These were the packs carried on the backs of our soldiers and Marines in the GWOT. Thanks Lucas! Both are pretty good especially for the price. The USMC FILBE is a little more pricey in very good condition (there are fewer Marines than soldiers). It wasn't uncommon for the troops to have 100+ lbs. in them. There are much better and expensive packs in the civilian market as Lucas mentioned but unless you're an avid back country hiker these two packs will serve you well for buggin' out, elk hunting or weekend adventure! Get some!
An ALICE or MALICE frame in the USMC ruck is a life saver. The polymer frame is pretty trash over time and doesn’t do well in cold weather environments. I also definitely suggest using the internal zipper divider. It makes organizing and packing them so much better. Also, the pass through channel on the side of the USMC ruck was designed to carry LAAW rockets or 81mm mortar rounds in the fibers with the end caps or fiber bottoms sitting in the pouches. Canteens have a tendency to fall out too, so 550 and carabiners are a life saver if your carrying water in the pouches.
After using the molle four thousand, I love this USMC ruck. Better straps, less squeak. Only thing is i want one in multicam but that can be fixed with tie ons
Army here. I grew to love the MOLLE II rucksack in Basic + AIT but after getting the FILBE main pack, I was astonished at all the smart design choices made to make it so much better in some regards. The compatibility with ALICE is crazy. Hook the FILBE main pack up to a Mystery Ranch NICE frame and it's absolutely everything you need.
The FILBE rucksack stands out compared to the Army version due to its superior cinching, pocket organization, additional features, and strap comfort, particularly beneficial for long treks. However, its weakness lies in the frame, especially in cold weather, though the gen 2 frame is expected to address this issue. When carrying heavy loads over distances exceeding 12 miles and weighing more than 50 pounds, the FILBE ruck significantly outperforms the Army alternative.
I have the arcterex USMC rucksack in MARPAT with the detachable lid and the assault pack to go along with it. It's an excellent setup, in my opinion. No exaggeration: I've put probably 1000 miles in ruck marching over varying terrain, weights and time hacks. That pack is well thought out. A little heavy empty but it distributes much of the weight to your hips
The FILBE rucksack is the best properly military oriented rucksack that the US military has issued yet. I own nearly all US issued packs since the IIFS packs (CFP-90).
Worth noting that the Marine pack was designed by arc Terex, I believe and manufactured by Eagle and other contractors. Also, the weight of the packs is not a bad thing, they are far more durable than any civilian counterpart. Also, worth noting, that the military probably paid 500 or more dollars for each of these packs. We are enjoying the resale aftermarket cost, which is why they are so cheap.
The only problem that i had with the army rucksack is that it doesn't really work well with iotv. Mabye its because that the iotv is too big😅its all the way down to your hip, so you cant really use the hip belt with them comfortably. But these are very well padded, and never seems to break
@VentureSurplus that's why, if we were going to have a long ruck, we usually stuck to plate carriers. When I got to USASOC, we had, I believe, LBT rucks that actually had a modular padding system that could open to fit around, and cup, the back plate of your plate carrier.
Another demonstration that the US Army and the United States Marine Corps cannot agree on anything, it imposes a huge burden on the logistics system to have to stock 2 different models of nearly everything to ensure all our forward deployed are supported with replacement components. I think the Sustainment Pouch, the 6mag Bandoleer and the Canteen Carriers are the only identical design used by both branches. BTW Eagle did make a small run of Multicam FILBE Rucksacks, extremely hard to find, And there were some MOLLE II Large Rucks made in Coyote.
It is sometimes frustrating that both branches have wildly different gear. A lot of it does come down to overall different mission sets though and funding for the USMC, while less then the Army, is directed towards a smaller force overall. The bandoleers are slightly different btw lol A lot of the USMC gear, over the last 20 years or so, has been focused on their expeditionary capabilities and the materials and styles reflect that. Super cool info on the rucks though! Need to find one now hah
Both are garbage packs. I prefer the large ALICE pack. Very easy to get to things. The Marine Corps pack during the GWOT was hard to get things without unassing the whole pack. I carried my ALICE pack from the early 90s through Iraq and Afghanistan.
Bought my Large alice in1980 stationed in germany carried it untill 1992 . still have it dont use it as much but still gets used. frame been replaced though.
