ACU MOLLE II and FILBE Rucksack - Comparison - The Outdoor Gear Review 

I used the FILBE during my time in the Marine Corps and I have the MOLLE II now that I'm in the Army National Guard. I prefer the FILBE of the two options. I actually went and purchased my own FILBE since I liked using it so much more.

Thanks for doing this review Luke it was really good, and it's awesome to see them compared. Definitely gonna buy a MOLLE 2 ruck!

Cool review and BOTH ARE NICE, BUT, iam gonna stick with my old, olive drab green large alice pack and frame, the BEST 35.00$ I EVER SPENT!!

Great information ..I have an ILBE and just bought the FILBE based on your reviews . My packs get hard use in Yellowstone Country .

Hey Luke,,,,Just wanted to say thanks for the videos. Just within the last year got back into hiking, backpacking, camping, etc after a 25 year break. Your vids are helpful.

I have the molle II Large Ruck in woodland and one in multicam. These are great hiking packs. Very tough and comfortable.

I will make a note of that now. Thank you for the suggestion.

Very good question. I'll get a video up for you next week on that.

Hey man I love your reviews you got some great gear and survival skills ! I have both packs too the Marine FILBE and the Army's Multicam Molle 2 large ruck. I like them both. I think the filbe is a little more durable and well made and my military sleep system fits better in it, than the molle 2 but if you buy the buttpack for the molle 2 it helps, you put your gortex bivy in that and makes room for the other pieces of the sleep system in the bottom of the pack. I only have the main pack and frame with the filbe, I don't have the whole system like hydration bag and the rest of the set but you only need the 2 pieces I think. Right now I'm using the Multicam Molle 2 it seems a little wider to me and more user friendly. they both have a ton of roomI like the barrel drawstring to open the main compartment on the molle 2 better than the closure on the filbeut I like the load strap inside the filbe and the molle 2 does not have one. I reccomend either bag. If you need a big bag on a budget and you want camo go with the molle 2 large or medium ruck. If you want more molle webbing and you have the money to spend go with the filbe ! Both are great packs !!

Came here just to post this: I used a MOLLE II Large rucksack during my OSUT, and I guess I found it a little lacking, but seeing as they run anywhere from $30-$70 on ebay, I bought one at $35. I also bought industrial-grade acid dye (not [sh]Rit dye) purposed for dying the pack. The main pack came out with a green-blue hue, but the sustainment packs came out deep indigo BLUE, for whatever reason. Just don't dye your packs. Its really better to just spray-paint them (not even kidding, it does work)

Supply and demand: no one wants anything ACU. That's why they're so cheap and plentiful. Try getting a multicam molle 2 rucksack. ACU biggest waste of taxpayer dollars.

I have a MOLLE 2, however it is the older style with the sleep system carrier separate. I prefer that version because I don't always need a sleep system or a large rucksack and therefore I can remove them individually unlike the newer version with the integrated sleep system

Thank you so much for the recommendation. I'm writing that down now! Thanks Marie. ;)

I ordered the filbe Ruck today. I have the ILBE but wanted a separate zippered sleeping bag compartment. And wanted the easier pull waist belt

I will definitely do that. I'm looking into the software now to do some screen recording.

Awesome vid brother... not to forget ILBE in the queue as well. Thanks

Thank you greatly!

Brother Luke thanks again for selling me the Mollie II US Army Ruck sack, its really comfortable, I carry weights up to 40 lbs with no prob, tally-ho.

could you do a load out video on the molie ll ruck sack?

Super awesomest info, Campbell from Jamaica just saying great n thanks much

Right now im running the MOLLE II rucksack with the matching hydration bag, assault bag that attaches to the ruck, and I also have the butt pack. It's a monster, but I've got enough gear to keep me and my entire company alive in a SHTF situation

Have the complete molle ll .love it

I just bought a brand new FILBE here in Germany and man that thing is expensive here. I paid about 700.- $ for it but i think this pack is worth it :) .. One really cool thing about the FILBE is that you can mount it on the NICE Frame from Mystery Ranch. Thanks for your awesome reviews 👍

Thanks Marie. ;)

I love my acu. You can also paint your packs with the right kind of paint. I have acu that is now coyote brown. You can't tell it was painted. When it starts to wear it turns into a really cool camo. Don't be afraid of acu. Stock up.

Hey Luke, I am revisiting molle ii vs filbe. This video was a great video. You showed the inside of the packs. Very helpful for me. Thanks brother! These packs are very much the same. Huge packs. Strength and Honor Bob

Looking forward to the FILBE video. I am a fan of the FILBE.

Great video as always. You always seem to find a killer deal on your gear. It would be nice if you show us how and where you find such good prices.

