Editing Webbing (section)

=== Military ===
[[File:World War I Canvas Webbing Strap.jpg|thumb|World War I canvas webbing strap]]
[[File:PALS webbing size.svg|thumb|right|Pattern for [[Pouch Attachment Ladder System|PALS]] and [[MOLLE]] grids of webbing, which are based on {{cvt|1|in|mm|order=flip}} wide webbing with {{cvt|1.5|in|mm|order=flip}} spacing between each sewing point.]]
Military webbing, or '''web gear''' otherwise known as [[Mil-Spec]] webbing, is typically made of strips of woven narrow fabrics of high tensile strength, such as nylon, Kevlar, and [[Nomex]]. When these materials are used for parachute and ballooning applications, they must also conform to PIA ([[Parachute Industry Association]]) standards.<ref>{{Cite web|title = MIL-Spec and PIA-Spec {{!}} Bally Ribbon Mills
 |url = http://www.ballyribbon.com/products/core-products/mil-spec-pia-spec
 |website = www.ballyribbon.com|access-date = 2016-01-11}}</ref>

Mil-Spec webbing is used to make military belts, packs, pouches, and [[List of webbing equipment|other forms of equipment]]. The [[British Army]] adopted cotton webbing to replace [[leather]] after the [[Second Boer War]] although leather belts are still worn in more formal dress. The term is still used for a soldier's combat equipment, although cotton webbing has since been replaced with stronger materials. The webbing system used by the British Army today is known as [[personal load carrying equipment]].<ref>{{Cite book|title = Modern British Webbing Equipment
 |last = Howlett|first = Simon
 |publisher = The Crowood Press UK
 |date = 2010-02-15|isbn = 978-1847971401|location = UK}}</ref> Americans use [[modular lightweight load-carrying equipment]] (MOLLE).

Typical contents of military webbing equipment include cooking equipment, 24 hours' worth of rations, water, ammunition, first aid or survival supplies, cold weather/rain gear, anti-gas/[[CBRN defense|CBRN]] gear and sheltering equipment (such as a tent quarter/[[shelter half]], poles, rope, etc.). Items are generally stored in an ordered fashion in a combination of ammo and utility pouches.

It is unusual for western armies to fight while wearing a pack, and so prior to anticipated contact with the enemy the pack is usually stowed away from the [[forward edge of the battle area]] and webbing is used instead. Webbing belts are also used frequently by modern cadet and scout groups, as well as police and security forces.