MOLLE or MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment is the current incarnation of carrying equipemnt in use by the U.S. Army. It replaces the ALICE pack system that was used since the Viet Nam war.

The MOLLE system is worn rather than carried and allows for complete customization for improved mission efficiency without compromising mobility or readiness. The MOLLE system uses an external frame with a quick release mechanism that allows the soldier to drop the carrying gear while still maintaining the fighting load carrying vest & pockets.

In 1994 when the U. S. Army had difficulties adapting the ALICE pack to desert warfare in the first Gulf War (in 1991) they started to redevelop a load carrying system that would be modular, durable, and comfortable.

They undertook biomedical studies to determine the most efficient way to carry loads. They studied the effects of load carrying and human performance. They looked at energy cost, the preferred walking posture, volume configuration, and load center implications under a variety of field requirements. The result was completely new equipment called Modular Lightrweight Load Carrying Equipment, designated as MOLLE. The MOLLE system is a much more advanced and comfortable carrying system.

MOLLE features a load bearing vest with butt pack. It will accommodate a main ruck with pouches and a sleeping bag compartment attached to an external frame. The vest does have a built-in belt, but the vest replaces the web belt and suspenders of the ALICE system. At first there was little use for the MOLLE, but when troops were deployed into Afghanistan in late 2001 and 2002 and to Iraq in 2003, field experience led to a number of improvements including these. The external plastic frame had to be strengthened. Zippers that burst when overloaded had to be improved. The straps on the pack had to be lengthened to accommodate body armor.

The nylon mesh vest can accommodate different carrying needs of individual soldiers.  Removable pockets can permit each member of the squad to carry different loads. Hence, a rifleman, a grenadier, an automatic weapon operator, and other  specialists can have a MOLLE conveniently customized to their needs. The vest can be chosen to fit the body size and build of the wearer. More weight is at the shoulders and hips and during a long march soldiers can shift the weight to minimize discomfort.

The MOLLE vest has no metal clips or hooks that can be awkward and dig into  the skin. It has an H harness in the back to minimize heat buildup. However, the “ball & socket” interface between the frame and the rucksack belt led to numerous lower back injuries and had to be eliminated.

Being used in desert operations, the woodland pattern of coloring was replaced by the digital Universal Camouflage Pattern to match the Army Combat Uniform. All these and other changes have been introduced during the past five years in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It's worth noting, that the MOLLE system vests are very popular with Paintballers. There are several MOLLE pouches that work great for carrying extra paint and gear.