ALICE and MOLLE Equipment

ALL-PURPOSE LIGHTWEIGHT INDIVIDUAL CARRYING EQUIPMENT Introduced in 1974, the all-purpose lightweight individual carrying equipment (A.L.I.C.E.) is made up of components for the fighting load and additional components for the existence load. These components are designed for use in all environments --- hot, temperate, cold-wet regions, and even in cold-dry arctic regions. ALICE gear was the standard fighting and existence load carrying equipment until the late 1990's.

MOLLE (pronounced MOLLY as in the female name) is an acronym for MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment. It is used to define the current generation of load-bearing equipment and rucksacks utilized by the United States Army. The system's modularity is derived from the use of PALS (Pouch Attachment Ladder System) webbing, rows of heavy-duty nylon stitched onto the vest as to allow for attachment of various MOLLE-compatible pouches and accessories. This method of attachment has become a de facto standard for modular tactical gear, replacing the click and stick system (aka ALICE clips) used in the earliest modular vest systems. MOLLE system was fist introduced in 1997 but it wasn't until late 2001 when it experienced widespread use.