Backpacks are a standard part of the carrying equipment of soldiers, especially infantry, in most countries, and military-style packs are regularly available to civilians in military surplus stores. Well-known examples include the United States ALICE field pack and the British Army PLCE rucksack attachment, both of which are widely available to civilian markets both as actual military surplus (new or used) and as replicas. Such packs are often, though not always (e.g. the USMC's ILBE pack), external-frame packs, with the pack itself lashed or pinned to a metal or plastic carrying frame. For divisions that will, or will most likely, enter combat situations, packs are very heavy and can weigh an excess of 100lbs (maximum.) One should not be surprised, for each combat soldier needs to carry a part of the medical supplies, housing tents (and impromptu shelters for combat), ammunition, weaponry, and their own clothing.
Many police tactical units, as well as players of military-style combat games such as paintball and airsoft, use military-style backpacks and webbing for storing gear and ammunition. There is also a small but thriving industry devoted to creating historical reproductions of military gear; such companies generally produce period-appropriate uniforms and other gear in addition to backpacks.
Some more recent military/tactical designs, especially the MOLLE and ILBE packs used by the United States armed forces, are covered with webbing loop attachment points for increased carrying capacity.
As military combat conditions have evolved and changed so has the equipment needed by soldiers on the ground. Carrying equipment under battle conditions is the primary focus of military backpacks. Military packs have to balance load carrying capacity with functional mobility. A very tough thing to balance. Over the last 50 years the backpacks used by the military have been upgraded. From the ALICE pack used back in the Viet Nam era to the MOLLE and ILBE carry systems used today, they all serve one purpose: make sure the soldier has the equipment he needs to win.
The MOLLE backpack was developed during the first Desert Storm conflict. It was designed to replace the ALICE pack system. The main improvement of the MOLLE system was a module aproach. Different pouches and equipment could be stored on and in the pack. It also incorporated a vest used to carry personal fighting equipment. The pack “load” could be quick disconnected in combat to give soldiers more mobility.
The ILBE backpack system was designed to further improve the MOLLE system. It was designed by the U.S. Marine corps to better suit the combat conditions Marine’s encounter as well as make ammo and equipment easier to get too. As this is the newest military pack, it is one of the hardest to find.
The ALICE Backpack (or just ALICE pack for short) was the first significant leap forward in the modern military backpack. It was used heavily and evolved quite a bit during the Viet Nam war. While not used as often today, the ALICE pack is still quite popular with campers and outdoor enthusiasts. It is also the easiest of the military back packs to find.
After the ALICE military pack and before the development of the MOLLE and ILBE packs the Army used the CFP-90 backpack system. It was the first system to use the vest + pack approach that was later improved with MOLLE and ILBE.
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