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In addition to its military use, the Essential Sling is used by some corporations that provide them to their employees in case they have to leave in a hurry for another city.
To the moon with ALICE?
Harold Hirsch of Schreck Wholesale does not sell MOLLE packs, but continues to enjoy strong sales of the older ALICE (All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment) packs.
“The military is still using the ALICE and may be coming back to it,” said Hirsch. “Some guys swear by the MOLLE pack, but it got off to a rough start.”
Unlike the MOLLE pack, the ALICE pack, which is available in a 50 and a 70-pound capacity, is essentially a rucksack that does not take attachments. The ALICE gun belt is the only component of the ALICE system with straps for pouches.
Attachments to the ALICE pack are not necessary because of its pockets, said Hirsch. The 50-pound pack has three large pockets while the 70-pound has three large and three small pockets.
Hirsch continues to enjoy strong sales of top loading duffel bags. He carries both the official GI, two strap, duffel, which is available in ACU and Marine Corps digital, in addition to the traditional OD green, and Chinese and Indian imports, some of which wholesale for as little as six dollars.
The map case is another bag that is popular with civilians.
A basic shoulder bag, the map case opens easily and can be converted to a book bag or lady’s purse. Hirsch notes that Schreck may be the only company that carries U.S. made map cases.
Powerful packing
Well known commercial packs for camping and hiking will augment the retailer’s military selections.
Mountainsmith of Golden, Colorado has been manufacturing backpacks for almost 30 years, specializing in the lumbar pack, originally by the company’s founder Patrick Smith.
An experienced outdoor guide who would spend more than 200 nights a year in a sleeping bag, Smith was caught in an avalanche in which he found it impossible to keep his backpack upright.
The experience set him to work designing a pack that uses the hips rather than the back for its principal support.
