Anyone use a MOLLE FLC?

Cpl Punishment

Cpl Punishment

Joined
Jan 28, 2006
Messages
7,035
I noticed a few people running TT MAVs and such as dayhike rigs. Does anyone use a GI MOLLE FLC setup?

Thinking of this (older?) model:
255604924_tp.jpg


Seems like it'd be a good alternative to the TT rig, at 1/2 the price.
I like the PALS webbing above the waist level (although it's probably not as nice, heat-wise), and that it doesn't have a large amount of padding on the shoulder straps, so you could use it for all your base, survival gear, and throw a backpack on over it for additional comfort/shelter equipment.

Any real downsides other than you don't get the coolguy factor of having TT gear?
 
I ran a TT 2 piece MAV set up in Iraq. I have never used it for a "day hike", unless you count a combat patrol in Baghdad a day hike. However, having used both, I will NEVER use USGI issue MOLLE gear unless ordered to do so. When it comes to gear, you pay more for the quality and function, not for the "cool guy factor". I also question using purpose specific tactical gear for recreational use. A MAV or RACK set up works great for combat gear that needs to be accessable but I would think a good Maxpedition day pack or Versi-pak would work far better and you would'nt look like some militiatard walking around the woods.
 
well call me a militard! :D I think the greatest thing that has ever trickled down from the military for us civvies is PALS webbing, chest rigs and vests and all the modular pouches. It has allowed us :D "militards" :D to travel fast and light, and we can adapt the gear to our day by day needs. Its like lego, you can build whatever you want to suit you. :thumbup: I cannot stand the gear from hiking stores, i liekthe bomber tough militarygear, and I like the modularity of it and the plain ol OD coloring.

and if that makes me a "militard" well so be it, i dont care what anyone thinks. :jerkit:

Bushy, just a civvie and a major Troop supporter, and proud owner of a HSGI warlord V4 chest rig, and a TT MINI MAV :cool:
 
Colt6731 said:
I ran a TT 2 piece MAV set up in Iraq. I have never used it for a "day hike", unless you count a combat patrol in Baghdad a day hike. However, having used both, I will NEVER use USGI issue MOLLE gear unless ordered to do so.
Click to expand...
OK, so what is wrong with the FLC? Both look like PALs platforms that hang off your shoulders.

Colt6731 said:
When it comes to gear, you pay more for the quality and function, not for the "cool guy factor".
Click to expand...
OK, I don't have a problem paying the price -- if it's worth it.
Again, what's the advantage the MAV has over the FLC? Is the fact the MAV doesn't have the PALs webbing above the waistline like the FLC has a detriment?

Colt6731 said:
I also question using purpose specific tactical gear for recreational use. A MAV or RACK set up works great for combat gear that needs to be accessable but I would think a good Maxpedition day pack or Versi-pak would work far better and you would'nt look like some militiatard walking around the woods.
Click to expand...

Ok, but the nice thing about the MAV/RACK/FLC is that it isn't purpose specific. I can mount whatever I want to them for whatever I'm doing.

It's also funny that you mention Maxpedition as an alternative, since most here would call that "militard" gear.

Fact is, there's a lot of sharing between military and civilian gear. The military has adopted a lot of civvy tech, especially in the areas of suspension systems and thermal protection, and the civvy gear inherited the modularity of the military gear.

Plus, like Bushman said, if you want modularity, organization and durability, military gear is where it's at.
 
Well, call me silly, but when I'm in combat (2 12 month OIF tours as a US Army 11B) I use "combat" gear and when I'm enjoying the outdoors in the states I like to use something that does not shout "tactical". Maybe its PTSD as I've only been back in the states from Iraq for 3 days, but running duece gear on a civie hiking trail is a bit "poser" for me. Just my opinion nothing more.

As far as the MOLLE vest, the pic is of an early generation vest that is'nt current issue. There were problems with the stiching on the PALS webbing failing and the vest did'nt fit well over cold weather or rain gear. It also made for a bulky piece of kit when you attached everything. I ran a TT 2 piece MAV with 2 3 mag shingles on each side with another 4 single mag pouches and a grenade pouch attched to the shingles, an issue IFAK, and a multi purpose pouch for my PVS-14 and Surefire. I attached my Strider VB just behind the right mag shingle. Fit well over my IOTV and rolled up nice for packing in my assault pack for the walk from the motorpool to the platoon room. Worked great for carrying mags and frags, I just dont see the set up for hiking, thats what day packs are for.
 
