MOLLE stands for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment, a system that lets pouches attach anywhere on a platform covered in PALS (Pouch Attachment Ladder System) webbing. PALS webbing is made of rows of 1-inch nylon webbing stitched at regular intervals, found on plate carriers, chest rigs, battle belts, and packs. Because any MOLLE pouch fits any PALS platform, a loadout can be rearranged or reconfigured as roles and missions change.

MOLLE pouches attach by weaving a strap or clip alternately through the webbing on the back of the pouch and the PALS webbing on the platform, working down row by row so the pouch is locked in place without sagging. Traditional woven straps tuck in or snap closed at the bottom, while clips such as Malice Clips and HSGI Clips follow the same weave but lock closed at the end for a more rigid mount. Some pouches also include belt loops or hook and loop straps so the same pouch can move between a belt and a MOLLE platform.

Stitched MOLLE is the traditional design, with rows of 1-inch nylon webbing sewn onto the pouch or platform at regular intervals. Laser-cut MOLLE replaces the sewn webbing with slots cut directly into a laminate material, removing the extra layers of webbing and stitching for a lighter, slimmer, lower-profile pouch. Both attach to standard PALS webbing with the same straps and clips, and many brands, including High Speed Gear and Blue Force Gear, build pouches from laser-cut laminate.

Most loadouts start with magazine pouches for the primary weapon, an IFAK and tourniquet for medical, and a dump pouch for spent or partially used magazines. From there, admin pouches, radio pouches, and general purpose pouches are added based on the job. Keep medical gear reachable with either hand, keep magazines on the support-hand side, and avoid overloading the platform with pouches you won't use.

An IFAK pouch should open quickly and expose its contents all at once, since it may be used under stress or by someone other than its owner. Look for tear-away or break-open designs, internal organization that keeps components in the same place every time, and an external tourniquet keeper if you carry a tourniquet with the kit. Mounting options matter too, with many IFAK pouches fitting both MOLLE webbing and belts, vertically or horizontally.

A tourniquet should be carried where it can be reached with either hand, in a tourniquet pouch or holder that keeps it secure and protected from dirt, sun, and wear. Belt-mounted holders, pouches on a plate carrier, and external keepers on IFAK pouches are all common options. Make sure the holder is sized for your specific tourniquet model and that it can be drawn quickly without snagging.

A dump pouch holds empty or partially used magazines during a reload so they aren't dropped and lost. Many dump pouches fold or roll into a compact package when not in use and deploy with one hand when needed. Beyond magazines, they are commonly used to carry trash, spent casings, water bottles, or other items gathered during use.

An admin pouch organizes small items that would otherwise get lost in a larger pouch, such as pens, a notebook, a flashlight, a multitool, maps, and ID. Most mount horizontally on the front of a plate carrier or chest rig for easy access, and many use internal elastic loops and pockets to keep each item in its place. Some admin pouches also include external loops or slots for magazines or a tourniquet.