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If you’re just starting out in your tactical gear journey, then there’s a good chance you may have only heard of MOLLE or the MOLLE system but don’t know exactly what it is or how to use it. Well, no worries, here I will give you a solid foundational understanding of what the MOLLE system is, why it’s so good, and why you need it.
WHAT IS MOLLE?
MOLLE is an acronym that stands for “Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment”.
The MOLLE system is the rows of nylon webbing that gear such as backpacks, weapons bags, and plate carriers have on them to aid in load carrying.
MOLLE is made up of consecutive rows and columns of nylon PALS webbing found on tactical gear. The picture below shows the 5.11 RUSH72 backpack that has rows of PALS webbing, making up the MOLLE System covering the front and sides of the pack.
The MOLLE system was invented and patented by the United States Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center. It was first put into use in the military in 1997 replacing the military’s ALICE (All-purpose Lightweight Carrying Equipment) system.
However, it did not see widespread use until after the September 11, 2001 attacks and was then highly used by U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Taking a quick step back and looking at the ALICE system shows us the precursor to the MOLLE and how we got to where we are.
WHAT IS ALICE?
To have a good understanding of MOLLE and the benefits MOLLE offers, it’s a good idea to know what came before it and how we’re improving on the gear from yesteryear.
The ALICE system, which like MOLLE is a system of holding gear on a soldier body was first adopted by the US military in 1973. The holding part consisted of suspenders and a belt and then numerous pouches that could be attached onto it.
The ALICE is system although good for its time was very limited in the amount of room it had for attachments and even more limited by its design. It was simply a piece of gear you wore and wasn’t very adaptable.
The Military continued to try to find a way to improve upon the ALICE system and this is what eventually lead to the introduction of the MOLLE system.
MOLLE IN DEPTH
I told you at the beginning that MOLLE is the system and it is made up of PALS webbing. So, when you ask the question, “What is MOLLE?“, you also have to ask a second question, one that you may not know to ask in the first place, but is integral to providing a complete answer to the first question.
That question is, “What is PALS?“. MOLLE and PALS are on one hand two separate things, but at the same they make up one complete package.
PALS is another acronym that stands for Pouch Attachment Ladder System. Where as MOLLE is the whole system, PALS webbing is the name of the individual strips of nylon sewn on to the tactical gear.
The PALS grid consists of horizontal rows of 1 inch webbing, spaced 1 inch apart, and attached to the backing at 1.5 inch intervals. PALS are made from strong nylon ranging from 500D Cordura nylon up to 1050D Cordura nylon.
The MOLLE system was a huge step up in design from ALICE as the MOLLE system could be placed on almost any piece of military gear. This allowed any pack or rucksack, or plate carrier to hold much more gear and be much more customizable to suit each soldiers individual needs.
It also provides a much more secure fit as the MOLLE system has a much tighter set up, everything is held directly against the piece of gear the MOLLE is on. This means less noise and easier movement through rough terrain.
So, the MOLLE System is a modular gear attachment system that lets you attach other MOLLE compatible gear together with the use of the PALS webbing.
Really though, the terms are pretty interchangeable and personally in my time in the military I’ve only ever head it referred to as MOLLE or as gear being MOLLE compatible.
WHAT IS LASER CUT MOLLE?
Laser cut MOLLE is a newer alternative to the classic MOLLE System that uses PALS webbing. Instead of the nylon straps, holes are cut into the fabric at the same 1.5 inch intervals. Keeping the same spacing allows all traditional MOLLE gear to continued to be used with laser cut MOLLE.
However, laser cut MOLLE is not as strong as the classic PALS webbing and is therefore reinforced with extra stitching around the holes. Sometimes extra material is also sewn in, either on top or underneath to add strength
HOW TO BEST USE THE MOLLE SYSTEM
When you use the MOLLE System there is definitely a bad way and a best way to use it. My butt packs, my storage pouches, my issued knife sheath, and the sheath to my SOG SEAL Team Elite all have long straps. These long straps are meant to weave between the MOLLE to have a maximum hold. When done correctly the hold is incredibly strong.
Putting the straps through too little PALS webbing will leave the knife flopping around. This is poorly secured and is not the best way to use the MOLLE System. It’s also a good way to lose gear when in the field.
Simply putting the straps through all the PALS webbing with out weaving it in and out isn’t correct either. It will provide only a slightly more secure hold than the first method, but not buy much. Your gear will still flop around, cause noise, and potentially get caught on things and then pulled off and lost.
The absolute best way to use the MOLLE System, which also happens to be the way it was designed to be used. Is to weave your straps back and forth through the PALS webbing as much as you can. You can see on the back of my sheath there is also PALS webbing (same with my issued sheath), so I weaved the strap back and forth between my pack and my knife. The hold now provided is rock solid!
My knife is now attached properly to my pack and the hold provided by the MOLLE System is next to impossible to break. The two are basically cemented together. When MOLLE gear is attached properly like this, it will NOT fall off, NOT make noise, and NOT bounce around making you uncomfortable or getting caught on things.
WHY DO YOU NEED MOLLE?
The modern day soldier, out door enthusiast, and survivalist NEEDS MOLLE and MOLLE compatible gear because it offers the unprecedented ability to carry large amounts of gear and to customize what you’re carrying. The strength of hold provided by MOLLE is also invaluable, you can be sure you will never lose any of your valuable gear when over the wire.
Take a moment to picture a few scenarios…
A soldier in combat gets shot, no worries his IFAK is easy to find, it’s strapped to his MOLLE.
A hiker falls and slices their leg on a rock, no worries, their IFAK is strapped to their MOLLE.
A hunter needs to start quartering his kill before it gets too late, too easy, his knife is strapped to his MOLLE.
Again, the MOLLE System allows you to carry more gear, customize where all your gear is, and completely secure all your gear, providing you peace of mind and comfortability.
Together all these factors lead to a more effective, more versatile, more deadly you!
It’s for these reasons the MOLLE System has become essential for tactical gear to have on it in the 21st century and WHY YOU NEED the MOLLE SYSTEM.
CONCLUSION
MOLLE is really just a way for you to get stuck carrying more gear! hahaha, but for real. Originally made by the military for the military, it has benefited all soldier and out door enthusiast alike.
MOLLE was a huge step up from ALICE, although the ALICE system is still used by certain groups and individuals today.
With the MOLLE system there is no more running out of room in your pack or struggling to find a knife or any other small and important item because it’s some where in your main pouch. Everything you need can be stored exactly where you want it, in easy to access locations.
The MOLLE system can be placed on almost any gear and today we do see MOLLE on pretty much all tactical packs, play carriers, and tac vests as we’ve learned how valuable it truly is.
The MOLLE system is invaluable, make sure you don’t buy a pack or other gear with out it.
If you’d like some pack ideas or other gear ideas with MOLLE check out y articles:
The Best 3-Day Tactical Backpacks
or
The Most Essential Tactical Gear: Get Prepared Now
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