Who Here Uses the ALICE Buttpack?

[Crimson Phoenix]

I finally broke down and got a new buttpack for my ALICE rig since the other one is buried under stuff at my parents' house. This time, I got the modernized version with fastex buckles and storm flap in good 'ol olive drab since I'm growing more afraid of tearing up the ERDL camo one I scored years ago at a surplus shop in College Station, TX. In some ways, I suppose it's getting more and more unusual to see guys running less than modern load-bearing systems, and I'm curious to see who still uses these and what do you put in them? Typically, I'd carry two changes of socks, poncho, a large first aid kit, and sometimes food or binoculars when out at my friend's property. They're about the same size as the claymore/large utility pouch on my large ruck I keep my tent stakes, camp tools, and odds and ends in, which means I have a lot of versatility in what I can bring, so long as I avoid bogging myself down. These days, I like how I can drop the need for a daypack real quick with just the belt system if needed.

[ancient_serpent]

I have the old school one on one of my rigs. Pretty useful at times, good thing to have when you need a little stuff for an overnighter away from your PB.

[moab]

I have a similar set up with MOLLE II rucksack and MOLLE II fanny pack. I use the fanny pack as an INCH/BOB EDC if you will. It has everything that my main rucksack has just in smaller quantities i.e. - FAK, fire, fishing, water treatment pills, meds, map/navigation (extra compass), emergency blanket, extra whistle, some gun cleaning items etc. etc. Also carry my poncho for wet weather gear in my fanny pack. It's not extra that's just where I store it. So that if I'm ever separated from my main pack. I have everything I need to at least stay alive on me. So if I ever go to get wood or water or whatever away from my rucksack. I have the fanny pack on me as backup.

I never carried a buttpack in the Corps. But I knew those who did. And they loved them. If your running the waist belt with suspenders it's a great addition to your kit. For the aforementioned reasons.

[Jeriah]

I had one of the "middle school" versions, OD nylon but with metal fittings not fastex. It kind of sucked ass. Storm flap ripped easily, and was not at all east to get into or out of (access, not donning/doffing). But hey, it was cheap, and filled the role for years until I got something better.

Now I've got a Spec Ops SOB in Desert 3 color that I leave on a belt rig in California as my hiking rig for when I'm out there visiting, and another, in Woodland, that I use for the same thing here. SO much better than the old GI one. I can get into it myself without taking it off: not easily, mind you, but it can be done. And, unbuckling and swinging it around to the side makes it easy to access. Capacity is better, side pockets can take canteens if needed. Very handy buttpack for small loads, for example for day hikes, orienteering, etc.

Was thinking about setting one up for training carbine courses etc. but am going lighter-weight with my on-body rig for that stuff, so I just bring a bigger pack that I ground behind the line.

[TacAir]

Yup, but not as a buttpack, quite. lots of ways to use these handy packs....

[moab]

Great idea tacair. I like the buttpack on top of the alice. Add's some more weight up top. I like it.

[TacAir]

Great idea tacair. I like the buttpack on top of the alice. Add's some more weight up top. I like it.

'Tis but the daily bread, freeze dried for the most part - sometimes stripped MREs
Easy in and easy to put up a tree...

[Crimson Phoenix]

Hahaha, Tacair, I'm sold. I'm getting a coyote one to go on top of my Recon Ruck when I have the money. It's way cheaper than getting an EOD/Claymore pouch anyway. And yeah, it's certainly crossed my mind that should I need to use it for anything other than a day hike or all-day airsoft event, everything I must have like 72 hours of food, individual cook set, first aid, two changes of base layer and socks, and meds go in there if I get separated from my main pack. E-tool one the left, IFAK on the right attached externally.

I used to do it like that in the Scouts in the late-90s with one of those Coleman fanny pack things that took two water bottles, but that stopped being socially acceptable once 2001 rolled around (likely even earlier, just nobody told me). Which reminds me, I need to find that thing and empty it out because I had some good gear in there, even a hand-made leather knife pouch I made way back when I was a Second Class Scout and a section of painters drop cloth Dad cut to length for me to use as a shelter or solar still when I did my emergency prep and survival training my freshman year in high school, also with the Scouts. Hell, I think I've still got the knife in it too.

[Angrypirate]

There is no way you could convince me to use one of those horrible floppy things, they give me butt-cheek rash

[Jeriah]

There is no way you could convince me to use one of those horrible floppy things, they give me butt-cheek rash

That, more than anything else that has ever been said, on this world or any other, is beyond any shred of a doubt whatsoever, exactly, I mean the exact freakin' words, EXACTLY, what she said.

[moab]

There is no way you could convince me to use one of those horrible floppy things, they give me butt-cheek rash

That, more than anything else that has ever been said, on this world or any other, is beyond any shred of a doubt whatsoever, exactly, I mean the exact freakin' words, EXACTLY, what she said.

Packing it on the flap is pure win though. I really like that. Brings more weight up top. And gives access to more stuff easily on the outside of your pack. Instead of having to root around. Nice extension to the Alice if you wanted to add more capacity too. But ya I seem to remember some flap flap flap from buttpacks when I was in the Corps.

[MacAttack]

Light weight GHB.
Kept in the car. Just enough for a 24 hour period.
Once there I can attach it to my BOB. And if needed or called for, I can add the extra stuff to make that setup an INCH.


Though I would hate to leave my BIL.

