Alice pack query

[AndyD]

If you remove the frame from an Alice pack,should there be somewhere for the shoulder straps to clip onto?
I'm presuming that originally they clipped onto the frame?

Regards,
Andy

 

[Trunks]

If I remember correctly, and it has been a while, there are some small metal loops attached at the top of the main pack. Don't think they are designed to take the full weight if the pack though - more to secure the straps after looping round the frame.

Your main problem would be fitting the kidney pads without a frame.

Hope this helps

Can I ask why you're removing the frame?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AndyD]

I'm not removing it!
It's one I bought years ago and I've only just found it again,no frame and straps fastened to lid through 2 small holes!

Think it's either get a frame,or chuck it!

 

[santaman2000]

Do you have the medium ALICE or the large? The medium is designed to be used with or without the frame. The large on the other hand cannot be used without a frame.

 

[AndyD]

Just checked and it's a large

How easy would it be to get a frame and what sort of price are they?

 

[santaman2000]

They're relatively plentiful and cheap over here. Loads of 'em on e-bay. I suspect postage would be a killer though.

 

[Rabbitsmacker]

Straps are easy to get, frames are pita. Cheap enuff, but not plentiful. Good luck.

 

[carabao]

We used to use a piece of broom handle cut to the correct length that goes under the padding at the top and where the gap is attach the straps to the broom handle this also gives the bag some support

 

[santaman2000]

Straps are easy to get, frames are pita. Cheap enuff, but not plentiful. Good luck.

I just ran a search on e-bay and found 10 of them ranging from $4 to $13.

 

[PDA1]

Just back from an overnighter of about 16 miles and a total of 3000 ft of elevation gain. One of the party had a large A.L.I.C.E. with proper frame and belts. I asked him how it was at the end and he referred to it a " a fornicating useless piece of excrement" (or words to that effect). His shoulders were raw, hips and lower back sore. (He had loaned his "good" kit to beginners in the group). Wanted to stop at a bridge on the way back and throw it in the river. This BTW was a person with over thirty years of experience of hiking the White mountains in New hampshire, so he knew what worked. He now knows what doesn't. Be advised, don't waste your money trying to locate a frame for this "F.U.P.O.S"

 

[santaman2000]

Just back from an overnighter of about 16 miles and a total of 3000 ft of elevation gain. One of the party had a large A.L.I.C.E. with proper frame and belts. I asked him how it was at the end and he referred to it a " a fornicating useless piece of excrement" (or words to that effect). His shoulders were raw, hips and lower back sore. (He had loaned his "good" kit to beginners in the group). Wanted to stop at a bridge on the way back and throw it in the river. This BTW was a person with over thirty years of experience of hiking the White mountains in New hampshire, so he knew what worked. He now knows what doesn't. Be advised, don't waste your money trying to locate a frame for this "F.U.P.O.S"

I've been humping one for almost 30 years. I love it. Never been to New Hampshire. Do the Rockies count? Maybe the Sierras? How about Saudi? The Smokies? Florida swamps? He must have been a wuss.

 

[johnboy]

I've been humping one for almost 30 years.

Ah America and England two nations separated by a common language.... ;-)

 

[santaman2000]

ah america and england two nations separated by a common language.... ;-)

lol.......

 

[blacktimberwolf]

ALICE packs are like Brit army bergens, they work for some folk but not others.

 

[dean4442]

Down east sell a plastic frame for the alice pack from memory it's about $25 although the thing that's stopped me getting one is the fact that the postage is also$25!
With that and the Molle straps and waist belt it's a much better pack than the standard.
Colin

 

[santaman2000]

Down east sell a plastic frame for the alice pack from memory it's about $25 although the thing that's stopped me getting one is the fact that the postage is also$25!
With that and the Molle straps and waist belt it's a much better pack than the standard.
Colin

To be honest, if he already has the pack, a $50 (about 32 pounds) total investment doesn't really sound overly expensive. Especially if that includes the MOLLE straps.

 

[dean4442]

The molle straps would be extra, mine set me back £35ish for both.
Colin

 

[santaman2000]

Still not overly expensive though; if that's the route he wants to go.

 

[dean4442]

It's roughly the route I've gone down but used the standard plastic Molle frame and took a hacksaw to it. I've also used the medium pack and the sleep system carrier along these lines: http://libertytreeblogs.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/building-hellcat-hybrid-ruck-from-us.html although I'm thinking of having some extra pouches sewn onto my og issue pack instead (yes I'm a self confessed kit monster! )
Colin

 

[Rabbitsmacker]

I just ran a search on e-bay and found 10 of them ranging from $4 to $13.

Not many on eBay uk though mate, plenty from US with loads of shipping on top, when they do come up in the uk they tend to be about £7 for a frame.