Somebody JUST needs to make an alice frame 5 inches LONGER. I worked at Tactical Tailor and all they did was make a fatter SAME SIZE alice frame. I just got a Coleman Peak 1 80"s frame and cable tied on my alice pack and used alice straps. FANTASTICLY comfortable. I am 6'4
I have been running an alice frame/packs since....the early 90's.... I ditched the packs about 5 years ago. but have kept on using the frame, molle 2 battlebelt, firmly attached to frame, a 9x9x4 fleck pouch for everything i need on it as well, and a waterbottle, 9mm on the other side of the belt, on the alice frames inner shelf, i have a pillow sized bug net, soft, and usefull, bungied to the bottom of the frame i have a MSS bivy, black bag, and comp sack, above the MSS are two Molle sust pouches, one for food, the other for any other "basecamp" items, drybag of sleep clothes, hygene kit, bits of cordage, poncho goes here etc.rolled acrost the top, over the food, and camp items, is a sleep pad, and a tarp. the beauty of it is, I have everything i need, all sundries, doodads, and paddywacks that are needed, like my folding saw, gloves , firekit, basic FA kit, compass etc is on the belt, bottle has a nested pot, and complete cook kit, so when i break camp. my pack comes apart, my food is easy to hang, my beds off my back in seconds, and i have a wonderfull frame to bungie anything i want to bring back on. Im not here to say the alice frame is the best, but i am smaller, and don't put but 20-25lbs on it, plus food. it rides bottom heavy on the belt very well, the sust pouches kinda do a V, giving me a place to put my 20" wetterlings axe, and my collapsable fishing rod. I have everything i need, and the total weight of all the infrastructure is very little. and in the MN fall/winter, its easy to add the wool blanket I used to use before the MSS, a flex cutting board for a snow shovel, an extra tarp, etc Alice and molle are by nature compatable. they are 2 systems designed to attach anything anywhere, like the alice/molle converter patch thing.... complete waste of time, just take your molle, and attach it to your alice
I looked around for a long time for a pack manufacturer that made "smaller" packs, I mean less than 60 or 70 litre volume, that could still have an adjustable back length allowing you to properly support the load on your hips. Mystery ranch is one of the only ones out there that can do this. I love the Snapdragon pack they have, small enough for day tours or shorter trips but still fully adjustable. Thanks for the video beast.
Currently rocking the Tactical Tailor with a DEI frame but looking for an upgrade. Is this frame going to fit on ALICE packs like the tactical tailor? And just concerned about it's ability to last especially putting it through it's paces in the Infantry. It looks pretty gucci but not especially rugged
absolutely, its only about 65 pounds without tripod, they make load slings, and packs that have slings for mortar and larger rifles like the B 82A1, the NICE frame handles over 100 pounds
I have a Tactical Tailor malice V3, which judging from your review, is very very similar to the Blackhawk SOF pack. Would the nice frame actually be worth it? What kind of warranty do they offer (basically, if I break it the first time I ruck 100lbs I SOL)?
So I am just curious, have you tested this NICE frame with weight, while wearing some sort of armor? That's the draw of the TT MALICE frame for me. Rucking in an IOTV blows with the MOLLE rucks, not so much the MALICE.
For $20 just attach MOLLE shoulder straps to the Alice frame with that you can adjust the angle of the load to either carry it on your shoulders or your hips. Best setup I have come across so far. It feels like a brand new pack.
I hear what you are saying. Buy once, invest in a quality pack that suits your needs, and be done with it. I am currently testing out the TT Pathfinder pack myself, having used the Arcteryx USMC pack by Propper for a while, I wanted something that actually fit my body better.
