MOLLE Attachment Systems
Let's start, if you don't mind, with a bit of history. The MOLLE system (short for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) is a standardized military attachment system that involves creating a "weave" of straps between two pieces of equipment. The MOLLE attachment straps interlace with the MOLLE loops on the equipment in question, which are then secured using a closure system. Each MOLLE equipment has horizontal bands of 40 x 25 mm loops, forming a sort of grid where the horizontal bands are spaced 3.8 cm apart.
The MOLLE attachment system first appeared in 1997 but was used on a large scale only in 2001 during the Afghanistan war, and then during the Iraq war in 2003. Despite a rocky start, this system was quickly adopted by the majority of the U.S. armed forces and then by NATO forces, replacing the ALICE system, which had been predominantly used since 1976. This is due to the ease and speed of attaching MOLLE-compatible equipment and, above all, the ability to customize the configuration of a vest or belt according to the user's preferences and comfort. The ALICE system is still used anecdotally, for example during the training of future Marines or by the U.S. Air Force, although they have announced plans to gradually switch to the MOLLE system. Other attachment systems have recently appeared but are used marginally and are generally developed and used by and for a specific unit, like the U.S. Marines with the ILBE system (Improved Load Bearing Equipment).
Today, MOLLE, pronounced "Molly," has become indispensable, and many manufacturers have made it a standard for their equipment. Notable examples include Eagle Industries, Maxpedition, and Bulldog Tactical.
Attachment with snap buttons:
Designed by Speciality Defense System, this is probably the most common MOLLE attachment system. Its main advantage is its ease and speed of installation for any user. However, it is not the most reliable system for holding objects. Snap buttons tend to detach over time, although this is not always the case. For example, snap buttons from Eagle Industries are known for their high quality. Many variants of this attachment have appeared over the years, offering a wide choice to the user based on personal preferences.
Attachment with velcro:
Much less common, the velcro attachment is almost identical to the snap button attachment. Unfortunately, velcro also suffers from wear and tear over time, regularly losing its adhesive power. The Australian brand SORD, which originated the concept, is today the main user of this system for its products, with most manufacturers finding it "too unreliable." The American brand Blue Force Gear also uses this attachment system but in a different way: the assembly is not quite the same, as the male velcro attaches to the female velcro inside the MOLLE loop for improved retention.
MALICE attachment:
Created by the brand Tactical Taylor, the MALICE system is controversial. Although it is the most secure MOLLE attachment in terms of retention, it is also the most difficult to use, and it is not uncommon to resort to various tools for installation or removal on a MOLLE loop. It also has increased resistance to deterioration in rainy weather and a longer lifespan than its peers. Unlike a classic MOLLE system, the attachment clips are separate from the equipment piece and allow multiple objects to be adapted with the same attachment. Besides Tactical Taylor, ITW has also made it their trademark for most of their products.
There is also a derivative of the MALICE attachment created by Blackhawk: the SPEED CLIPS. These allow for much simpler and faster use than the MALICE system but, unfortunately, their use remains quite limited due to their design. Indeed, SPEED CLIPS will only be compatible if the object does not have an original MOLLE attachment.
Helium Whisper attachment:
We had already talked about this little marvel in our article on Blue Force Gear: the Helium Whisper attachment made in ULTRAComp is probably the most significant technological advancement in MOLLE attachment. Here we have a system that is both lightweight, strong, and easy to install, which will significantly reduce the total weight of your equipment, as ULTRAComp is two to three times lighter than Cordura. Blue Force Gear, being the originator of the concept, retains the same usage principle as their previous range (with velcro), but they do not manage to correct the sometimes uncertain retention. Other brands have since acquired the Helium Whisper license for the design of their products, such as Platatac or Protech Tactical, among others.
There are many other MOLLE attachments that incorporate characteristics from one system or another. Manufacturers, always in search of the perfect attachment, seem unable to combine all the qualities needed for a MOLLE attachment. The most important thing is to find what suits us best as users for our configurations. And for that, there is something for everyone!
Feel free to give us your feedback in the comments on the different MOLLE attachments you may have tested; your opinion interests us!
Sources: militarybackpackguide.com / milspecmonkey.com / heliumwhisper.com / sordaustralia.com