If anyone gets too pushy with me "playing army" in the woods, I usually stop the discussion real quick by admitting I "played" paratrooper a few lifetimes ago in my late teens, and ask them what division they served with.

FYI MOLLE was just starting to filter in at that time and I was never issued any.

Reason I like the idea of as vest (or web gear which I've been using for day hikes) is that my often used gear is right at hand without having to remove my pack or anything else to get to it. But since trading in my Med ALICE for a Kifaru Zulu, which uses a hip belt, web gear doesn't work with the hip belt, so a vest is the newer counterpart.

Reason I was looking at the older FLC was because it's held together with Fastex buckles, the new ones look like t he front is held closed with a zipper (bad idea, IMO, I have a phobia with zippers).

I'll just get an MAV or something. Thanks for the responses.
 
I use one as a warm weather hunting vest out here in So. Calif. But I don't load it down with a bunch of pouches. Just two canteen/utility pouches. I carry a Nalgene canteen with G.I. cup and stove in one and PSK and snacks in the other. Also the G.I. fanny pack that attaches to it for a game bag and a 100 round gunners pouch that is perfect for a 25round box of 12 gauge.
I might add another small pouch for sun glasses and a small walkie talkie if my partner plan on being out of hearing range. There are alot of different pouches that you can add but the militard factor goes up as the pouches go on. That usually wouldn't be a problem because I don't hunt where there are alot of people around. For trail use I would probably use a pack.

See if ths link will come up for you to see what is available.

http://www.armyproperty.com/Resources/NSN-Listings/MOLLE-Overview.htm

You can pick these up cheep on Ebay but when you start buying pouches the prices and shipping can add up. You can sometimes you find them in sets or get the vest and pouches from the same guy and combine shipping. search under molle vest and pouches.

By the way I really like the canteen/utility pouches. They are bigger than the older G.I. canteen pouches and have two pouches on the outside that will each hold a altoid tin. They have a draw sting adjustable top and a flap that you use when yuo use it as a utility pouch . When you carry a canteen you tuck the flap inside and use the Y strap to secure the canteen.
 
Last edited:
Colt6731 said:
Well, call me silly, but when I'm in combat (2 12 month OIF tours as a US Army 11B) I use "combat" gear and when I'm enjoying the outdoors in the states I like to use something that does not shout "tactical". Maybe its PTSD as I've only been back in the states from Iraq for 3 days, but running duece gear on a civie hiking trail is a bit "poser" for me. Just my opinion nothing more.

As far as the MOLLE vest, the pic is of an early generation vest that is'nt current issue. There were problems with the stiching on the PALS webbing failing and the vest did'nt fit well over cold weather or rain gear. It also made for a bulky piece of kit when you attached everything. I ran a TT 2 piece MAV with 2 3 mag shingles on each side with another 4 single mag pouches and a grenade pouch attched to the shingles, an issue IFAK, and a multi purpose pouch for my PVS-14 and Surefire. I attached my Strider VB just behind the right mag shingle. Fit well over my IOTV and rolled up nice for packing in my assault pack for the walk from the motorpool to the platoon room. Worked great for carrying mags and frags, I just dont see the set up for hiking, thats what day packs are for.
Click to expand...

well I guess the fact that I like non mainstream bomber tough gear that blends in the woods (perfect for hunting), that is adaptable to my needs and can be changed out for every different hiking scenario (day trip, overnighter, week long) makes me a "poser".

So be it. I guess i'm just going to have bear the shame of being a militard + poser! (insert rolling on ground laughing smiley here)

day packs are great for hiking, you can keep em. Some of us think outside of the rigid little box that all the normal people are confined to. I dont play "soldier" when i hike, nor do i think that i'm a soldier, thats just silly. I hike, I crawl thru deep BC woods to get to untrodden peaks and ravines. Mainstream daypacks and backpacks have never held up here (at least for me) in these thick wet woods. Military gear and aftermarket (HSGI, TT etc) has. Several years ago the PALS concept came trickling down and I discovered I could build "lego" build a hiking or running setup that carried my gear, did;nt fail, and was actually comfortable to wear. I can wear my HSGI Warlord V4 for a week and not get any pain in the shoulders or back. It allows me to duck under fallen logs without the pack snagging, because there is no pack to snag. I can run with it in cross country races, flip down the map pouch and check course, grab the radio and check in with team members, or grab a power bar from a mag pouch (they hold three power bars perfectly.). all while walking or jogging. No pack to take off and dig thru, everything is organized and right there where i need it. A pack can be lost or forgotten, my chest rig is always there.