Very cool beast. I used a mystery ranch for a few days for testing and let me tell you.... I WANT ONE! Its not a matter of if, but when. Thanks for the review of the nice frame. Enjoy your weekend.
have you got an AUSNICE mate? im pretty keen on this frame just finished my infantry training, but im not sure what pack to get with it , and what will marry up to it without too much stuffing around with modification
hey man great video. i have a couple of questions. do you have a video on how to put a Mystery Ranch Nice frame to a regular alice pack or to other brands of ruck pack. also how well does this perform when it comes to ruck running?
I humped the ALICE Large Ruck for 10 years in the Airborne Infantry. I will agree, that the ALICE although is my favorite design, is a crap set up. Very uncomforable. We couldn't really use the waist belt for support because we had to deactivate it due to Airborne Operations. We just carried it with out the waist belt. And caried all fo the load on the shoulders. I prefer the framed pack system. And am wanting the NICE System on the Mountain Ruck .
+Mike Box Mike I carried the ALICE last 2 years of active duty in the Marines and loved the system. But if you want a totally new great ALICE pack do a few upgrades. Use the MOLLE II gen IV plastic frame or the 1606 downeast frame. replace shoulder straps and kidney pads with MOLLE II. ALICE is versatile and even better as you can add MOLLE or older ALICE gear. Hope this helps, it is now the best pack I have used.
I liek the most of the design of the new Army ruck sack. except for the larg zipper on the bottom to get to your sleeping bag. In the Infantry, in the Army we would only pull out or sleeping equipemnt poncho liner or bag, at the last moment before sleeping, and repacking the ruck completely before sleeping. Once out fo the bag, you repacked it away. I prefer the simple top loader access to the ALICE. and the side pouches to access our poncho, gortex jkt, and pants, on the outside. everythign else was packed inside. anyway, I liek the new rucks, just think that the zipper is not needed. I also find the sustainment pouches are too large. I would prefer them about 1/3d smaller, and having 4 of them to arrange on teh out side. along with a 2qt canteen, and e-tool. a claymore size pouch would also be great. I have one o these ruck in the UCP camo, digital camo that is. I hate the colour. I thought of trying to get on in OCP(MS pattern to use in the woods. are they differnt fromt he older models?
no clue, sorry. i just use the med and lg alice with mollee and alice pouches. Instead of sustainment pouch try a voodoo tactical dump pouch or saw pouches.
Reason the NICE frame is ‘no bueno’ is because you can’t put a shelf on it and haul jerry/ammo cans like you can the ALICE frame. With Tactical Tailor strap/belt upgrades, it’s super (pun intended) comfortable as well. Mystery Ranch is great gear, but ALICE wins for my money.
$250US is actually a really great price for that. I wish I could get my hands on it here for that price. It goes by the name of AusNice frame here...can be adapted to the currentl aussie army pack. There are only two distributors here in oz for it and one of them sells it for - AUSNICE Frame Coyote: $375. Good video mate. Rob
Wore an ALICE back for years hiking and camping, freaking thing made my pack ache and even bleed every time, very poorly designed for larger individuals.
+Will Mills I'm 6'2" and NEVER had an issue with my pack while in Marines or NOW. ditch the alice shoulder straps, kidney belt and metal frame and upgrade to MOLLE II
Somebody JUST needs to make an alice frame 5 inches LONGER. I worked at Tactical Tailor and all they did was make a fatter SAME SIZE alice frame. I just got a Coleman Peak 1 80"s frame and cable tied on my alice pack and used alice straps. FANTASTICLY comfortable. I am 6'4
You can adjust the ride height of the Alice frame if you attach the MOLLE shoulder straps correctly. Short? Im 6' the pack rides perfect on my hips
The torso length is an issue for me, but the horizontal bar in the back of my neck was worse for me. If it was straight up, I could live with it.
I have been running an alice frame/packs since....the early 90's....
