Does anybody still make custom or oldschool ALICE/MOLLE gear to order?

[Crimson_Phoenix]

I'm looking to get some flap style mag pouches for the Mini-14 20 round magazines if I ultimately get one. Nobody seems to make MOLLE pouches for the shorter 20 rounder AR/Mini-14 mags. Everything is set up for 30 rounders. Mostly wondering if anybody knows of a small shop that does orders of 4 pieces for a reasonable price. Also looking for someone who still makes ALICE style buttpacks and decent 1L Nalgene bottle pouches that are MOLLE compatible. A lot of the shops I was aware of from the 2000s and 2010s all either went under or do only mall ninja gear now. Fireforce USA and Olongapo Outfitters would've done it, but they're both gone for good, it looks like, or at least not taking new orders.

[Moab]

Chatgpt:

CUSTOM / MADE-TO-ORDER ALICE & MOLLE GEAR — CURRENT MAKERS (2025)

US-BASED SMALL MAKERS / CUSTOM-FRIENDLY SHOPS

The Vest Guy
Custom MOLLE pouches, vests, and nylon gear
Custom orders accepted with sketches and specs
Email: sales@thevestguy.com
Phone: +1-801-725-0076
Website contact page: thevestguy.com/pages/contact

Wilde Custom Gear
Custom tactical nylon, MOLLE pouches, belts, and rigs
Small-batch and custom requests accepted
Email: john@wildecustomgear.com
Phone: +1-619-334-4327
Location: El Cajon, California
Website contact page: wildecustomgear.com/pages/contact

BDS Tactical Gear
US-made tactical nylon gear
Not advertised as full custom, but will quote special requests and variations
Contact form: bdstacticalgear.com/pages/contact-us
RFQ / quotes email: manager@bdstacticalgear.com

Emdom USA
High-quality MOLLE pouches
Will do custom color runs and special orders if contacted directly
Product inquiries: gear@emdomusa.com
Sales / orders: sales@emdomusa.com
Website: emdomusa.com

Grim Hunter Tactical Gear
Custom MOLLE and tactical nylon gear
Offers made-to-order items and modifications
Email: customerservice@grimhuntertactical.com
Custom order page: grimhuntertactical.com/contact-custom-gear
Note: mixed community feedback — start small and get confirmation in writing
MADE-TO-ORDER / MODIFIED ALICE GEAR

Grandpops Army Navy
Offers made-to-order upgraded ALICE H-harness and chest-rig conversions
USA-made surplus-style mods
Website: grandpopsarmynavy.com

INTERNATIONAL CUSTOM MAKERS

Outback Packs & Gear (Australia)
Custom-made packs, pouches, and tactical nylon
Has produced ALICE-style and MOLLE conversion work
Email: sales@outbackpacks.com.au
Website: outbackpacks.com.au
Facebook page shows examples of custom ALICE conversions

CONTRACT SEWING SHOPS (GOOD FOR PROTOTYPES OR TECH PACKS)

CustomFab USA
US-based soft-goods and military sewing contractor
Best if you have drawings or repeatable designs
Email: info@customfabusa.com
Phone: +1-714-891-9119

Midwest Textile Manufacturing
Mil-spec contract sewing and textile manufacturing
May require minimums
Phone: +1-920-434-2523

Fieldtex Cases
Military-grade sewn cases and gear
Good for heavy-duty nylon work
Phone: +1-800-772-4816
Website: fieldtexcases.com

[tirls]

Have you asked local seamstresses? Especially the old industrial Pfaff and Singer sewing machines should be able to sew heavyduty nylon without a problem.
The prices are usually a lot lower than you'd expect and you can customise to your liking.

Alternatively you could learn how to sew it yourself. Pouches are great as a first time project.

[eugenenine]

I've been going the DIY route.
Had to buy a couple different rolls of strap until I found one I preferred. Assortment of sewing machine needles, etc.
My raft pump case didn't need PALS but I added them for the practice.

[Crimson_Phoenix]

Have you asked local seamstresses? Especially the old industrial Pfaff and Singer sewing machines should be able to sew heavyduty nylon without a problem.
The prices are usually a lot lower than you'd expect and you can customise to your liking.

Alternatively you could learn how to sew it yourself. Pouches are great as a first time project.

I've usually not had "buy my own commercial sewing machine money," but I've got a friend who knows what to actually look for who can help me out. I've not used a machine in 15 years, so I'll have to relearn everything. I can probably reverse engineer the butt-pack and a few other items. DIY Tactical used to have a good tutorial for how to make the ALICE M16 pouch and 2x M4 MOLLE mag pouch, but their website got shut down 13 years ago and none of the photos come up when you run the url through archive.org. I want to say a short version of both M16 pouches would be a great start, and I can get 500D 6-color desert off alibaba for shits and gigs if I want everything to match.

