The ALICE backpack, or All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment, is a military back pack system that was used by the United States military for almost 30 years. This system saw many evolutions in both materials and design throughout its history, but stayed true to its core concept throughout that time. The basic idea of the ALICE pack was to have a carrying system that could not only contain all the gear a soldier could need, but at the same time was light enough to make them effective in combat.
The initial ALICE pack was initially made of primarily of nylon and cut the overall weight of its predecessor nearly in half. The components of this system are now an iconic representation of the American soldier. The initial unit looked primarily like the top half of a vest married with a wide secure belt. Attached to these components were pouches of various sizes as well as holsters for pistols and canteens. The pouches could be used to store extra ammunition as well as any other small items the soldier might need. Grenades could easily be affixed to the pack and detached quickly and easily. The main advantage of the early ALICE backpack was how evenly it distributed the weight. Training and in combat maneuvers were far easier with gear stored and secured by the large ALICE packs.
Over time the ALICE pack continued to evolve. The second iteration saw many needed improvements. The first of which was the removal of the vest top. This was replaced instead by dual suspenders. These better supported the weight and were less prone to coming apart. In addition mounting on the suspender style was much easier. Ammunition, grenades, and other items could easily be clipped on for easy access. The belt also changed, it was made to be much sturdier as well. Much of the steel equipment on the original ALICE was replaced with high grade plastics, reducing weight and increasing the overall longevity of the pack.
Adjustments and fine tuning of the ALICE pack continued over the next twenty years. As lighter materials became available the packs became lighter and stronger. There are many components of the pack that are still in use by soldiers today. While the overall pack has been phased out, components and the philosophy behind it still dominate thinking behind how military gear is carried. The ALICE pack, while not the most glamorous, is one of the most important developments of the tools of the soldier today.