Having just joined i wanted some advice… I am building my first pack soon, am keeping it as accurate as i can but keeping cost down… I want some advice on shoulder straps… I don’t want to spend on a Alice frame, am planning on using a back pack and attaching the straps but wanted some advice (preferably with photos or video) or links to old posts regarding straps… I have spent an hour searching the forums but haven’t found what i’m after, but i’m still finding my feet on here…
Thanks for the reply, am more after a tutorial for using normal backpack/ rucksack straps… I saw one where someone had bolted ruck sack straps to a board.
Rucksack straps don’t crop up that often, largely because the A.L.I.C.E. straps don’t require any modification, do the job perfectly and are designed for the sort of weights Proton Packs are known to mount up to.
I really would recommend going for the A.L.I.C.E. straps, as rucksack straps won’t be as good.
Thanks, but still using straps due to cost I can’t use Alice. They are a lot more expensive in the uk and am making 4 packs. Hence why I asked about rucksacks.
I would recommend getting a LC-2 frame with correct straps. Unless you are making an extremely light (foam) pack I would worry about the straps breaking and the back smashing to the floor if you were using backpack straps. Do you have these straps you are using already? If you are patient and continue to look for frames/straps you can find them cheap. I got 4 correct LC-2 frames and straps for around the $20 price ($5each). Just seems like a lower cost “foundation” piece to me. Not something to skimp on. But I guess do what you have to do. You probably aren’t going to find any tutorial or videos on using something other than an alice frame though.
I agree. Don’t skimp. I’d rather pay a few bucks more for a good ruck and straps, then watch what could easily be over a grand in cost drop to the floor. I would continue to search around. I got an LC-2 on eBay, complete frame, and straps, and i think it came out to 30 bucks with shipping. Keep hunting. Don’t settle for second best when it comes to structure.
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Seriously - don’t cheap out on a decent set of straps and frame. Not only will your pack be sturdier, but your back and shoulders will thank you at the end of the day.
I’ve seen a couple of people use backpack straps and ruck sacks before, but they usually end up looking really wonky.
The packs are wood and plastic and I am from the UK Alice straps are not easy to get hold of and are not cheap here..I have time restraints also… I appreciate the advice and should I be able to get them at a resonable price and in time I would get them but I can’t…
There are a few UK based ghostbusters out there, I’m sure someone can direct you to a quick and easy solution. It’s your pack, but I’d hate to see it fall apart. Or even worse, it could hurt your back by not being balanced or supported properly. I’m not sure what it would cost to ship internationally, but I’d find some US based place, and see how quick they send, and hopefully you can find a cheap enough price. I’ll look tomorrow and see what i can find and link you. I’m a pretty good Google wizard.
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Just to echo what others have said, you can find an LC-2 frame with straps for under $20 if you look around. You don’t want to put all that work into a pack just to have it crash to the ground while you’re finally enjoying it! Besides, the frame itself is a big part of the pack!
Whilst I appreciate the comments I have made it clear I am not getting 3 Alice frames or alike due to cost (in the uk they’re are well over $90 each) and I have time constraints for importing… I have fashioned a frame with 2 heavy duty police issue canvass belts bolted to it and a seemstress has made padding…