As we speak i'm building yet another militard (ya know, i'm going to start an outdoors business called "Militards!") hiking set up for when i work a cross country race. Molle vest with velcro panels and "RACE MARSHALL" patchs front and back, hydration carrier, detachable FAK on lower back, survival kit, radio holster and misc gear all in modular pouches.

the SARS (non military rescue) guys love the chest rigs, for the same reasons i listed above. The local K9 handlers love the chest rigs for the reasons i listed above. Especially when you can jump into a truck and drive with it on, no pack to take off, just GO.

just my 2 cents.
 
bentblade said:
There are alot of different pouches that you can add but the militard factor goes up as the pouches go on. That usually wouldn't be a problem because I don't hunt where there are alot of people around. For trail use I would probably use a pack.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I've already got all the pouches I'd use, since I use web gear now.

200 round SAW -- Poncho
200 Round SAW -- food
100 Round SAW -- FAK
100 round SAW -- "survival" kit
2 canteen pouches -- see below

I'm also notorious for not caring if some schmuck on the trail doesn't like my gear.

bentblade said:
See if ths link will come up for you to see what is available.

http://www.armyproperty.com/Resources/NSN-Listings/MOLLE-Overview.htm
Click to expand...
Thanks for the link, been there before. Nice stuff.

bentblade said:
By the way I really like the canteen/utility pouches. They are bigger than the older G.I. canteen pouches and have two pouches on the outside that will each hold a altoid tin. They have a draw sting adjustable top and a flap that you use when yuo use it as a utility pouch . When you carry a canteen you tuck the flap inside and use the Y strap to secure the canteen.
Click to expand...

Dude, the MOLLE canteen/GP pouches are the bawls.

I run with two of them (you go through water fast here).
I set them up as follows:
Canteen + cup + stove in main pouch
One pocket gets a large bandanna (27" x 27") useful for filtering big stuff out when refilling canteens, or for use as a bandanna.
Other pocket gets 20 Katadyn MP1 tablets, and a few individual teas bags.

GREAT component to any survival kit.
The Maxpedition M4 waistpack is basically the same thing and comes in khaki, black and foliage for those afraid of the fashion police.
 
Colt 6731:

I don't want you to think I have a problem with you.
I wanted opinions, both for and against.
So, just to say, your posts were valued.

I also understand guy withe recent military experience not liking people running around everywhere pretending to be "High speed operators". Hell, most military people aren't "high speed operators" (A term reserved for DEVGRP, SEALs and Force Recon when I was in, unless things changed and everyone's a "high speed operator" these days. 'Course everyone wears a beret now, so that may be the case. . .).

But you have to realize that the more the military adopts civilian ideas (look at the suspension system on the ILBE, or even MOLLE rucks versus ALICE), the more overlap there is going to be.

The two main objections to military gear (one is opinion, one is fact) are:
1.) It looks military and scares me/Sally Sokkermom.
2.) It's much more durable, but heavier than typical civilian gear.

The two main likes about military gear (one is opinion, one is fact) are:
1.) It looks military and that doesn't bother me/I think it looks cool
2.) It's heavier than typical civilian gear, but is much more durable.

When I say military, I'm including aftermarket stuff like Kifaru, Tactical Tailor, HSGI, etc, as well as issue gear.
 
Cpl. P

I think you're onto something with that LBV, I was looking at the same one for the same purpose, setting up a dayhike/survival vest setup that could be layered easily with apack. As far as the construction is concerned, I think these would hold up just fine for hiking/survival. Where they don't excel is in combat.
keep us posted on what you decide
 
I understand the GI-Joe looking concerns, but I've found a slimmed down Tactical Tailor 2-piece works quite well for me. I too could care less for what's said about me on the trail, but depending on the location, it could cause some serious beef.

I simply like the MAV 2-piece as it wears well under my pack straps and doesn’t interfere with the waist belt. I don’t have a ton of crap on it, but I can get most the stuff I usually wear in my cargo pockets up higher and away from my legs. Again, simple stuff for me: compass, small binoculars, cravat/bandana, snacks, radio/cell phone, LED light and a mini PSK…it works for me. Of concern though is that vests and chest harness trap in a lot of heat, so for those in hot or humid climates, it may be a valid concern.

