Appropriate price for ALICE LBE?

[ChipSherwood3030]

Hello lads. I've recently purchased an ALICE LBE rig complete with suspenders, grommet belt (the type with the nice metal fastener), and canvas canteen pouch, all in almost new condition. I paid right about 30 US dollars for the whole set. Did I pay too much?

[Aragorn243]

Not if you're happy with it. Too many variables here and not enough information. A complete rig has a lot more than suspenders, belt and canteen pouch so not sure if you have a complete rig or not.

[ChipSherwood3030]

Not if you're happy with it. Too many variables here and not enough information. A complete rig has a lot more than suspenders, belt and canteen pouch so not sure if you have a complete rig or not.

What else does it take to be considered a complete rig out of curiosity?

[Aragorn243]

Can't really answer that. Different rigs for different applications. There are plenty of images online. but looks like pretty standard is a butt pack, canteen, two ammo pouches and a bandage pouch. Some rigs have two canteens, add a shovel, etc.



It's been a long time but mine in service if I remember correctly was a butt pack, two ammo pouches, canteen, shovel, bandage pouch and a compass. I was in a service company, ordnance, not infantry.

[Aragorn243]

I was never issued a handgun while in service, few would be so probably not appropriate for US service anyway. I was never issued a bayonet either which always seemed peculiar but as we were not a combat unit, that may be why. We flew into Saudi Arabia with rifles but no ammo and turned them in to our makeshift armory within two days. Took a while longer to get rid of the gas masks but they were eventually turned in also. Most wouldn't have compasses either but I rated one for being a platoon leader.

[Sunray]

$30 doesn't sound ugly for ALICE kit. There is a whole lot more to her than suspenders, belt and canvas canteen pouch. There was a pack, that starts at $52 in some surplus joints. Different coloured suspenders, that can run $30 by themselves. Pack frames and a bunch of assorted pouches for mags and such. ALICE has changed over the years too. Wikipedia isn't a good info source, but they have pictures.
All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment - Wikipedia
Keep in mind that some times a guy just needs a way of carrying his can teen when he's out hiking.
"...never issued a handgun..." Neither were most troopies. Handguns are mostly status symbols, but it takes a lot of time and money to train a troopie to use a handgun well enough. Ditto for compasses.
"...we were not a combat unit..." Yep. No need for a bayonet, you don't get one.