Designed to emulate its’ predecessor backpacks used during World Wars I and II. These backpacks were made of heavy cotton with iron supports and often retained moisture, making them extremely cumbersome for soldiers.
The Alice backpack system, developed in 1973 and used by the U.S.military throughout the 1970′s and 1980′s as well as the early 90′s ,reduced the weight to a mere 3 lbs. by using lighter and waterproof materials like nylon with aluminum supports. With the addition of 2 wide shoulder straps and a mid-section strap, that reduced the strain on the shoulder and back of soldiers. The multi-funtion mid-section strap distributes weight as well as allows for the carry of additional gear, like extra ammo, first aid kit, etc. Allowing more to be carried with less. Also the interchangeable packs and components allow these packs to become more customized and suited for just about any scenario or mission. A necessity for the soldiers in Vietnam.
The Alice backpack systems biggest allure seems to be its’ flexibility. With 3 sizes to choose from, has allowed these backpacks to become extremely popular among civilian adventurers as well as your weekend outdoorsmen. This on going popularity amongst soldiers and civilians alike, has made the process of these backpacks from being phased out by the military a long and very slow process that started way back in 1983. Fear not adventurers, the popularity of these backpacks as well as the easy upkeep, almost guarantee that they will be around for a very long time. If by chance you are in the market for the ALICE backpack, just visit your local army surplus store. I’m pretty sure they will have some on hand or at least direct you to where you can get access to one. As any self reliant independent adventurer will tell you, your backpack is an important investment to enjoying your outdoor experience.
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