For thousands of years now, military equipment has been produced to a ‘standardised’ level, making it easier to arm and equip large numbers of soldiers and personnel. Whilst this has many benefits, it also means that the exact same equipment is used for countless different roles and methods.
For a long time, the United States Military used the ALICE platform (All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment). However, seeing the problem above (one tool may not be suitable for all roles), the United States saw need for a carrying mechanism that allowed soldiers/operatives to change pouches and components to suit their personal roles and preferences.
Initially designed in 1997 by the Natick Labs R&D division of the US Army, the molle system consists of a horizontal webbing system, that is also known as PALS – (Pouch Attachment Ladder System). This interweaves with the vertical molle webbing straps on the back of accessories.
Over time, many companies have used this system to make modular load carriage systems, mainly targeted toward the military market, soldiers and specialist law enforcement (Police) units. When one considers exactly soldiers & police officers are wearing and transporting, it becomes very clear that these systems need to be both functional and extremely secure.
At JayJays®, we use molle both for stand alone systems and to increase the functionality and flexibility of stitched load carriage systems. This in turn allows the infantryman to change up or adapt his equipment to suit the environment or theatre of operations. For example, the soldier specialising in FIBUA (Fighting In Built Up Areas) and kicking doors, will need different equipment to those operating silently in the Jungle. This is why, (unlike other companies who charge you extra for the option), all JayJays® webbing comes with molle webbing pals on the outside of (and on the lid of) each pouch.
As an equipment manufacturer, this then leads us into the question of what types of webbing and attachment methods should we be using to ensure that the military straps are indeed of ‘military grade’?
Having been in the business for 30+ years and with firsthand experience in the field, we have tested many methods and believe that we now use the most versatile and secure method for our molle platforms and why we refuse to use certain methods, as below.
- Molle ‘Pop Studs’… This is a system the vertical molle straps on the back of accessories have a pop stud that is used to secure it. Whilst this is an easy way to attach your accessory, we have always found that the pop studs quickly rust and become useless (especially in the extremely demanding jungle environment), meaning that you have to replace the pouch/accessory or have the molle webbing strap replaced. Even if the stud doesn’t rust, they only have a limited shelf life, with the metal of the pop stud stretching and refusing to remain closed leading to the same problem as above. Further to the above, in light of recent combat theatres and underhanded tactics used, JayJays® has moved away (wherever possible) from using any metal on our equipment. This is to reduce secondary blast injuries caused by IEDs etc.
- Cheap nylon webbing. JayJays® ethos has always been to provide quality equipment that stands the test of time. ‘If you buy right, you only buy once’. The webbing straps are normally out of sight, tucked nicely between the accessory/pouch and the platform that it is attached to. Due to this, some companies like to cut corners and costs by using cheaper webbing material. It may still be 25mm webbing, but the properties in cheap variants can be very different, often wearing thin, fraying or even melting! This can lead to loss of equipment if the pouch/accessory becomes loose. Even if you don’t lose your kit, it can be the most annoying thing ever, bouncing around whenever you move!
- Doubled over or single nylon webbing ends. So long as the webbing straps are of a decent quality, there isn’t really anything wrong with this once the accessory is attached. However, it can be a massive pain in the backside when trying to attach the pouch/accessory. Especially at the end, where you have to double the webbing strap and feed back up through the webbing PALS. A floppy end gets you nowhere!
To combat the above problems, we have always used very high quality 25mm webbing. Along with tested abrasion resistance, this adds some support and rigidity to the system. Instead of using the pop studs or solely folded webbing, we add a thin layer of special plastic which is sewn into and secured in the fold of the webbing strap. This again adds some support, allows for much easier threading of the webbing on the final turn and also adds security to the affixed pouch. When done properly, a JayJays® pouch that has been woven correctly onto a molle platform will not move. They shouldn’t bounce and come loose or insecure. When done properly most people will believe that the pouch/accessory is sewn onto the molle pad/pouch.
However, with the introduction of new materials and cutting methods, JayJays® are now able to offer a new and lighter method of molle attachments that doesn’t make any compromise on the above points. For some products, JayJays® now have specially laminated materials, made just for us! Using these materials and special in-house laser cutting methods, we can now make molle straps from material, reducing the weight of rows and rows of webbing straps!
So, what is normally attached with webbing? Well, the only limit to this is the size of your molle platform or PALS ladder system! We have made molle panels for everything from a small pouch, all the way up to a full enduro style motorcycle!
The most common uses are:
- Utility pouches for webbing and shooter belts.
- Ammunition and magazine pouches.
- Water bottle pouches.
- Knife and multi-tool pouches.
- Admin pouches.
- Flashlights / Torches.
- Holsters.
- First Aid / Medical pouches.
- Frag, smoke and flash bang grenades.
- Bayonet scabbards
So, taking the above information on board, have you checked your webbing straps? Are they really military grade webbing straps?
Jay Jay’s ® was founded in 1993 by our team of former Police and Military personnel. We’ve been manufacturing load-bearing equipment and supplying clothing for the military for thirty years. Our innovative, built-for-life products and industry-leading customer service have earned us an outstanding reputation that we’re incredibly proud of. Why not try for yourself ?
– The Directors of JayJays®
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