I ditched the packs about 5 years ago. but have kept on using the frame, molle 2 battlebelt, firmly attached to frame, a 9x9x4 fleck pouch for everything i need on it as well, and a waterbottle, 9mm on the other side of the belt, on the alice frames inner shelf, i have a pillow sized bug net, soft, and usefull, bungied to the bottom of the frame i have a MSS bivy, black bag, and comp sack, above the MSS are two Molle sust pouches, one for food, the other for any other "basecamp" items, drybag of sleep clothes, hygene kit, bits of cordage, poncho goes here etc.rolled acrost the top, over the food, and camp items, is a sleep pad, and a tarp.
the beauty of it is, I have everything i need, all sundries, doodads, and paddywacks that are needed, like my folding saw, gloves , firekit, basic FA kit, compass etc is on the belt, bottle has a nested pot, and complete cook kit, so when i break camp. my pack comes apart, my food is easy to hang, my beds off my back in seconds, and i have a wonderfull frame to bungie anything i want to bring back on.
Im not here to say the alice frame is the best, but i am smaller, and don't put but 20-25lbs on it, plus food. it rides bottom heavy on the belt very well, the sust pouches kinda do a V, giving me a place to put my 20" wetterlings axe, and my collapsable fishing rod. I have everything i need, and the total weight of all the infrastructure is very little. and in the MN fall/winter, its easy to add the wool blanket I used to use before the MSS, a flex cutting board for a snow shovel, an extra tarp, etc
Alice and molle are by nature compatable. they are 2 systems designed to attach anything anywhere, like the alice/molle converter patch thing.... complete waste of time, just take your molle, and attach it to your alice
how dose it work with a plate carrier . did you know that was part of its design .
Please compare the DEI 1603 frame with the Molle wasit belt and straps vs the NICE
I looked around for a long time for a pack manufacturer that made "smaller" packs, I mean less than 60 or 70 litre volume, that could still have an adjustable back length allowing you to properly support the load on your hips. Mystery ranch is one of the only ones out there that can do this. I love the Snapdragon pack they have, small enough for day tours or shorter trips but still fully adjustable. Thanks for the video beast.
Currently rocking the Tactical Tailor with a DEI frame but looking for an upgrade. Is this frame going to fit on ALICE packs like the tactical tailor? And just concerned about it's ability to last especially putting it through it's paces in the Infantry. It looks pretty gucci but not especially rugged
absolutely, its only about 65 pounds without tripod, they make load slings, and packs that have slings for mortar and larger rifles like the B 82A1, the NICE frame handles over 100 pounds
I have a Tactical Tailor malice V3, which judging from your review, is very very similar to the Blackhawk SOF pack. Would the nice frame actually be worth it? What kind of warranty do they offer (basically, if I break it the first time I ruck 100lbs I SOL)?
really great gear. I also love the fact they are located in MT
I had an old metal frame alice pack, upgrading to a newer design was well worth it. Increased torso height was a big deal for me to.
So I am just curious, have you tested this NICE frame with weight, while wearing some sort of armor? That's the draw of the TT MALICE frame for me. Rucking in an IOTV blows with the MOLLE rucks, not so much the MALICE.
For $20 just attach MOLLE shoulder straps to the Alice frame with that you can adjust the angle of the load to either carry it on your shoulders or your hips. Best setup I have come across so far. It feels like a brand new pack.
This was an excellent overview of the frame... and in the exact size I'd order no less. Thank you
Thank you for posting this video. I was on the fence about purchasing a Mystery Ranch pack and this video has me ready to make the purchase.
I hear what you are saying. Buy once, invest in a quality pack that suits your needs, and be done with it. I am currently testing out the TT Pathfinder pack myself, having used the Arcteryx USMC pack by Propper for a while, I wanted something that actually fit my body better.
Very cool beast. I used a mystery ranch for a few days for testing and let me tell you.... I WANT ONE! Its not a matter of if, but when. Thanks for the review of the nice frame. Enjoy your weekend.
Thanks for reviewing this pack system. Definetly on my future purchase list.
have you got an AUSNICE mate? im pretty keen on this frame just finished my infantry training, but im not sure what pack to get with it , and what will marry up to it without too much stuffing around with modification
great video just a question can you get this frame for a large molle 2 pack?
