J. T.<br><br>Err, emm, hmmm - sheesh! I've spent too blame much time on the keyboard today already... how about a couple of quick answers for now?<br><br><blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>In reply to:<br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br><br>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).<br><br><br><br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br><br>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?<p><hr></blockquote><p><br><br>There are lots of other situations - some very mundane, like sitting down and taking your pack off - where it's nice to do it that way. Stream crossings (keep your belly band unfastened) are another. I could go on... suffice that if you spend enuff time doing enuff things, it's mightly handy to be able to simply and easily "drop ruck".<br><br><blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>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><p><hr></blockquote><p><br><br>Uh - gee, doesn't that first picture look like a BOULDER on that model's back??? Imagine if it was that full of REAL gear instead of fluff!!!<br><br>From the pictures, this does NOT look like issue ALICE in a whole bunch of details, nevermind the mods. I saw two things I liked and one that was interesting - I made up alternate shoulder straps VERY similar to those shown many years ago - still have them around somewhere. Even looks like the same color... I wonder... anyway, the straps probably work as-advertised, although you'd have to try em out to know for sure. No quick release visible, though <br><br>I think the modified kidney pad/back band/belly band - a.k.a "hip belt" is a good mod. Again, I did something VERY similar years ago (I could not always use my ALICE-Freighter frame combo, depending on command climate and phase of the moon). Kinda points out a design flaw in the ALICE frame concept, doesn't it? Those frame wings are murder... anyway,. something like that is passive and should work well. OTOH, they do not look to be contoured, and I wonder if ones hips would have to work against the side panels when walking - wears the legs out and chafes if that's the case. Uh, this is getting complicated unless you're familiar with a wide range of commercial frame/hip belt combos and how they are attached/move with each other. Hmmm - It looks like it reduces discomfort/injury from the frame wings, but I suspect it brings some new problems - maybe the idea is not fully grown up yet.<br><br>From what I could see in the pictures, the bottom attachment for a sleeping bag carrier looks great - I like that. OTOH, it could let you really load up the main compartment, and the ALICE frame is not fun with heavy loads.<br><br>My comments are kinda vapor, tho - have not actually seen these.<br><br>Honestly, if you want some kinda ALICE on some kinda military frame, the former frame (pre ALICE "Mountain frame") is a LOT more comfortable - I can show you a "naked" pic of one if you like. The ALICE bags can be modified to fit them, and they are ammenable to having good commercial suspension systems slightly modified and attached...<br><br>I guess you'd have to try out the mods - but it's pretty hard to make a silk bandanna from a used hanky, to mangle an old saw. And anything that raises the silhoutte of an ALICE - or widens it - removes some of the raison d'etre for using an ALICE, IMHO. The low silhoutte does not interfere with protruding headgear (helmet or full brimmed cap) - it sucks to have your ruck nudging your chin into your chest and your eyes onto the ground.<br><br>Gotta go - soup's on. I'll come back to this latter - probably not tonight. Hope I answered a couple of your questions, and remember that these are just MY opinions - take with appropriate amount of NaCl. And 'scuse my typos/spelling - in a hurry, as usual.<br><br>Regards, and Be Prepared! (...for any old thing)<br><br>Tom