Magpul PALS/MOLLE SpeedThreader Review

Intro

(courtesy of Magpul Industries and Spartan Imports)

No doubt every airsoft player has, at one point in his or her career, run across the MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE - pronounced "Molly") system. The MOLLE system consists of 1" straps sewn parallel to each other at 1" intervals. The straps are segmented at 1.5-2" intervals.

(courtesy of http://www.advancedoutfitters.com)

To attach pouches to a MOLLE panel involves a very frustrating process of threading the straps on a MOLLE compatible pouch through the straps of the panel and through the straps on the pouch itself. The whole process takes anywhere from two to ten minutes, per pouch. The source of the problem lies with the buttons on the ends of each strap. These protrusions tend to snag on the MOLLE webbing, leading to great frustration, as you have to dig your fingers into the stiff, rough Cordura webbing and guide the button through the webbing as neatly as possible.

With the Magpul SpeedThreader, it becomes significantly easier to pull the straps through the webbing.

Features

The Magpul SpeedThreader comes in a clear plastic sleeve. The paper backing includes a picture guide on how to use the speed threader.

Out of the sleeve, it appears to be a very durable plastic. On one end is a pointed "arrowhead" if you will that is used to thread between the MOLLE straps, it has two holes which the instructions say can be used to attach boot laces or other aids to pull the threader through the straps of the MOLLE application. 

The main body of the speed threader is very thin and very flexible. The body also has trademarks and other markings running along its length. The main body itself is roughly 1' long.

On the other end, is a wide "head" that is wide enough to hold the pouch's strap, and thin enough to pass through standard MOLLE straps. The end is open with a flap that allows a strap to be inserted. The flap side says "THIS SIDE TOWARDS POUCH." 

 

The opposite side has the Magpul logo.

 

The pouch side flap has a tapered hole that will secure the button's locking side to the speed threader. 

 

The opposing side has a rounded rectangle window for the smooth side of the button.

Overall

Magpul has done it again with a simple, yet ingenious design that greatly reduces the frustration of weaving MOLLE straps. There is one downside, however. The speed threader is designed for 1 inch webbing, so if you are running knock-off or non-regulation MOLLE gear, you may have trouble pulling the threader through all the way. I ran into problems weaving some Condor pouches, but generally, they work as intended. I definitely advise anyone running a MOLLE plate carrier or other MOLLE platform to purchase one of these.