ROCK6
 
bentblade, the term is Militiatard, not militard. Its what guys who are serving in the active military or reserves call guys who run around the woods with the newest high speed rifles and gear, pontificate on tactics and techniques, and have over 4000+ posts on an internet forum in less than 2 years. Get a thicker skin, its just the internet.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
Colt 6731:

I don't want you to think I have a problem with you.
I wanted opinions, both for and against.
So, just to say, your posts were valued.
Dont sweat it, I could have been a little more tactfull. I've only been back in the states from my last tour 5 days now, so I'm still wired a little tight. Last time I checked the US was still a free country, at least until Obama screws it up for all of us, so wear what you want and have fun.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
No biggie, welcome back.

I'm just one of those weird guys that actually liked my issue gear, and think most .mil stuff is actually pretty workable stuff that doesn't fall apart on you.
 
Colt6731 said:
bentblade, the term is Militiatard, not militard. Its what guys who are serving in the active military or reserves call guys who run around the woods with the newest high speed rifles and gear, pontificate on tactics and techniques, and have over 4000+ posts on an internet forum in less than 2 years. Get a thicker skin, its just the internet.
Click to expand...

Colt6731

Hey! I didn't make up the word I just borrowed it.
Although I personally think militard has a better ring to it.
And we that served our country before you feel the same way.
We just had other names.

I wasn't implying that everyone who uses military surplus or similar type gear fits into your definition of militiatard.
I WAS NOT!
I used the term to make a point about other peoples perception.
I would be willing to bet that majority of the people reading this have or will use some type of mil spec or surplus gear.

Why do we use it? Because for the most part it is good functional gear, there is alot of it around, it's easy to get and its a good bang for your buck$

OK I have a black gun or two but they arn't my woods guns. They are work guns. For the woods I prefer a good 03 springfield or a 22.

I don't run around in the woods much these days. I have gotten wiser with age. I now prefer to walk. Thats the difference between the old bulls and the young ones. Hopefully there are some old bulls out there who remember the story.

And if you think I have thin skin because I don't wear alot of tactical gear on the trail where I am likely to come into contact other people you are mistaken but after 30 years as a deputy sheriff I know better than to draw attention to myself when I am armed.

Unfortunatly when some people see military gear and clothing they think militiatard/gun nut. They assume you are armed and in my case they would be correct. That goes against my training and is concidered poor tactics.

OK! So I'm a gun nut! I'm also 40 year NRA life member and proud of it but when I meet some dip sh*t on the trail. I don't want him to know. I want it to be a surprise.

And don't forget the sheeple, Why scare the poor things.

Colt6731 If I took your post the wrong way I'm sorry but I thought you were calling me a thin skinned Militiatard. Taint So!

But hey It's just the internet

PS
Thank You for Your Service.
 
I never heard the term "militard", but I like it. I think it is analogous to "mall ninja" for police officers who see wannabes walking around with out-of-place police gear.

Having said that, I sometimes use military gear for hiking. I sometimes use police gear too. I also have mostly civilian gear. It just depends on what works for me when I make a decision of what to bring or wear.

My normal hot weather set up includes a Tilley Air-Flo, Under Armour shirt, a Camel-Bak in "coyote" color with a few MOLLE straps that I have attached some gear, BDU type pants (usually in tan) or my new 5.11 shorts (I got on sale for $7.95--what a bargain!) or my "zip off" pants/shorts, a military/police type nylon belt (I like wider belts for outdoor activities), desert tan boots that are really running shoes and are designed for police work.

I could easily use my old boonie hat, use my old Army brown Under Armour shirts because they are very comfortable, I have tons of old BDU pants around, and my old issue infantry boots are GREAT for walking around the woods, but I like the other gear better for day hikes. Then I think I would be a militard even though I have the 20 year credentials to wear all that!

So with my regular set up I don't think I look like a militard or a mall ninja, but I will use whatever works for me; meaning if it works, I use it.

Colt: Welcome back! Thank you for your service!
 
I use miltary gear as well when hiking and camping. The fact of looking like a "Militard" isn't of concern to me because I need gear that can hold up well and doesn't break the bank:D. When camping I use a large Alice pack that cost me 25 dollars and when hiking I use a German mountain ranger rucksack that was brand new when I bought it and only paid 15 dollars for it.

To me its just a matter of economics not being tacticool. I was never in the military (although I intended to join the USMC after High school but a injury prevented that) and don't pretend to be.

Colt6731 Thank you for your service and welcome home:thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top