ALICE Pack / OPINIONS?

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Encycloatom

Joined
Feb 3, 2001
Messages
35
The A.L.I.C.E. pack has been arround for years, Is affordable, Carrys A load of stuff, and is readily available almost any where. What I want to know is how functional these things actually are. I've never used one. I do a lot of ultra light backpacking, so I don't carry alot. And dont want to spend a small fortune on a name brand top of the line pack. Is the ALICE worth the money?
What are your personal experiences with it?

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He Who dies with the most toys still dies.
 
Ultralight and ALICE are two words that DO NOT go together!
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You'll find them HEAVY and BULKY if you are looking to save weight. This is one of the reasons they are inexpensive. Most guys that use a pack a LOT end up spending the money on a better, lighter civilian pack.

Just look at special units in the military and few of them use ALICE packs. Most try to find something that weighs less, is just as durable and probably is more comfortable with a full load.

I've used both Large and Medium Alices and have ended up with a Medium for a BOB. I only wish I could afford a better pack, but it does what I need it to at the moment so I won't go out of my way to replace it.

Just my $.02 worth!


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Plainsman
primitiveguy@hotmail.com
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I've carried a Med. and Lg. ALICE for over 10 years, in and out of the military, with good results. Some civilian packs may be more comfortable, I don't know. Blackhawk and Eagle make some good packs as well. Personally, I have no problems with the ALICE packs. They work well for me.
 
I've used a medium ALICE pack for a long time, only recently buying something new from Blackhawk. My ALICE is very light, no worse than other nylon fabric packs from other makers, but mine has no frame inside or out, so perhaps that is why. I haven't had any problem carrying a few days worth of stuff in it, but it isn't comfortable to carry if the total load gets beyond 20lbs or so. That's where the more modern harness systems really begin to shine.
 
I've used the ALICE pack in the military and never had any problems, although it was for short durations.

I've never used it with a frame, however. Does this help it be more comfortable?
 
Thanks for the help. I think i'm gonna go with a civilian pack. Proably something in the camptrails range.Thanks again.


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He Who dies with the most toys still dies.
 
If it's not too late to add my two cents. I do like the large ALICE with frame. While I have upgraded to a Blackhawk pack, heck my wife sells 'em so she cut me a great deal
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, the military ruck will certainly do the trick. As for SF units being issued ALICE packs. We still get 'em, we also get packs made by Lowe and Gregory issued to us. I do prefer the Blackhawk packs because of their comfort, and ruggedness.

E-bay has some great deals on surplus goods.

Military (prior and active) police, EMS ans S&R get 20% off Blackhawk purchaces at the website below.

Hope this helped.

Dan

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Go Get 'em Gear
 
Encycloatom, have you looked at the CPF 90 variant of the alice pack? Its a bit more expensive but I bought one at a local pawn shop that was missing the removable day pack for 80 bucks. The find the internal frame more comfortable.

KC
 
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