@@robertanderson1272Hello! Am 2.03 m tall. Do you think the large Alice pack, could fit on my tall big back? The problem is, that even by setting my pack now (German Army MFH), the waste belt, its on my stomach.. Also how much capacity has the large Alice, and how much weight did you used to carry in the service, when patrolling? Thank you for your service! Am a Marine from Greece
@@frapeschris you can wear the large Alice pack. I am 6'4' tall. We never wore the waist belt as it would not work with our load bearing equipment. The frame isnt the best but it is what we had. I carried 90 to 110 pounds in mine when i was light infantry not comfortable but it was all we had. Load bearing equipment was pistol belt, suspenders, 2 ammo pouches for 30 round m16 magazines 2 canteens , cups and covers and a small first aid pouch. All this was in the 90's before Chest rigs and newer packs.
These were the packs carried on the backs of our soldiers and Marines in the GWOT. Thanks Lucas! Both are pretty good especially for the price. The USMC FILBE is a little more pricey in very good condition (there are fewer Marines than soldiers). It wasn't uncommon for the troops to have 100+ lbs. in them. There are much better and expensive packs in the civilian market as Lucas mentioned but unless you're an avid back country hiker these two packs will serve you well for buggin' out, elk hunting or weekend adventure! Get some!
Good stuff man thanks
An ALICE or MALICE frame in the USMC ruck is a life saver. The polymer frame is pretty trash over time and doesn’t do well in cold weather environments. I also definitely suggest using the internal zipper divider. It makes organizing and packing them so much better.
Also, the pass through channel on the side of the USMC ruck was designed to carry LAAW rockets or 81mm mortar rounds in the fibers with the end caps or fiber bottoms sitting in the pouches. Canteens have a tendency to fall out too, so 550 and carabiners are a life saver if your carrying water in the pouches.
After using the molle four thousand, I love this USMC ruck. Better straps, less squeak. Only thing is i want one in multicam but that can be fixed with tie ons
Thank you! Your review mentioned something thing that another review didn't, the pass through part. That is something worth knowing imo.
Army here. I grew to love the MOLLE II rucksack in Basic + AIT but after getting the FILBE main pack, I was astonished at all the smart design choices made to make it so much better in some regards. The compatibility with ALICE is crazy. Hook the FILBE main pack up to a Mystery Ranch NICE frame and it's absolutely everything you need.
Nothing will ever top the medium ALICE for overall comfort, durability, and ease of use.
The FILBE rucksack stands out compared to the Army version due to its superior cinching, pocket organization, additional features, and strap comfort, particularly beneficial for long treks. However, its weakness lies in the frame, especially in cold weather, though the gen 2 frame is expected to address this issue. When carrying heavy loads over distances exceeding 12 miles and weighing more than 50 pounds, the FILBE ruck significantly outperforms the Army alternative.
I have the arcterex USMC rucksack in MARPAT with the detachable lid and the assault pack to go along with it. It's an excellent setup, in my opinion. No exaggeration: I've put probably 1000 miles in ruck marching over varying terrain, weights and time hacks. That pack is well thought out. A little heavy empty but it distributes much of the weight to your hips
The FILBE rucksack is the best properly military oriented rucksack that the US military has issued yet. I own nearly all US issued packs since the IIFS packs (CFP-90).
Worth noting that the Marine pack was designed by arc Terex, I believe and manufactured by Eagle and other contractors. Also, the weight of the packs is not a bad thing, they are far more durable than any civilian counterpart.
Also, worth noting, that the military probably paid 500 or more dollars for each of these packs. We are enjoying the resale aftermarket cost, which is why they are so cheap.
The ilbe was not the Filbe
Meh, im issued the army ruck and i bought an eberlestock... the eberlestock works far better with armor and over distance IMO
@@shanewhetstone2201mystery ranch helped design the filbe
Both packs volume is 5000 cu.in.
Not 4000 cu.in
The only problem that i had with the army rucksack is that it doesn't really work well with iotv. Mabye its because that the iotv is too big😅its all the way down to your hip, so you cant really use the hip belt with them comfortably. But these are very well padded, and never seems to break
I know what you mean lol nothing seems to readily take into consideration that it's going to be used with body armor.
@VentureSurplus that's why, if we were going to have a long ruck, we usually stuck to plate carriers. When I got to USASOC, we had, I believe, LBT rucks that actually had a modular padding system that could open to fit around, and cup, the back plate of your plate carrier.
