Although PALS webbing on kit is fairly standardized, the connection styles are not. Since the original MOLLE "Natick" style snap is patented, other manufactures have come up with different connection methods. However if you are just making gear for yourself, feel free to use whichever style you prefer or even experiment making your own.
-MOLLE "Natick" Snap:
This is the standard issue and most well known method. Using classic snaps and manufactured by Speciality Defense Systems. Overall simple and work well, just in the long run your snaps may deteriorate. While weaving MOLLE snap pouches onto kit, sometimes the snaps can snag and slow things down. Products such as Magpul's Speed Threader were made to assist in this issue.
-MALICE Clips:
Created by Tactical Tailor, the clips are not connected to the gear itself so are an easy solution for DIY people and manufacturers a like. The material used is very resistant to the elements and has a secure connection. A tool (any that fit) is needed to disconnect and some users may find this to be a hassle. Since slim and flexible, this makes kit installation fairly easy with no snags. Malice clips come in Long and Short sizes. Long being 3 PALS channels tall (5") and short being 2 channels (3"). The short Malice clips also have a 2nd pivot point and connection point to be able to sized to replace an ALICE clip. More info in my hardware area: <JUMP> and Emdom's Malice page: <JUMP>
-BLADE-TECH MOLLE LOK:
Ol' Blade-Tech took a pretty heavy duty approach and made these MOLLE LOKs. They are pretty darn rigid so I'm not sure if they ever intended the user to weave them. Due to this, the screw holes can be used for solid mounting points. As a bonus, the screws are even included. The end locks up pretty nice and secure. To release, it requires the middle area to be pushed down and the sides to be pushed in to clear the side hooks. This gives Malice clip like security without requiring some form of poker tool. I'm curious about how the middle hinge will stand up over time, but overall the MOLLE-LOKs are heavy duty and can take quite the beating. They are available in 2 sizes which are the equivalent of Malice short and long. Offered in Black, Foliage, and Tan colors. The main down sides are that since so stiff, they are really hard to weave and are the most expensive option out there currently.
-Blackhawk SpeedClips:
Full Intel in my Hardware section: <JUMP>
These are a little harder to find since new, but made their way to most Blackhawk retailers. These are fast and easy to use hence the name, but have downsides. Additional PALS channels are needed above and below the main weave which can take away room from mounting other pouches. Many colors and sizes are available which is a nice plus. Video demo link: <SPEEDCLIP DEMO>
-Paraclete Soft Snap:
There isn't actually any snapping going on, but Paraclete made their own easy yet secure connection system. Instead of snaps, pockets are used to insert stiffened webbing in. This sounds pretty unsecure, but once all woven up on your kit, it works quite well. Another sign of the Paraclete Soft Snap are the extra pull loops on the connection webbing to assist in removal of the pouch. Extra pics from Gany.
-TAG Soft Snap:
Tactical Assault Gear uses a similar soft snap as Paraclete (licensed), however adds an extra webbing fold to increase security. This way if enough force is ever delivered to rip the webbing out of its pocket, the extra webbing fold will snag on the PALS webbing.
-Spec-Ops Brand Snap:
This style is pretty unique and secure, but a total pain in the ass. Using ballistic material instead of webbing for the back makes weaving easier, but the snaps are still prone to snagging. For the final connection the snap placement is shifted causing them to be UNDER the PALS webbing of the platform you are mounting to. This is hard "as is" and really hard if the PALS is a little off-spec. Tools are pretty much required to unsnap and remove.
-Blackwater Soft Snap:
This style is a mix between Paraclete Soft Snap and Spec-Ops Brand. The main connection is by tucking in stiffened webbing, but ballistic material is used instead of traditional PALS webbing.
-Reverse Molle Snap:
Similar to MOLLE snap, but short webbing is used to get the snap off the pouch itself. Thus the male connection is on the main webbing strip and female connection is on the short webbing strip. This can be an assistant in removing the snaps and aid in security since will snag on the PALS during a snap break. ATS Tactical and BDS Tactical appear to use this method. Photos from <www.militarymorons.com>
BDS Tactical Video Demo: <BDS GP POUCH>
-5.11-TACTICAL Slickstick System
511 Tactical recently came out with a tactical nylon line in collaboration with Viking Tactical. For all of this new kit they use their Slickstick system which although is clearly still MOLLE-Snap like, it is easier and faster to use. Since the webbing straps are "floating" you can move them while installing so you don't have to bend and wiggle as much and they make pouch removal super fast. The down side would be the system relies on plastic glides on the main stress point which have much less breaking strength than all the other materials.
-Plat-A-Tac Snap:
Similar to Reverse MOLLE snap, but there is no extra webbing strip for ease of removal or backup PALS snag. Thanks for the pics Gany.
-SORD Style:
Sord has a unique style with velcro. This isn't the most secure method, but pulling velcro in a vertical direction has more hold strength than most think. Since there are no snaps to snag, weaving is an easy process. Thanks for the pics Gany / Rooks. Note: TAD Gear uses a similar system.
-BlueForce Gear Style:
BFG took the velcro secured idea and enhanced the security level. The webbing layout starts similar to a traditional MOLLE Snap, yet at the bottom has a webbing strip that is hook on the interior and loop on the exterior rather than snaps. Once woven, the loop covered webbing tab is tucked under for decent constant pressure. For an important addition, folds are incorporated into the webbing straps to snag if the velcro seal is broken.
-Maxpediton TacTie:
The TacTie is a pretty simple no thrills solution. Just webbing and a plastic tri-glide. The end is folded for security snagging, however cut at an angle to make weaving easier. Pros are that they are affordable, easy to weave, and very resistant to elements. Cons would be that the plastic hardware is a possible point of failure so I'd give them a medium security rating. I'll guess they are not made long enough to weave through both parts of the tri-glide (which would enhance security) to avoid sticking out a little from the mounted item. They come in 3" and 5" lengths which is the equivalent of Malice short and long. Available in Khaki, OD Green, Foliage, and Black to match the majority of kit.
-Poor-man T Style:
I haven't seen any manufactures use this style, but it can be done easily in a DIY situation where you don't or can't use snaps. Security will vary on how long and stiff your T webbing is. Weaving isn't the easiest since it must be twisted to fit.
-Smamit’s PaLoop:
An Israeli company design with the main intent being to attach US MOLLE and British Osprey pouches onto PALS. I don't have any myself, but word is they are made from 25 mm mil-spec nylon webbing with a Nexus 25 mm Delrin Looploc attached on one end. The main securing method is a snag-tab grabbing onto the Looploc.
Bonus Reference of an older method by Smamit, the Tee Ohhs. Kinda like a speedy variant of the Poor-man T Style.
-Chinese Ripoff Bitches Style:
I won't name these chumps, but they were so cheap that they didn't even do snaps; Not because they were worried about the patent, but so they could save a couple cents jippn' off the customer. The system is cheap webbing going through a cheap tri-glide. I'm surprised they even diagonally cut the ends. No snag folds or any other security measures.
-ALICE Clips (slide fasteners):
The Vietnam era modular system, it works, but doesn't take one long to see it isn't as nice as MOLLE/PALS system. The metal clips are prone to the elements and being bent up causing a non-consistent hold. That said, you can still get them cheap and use them on PALS.
-Extras:
Other methods of note for "make-do" operations include: Annex clips, Siamese Slik Clips, And zip ties.
