How to Set Up an Alice Pack

An acronym for All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment, the ALICE is a pack system based on a military design that allows the user to carry gear in a light and easy-to-move manner. Easily modified, they are popular among military enthusiasts, campers and hikers, and in sports such as paintball.

Things You'll Need

  • ALICE or trail pack suspenders or shoulder harness
  • Optional:
  • ALICE pack frame
  • Kidney pad belt
  • ALICE clips
  • Pouches and attachments as needed, such as canteen pouch, etc.
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase the base pack for your ALICE system. The use of your pack will determine which one to purchase and how you set up the system, whether it's for hauling camping gear or designed for military style activities. The base comes in small, medium or large with an internal sack, external pouches in a varying number depending on the size, a Velcro or cord closing top flap, and standard shoulder straps. The design is based on the original army rucksack, and that is the core of the pack in any size. The base pack is commonly available at any military surplus supply store and used is often cheaper than a new pack.

    • 2

      Add a frame for a large pack designed for heavy duty use. If mobility is an issue, a frame may not be desirable. The frame can also be used without the pack to carry gear. A framed pack is made mostly for long-distance hauling of a large amount of equipment. If the frame is used, the straps attach directly to the frame itself; without the frame. the straps support the pack on the wearer's shoulders.

    • 3

      Try on your pack and determine whether a kidney pad belt is necessary. Framed packs create a heavy load and kidney pads will keep the frame from digging into the waist and causing pain. With a quick-release buckle and adjustable straps, the kidney pad belt can be removed if the pack is adjusted to a more lightweight use.

    • 4

      Modify your ALICE pack based on your gear. Hiking can be designed around a system of small pouches for things such as a compass, energy bars, a medical kit and other small items used commonly in hiking. A military style pack for maneuvers or a sport such as paintball will use a different system with pouches for ammunition, binoculars, a radio or canteen.

    • 5

      Add modifications to your pack to vary the usages. City dwellers sometimes adjust the pack by adding a top strap made of clip-ended webbing for transport of laptop computers and necessary gear when they travel to work by bicycle. These versatile packs can be altered to almost any use you can dream up with the large variety of items that can be attached by clip, strap or Velcro. The attachments and pouches are available from many online retailers.