View Full Version : Alice frame sources/availability
I'm looking for an ALICE frame to make a hellcat or similar setup to ruck with to prep for Basic with. I recently had ordered one from old grouch's but they never sent anything or responded to my emails/calls. So Im looking for any leads on an Alice frame from a reputable source. I'd like to avoid any more hassles with disputing charges and such. Any sources or help would be much appreciated.
AppalachianThunder
07-24-16, 18:56
Check your local Army surplus store. The one near me always has the frames, and packs in all three sizes.
Check your local Army surplus store. The one near me always has the frames, and packs in all three sizes.
+1
If you don't have anything local, pop on ebay. I picked up a spare large ALICE for like $30 and it was in great shape.
The_War_Wagon
07-24-16, 21:18
These guys are about 40 minutes down the road from me, but ship anywhere (I shop there about 3x a year, and their stuff is good kit, and they're easy to deal with). Ta da (http://www.calarmy.com/backpacks/alice/index.html).
ALICE frames are horrible but cheap. You can get a more comfortable and useful Down East (Airborne) replacement from a number of places.
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s232/brucers99/IMG_1503.jpg
SeriousStudent
07-25-16, 18:25
I agree with Sinister. That stupid metal ALICE frame has crippled more young adults than MS. Why put yourself through it when you don't need to?
It's possible to do conditioning with good gear, and get the benefits you need.
Is ALICE even issued at Basic anymore?
Is ALICE even issued at Basic anymore?
No, but some units still issue them from their own property books.
lawusmc0844
07-26-16, 01:48
Like others have mentioned, screw the USGI ALICE frame, I never liked that POS. Get the Down East Inc 1606 AC frame directly from them https://downeastinc.com/shop/node/3 or check ebay and local surplus stores. Your back will thank you later!
ALICE frames are horrible but cheap. You can get a more comfortable and useful Down East (Airborne) replacement from a number of places.
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s232/brucers99/IMG_1503.jpg
I'm surprised you still use the old ALICE shoulder straps and hip belt. I never cared for those either so I went with Woodland MOLLE II shoulder straps and waist belt, so damn comfortable! Here's my setup
http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz293/lawusmc0844/20160725_233116.jpg
Not my ruck. :)
Ditched ALICE years ago for Mystery Ranch and FILBE.
BrigandTwoFour
07-26-16, 08:54
Tactical Tailor makes an upgraded version of the frame for their MALICE packs with welded joints instead of rivets
http://www.tacticaltailor.com/images/products/detail/101124_angle_600.jpg
http://www.tacticaltailor.com/tacticaltailormalicepackframestrillscompatible.aspx
Mystery Ranch also used to sell the NICE frame as a standalone unit, and it is compatible with ALICE packs.
No, but some units still issue them from their own property books.
Yep when I should up to ranger batt in the mid 2000s they were still being issued and and I know that in the 82nd good number of guys would buy or source one instead of the piece of shit molle pack. I have seen multiple molle frames break both in ranger school and on deployment, i would not trust one especially for airborne ops. I was fast to take note from my first platoon Sgt. And upgrade to tac tailor straps and kidney pad.
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Yep when I should up to ranger batt in the mid 2000s they were still being issued and and I know that in the 82nd good number of guys would buy or source one instead of the piece of shit molle pack. I have seen multiple molle frames break both in ranger school and on deployment, i would not trust one especially for airborne ops. I was fast to take note from my first platoon Sgt. And upgrade to tac tailor straps and kidney pad.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Yep, my Company in the 82nd issued them to every Soldier along with air items, mags, and all the other normal new guy OCIE.
The tac tailor kidney pad and straps, a claymore pocket on the top flap, and modifying the snap fasteners for buckles on the wet weather pockets and cinch straps are some of the best changes you can do to an ALICE. I broke a MOLLE frame on a night jump in Alaska and had to ruck the 12 miles back with that shitty broken bag on my bag. Also saw quite a few crack from the edge of the frame to the various hole cutouts for straps from guys dropping them from as low as an LMTV.
**** the MOLLE.
Oh, ALICE...
http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag347/GTF425/E9D1193C-7731-4B08-9300-843368CD0890-378-00000022F0538C74_zpsnbpzodby.jpg
http://tonystactical.com/
Site down for maintenance, but Tony's has a good selection. They'll even build you a Hellcat
Sent from 80ms in the future
Jimmy
ALICE frames are horrible but cheap. You can get a more comfortable and useful Down East (Airborne) replacement from a number of places.
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s232/brucers99/IMG_1503.jpg
That looks good
Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk
I'm glad some here hate the Alice. I always hear old school guys talk about how much they love it, I usually wonder if they just didn't know any better and learned they had to love it. That thing sucks. The metal bar up the middle sits right on your spine and the bottom for the frame always tore into my back because the pad wasn't large enough to cover it. They're also pretty small. Trying to fit an entire winter packing list in there is rough and the front three pouches are almost useless. The only pro is that they're cheap and durable as hell. I prefer the MOLLE but that's a pain in the ass to assemble and I've also seen several break. I wish I could get away with using my mystery ranch in future army endeavors.
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lawusmc0844
07-29-16, 13:19
Not my ruck. :)
Ditched ALICE years ago for Mystery Ranch and FILBE.
Mystery Ranch is too much for me unfortunately
Got issued the FILBE a year before EAS. Went to Afghanistan with a firing battery so I never got a chance to hump with it but I was overall impressed with the entire system. A big improvement over the ILBE, especially the assault pack. My only complaint is the moronic way the load lifter straps are set up. I regret not buying the one from my buddy as complete FILBE systems are extremely hard to come by now.
Yep, my Company in the 82nd issued them to every Soldier along with air items, mags, and all the other normal new guy OCIE.
The tac tailor kidney pad and straps, a claymore pocket on the top flap, and modifying the snap fasteners for buckles on the wet weather pockets and cinch straps are some of the best changes you can do to an ALICE. I broke a MOLLE frame on a night jump in Alaska and had to ruck the 12 miles back with that shitty broken bag on my bag. Also saw quite a few crack from the edge of the frame to the various hole cutouts for straps from guys dropping them from as low as an LMTV.
**** the MOLLE.
The current Gen IV MOLLE frames are far more durable than the older gen shit you had to use before. My buddies who did get to hump with the FILBE reported no frame breakage, but one had the earlier FILBE main pack with the out of spec load lifter straps that broke on him.
I'm glad some here hate the Alice. I always hear old school guys talk about how much they love it, I usually wonder if they just didn't know any better and learned they had to love it. That thing sucks. The metal bar up the middle sits right on your spine and the bottom for the frame always tore into my back because the pad wasn't large enough to cover it. They're also pretty small. Trying to fit an entire winter packing list in there is rough and the front three pouches are almost useless. The only pro is that they're cheap and durable as hell. I prefer the MOLLE but that's a pain in the ass to assemble and I've also seen several break. I wish I could get away with using my mystery ranch in future army endeavors.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Regular Large ALICE with the metal frame and triglides sucked but the ALICE Hellcat mod and fastex buckles is awesome. Compared to the POS ILBE I used before, its much easier for me at least to pack and get stuff out of.
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