? for the grunts!

[tombogan03884]

 If you are going to go with the ALICE go back to the surplus store and buy some WP (Willie Peter ) bags they are water proof bags like the material your rain parka is made of. have one for dry clothes, one for food etc,  to close them roll  the mouth of the bag then tie it off with the ties attached.
But I'm with FQ on the diesel 

[Badgersmilk]

Would you believe this guy lists the ALICE pack as one of the things he enjoyed in the Marines?!?

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig3/khan7.html

The top of the pack is rubber lined, should do OK at wicking rain.  I'm gonna look into those WP bags for sure.

[Ping]

It was a good pack once you rigged it up with additional padding on the shoulders, ie, using old brown t-shirts with a od green on top and held down with green 500 mile a hour tape. But if I had my choice of packs it would be my Alpine Lowe 70 or my Blackhawk 3 Day Assault pack. They are internal frames instead of external and conform to the back. Ergonomics and weight distribution are awesome. I keep my old Alice Pack Large in the shed with old, military gear.

[fightingquaker13]

It was a good pack once you rigged it up with additional padding on the shoulders, ie, using old brown t-shirts with a od green on top and held down with green 500 mile a hour tape. But if I had my choice of packs it would be my Alpine Lowe 70 or my Blackhawk 3 Day Assault pack. They are internal frames instead of external and conform to the back. Ergonomics and weight distribution are awesome. I keep my old Alice Pack Large in the shed with old, military gear.

The shed is a good place for it. Honestly the pack did its job, it just could have been so much better in a thousand different ways. The thing is, that we all talk about the weapon we would use, and fail to understand that the pack we carry every day, all day, is an even larger concern. It is an illustration of the LOST OLD SAYING that amateurs talk tactics, and professionals talk logistics. The ALICE did its job. Its just that there are a hundred packs out there would do the same job better. If the ALICE didn't have a GI issued tag next to it,no one would look at it twice, and for good reason. (Did I mention those blisters)? Yes it has history, but if someone were to offer you one vs what REI or North Face or Gregory had, would you hesitate for a second?
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

Would you believe this guy lists the ALICE pack as one of the things he enjoyed in the Marines?!?

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig3/khan7.html

The top of the pack is rubber lined, should do OK at wicking rain.  I'm gonna look into those WP bags for sure.

From some one who LIKED 20 mile hikes, PFT's and push up's I believe it.

As to Ping defending the ALICE I have heard that it WAS an improvement over the older field transport packs, but I was always baffled as to why the military had to design their own pack when there were so many better ones available on the civilian market even in the 70's. They seem to be getting over that now though and are adopting more civilian gear for general issue, like Gore Tex foul weather gear, when I was in we had poncho's that were rubberized nylon, wearing them you got almost as soaked with sweat as you would have without it.

[Sponsor]

[Badgersmilk]

Tom, I HAD THAT PARKA TOO!    I didnt have it long luckily!  Refused to wear the thing prefering rain water to the sweat.  Watch the movie U571.  The Russians give troops their equivlent to this parka as radiation protection.  When the troops took off the parka they looked like I felt wearing that thing.  The only place I've seen the real military rip-stop parka's has been surplus stores.  ALL the ones I've seen online are the fake ones that are junk.  I'd recommend Frog Togs rain gear if anyone doesnt like parka's, or if they're gonna get caught in a complete downpour.  They're thin, tough, and light enough its amazing water doesnt pass right through them, but they work great.  Parka's are nice because they protect your gear, and after the rain stops they make a good dry seat / place to rest if spread out on the ground.

Isnt the ALICE pack rated to hold somthing like 120LBS!?!  That'd explain the heavier frame for sure.  FQ talking about blisters really has me wanting to take this thing out loaded and see where it goes wrong on me!  Wearing it around the house with about a 30 pound load it feels great!  Probably wont be till this coming weekend that I can really get out to test it.

I was issued & still have this setup.  Works GREAT, easy to forget your wearing it.  But I have a commercial hunting fanny pack / utility belt thats a lot more practical for short trips (more / bigger pockets, lighter belt).  And I havent figured out a good use for the grenade pouches yet.  Wimpy DNR frown on those for squirrel hunting.

[PegLeg45]

That picture brings back a memory or two, Badger.
I used to spend a lot of time in the woods stalking/hunting during deer season and liked to wear loose fitting pants for freedom of movement. The only problem, was if  I had to move quickly, I kept having to 'hitch up my pants'. I went to visit a friend over in Alabama at Ft. Rucker (he was in Air Assault School) and he gave me a set of suspenders like those pictured. I took my leather punch and punched holes in the right spots on my hunting belt and presto. Worked way better than standard suspenders due to the width.