Not sure
hey man great video. i have a couple of questions. do you have a video on how to put a Mystery Ranch Nice frame to a regular alice pack or to other brands of ruck pack. also how well does this perform when it comes to ruck running?
mystery ranch has a video on it
Heard good things about the Ranch. Just out of my price range. I'll have to stick w/the ALICE and my Mil. issue internal frame mountain ruck.
Interesting video..
I've been enjoying my Kelty packs =D
I've never been a fan of the Alice packs.. I don't know why.. To each their own I suppose.
Thank you😺
I humped the ALICE Large Ruck for 10 years in the Airborne Infantry. I will agree, that the ALICE although is my favorite design, is a crap set up. Very uncomforable. We couldn't really use the waist belt for support because we had to deactivate it due to Airborne Operations. We just carried it with out the waist belt. And caried all fo the load on the shoulders. I prefer the framed pack system. And am wanting the NICE System on the Mountain Ruck .
+Mike Box Mike I carried the ALICE last 2 years of active duty in the Marines and loved the system. But if you want a totally new great ALICE pack do a few upgrades. Use the MOLLE II gen IV plastic frame or the 1606 downeast frame. replace shoulder straps and kidney pads with MOLLE II. ALICE is versatile and even better as you can add MOLLE or older ALICE gear. Hope this helps, it is now the best pack I have used.
I liek the most of the design of the new Army ruck sack. except for the larg zipper on the bottom to get to your sleeping bag. In the Infantry, in the Army we would only pull out or sleeping equipemnt poncho liner or bag, at the last moment before sleeping, and repacking the ruck completely before sleeping. Once out fo the bag, you repacked it away. I prefer the simple top loader access to the ALICE. and the side pouches to access our poncho, gortex jkt, and pants, on the outside. everythign else was packed inside. anyway, I liek the new rucks, just think that the zipper is not needed. I also find the sustainment pouches are too large. I would prefer them about 1/3d smaller, and having 4 of them to arrange on teh out side. along with a 2qt canteen, and e-tool. a claymore size pouch would also be great. I have one o these ruck in the UCP camo, digital camo that is. I hate the colour. I thought of trying to get on in OCP(MS pattern to use in the woods. are they differnt fromt he older models?
no clue, sorry. i just use the med and lg alice with mollee and alice pouches. Instead of sustainment pouch try a voodoo tactical dump pouch or saw pouches.
I really have the wants for this.:(
They got some nice gear for sure but damn does it hurt the wallet
still only good for you short guys. For use above average height we NEED larger frames that the old alice can not supply.
Reason the NICE frame is ‘no bueno’ is because you can’t put a shelf on it and haul jerry/ammo cans like you can the ALICE frame. With Tactical Tailor strap/belt upgrades, it’s super (pun intended) comfortable as well. Mystery Ranch is great gear, but ALICE wins for my money.
You addressed that you can haul stuff utilizing straps with the NICE frame. Would have to see it. I’m sure it’s comfortable.
there is a shot of me carrying the 5 gal jerry of water in my lifesaver review
i dont own the dei anymore
$250US is actually a really great price for that. I wish I could get my hands on it here for that price. It goes by the name of AusNice frame here...can be adapted to the currentl aussie army pack. There are only two distributors here in oz for it and one of them sells it for - AUSNICE Frame Coyote: $375.
Good video mate.
Rob
Great video bro.
Carbon Fiber Frame not aluminum
SWEET!
Like I said, short. :)
Wore an ALICE back for years hiking and camping, freaking thing made my pack ache and even bleed every time, very poorly designed for larger individuals.
+Will Mills I'm 6'2" and NEVER had an issue with my pack while in Marines or NOW. ditch the alice shoulder straps, kidney belt and metal frame and upgrade to MOLLE II
Should’ve kept rucking and lost the weight