[Crimson_Phoenix]

Chatgpt:

CUSTOM / MADE-TO-ORDER ALICE & MOLLE GEAR — CURRENT MAKERS (2025)

US-BASED SMALL MAKERS / CUSTOM-FRIENDLY SHOPS

The Vest Guy
Custom MOLLE pouches, vests, and nylon gear
Custom orders accepted with sketches and specs
Email: sales@thevestguy.com
Phone: +1-801-725-0076
Website contact page: thevestguy.com/pages/contact

Wilde Custom Gear
Custom tactical nylon, MOLLE pouches, belts, and rigs
Small-batch and custom requests accepted
Email: john@wildecustomgear.com
Phone: +1-619-334-4327
Location: El Cajon, California
Website contact page: wildecustomgear.com/pages/contact

BDS Tactical Gear
US-made tactical nylon gear
Not advertised as full custom, but will quote special requests and variations
Contact form: bdstacticalgear.com/pages/contact-us
RFQ / quotes email: manager@bdstacticalgear.com

Emdom USA
High-quality MOLLE pouches
Will do custom color runs and special orders if contacted directly
Product inquiries: gear@emdomusa.com
Sales / orders: sales@emdomusa.com
Website: emdomusa.com

Grim Hunter Tactical Gear
Custom MOLLE and tactical nylon gear
Offers made-to-order items and modifications
Email: customerservice@grimhuntertactical.com
Custom order page: grimhuntertactical.com/contact-custom-gear
Note: mixed community feedback — start small and get confirmation in writing
MADE-TO-ORDER / MODIFIED ALICE GEAR

Grandpops Army Navy
Offers made-to-order upgraded ALICE H-harness and chest-rig conversions
USA-made surplus-style mods
Website: grandpopsarmynavy.com

INTERNATIONAL CUSTOM MAKERS

Outback Packs & Gear (Australia)
Custom-made packs, pouches, and tactical nylon
Has produced ALICE-style and MOLLE conversion work
Email: sales@outbackpacks.com.au
Website: outbackpacks.com.au
Facebook page shows examples of custom ALICE conversions

CONTRACT SEWING SHOPS (GOOD FOR PROTOTYPES OR TECH PACKS)

CustomFab USA
US-based soft-goods and military sewing contractor
Best if you have drawings or repeatable designs
Email: info@customfabusa.com
Phone: +1-714-891-9119

Midwest Textile Manufacturing
Mil-spec contract sewing and textile manufacturing
May require minimums
Phone: +1-920-434-2523

Fieldtex Cases
Military-grade sewn cases and gear
Good for heavy-duty nylon work
Phone: +1-800-772-4816
Website: fieldtexcases.com

Grim Hunter makes everything I'm looking for except the 20 round flap style mag pouches in OD, coyote, woodland, and 6-color day desert. My poor bank account! Thank you for listing them.

[Moab]

Have you asked local seamstresses? Especially the old industrial Pfaff and Singer sewing machines should be able to sew heavyduty nylon without a problem.
The prices are usually a lot lower than you'd expect and you can customise to your liking.

Alternatively you could learn how to sew it yourself. Pouches are great as a first time project.

I've usually not had "buy my own commercial sewing machine money," but I've got a friend who knows what to actually look for who can help me out. I've not used a machine in 15 years, so I'll have to relearn everything. I can probably reverse engineer the butt-pack and a few other items. DIY Tactical used to have a good tutorial for how to make the ALICE M16 pouch and 2x M4 MOLLE mag pouch, but their website got shut down 13 years ago and none of the photos come up when you run the url through archive.org. I want to say a short version of both M16 pouches would be a great start, and I can get 500D 6-color desert off alibaba for shits and gigs if I want everything to match.

I used to have a dog leash company and a heavy Juki industrial machine with a one inch rise. Meaning it could sew up to one inch thick. It was a beast. New it was about $1500.

But alot of the really old foot pedal machines that are great to have as back up sewing methods in a PAW. Are quite cheap, often can sew very thick material. And are easy to use.

Additionally, if you live anywhere near a textiles or clothing manufacturing city. You'll find a ton of used industrial machines. I lived in Los Angeles. So I had access to excellent seeing machine mechanics as well. But you can save alit in a used machine even if you have to drive a couple hours to pick it up. 

Sewing is not hard. But learning a machine, how to thread and adjust it can take some time. But once you have it dialed in it's a great hobby, great creative outlet and infinitely valuable long term. 

