MOLLE Panels Explained
Have you ever been curious about MOLLE panels, how to use them properly, or even where they came from? Then you might not be alone, MOLLE is one of those innovations that has taken the overland and adventure vehicle market by storm. With so many variations and products available, here is a quick look at what MOLLE is and where it came from.
What is MOLLE?
MOLLE, pronounced “Molly”, is an acronym for Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment. MOLLE was developed in the 1990s as a follow-on to the ALICE, or All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment, system. It was designed to interface with PALS, or Pouch Attachment Ladder System. MOLLE/PALS started as a system that allows users to easily and securely attach gear to backpacks, vests, and other wearable items and it is commonly used by the military or law enforcement for mounting things such as ammunition magazines, pouches, holsters, D-rings, and other miscellaneous gear.
MOLLE Is Your PALS
Think of MOLLE as the ecosystem of things to mount and PALS as the webbing or grid platform that holds those items. So, technically, when we talk about “MOLLE Panels”, we are really talking about PALS panels.
PALS consists of rows of nylon loops that are 1.5 inches wide and 1 inch apart. These rows form the foundation for attaching compatible gear with either fasteners or straps that get woven in and out of the grid. When it comes to automotive, we have taken and modified the nylon platform and developed a range of typically laser-cut, aluminum versions, that are hard-mounted to either the interior or exterior of the vehicle.
Automotive MOLLE
The aluminum automotive MOLLE panels come in all shapes and sizes and can be universal or vehicle specific, allowing the user a lot of flexibility in where, what, and how they can securely mount gear for their own needs. Some of the uses for automotive MOLLE can range from mounting heavy equipment, such as inverters, water containers, and shovels, to soft bags or pouches.
Some of the automotive MOLLE panel systems include special shapes, or holes to bolted through, but any of these should be compatible with any standard MOLLE on the market. Another benefit of these panels can include improved security if they are mounted over or
behind glass, acting as a partition between cargo and passengers, and mounting items that need to be quickly accessed. They can also be used for mounting lights or antennas.
MOLLE can be a great addition to any vehicle and thanks to the variety of options on the market, it can be customized to fit your individual needs.
MOLLE is an incredibly useful tool for storing, securing, and organizing gear with almost limitless applications.
A popular application of MOLLE has been inside the bed of the truck, where panels can be mounted in the unused spaces above the wheel wells.
Here you can see a Hi-Lift jack hard mounted to a bedside MOLLE Panel.
Straps can also be used to secure a wide variety of items, especially if they just need to be mounted temporarily.
Another option for MOLLE panels is mounting them above the bed on a rack, giving the user quick access to tools and other important items.
MOLLE panels can also be useful for overhead storage as well, mounting things such as radios, flashlights, or putting a fire extinguisher within reach.
On SUVs, such as Jeep or Broncos, side MOLLE panels can act as quick-access locations for gear with the top off, or prevent someone from accessing your cargo area through a broken window.
MOLLE panels can also be used as partitions for your cargo space.
Part of the allure and flexibility of MOLLE panels comes from the countless accessories available to securely mount just about any type of gear to one of these panel systems.