Bullpac frame to ALICE pack straps conversion?

The ALICE pack was made in 2 sizes but don’t think the frame was adjustable. There were some lash points, but think there was a top section of the pack (padded nylon) that went over the tubed aluminum frame top. If it fits somewhat you should be “ok” as the rest of the pack just tied off or snapped onto the rest of the aluminum.



There’s a lot of aftermarket pads, straps, and even frames as the ALICE is a classic external frame design. There’s even knock off ALICE packs of various colors and fabrics, though you got to watch the stitching of said knock offs or redo the sewing yourself.

Fwiw the military has gotten away from those and started issuing (“MOLLE gear”) webbing oriented pouches, 3 day assault packs, and even larger, yet plastic framed, big backpacks. Most stuff is actually back in the rear in duffel bags and footlockers (i.e. my travels were heaviest when I was assigned to light infantry units). 

Neither ALICE or MOLLE are really suited for recreational backpacking fwiw.  These are designed more to toss around in war (mostly tossed into the supply truck with the supply personnel imitating airline baggage destroyers “handlers”) so there’s probably excessive fabric weight not really needed.

99% of those posting here use an internal frame pack. You may find more assistance in a Bushcraft or Hunting forum. Even there, I'd think adapting Alice gear to a Bullpac frame would be a limited audience.

The ALICE pack system was the US military’s mass produced “external frame backpack/rucksack” from the early 1970s to the late ‘00s .. made of durable nylon, with 3 big external pockets and a small one within the lid (that part was somewhat waterproofed).  

OK in terms of old external frame technology, though civilian external frame packs surpassed it for recreational use, even back in its era.  An ALICE is a cheaper option certainly, but even your new external-framish packs like the Ospreys trampoline system or bigger Z-packs are going to bring the load closer to the body’s center of gravity, use lighter, perhaps even waterproof materials, etc..  

Z-packs even has a recent model that does away with the “trampoline” mesh in favor of an air pocket.  Kind of brings us back to ALICE as if not bulging there was an air pocket in there too, but most had to get into aftermarket add ons (thicker shoulder pad and hip pad add ons) that just increased its weight. 

It is kind of a neat system in that with the medium ALICE, the pack can be taken off the frame to make a rucksack/daypack .. then put it back on the frame for a backpack likely lashing a sleeping bag (in waterproof stuff sack) to the top or bottom of the packbag.  It can be an all-in-one system.  

There’s also aftermarket manufacturers so it can be had in black, tan, camo, .. as well as original olive drab.   Just there’s more comfortable and function-focused packs out there..