Please remind people that if they ever get the MOLLE II get it in Multicam! UCP is great only if you run out of hunter orange to wear.

all ALICE type packs are very similar in design: it's just a huge huge pocket. The main difference is the quality of the frame. Apparently the FILBE has a better and more durable frame than the MOLLE 2, but both are still prone top break under heavy load or strong impacts. Now... I would love to see a MARPAT FILBE :) nice video, Luke... thanks

Thanks for making this 🤙

I have to say that I'm a bigger fan of the FILBE and especially the Coyote Brown color. What would you use? Comfort wise, they are very similar.

hi bro, thanks for the comparison. the difference in the frame design is due to the fact that the filbe needed to be more flexible than the molle ii, because the molle frame tended to brake when the pack was dropped from a truck when fully loaded. but i have a question, can one fix the filbe main pack on the sturdier molle ii frame? (you have both, can you please have a look for me that i dont?) thanks.

Very good. Thank you very much

Hello happy new year for you and thank you verry much for all your videos ..I like the FILBE pack but in France it's hard to have this style of tactical bags , I have the tasmanian tiger range pack air 121 L if you have the possibilitie to do video for this bag or any informations for the tasmanian tiger pruducts .. thank you again ..

Thanks!!

Great video Luke! Which one would you use?

I’d love to see an update on this now that you’ve had a few years to use these and used some others like the Sovaatta and ILBE

Good review Luke. Looks like you may need a front counter weight lol. Thanks.

thanks luke

You can also use Snag-It (same company that produces Camtasia, just a bit cheaper) to record video(choice between system audio and microphone) and make/edit screenshots. One of the best software purchases I've made. I use it for home, work, and school.

Hey Luke are you planning on doing a overnight hike with the filbe. I'd like to see your thoughts on this pack. I have both the ilbe and the filbe and I like both. I'm going to use my filbe with my hammock set up so the weight issue might not be as bad.

Molle 2 have official load lifter spots on the frame. To have a semblance of load lifters on the FILBE, you have to place something on the top lip of pack and make/attach load lifters to it. I wonder about the maximum torso length of both.

Sure thing good buddy.

Should see if you can get your hands on the current Canadian Rucksack.

Definitely. :)

I now have the molle2 large pack, and the 2 day assault pack, and also the old od green lc1 alice pack. Now i neex to get the filbe and the molle mexium pack. Gonna have to save up for a while to get them tho. You would thing the medium would be cheaper but theyre around 200$ on ebay. I got my large pack with frame and everything in perfect condition for 30$ and the 2 day for 25.

Hello. I would like to parrot Canal Tierraventura's post and ask if the frames are inter-changeable with the packs themselves ?? Also... just as a point of interest, the FILBE has the sides "sleeved" for extra carry of gear such as hiking poles, an axe ... or a long gun such as a rifle or shotgun. I had to say so because THAT was what made me buy the filbe over the molle main pack ... that and it was $25 (!!!!) at my local surplus.

Great! Thanks for the video! :D

I have both packs, the filbe Pack I purchased on ebay for $20, shoulder straps $25 and kidney belt $25. I built it onto my ALICE frame. WOW what an upgrade. The MOLLE pack does not carry weight as well because the frame is not as good as the ALICE frame. ALICE to the rescue.....sorry Molly

Do you or know of any videos that show people using the MII pack for camping? Thanks very much

Thank you greatly Jay. I'm glad you're coming back to the dark....wait...light side! haha Be well brother.

Before there was a FILBE system, there was a Down East Industries 1606 pack frame which is a plastic improved LC II pack frame and was sold as an improved ALICE pack frame. You can still buy them from Down East Industries, alone or as the "Son of ALICE" pack. The FILBE is basically an ALICE pack frame with a much improved suspension. The MOLLE was a complete redesign of the military pack system and suspension. As you have noticed, the MOLLE II suspension and the FILBE suspension have much in common. The weakest link in both is the plastic pack frame. If you have the money, there are much better aftermarket systems available.

The amount of pals webbing on the ilbe encourages the attachment of pouches that will compromise a good balanced ruck.

A MARPAT FILBE would be SICK! Take care brother.

Have you ever made the testing video about the Molle 2 Pack? Where can I find it? Please let me know. Thanks

I agree a MARPAT FILBE would be sweet!

Have you loaded the Molle ii for a multi-day hiking trip? Is so, loaded with a moderate load, do you think you'd be able to keep up with light weight backpackers?

Which of these do you prefer? I'm trying to decide whether to buy the Molle 2 pack or the pricier FILBE. I have the ILBE from when I was in the service, but not the new pack.

I have an oddball MOLLE 2 rucksack. It’s not one big bucket. It’s in two different pieces. There’s a top portion and bottom sleeping bag compartment. Can you tell me the origins of that specific set up? And how come I don’t have a big bucket like the one you have? Is it an earlier model?

which do you now prefer of these 2 compared ?

Can I ask where you bought the molle or where you biy your backpacks?

