One thing that the ALICE pack lacks is compression straps. We all start out with a pack more-or-less full, but as time goes by, the food contents get used up, and the pack gets a bit sloppy, with adverse impact on the user's balance. For you tactical types, subtract ammo used, and the effect is even more pronounced.

The solution is simple. Examine the ALICE pack closely, and you will see sewn-on webbing on the sides that will easily accept 1" horizontal straps that wrap around the body of the pack, and will serve to compress the back into a stable, compact, non-shifting unit. A closer examination will show that the straps on the pockets––not the pocket flaps–– have a space behind them so the user can put his finger beneath the snaps to press the halves of the snaps together. By happy coincidence, this space behind the webbing on the pocket will allow a 1" strap to be threaded through all the pockets, serving as an additional compression strap.

Between the original tunnels on the ALICE, and the pocket closure tunnels, the user should be able to install a sufficient amount of horizontal compression straps to accomodate most any need. Vertical compression can be done via use of the existing top flap straps.

Now you're asking where to get the straps. All right, go here: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/20-new-swiss-military-web-straps-olive-drab.aspx?a=561508 for Swiss OD adjustable, QD straps, which are perfect for this application. Be advised that the fastex-style QD buckles will NOT mate to most US-available genuine fastex (or close foreign copy) buckles, but for a stand-alone use, such as compression straps, this matters little.

There is plenty of life in a good condition ALICE pack. You all update the green tick as enforcer suggests, and you'll have the equal of packs costing many hundreds of dollars more.

Rather than lugging around a big clunky roll of duct tape:

Take a business card or something of similar size and wrap a few feet of duct tape lengthwise around the card. This will keep your tape relatively compact but still readily accessible.

Alternatively if you use something like an old hotel key or one of those fake credit card type of plastic cards you can wrap a few feet around it width wise (perpendicular to the long axis), punch a hole in the exposed plastic part and attach to a key ring or zipper pull etc.

This has worked for me with regular duct tape, but I have heard of issues with the stronger "gorilla tape" types that end up being a mass of useless tape after some time.

Good info, thanks!

Whenever my rolls of tape get low I wrap old empty gift cards, one time the cashier asked why I wanted an empty card and explained the ducktape trick and just got this look....

Gorilla tape is the best!

The same can be done with a blanket. We did it back when I was a boy scout during a SARS excercise (my troop leader was a Disaster Field Representative with American Red Cross). Try carrying an adult through the woods though when you are a kid and only have a few other kids to help (The "victim", one of the boy's dad, cheated and walked most of the way for us)!

Want a 50-gallon Zip Lock bag?

Take a 6' length of clear poly tubing. Cut it into 2 equal lengths. Slit one of these for the entire length, preferably on the inside of the coil (so the tubing curls with the slit on the inside).

Put the other length over the end of the bag and fold the bag over it. Now force-fit this length into the slit tubing. Viola! Instant ziplock bag!

This won't hold a lot of pressure (i.e. don't depend on it to keep stuff in if the bag is upside down), but it WILL keep out the sand and dampness.

Save those little plastic clips that hold the bread bags closed. They weigh nothing inside your pack and can be used like a clothespin to hang socks and other clothing up to dry.

Save the paper backing of sticker stock the next time you print a shipping label or something. Duct tape can be place on it and easily pulled off later. An 11” strip folded up fits great in a survival tin.

bump

You can also do this as an MRE "bomb". Same materiel, just don't drill a hole in the cap, dump the magniziume powder from the ration heart, dump in as much tobasco as you lik on to the magnezium, replace cap, shake up good and hard and give it a good toss. Once the pressure builds up in the bottle, POP!! Good way to spook folks, delay tactic, or even a super crude flashbang.

String or fishing line can be used as a tourniquet, after several rounds upon itself, the tension you add for each round is cumulative and can add up to considerable force.

RR-Broc.......String or fishing line can be used as a tourniquet, if you use that vs a belt, you can tell your friend kiss the area plus 2 to 4 inches above the injury good bye. With the number of troops coming back from war zones spend 5-10 bucks and get an SF tourniquet or similar product. I am not going to insult your brain capacity but unless you have Civilian, Combat Medical, or other similar training keep the fingers off the key board! with out going in to deep. Medical Tech has expanded by leaps and bounds can save most limbs a good number of the time. Please go to Amazon and get a good survival first aid book before commenting further.

Tourniquet= is a life or limb for use in mass trauma situations, your discussion to use this is never to be used litely!

I remember Shoe Goo from the 80's. My dad was a runner and went through tubes of that stuff. I seem to remember them discontinuing it, but I'd love to have some. I'll look for the E6000 stuff too.

as for my "cheap" contribution, you can get sewing kits ridiculously cheap at craft stores like Michael's, and I saw para cord there once or twice. Weird, ya. Usually Michael's will have a 30-50% off coupon on the backs of their receipts (sometimes single item, sometimes whole order), so you can go in, scout your stuff, buy something small for a coupon, then go back the next day and use it.