Hi Tom,<br><br>Rarely have I read a post which was simultaneously so rich with useful information and so maddeningly tantalizing with withheld information. <br><br>I really appreciated your valuable advice. I've been curious about ALICE gear for some time, but had been having a difficult time finding out the information I was wanting. Some of what you said was exactly what I wanted to know.<br><br>Ditto the canteen gear.<br><br>Ditto the BDUs.<br><br>So, I'm posting to beg you not to take your advice offline. <blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>The simple quick-releases on the shoulder straps are good (especially if you have them on BOTH straps) - another time I can explain WHY it's a good idea).<p><hr></blockquote><p>I had always assumed it was so a soldier could drop his pack and run for cover real fast when he started geting shot at. Is there another reason?<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>The back band WILL fail on you, and when it does, those frame wings WILL tear the heck out of you right about at the kidneys. I'm talking peeing blood hurt... I can go on in detail, but it's a NASTY design, not versitile, and breaks your back with any significant load.<br><br>If you want to retain the (LARGE) ALICE bag <shrug> OK - just have it modified to attach to a commercial frame. I've got over 5 man-years on-the-ground-real-life firsthand experience with a large ALICE mounted on a Camp Trails Freighter frame - including over 30 Arctic Combat Equipment jumps (parachuting) *with that combo* - it works fine. The Freighter frame is still made and is a heck of a value - not sexy like some of the folks here prefer, but it's a real work horse at a very reasonable cost.<br><br>ALICE bags are not waterproofed <shrug> - that means you MUST use waterproof bags inside it - it's designed that way. I have NEVER seen a surplus one sold with all the bags it's SUPPOSED to have. Actually, the rubberized ripstop bags for an ALICE are very good; in MY experience, better than commercial couterparts. If you learn how to fasten them correctly (it's easy and I can do it with mittens on in the dark, half asleep) they are truly waterproof. They are NOT intended to be exposed to the environment outside the protection of the ALICE, so don't use, say, a large one, for an external carry of a sleeping back. You'll rip it up.<p><hr></blockquote><p>This is all exactly the kind of information I was looking for. I'm sure it will benefit many others, too. Thank you.<br><br>I was also wondering what your impression might be of the "MALICE" (Modified ALICE) gear at ustacticalsupply.com was. You can see their offered modifications here. They also offer three "prepackaged" versions for sale halfway down this page.<br><br>Are these modifications worth the trouble and cost? Are they a marketing gimmick, or might they be useful, but only for soldiers who have no choice but to carry ALICE gear, to make it more bearable? Or, do they actually (and adequately) adress your concerns? IOW, should I consider them a bad idea and forget about them, or are they worth further consideration for a civilian's use? I'd really like to have your opinion on this, if you don't mind too much.<br><br>Regarding the canteen gear:<br>Thanks for the heads up about the canteen cup. I have one of the old ones and was unaware of the wire handled ones. I'll start looking around. I also have both the canteen stove and an Esbit, but have not yet practiced with them. I appreciate your recommendation. Oh, and also about the fuels. That's good stuff to know.<br><br>Would you be willing to expound on what you said about "seed water"? You said we'd figure it out when we practiced, but I'd think that I might learn faster if I have some clue what it is I'm supposed to be figuring out. (please? )<br><br>I loved what you said about BDUs! I've been trying to find out more about them, and was about to post some questions to the forum.<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>Again, off-list, I can tell you what would be FAR better - and even keep you in your "military gear" theme. Some of what I can suggest will raise some eyebrows here, I suppose, but I am certain what pieces work well together, and my suggestions are cheaper than BDUs anyway.<p><hr></blockquote><p>Ooohh... Could you please not take this off list? Or, if you must, could you at least please email me with whatever it was you had to say on this topic? (Although, I'm sure I can't be the only person who will ever read this and want to know. )<br><br>The suggestion to work as an adult leader with a Scout Troop or Venturing Crew is good. I think I'm going to have to make time in my schedule to do that next year.<br><br>Thanks again. Oh, and kudos to your son for handing his first "real" situation well. Good for him.<br>