USMC ILBE Rucksack, MARPAT, Surplus

The USMC ILBE (Improved Load Bearing Equipment) is a successful iteration based on the MOLLE system. If you're looking for a comfortable, durable, and convertible rucksack of the very highest quality, look no further. Unissued!

If it's so good, how come this modern gem is on the surplus market? Well, soldiers wear body armor which kind of got in the way: they replaced the ILBE with FILBE, which works better for them. The civilian-friendlier ILBE is the better choice for most of us. Win-win!

Modern ergonomics

The ILBE was designed by Arc'teryx with little regard for cost; it was made to meet standards instead of a price. Manufactured in USA by Propper since 2004, it's as good as rucksacks come. A stiff and padded hip belt and length-of-back adjustments allow a wide range of people to carry this rucksack with ease.

As anatomic models often have, the ILBE features two flat aluminum spines and polymer plates to help carry the load. A sternum strap runs between shoulder straps for stability.

Modular design

The pack has MOLLE/PALS webbing all over for attaching specialized pouches, compression straps to attach long objects to the pack and also downsize it for smaller loads, and a removable lid.

You can achieve almost anything with G-hooks, webbing, and buckles, just get the American type buckles to ensure compatibility. As the old saying goes: "Where there's webbing, there's a way."

Tech specs

USMC surplus

Made in the US to the highest standards there are. Except for those damn lids. Forget the demoralizing "lowest bidder"-bickering, this is the good stuff!

Three options

We got our hands on this batch of unissued packs but some of them were missing the lid or the lid was faulty as follows: one of the two zipper sliders on the lid is reversed so that zipper is effectively 1-way only. Also, the MOLLE webbing is sewn like a drunk driver on a straight road. What a mistake to make on your last day at that job. See pictures for clarification of what you get when you choose the unissued pack with a defective lid.

To set things right, we ordered used lids with zippers that work as they should and the PALS webbing sewn on straight. So you can order an unissued pack with a used lid.

We didn't get enough lids to cover all of these so you may also buy the pack without a lid.