pack that's for sure.


cool pic were can i get one of those pls

Well you can't actually go out and buy one just like this... you need the following items to make one up:

1x Medium Alice pack
1x complete set of Molle ll shoulder straps
1x Molle ll kidney belt
1x Molle ll sleep system carrier
1x DEI 1606AC frame

Most can be picked up on ebay, but the frame you have to order direct from Down East. The components are all pretty cheap, 15 or 20$ each for good grade surplus. The frames are about 35$. You can therefore get all the bits for less than 100$ which is only about £65. (you'll obviously have shipping on top, but any pack ordered online will have P&P extra). I'm in France and most of the gear I want needs to be ordered overseas, and shipping from the UK is not a whole lot cheaper than from the US. Surplus items don't seem to catch the eye of the tax people either...well mine didn't.

For all this though you are getting a bullet proof military grade pack, that carries well and looks cool...well I think so. Its a lot of fun putting it all together..

cheers
Gareth

[markal17]

cool thanks im geting that lots