MOLLE or PALS? What's the difference?

by Forces Tactical

Well, first up, let's get some definitions out there...

M.O.L.L.E. stands for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment and is the term used to cover all of the current generation of load-bearing kit used by the US and many other NATO countries (including the UK). Think of it as the new "PLCE" - specifically in that it does not describe a particular item, rather a collection of compatible equipment.

P.A.L.S. stands for Pouch Attachment Ladder System and is key to providing the flexibility to add/remove compatible pouches to MOLLE equipment.

We mentioned P.L.C.E above, so we better define that too: Personal Load Carrying Equipment - a generic term used by the British Army to describe pre-VIRTUS gear.

 

So, here's the important bit... PALS is part of the MOLLE system (so something that is MOLLE compatible, will work with something that utilises PALS).

PALS attachments tend to work in one of 3 ways but all rely on the grid system of webbing found on MOLLE compatible equipment: 25 mm (1") wide webbing with 38 mm (1.5") spacing between each sewing point and 25mm (1") between each row of webbing:

MOLLE compatible pouches that utilise PALS typically use one of the following methods:

  1. Weave and Tuck - Webbing straps on the pouch are interwoven between the MOLLE rows and then secured by tucking them back in
  2. "Natick Snap" - Reinforced webbing straps weave through the back of a column of MOLLE and then secured using a press-stud fastener (found on the majority of Osprey pouches)
  3. "Malice" Clips - Solid polymer clips that weave through the MOLLE rows but 'lock' into a semi-permanent fixture for additional security and need a flat bladed tool to release them:

Kydex Custom's Compass Case uses "Malice" clips

To sum up, the terms MOLLE and PALS are often used interchangeably. A bag "with MOLLE" will accept pouches that utilise PALS and we often just use the blanket term "MOLLE Compatible".

As always, if you have any questions about any of the kit at Forces Tactical, please get in touch using the Contact button at the top of the page

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