[eugenenine]

Have you asked local seamstresses? Especially the old industrial Pfaff and Singer sewing machines should be able to sew heavyduty nylon without a problem.
The prices are usually a lot lower than you'd expect and you can customise to your liking.

Alternatively you could learn how to sew it yourself. Pouches are great as a first time project.

I've usually not had "buy my own commercial sewing machine money," but I've got a friend who knows what to actually look for who can help me out. I've not used a machine in 15 years, so I'll have to relearn everything. I can probably reverse engineer the butt-pack and a few other items. DIY Tactical used to have a good tutorial for how to make the ALICE M16 pouch and 2x M4 MOLLE mag pouch, but their website got shut down 13 years ago and none of the photos come up when you run the url through archive.org. I want to say a short version of both M16 pouches would be a great start, and I can get 500D 6-color desert off alibaba for shits and gigs if I want everything to match.

We have a 20+ year old White brand that was bought from Jo-Ann fabrics. Its a lower cost consumer model and I've sewn 500D with it. It can be a little finicky with it but still gets it done.

[Crimson_Phoenix]

Have you asked local seamstresses? Especially the old industrial Pfaff and Singer sewing machines should be able to sew heavyduty nylon without a problem.
The prices are usually a lot lower than you'd expect and you can customise to your liking.

Alternatively you could learn how to sew it yourself. Pouches are great as a first time project.

I've usually not had "buy my own commercial sewing machine money," but I've got a friend who knows what to actually look for who can help me out. I've not used a machine in 15 years, so I'll have to relearn everything. I can probably reverse engineer the butt-pack and a few other items. DIY Tactical used to have a good tutorial for how to make the ALICE M16 pouch and 2x M4 MOLLE mag pouch, but their website got shut down 13 years ago and none of the photos come up when you run the url through archive.org. I want to say a short version of both M16 pouches would be a great start, and I can get 500D 6-color desert off alibaba for shits and gigs if I want everything to match.

I used to have a dog leash company and a heavy Juki industrial machine with a one inch rise. Meaning it could sew up to one inch thick. It was a beast. New it was about $1500.

But alot of the really old foot pedal machines that are great to have as back up sewing methods in a PAW. Are quite cheap, often can sew very thick material. And are easy to use.

Additionally, if you live anywhere near a textiles or clothing manufacturing city. You'll find a ton of used industrial machines. I lived in Los Angeles. So I had access to excellent seeing machine mechanics as well. But you can save alit in a used machine even if you have to drive a couple hours to pick it up.

Sewing is not hard. But learning a machine, how to thread and adjust it can take some time. But once you have it dialed in it's a great hobby, great creative outlet and infinitely valuable long term.

Back when I was in college, I got all the thread, webbing, buckles, etc. to do my own pack mods and repair (with a lot of help and advice from the old ZS community). I had to hand stitch things with a sailmaker's needle, which is now a big chore with arthritis setting into both my hands. That said, I live near a major retirement community in AZ and a lot of good quality machines end up going to resale shops as people downsize or fade out. I'll chat with my friend who sews to see what they recommend and I have a coworker who does bargain hunting at the resale shops almost daily to keep his eyes open.

Projects I know I want to do are: 9mm and 5.56mm mag pouches, a nalgene pouch with space enough to take a nesting cup and stove kit, 100 round SAW GP pouch, modernized buttpack with MOLLE webbing instead of ALICE, and something resembling the Vietnam era claymore/demolition pouch with MOLLE webbing on the back and D rings on either side to use as a forage bag.

[eugenenine]

If your going to do a big needle with older hands then use something like this
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079R7FNL7
It gives you a nice big handle to hold on.
 For hand sewing smaller needles I use a pin vise with a sewing machine needle. A pin vise looks like a pen (ink) with a tiny drill chuck for hand drilling with really small drill bits. They will hold typical sewing machine needles as well.

[Crimson_Phoenix]

If your going to do a big needle with older hands then use something like this
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079R7FNL7
It gives you a nice big handle to hold on.
 For hand sewing smaller needles I use a pin vise with a sewing machine needle. A pin vise looks like a pen (ink) with a tiny drill chuck for hand drilling with really small drill bits. They will hold typical sewing machine needles as well.

That's about like the stitching awl I've had for 15 years. I never thought about using a pin vise. I have two for my model railroading projects.

[Moab]

If your going to do a big needle with older hands then use something like this
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079R7FNL7
It gives you a nice big handle to hold on.
 For hand sewing smaller needles I use a pin vise with a sewing machine needle. A pin vise looks like a pen (ink) with a tiny drill chuck for hand drilling with really small drill bits. They will hold typical sewing machine needles as well.

