I’d avoid the surface mount buckles. They tend to fail more often then the field repair buckles and do require permanent mod to the pack. Also, don’t cut off the excess compression straps, you can add some tri-glides to retain the straps.
These mods and a 1606MC Frame, Molle II waist and shoulder straps, MSS Sleep Carrier. Best mods ever. Turns the Medium Alice into a 4 season pack. I have several surplus packs including the ILBE, Large Molle Ii ,Riflemans Molle II, Medium Molle II different modular assault, patrol, waist bags for them and a Matilda by Helikon Tex. The medium alice in full 'Hellcat' mod is by far my favorite. A little flex seal on the lid and pocket lids, bottom of pack with a sealine 56L dry bag and good to go.
One tip I'd suggest for the surface mount buckles is not to melt through or cut at all. Consider using an awl to push the fabric aside, then add the buckles. After they're in, they fabric should just settle around those 4 pillars & there'll be no breakdown in the integrity of the fabric at all. I don't think I'd add them myself due to the risk of breakage as mentioned already bit this should help reduce the risk of damage if you do use it.
the velcro; webbing keepers. I cut about 3 inch pieces and shoe goo male and female on the folded end of the webbing so that when you roll up the excess, you fold the velcro pieces up and secure it
If you don’t want to permanently alter the pack lid straps, you can tuck the metal buckles under and still put the repair buckle in the webbing loop, and it works just fine.
I love this idea and would love to find the surface mount buckles as I have done the buckles on the lid straps but I have a problem also my pack is modeled after the older Alice packs that were made from heavey cloth canvases but with the same buckles that you are removing I am wondering if the surface mount buckles will work and can be mounted with the same way that you did these?
I would have left more of the straps and sewn the Velcro to the end of the strap itself so once I've got it tightened down I can just roll it up and secure it.
Please don't cut the extra webbing off your pack!! You just eliminated the EASIEST way to lash your sleep-system or other large bulky items to the outside of your pack! These things are getting hard to find, and when I find one that's in decent shape but has the flipping straps cut, it's extremely frustrating!
my A.L.I.C.E has original high tensile fastenings what happens to cheap ( or "expensive" ) plastic over time , heat , salty water or general damage i would like to remedy the standard front plastic QR release harness plastic ( the tweezer on the load bearin straps )
I’d avoid the surface mount buckles. They tend to fail more often then the field repair buckles and do require permanent mod to the pack. Also, don’t cut off the excess compression straps, you can add some tri-glides to retain the straps.
These mods and a 1606MC Frame, Molle II waist and shoulder straps, MSS Sleep Carrier. Best mods ever. Turns the Medium Alice into a 4 season pack. I have several surplus packs including the ILBE, Large Molle Ii ,Riflemans Molle II, Medium Molle II different modular assault, patrol, waist bags for them and a Matilda by Helikon Tex. The medium alice in full 'Hellcat' mod is by far my favorite. A little flex seal on the lid and pocket lids, bottom of pack with a sealine 56L dry bag and good to go.
One tip I'd suggest for the surface mount buckles is not to melt through or cut at all. Consider using an awl to push the fabric aside, then add the buckles. After they're in, they fabric should just settle around those 4 pillars & there'll be no breakdown in the integrity of the fabric at all. I don't think I'd add them myself due to the risk of breakage as mentioned already bit this should help reduce the risk of damage if you do use it.
the velcro; webbing keepers. I cut about 3 inch pieces and shoe goo male and female on the folded end of the webbing so that when you roll up the excess, you fold the velcro pieces up and secure it
Great video, Isaac. These clips are the answer to my problems with this great pack. Brings it into a modern world. Thanks again!
Congrats my friend best video on Alice mods
That's good to know I didn't know they made so many different clips
Soldering g iron works better for making the holes...
Great Video, thank you
Cool vid, never knew those surface clips existed.
If you don’t want to permanently alter the pack lid straps, you can tuck the metal buckles under and still put the repair buckle in the webbing loop, and it works just fine.
I love this idea and would love to find the surface mount buckles as I have done the buckles on the lid straps but I have a problem also my pack is modeled after the older Alice packs that were made from heavey cloth canvases but with the same buckles that you are removing I am wondering if the surface mount buckles will work and can be mounted with the same way that you did these?
I would have left more of the straps and sewn the Velcro to the end of the strap itself so once I've got it tightened down I can just roll it up and secure it.
GOOD VIDEO
Outstanding
Very helpful.
Why do you need to cut off the original metal buckle? You can keep it, push it back, and add a plastic quick-release buckle
Cool ideas, thx
Thanks, I'm currently doing the same.
👍👍👍
Please don't cut the extra webbing off your pack!! You just eliminated the EASIEST way to lash your sleep-system or other large bulky items to the outside of your pack! These things are getting hard to find, and when I find one that's in decent shape but has the flipping straps cut, it's extremely frustrating!
Also, I leave the metal buckles on the bottom of the bag. One is none . . .
I was waiting for error the screwdriver to end up through your hand putting that buckle on.
Please find another way to do this people
my A.L.I.C.E has original high tensile fastenings
what happens to cheap ( or "expensive" ) plastic over time , heat , salty water or general damage
i would like to remedy the standard front plastic QR release harness plastic ( the tweezer on the load bearin straps )