[Angrypirate]

Whatever man, I've been rash-free for a while now, with a little help from SORD Australia

[Crimson Phoenix]

Whatever man, I've been rash-free for a while now, with a little help from SORD Australia

Great, I just updated my ALICE rig and you have to go and make me want to replace the whole thing. Your fault, all of it! Now I want to know where to get an Aussie rig and if they make it in olive drab or something close to coyote brown.

[Angrypirate]

SORD Australia, the guys who made my harness, belt pad and the two molle pouches do all their stuff in what they call SORD Base Colour, which is a light coyote/khaki sort of colour. Check out their Facebook page for pics. PLATATAC are another Australian company, but they are a bit out of favour for reasons I won't discuss. The British PLCE 6-point harness is also very good.

The most important improvements to ALICE-type belt kit are the addition of a double-width belt comforter, a 6 or 8 point harness which sits flat under pack straps and the replacement of the butt pack with something stiffer and smaller. The butt packs can easily be overloaded, which makes them cumbersome, uncomfortable and bulky. The way they flop around is noisy. The contents are often difficult to sort through, due to the non-rigid nature of the pouch, its size and the storm closure thing. Did I mention they chafe on endurance marches?

The cheapest upgrade to an ALICE-type rig is, of course, to zip-tie the shit out of everything. Zip tie the pouches to the belt, and to each other to prevent them moving around. Reduces noise/rattle too. Then roll up any left over webbing and tidy it up with electrical tape.

[Roger Brough]

I use one. I like it because I can strap it to the top of just about anything or carry it by itself. I was taught to pack it as an E&E bag, so that when I am forced to leave my gear, I have the essentials needed to move with. It resides behind the seat of my auto right now, about 90 yards away. I have another that was a claymore bag.

I experimented for a short while with just a piece of a torn parachute as my carry bag, but this was only because I was forced to do it. I'll add that after being forced to turn myself in, the very same people that made me use it smacked me around for a bit and told me it looked stupid.

[0122358]

Can some of you guys PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE upload pics of your Spec ops SOBs...ive wanted one for awhile and want to get some first hand knowlage from ya'll

[Jungfrau]

I used an old school setup back in 2000 and never had any issues with the buttpack chafing me. It was convenient to carry emergency essentials and snacks for the day. Would I carry it again now, no, not unless I needed to carry the whole setup which isn't part of my planned gear (though it is still set up). However it served its purpose well back then, fit as comfortably as any other piece of gear and worked under my ruck.

[Jeriah]

Can some of you guys PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE upload pics of your Spec ops SOBs...ive wanted one for awhile and want to get some first hand knowlage from ya'll

Short version, I like it. It was overpriced IMHO at full retail, but the recent sale made it a bargain. I own two. This one is Woodland, on an ALICE belt with Y suspenders. I also have a desert one with a HUMP on top.

They're $35 right now, if you want Black. I don't see any other colors available. Weird.

Side pockets are big enough for a USGI canteen, could probably take 5-6 AR mags instead. Main compartment good for a jacket and a snack, or a decent survival kit. You can't really access the main compartment without unbuckling the belt, you can kind of get at the side pockets, but it's a little awkward. You can see in the photo, me putting something back in the side pocket.

[0122358]

Can some of you guys PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE upload pics of your Spec ops SOBs...ive wanted one for awhile and want to get some first hand knowlage from ya'll

Short version, I like it. It was overpriced IMHO at full retail, but the recent sale made it a bargain. I own two. This one is Woodland, on an ALICE belt with Y suspenders. I also have a desert one with a HUMP on top.

They're $35 right now, if you want Black. I don't see any other colors available. Weird.

Side pockets are big enough for a USGI canteen, could probably take 5-6 AR mags instead. Main compartment good for a jacket and a snack, or a decent survival kit. You can't really access the main compartment without unbuckling the belt, you can kind of get at the side pockets, but it's a little awkward. You can see in the photo, me putting something back in the side pocket.

Thanks Jeriah

[Redfred16]

With the development of MOLLE vests and light weight small packs, I would not go back to wearing a Y or H harness ALICE rig. I still have scars on my hips from the clips, before I cut them off and and re-rigged them with 550 cord. I understand that combat gear for the msot part is personal preference and comfort. I just find it hard to see how it could be comfortable to anyone, LOL.

[moab]

With the development of MOLLE vests and light weight small packs, I would not go back to wearing a Y or H harness ALICE rig. I still have scars on my hips from the clips, before I cut them off and and re-rigged them with 550 cord. I understand that combat gear for the msot part is personal preference and comfort. I just find it hard to see how it could be comfortable to anyone, LOL.

For those of us that have humped the stuff 30+ miles at a time. It is a true and tested bite in your upper body. For sure. But I never had problems with taping stuff up. And adjusting it properly. I don't know how you'd rock the belt alone and not get chaffed pretty bad on a long hike. The suspenders are a must. Although leave little to know room for carrying things on them like the MOLLE vest does.

I would agree with the current issue MOLLE stuff being more comfortable. My only complaint with the vest. Is that with big guys the neck strap really digs in. I'm going to try to relocate mine further back. Which requires re-sewing. To accommodate my long body. But otherwise - as cool as it is - it would not work for long on my neck. But other than that. You couldn't ask for better weight distribution. And flexibility with putting things on it. And fits perfectly with a pack on. At least all the pouches fit nicely if placed correctly. With your pack on.