I was going to advise the same. Those are great sewing kits for a paw or bug in. They make smaller awls for lightweight backpacking. But the huge palm swell handle makes sewing thick material way easier. They also make intermediate sized simple awls that have a palm swell about a third that size are just a metal spike that terminates as a needle. AliExpress has many different varieties of awls. I prefer heavy nylon thread. I keep a large industrial spool of heavy weight green nylon thread. But 50# braided green fishing line does doable or triple duty as fishing line, sewing thread and cordiage. I keep several hundred feet spoiled in a piece of I shared cardboard that weighs nothing and is very small in my pack. It works for just about anything. A shirt to a pair of boots. And some epoxy for repairs. 

Epoxy is something to consider in addition to sewing pouches and web gear. It adds a layer of strength that thread alone can not. Even if just sit glueing the end of your stitches. 

[Moab]

Thought this was very interesting. It's a knock off of an old Singer sewing machine design. This guy bought one on Amazon for $115. And loves it. Shows how it works and how well it sews. 


https://youtu.be/zawvl5ZZIdI?si=XyQhXNJ8FpbiFBCn

[tirls]

Thought this was very interesting. It's a knock off of an old Singer sewing machine design. This guy bought one on Amazon for $115. And loves it. Shows how it works and how well it sews.


https://youtu.be/zawvl5ZZIdI?si=XyQhXNJ8FpbiFBCn

Just tried it out, my 128 singer manages 4 layers of leather with nice stitching . I didn't dare to try more with a regular needle, them breaking scare the crap out of me. Unless you need it for thick leather or tight curves a regular machine should be good enough.

The advantage of the regular 127/ 128s are that you can still get replacements for everything. Even the bobbins and shuttles are still being produced. 
They suck at modern stretch fabrics though. I've got a zigzag attachment, but it moves the fabric instead of the needle.
We have an old leather machine at my mum's house and needed to have a simple screw especially made for it. You can't get any of the parts anymore.

[Moab]

Thought this was very interesting. It's a knock off of an old Singer sewing machine design. This guy bought one on Amazon for $115. And loves it. Shows how it works and how well it sews.


https://youtu.be/zawvl5ZZIdI?si=XyQhXNJ8FpbiFBCn

Just tried it out, my 128 singer manages 4 layers of leather with nice stitching . I didn't dare to try more with a regular needle, them breaking scare the crap out of me. Unless you need it for thick leather or tight curves a regular machine should be good enough.

The advantage of the regular 127/ 128s are that you can still get replacements for everything. Even the bobbins and shuttles are still being produced.
They suck at modern stretch fabrics though. I've got a zigzag attachment, but it moves the fabric instead of the needle.
We have an old leather machine at my mum's house and needed to have a simple screw especially made for it. You can't get any of the parts anymore.

That's where living in LA really paid off for me when I had the dog leash business. Sewing machine mechanics there are really engineers. I had so many custom attachments made for my Juki it was incredible. I had two rolls of the heaviest nylon webbing being automatically fed perfectly in alignment to the needle. It took almost no hand control to sew together two layers of webbing. And there were dozens of these places. You could just take your head in (they tables for anyachinenthey could mount it to) you could describe your problem or functionality you needed. Leave them some of your material and thread. And you'd back with a with a beaufifully made custom jig to solve any problem you better functionality you wanted. 

I like the old machines for their lack of electricity and simplicity. Easier to adjust and work on. And ultimately better for lack of infrastructure if that's what your planning for. But also expense. At $125(?) your able to get into sewing your own stuff. You don't need to go any faster. Your not going into production. And it's a reasonable expense to see if you even like doing it. And even if you just keep it for repairs it's still not a bad investment. And certainly faster than hand stitching. 

It took me years to give up that Juki. Long after I had moved on to other businesses. I just never had time to properly use it. It mostly sat covered and taken care of. 

If you have access to a center if textile manufscturering and want to really get into it. It's worth traveling to use sewing machine shops or industrial repair places. You can find great deals in solid used industrial machines. And the technicians to keep them going. 

[tirls]

Regular old needle on travel sized old singer.
6 layers 1000d cordura are about the limit I was willing to try it. You could possibly get it to 8 or 10. Even stitching and thread tension on both sides. I also tried an Edelrid climbing belt I had laying around and ballistic nylon, no problem on either.

I'm not sure how it compares to a modern home sewing machine, but you can get both for around 20€ here. So it's worth a try.

You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.
_{(Behold, my brilliant photography skills!)}