Where in the world did you find that Molle II sack for $50? I paid $80 for the smaller one! Please share a link. Thanks

Have you considered doing a comparison between the ILBE and the MOLLE 2. Also I am curious if you have ever reviewed the old style ALICE pack to the MOLLE. And finally what is the down side to these packs.

shared on Facebook :)

Just FYI, the pouch on the inside of the FILBE is for a radio, and you can pronounce it "Fill-bee." Takes less time. Awesome video! I needed a side by side just like this to figure out what to replace my ALICE with. Thanks.

Could u check out the 100 litter bergen backpack from snugpack, would like your input

Do you know or have any experience with the crossfire packs?

What jacket are you wearing there Luke?

Alice pack lovers should enjoy the FILBE pack. I love the Alice in terms of aesthetics and history, however I can't stand the way it rides. Therefore, I don't love the FILBE. For me the Molle ii rides way better. In retrospect, I probably ought to bust out that FILBE again and try to adjust the shoulder straps up, as I have a short torso and adjusted them down, however, the FILBE frame is shorter than the Molle ii so I may have adjusted it too far down. 🤔

Hey Boy Scout Survival! I would go with the FILBE! The FILBE has a better color, has more molle webbing, there is a radio pouch/ bladder holder inside the main compartment, there are water bottle holders on each side of the FILBE, and there are load compressors on the inside of both the sleep system area and the gear area in the FILBE. You are going to pay more money for it but it is worth it completely. You can also switch out the original frame for an ALICE frame too(if you know what that is). Hope this helps! Ebay is the place to get either pack! PS: the FILBE has a better storm flap on it too and there is a place for a name tape on the flap along with having zippers on the map pouch rather than loud velcro. There;s my two cents! God bless and enjoy the outdoors! And as the scout motto goes be PREPARED!

Do you think the frame on the MOLLE is taller/longer then the FILBE? One thing I hear about FILBE is that the frame is short and causes issues for folks 6 feet and taller. The shirt frame causes the load lifter straps at the top to be too low. Thanks

I just ordered the ACU pack (without frame or straps, I'll get those over time.) I know that the ACU pattern was universally hated. Why not just dye the pack olive and call it a day?

I’ve had the ALICE, CFP-90(POS), MOLLE, MOLLE II and the FILBE. Some issues and some I purchased myself. The FILBE is by far the better pack. I’m retired now and have gotten rid of everything but the FILBE. I have to use this opportunity to let everyone know what a piece of crap the CFP-90 is. They were issued to the NCF while the Marines were using the ILBE.

hola buen dia , estoy viendo tu canal todos los videos exlente , me gustaria comprar la mochila la de color marron, como haria vivo en mexico , me gusta mucho acampar y estoy una semana acampando ya que quiero cambiar mi vieja mochila , y como me ayiudaria para configurarla para los moles , , exlente videos , , muchas gracias saludos , la quiero para mi proximo viaje

Can the MOLLE 2 frame fit in the FILBE?

you should compare the ilbe and the bora pack

How can you put a water bladder in the acu pack

How does Alice back compared to the two packs

Where did you buy that jacket and what size are you wearing there?

sweet

The molle 2 has a full size frame. The filbe has a cut down version of the frame.

I WANT that big bucket pack filled with lightweight gear

anyone knows where can I buy a brand new FILBE rucksack? the ones I came across on internet are all used.

Is the FILBE bag able to carry the military sleep system?

I bet you could "fix" that camo pattern with some black RIT dye.

Dude, you never review foot gear. SHOES. BOOTS. ETC. The military has been issuing out the Salomon XA 3D Pro Ultra GTX to S/F units... If the Seals can use them, I think you should review them... ;)

What jacket are you wearing

If you have an old ALICE pack system, they make a MOLLE frame that fits it and will take the improved MOLLE straps and waist belt.

reminds me of pulp fiction. " Did you see the size of that MOLLE 2? It was bigger than him!"

I am a big guy but those packs are a little big for a long hike. I figured why you need one of them. All the food you eat you need one that big. LOL I have an Alice medium w/pvc frame and that is as big as I want. Thanks for showing us all you do. Enjoying all the reports lately.

The Army Alice Ruck was better than the Molle. That squeaky frame used to drive me insane on long ruck marches

I like vídeo

That's odd... At my local store, the MOLLE II is $150. Is this a rip off? Or it because I live in Canada?

I would have to agree Luke if I was hiking I would choose FIBLE

Is it possible that the Molle II is available in different colours or patterns besides the ACU? Why are both the FILBE and the Molle II have different price? Both of the them have some things in common but still not much different but the price. Jeez! Though you said it may be the cause of it come out later than the Molle II. Who knows?!

Can we get a video of the MOLLIE II burning for the Veterans?

Filbes frame always broke on someone during our field ops, not a bad pack… just too much weight the marine corps wanted us to carry

I bought a molle2 in great shape but the cam colors suck possibly dye it though couldn't find a filbe every now and again I find one but it's over priced and in pretty bad shape. Too bad the Navy never issued us anything cool.

Haha PLOP!