As discussed in our previous blogs, MOLLE and the PALS Ladder system offer a dynamic and flexible method of load carriage, perfect for personalising your equipment to meet your own preferences and the requirements of your tactical role.
Whilst pouches, holsters and the like may come with molle webbing straps for direct fitment, what happens when you have equipment that does not? Well don’t panic, others have already thought of this and there are solutions!
Molle webbing clips.
Obviously when you’re attaching something to your webbing and not putting it in a pouch, it is something that is likely going to be needed in a pinch and readily accessible to the user, whilst also being securely attached. So, with this in mind, the attachment or clip needs to be reliable, secure but also removeable. Here are some options:
Molle T Bars:
T bars are a great and easy option for attaching kit onto your platform. As the name suggests, the bar is made in the shape of a ‘T’ that simply slots through a single ladder loop of the molle. The T bar can be made from polymer plastics, stiff Nylon material or metal. At the bottom of the T, there is a form of attachment. This is usually one of the following; helmet clip, side release clip (SR25), split ring, D ring, carabiner etc. You may also come across versions where the bottom arm of the T is looped back on itself and secured with hook and loop.
When placed correctly, the top bar of the ‘T’, stops the attachment from going down through the molle ladder (PAL) and the clip or attached items stops the item from coming back out ‘upwards’. There are many versions of this and some have specially shape top bars to keep the attachment snug and secure.
Key uses for T bars would be items such as; gloves, Cylooms (glow sticks) etc. However, some longer T Bars can also be used to attach pouches also, in the same method as molle speed clips (below).
Speed clips normally come in even packs of multiples and sized, varying in length. The size number on the package normally relates to the length of the speed clip in inches.
These clips are normally used to attach items together that both have molle webbing ladders and no molle webbing straps. They simply weave through the molle pals on the rear of the pouch or item that you wish to attach, and attach behind the pals on your molle platform, with the lugs of the speed clips securing to the webbing ladder at the top and bottom. Whilst being effective when fitted properly, they do add some weight and significant rigidity/stiffness to your pouch/platform.
Key uses for speed clips; attaching molle pouches to PALS.
Molle Anchor Clips:
Although they could/can be made in any size, molle anchor clips are usually small polymer type clips that weave onto a single or two ladders of webbing. They are usually used to attach small items, such as knives, torches, kit markers and gloves. Some of these also use the Herth joint which offers 360-degree adjustability.
Keys uses for molle anchors are; small items such as kit markers, small torches etc.
Tactical Carabiner Hooks and D-Rings:
Most of us know what carabiners and D-Rings look like. A curved or ‘hooked’ main body, (usually in the shape of a letter ‘D’ or a ‘pear’ with a hinged and gated opening on the flat side). These can come in many sizes and be made from different materials, all depending on what the strength requirement of the item. Most ‘Tactical Carabiners and D Rings’ are made from polymer plastics, as they are lightweight, offer good abrasion resistance, don’t wear the webbing material of your molle platform and are more than secure enough for attaching the usual items onto a molle platform, such as lanyards, Cylooms, gloves, whistles and anything else that you don’t want to drop and lose in the field.
The Carabiner or D ring simply attaches by opening the gate, hooking the body through the row or rows of molle PALS, before attaching your item and closing the gate to secure. The only downside being that items attached in this way have a tendency to ‘flap about’ whilst moving.
Key uses for Tactical Carabiners and D-Rings would be; lanyards, gloves, Cylooms etc.
Please note: only ever use drop rated and certified Carabiners for climbing and river crossings.
Elastic, Paracord and Sniper Tape:
Most of us will carry some or all of the above in our kit when we are out for any length of time. As always these can be very handy when you are in a pinch, or when that bit of kit is flapping around and annoying the life out of you. Mostly used to attach light items, such as a whistle or secure something that shouldn’t be loose.
Key uses; Only a soldier’s ingenuity and ability to make things work, will limit this section!
These are just a portion of the webbing clips available to troops. I’m sure you can list many more, and a quick google search will bring up a myriad of different clips and buckles for military, hunting, civilian and survival uses. The best advice is to look at the specific item you need to attach to your webbing and then do some googling for the most secure clip that suits your needs.
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 ?
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