I want one of those Air Force Rucks. You know the ones that attach to the back of a chair.
Put a metal frame on the USMC pack and you have a damn near indestructible ruck. As long as the stitching holds up that is
I believe that the FILBE can also use an ALICE frame. Score !
It can!
I can't find one without a cracked frame
Would you happen to have a link were I can purchase these? Thank you. New sub here.
Yup! Right in the description box for the video.
@@VentureSurplus Thank you.
I have heard that the MOLLE 2 ruck frame is better to carry with a plate carrier. Is any of that true?
In my experience it's only better with a plate carrier just due to the PC being smaller then an IOTV.
@@VentureSurplusOk, thanks. I'll have to save up for one.
I think you are confused with the ILBE. It had issues with the carrying plates and that's why the FILBE was designed
@@seeweezekethe filbe still sucks while wearing plates
The coyote works well without the frame also…lighter loads but way more comfortable
Another demonstration that the US Army and the United States Marine Corps cannot agree on anything, it imposes a huge burden on the logistics system to have to stock 2 different models of nearly everything to ensure all our forward deployed are supported with replacement components. I think the Sustainment Pouch, the 6mag Bandoleer and the Canteen Carriers are the only identical design used by both branches. BTW Eagle did make a small run of Multicam FILBE Rucksacks, extremely hard to find, And there were some MOLLE II Large Rucks made in Coyote.
It is sometimes frustrating that both branches have wildly different gear. A lot of it does come down to overall different mission sets though and funding for the USMC, while less then the Army, is directed towards a smaller force overall. The bandoleers are slightly different btw lol A lot of the USMC gear, over the last 20 years or so, has been focused on their expeditionary capabilities and the materials and styles reflect that. Super cool info on the rucks though! Need to find one now hah
The marines make FAR better gear choices, typically. Look at MARPAT camo vs ACU for example
@joehadenough1642 it's ucp not acu, army combat uniform, universal camouflage pattern
@@joehadenough1642The filbe is a better design, but with my experience with the two, the Molle is better constructed.
@@joehadenough1642that’s one single design choice, nothing else reflects that
Would you consider them good for a Bug Out Bag?
I could work just fine for that.
Do you sell the top you’re wearing?
It's a Crye Precision Field Top and yes! We get them in occasionally since they are an issued item to SOF or personal buys that end up being surplus.
Which Crye Precision top is that?
Should i buy an army rucksack to train prior to going in or will training with any rucksack be good enough to adapt to rucking?
Any pack you have will help you with training.
Would of been better to show the full filbe system with sustainment, assault pack and water system as one unit.
I stand corrected the pack is 4000
Im going to get one for 150 for my bug out bag the usmc back pack
What blouse do you have on. I want one lol. Link 👀
Crye Precision G2 Field Top, we occasionally get them in! None right now though in stock :|
@@VentureSurplus ohh. I have the G3 uniform on right now.
I can't attest, it can carry well over 100lbs, my hips and knees can attest too
where is the crayon compartment?
Nice video
Both are garbage packs. I prefer the large ALICE pack. Very easy to get to things. The Marine Corps pack during the GWOT was hard to get things without unassing the whole pack. I carried my ALICE pack from the early 90s through Iraq and Afghanistan.
The medium ALICE is the best all around pack this country has ever developed.
Bought my Large alice in1980 stationed in germany carried it untill 1992 . still have it dont use it as much but still gets used. frame been replaced though.
@@robertanderson1272Hello! Am 2.03 m tall. Do you think the large Alice pack, could fit on my tall big back? The problem is, that even by setting my pack now (German Army MFH), the waste belt, its on my stomach.. Also how much capacity has the large Alice, and how much weight did you used to carry in the service, when patrolling?
Thank you for your service! Am a Marine from Greece
@@frapeschris you can wear the large Alice pack. I am 6'4' tall. We never wore the waist belt as it would not work with our load bearing equipment. The frame isnt the best but it is what we had. I carried 90 to 110 pounds in mine when i was light infantry not comfortable but it was all we had. Load bearing equipment was pistol belt, suspenders, 2 ammo pouches for 30 round m16 magazines 2 canteens , cups and covers and a small first aid pouch. All this was in the 90's before Chest rigs and newer packs.
Ehh like 100 woohoo
Thank you for the video's