5.11
® asks you to accept cookies for performance, social media and advertising purposes. Social media
and advertising cookies of third parties are used to offer you social media functionalities and personalized
ads. To get more information or amend your preferences, press the 'more information' button or visit "Cookie
Settings" at the bottom of the website. To get more information about these cookies and the processing of
your personal data, check our
Privacy & Cookie Policy. Do you accept these cookies and the processing of personal data involved?
You can always change your preference by visiting the "Cookie Settings" at the bottom of the page. View
Privacy & Cookie Policy for full details.
Your Cookie Settings
Functional
These cookies are required for basic site functionality and are therefore always enabled. These include
cookies that allow you to be remembered as you explore the site within a single session or, if you
request, from session to session. They help make the shopping cart and checkout process possible
as well as assist in security issues and conforming to regulations.
Performance
These cookies allow us to improve the site's functionality by tracking usage on this website. In some
cases these cookies improve the speed with which we can process your request, allow us to remember
site preferences you've selected. De-selecting these cookies may result in poorly-tailored recommendations
and slow site performance.
Social Media and Advertising
Social media cookies offer the possibility to connect you to your social networks and share content from
our website through social media. Advertising cookies (of third parties) collect information to help
better tailor advertising to your interests, both within and beyond 5.11 Tactical websites. In some cases,
these cookies involve the processing of your personal data. For more information about this processing
of personal data, check our
Privacy & Cookie Policy. De-selecting these cookies may result in seeing advertising that
is not as relevant to you or you not being able to link effectively with Facebook, Twitter, or other
social networks and/or not allowing you to share content on social media.
MOLLE systems (pronounced "Molly") let you attach multi-tools, knives, magazine pouches, and other equipment to tactical backpacks, rucksacks, and load-bearing vests. Here’s how MOLLE works, plus a few tips to help you get the most out of your system.
The Principle Behind MOLLE
Don’t let the friendly sounding name fool you. MOLLE, which stands for "modular, lightweight load-carrying equipment," means business. Rows of heavy-duty nylon fabric called PALS, short for "pouch attachment ladder system," are stitched on backpacks and rucks, load-bearing vests, and other gear so you can easily attach MOLLE pouches and accessories to your equipment for secure, adaptable on-the-go access.
Using a MOLLE system, you can attach these and other items to your gear:
Magazine and grenade pouches
Canteen carriers
First-aid kits (including military-style "individual first aid kits," or IFAKs)
Sustainment pouches
D-rings for slings and other gear
Holsters
General-purpose gear pouches in various sizes
How to Use a MOLLE System
Your MOLLE attachment system will likely consist of SlickStick® or MOLLE-specific straps that are designed to weave between the attachment and the equipment you're adding it to. These sticks securely snap shut to hold your attachments in place.
Follow these steps to attach your MOLLE gear to a compatible webbed platform:
Choose a location to attach your gear. If you’re following an SOP, you already have a plan – but if you’re free to choose where your gear goes based on what’s easiest for you, try experimenting with the placement of your MOLLE pouches on top of your backpack or other equipment to determine the best configuration before attaching anything.
Hold onto the end of the SlickStick with the snap attached, and thread the stick through the bottom row of nylon webbing that your MOLLE attachment will align with, snap side up.
Weave the stick or strap through the first row of nylon webbing on the backside of the attachment, tightening as you go.
Continue weaving the stick through the webbing on your equipment and the attachment until all that remains are the snaps or buttons at the top.
If your attachment includes multiple SlickSticks or straps, repeat this process for each stick until the entire attachment is secure.
Once you have the attachment exactly where you want it, secure the snaps or buttons to make sure your gear stays put.
Tips for Using MOLLE Gear
Putting together MOLLE-compatible equipment properly takes time, but these tips can help you attach your accessories more efficiently:
For attachments with multiple sticks or straps, weave both straps through the nylon webbing at the same time. MOLLE sticks and straps are rigid, so alternating between the sticks while you’re weaving can make the process easier.
Don’t skip over any webbing while weaving your sticks and straps through – use every row to keep your gear as secure as possible. Use all the webbing you can on both your gear and on your pack or vest.
You can use ALICE clips with MOLLE gear, but these outdated clips are not as versatile or durable as today's more advanced MOLLE-compatible equipment. If you have a choice, skip ALICE and use MOLLE instead.
MOLLE isn’t hard to use, but it does take time to configure. Now that you know how MOLLE works (and how to attach your accessories properly), you’ll always be able to outfit yourself with the gear you need for your next mission – and beyond.