PALS is an abbreviation for Pouch Attachment Ladder System. This system consists of webbing sewn in several equally high rows on various equipment such as tactical vests or backpacks and the like. The straps are stitched into equally wide columns and thus regular rectangular squares are created in each row. Straps are usually made of very durable and resistant nylon Mil - W - 43668 type III (most commercial manufacturers use the type IIIa). The dimensions and spacing of the boxes are, due to compatibility with other systems and due to the connection to the attached equipment, fixed - the height of the row is 1", i.e. approx. 2.54 cm, the spacing between the rows is also 1" and the width of each box is 1.5", i.e. approx. 3.81 cm. The word ladder in the system name refers to the appearance of the binding. The MOLLE equipment system is based on the PALS binding concept.
The PALS system was developed and patented by the United States Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, Natick, Massachusetts.
Equipment and accessories with PALS binding, which we refer to as MOLLE, are attached to the PALS system. An alternative to the PALS support system is the Laser cut system. As it follows from the above, these systems are completely compatible with each other, so for example a MOLLE organizer with PALS binding can be attached to Laser cut slots or a pocket with Laser cut slots to PALS binding, etc.
MOLLE or PALS?
The terms PALS and MOLLE are often confused and are generally understood to mean the same thing. But MOLLE is a complete system of equipment and the PALS binding is a part of it.
Also read how MOLLE gear is attached to the carrier.