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Need Opinions on US ALICE Rucksack
- Thread starter rgkeller
- Start date
Well, The ALICE ruck is rugged in the extreme. It will likely outlast your grandkids, and they wont like carrying it any more than you! :barf:
"...to the one I humped thirty some years ago" I'm guessing you were in the Military. Do remember "Hump'in a ruck" to have ever been fun? I don't.
You got to try some of the newer designs, you won't belive the difference in comfort. Twice the weight at twice the comfort. Most of the better outdoor equipment stores will allow you to put some weight in a pack and wear it around the store for awhile. Some even provide sandbags etc. Look in the phone book for gear rentals this would allow you to try a pack on an outing and see if you like it. Packs are like everything else, they've come along way in the last 3 decades.
Remember we're not as young and indestructable as we used to be.
Allan
"...to the one I humped thirty some years ago" I'm guessing you were in the Military. Do remember "Hump'in a ruck" to have ever been fun? I don't.
You got to try some of the newer designs, you won't belive the difference in comfort. Twice the weight at twice the comfort. Most of the better outdoor equipment stores will allow you to put some weight in a pack and wear it around the store for awhile. Some even provide sandbags etc. Look in the phone book for gear rentals this would allow you to try a pack on an outing and see if you like it. Packs are like everything else, they've come along way in the last 3 decades.
Remember we're not as young and indestructable as we used to be.
Allan
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,207
What Al said!!!!
MelancholyMutt
Doggy Style
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2002
- Messages
- 3,906
I collect rucksacks and I feel that the Alice pack is one of the best external frame packs out there. In the winter, I would opt for an internal frame pack which saves a bit of weight and bulkiness, but the other three seasons will find me with an ex frame. As for frame packs, most frames are too long to be comfortable and balance the load about where your neck is. You can't look up, and when you lean over, you fall over.
The alice frame is stout and holds your load lower and further out. This puts the weight on your shoulders and kidney pads. This also puts space between your back and the pack for better ventilation.
The only things I change on my alice packs are fastex buckles on the vertical straps and some webbing to make a handle at the top of the frame. Aftermarket shoulder straps will improve comfort especially with a sternum strap, but I have yet to actually NEED one.
On a side note, a lot of guys in green replace their frame with a plastic one.
The alice frame is stout and holds your load lower and further out. This puts the weight on your shoulders and kidney pads. This also puts space between your back and the pack for better ventilation.
The only things I change on my alice packs are fastex buckles on the vertical straps and some webbing to make a handle at the top of the frame. Aftermarket shoulder straps will improve comfort especially with a sternum strap, but I have yet to actually NEED one.
On a side note, a lot of guys in green replace their frame with a plastic one.
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2000
- Messages
- 2,044
To put it bluntly, it sucks. Do what SurviveAl says and see what's out there now. You'll be glad you did.
My personal preference is a large internal frame by Dana Designs. I've carried heavy loads in all four seasons and it was much more comfortable and stable than my first external frame pack, which was much better than an ALICE. As Mutt says, there are issues with externals that I don't like, but I don't think an ALICE would solve them like an internal frame does.
For day and weekend hikes, I find the alice pack perfect. It is the most comfortable pack for my back. I've tried the newer packs both at REI and EMS, and have returned several because of fit and comfort issues. The alice pack must be perfectly sized for my back.
I'm also a heavy sweater, and for that reason, greatly dislike internal frames. I also like to lash things to an external frame, and the alice pack is king for this.
Everyone's back and preferences are different. For me, the alice pack is the most comfortable BY FAR. YMMV.
I'm also a heavy sweater, and for that reason, greatly dislike internal frames. I also like to lash things to an external frame, and the alice pack is king for this.
Everyone's back and preferences are different. For me, the alice pack is the most comfortable BY FAR. YMMV.