[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” class=”cs-ta-left” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”false” marginless_columns=”true” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_video_embed no_container=”true” type=”16:9″][/x_video_embed][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]Todays Review[/x_custom_headline][cs_text]Condor Elite – Frontier Outdoor Bag[/cs_text][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]Primary Purpose / Usage[/x_custom_headline][cs_text]
- Day Use Hiking Pack
- 24hr Go Bag or Get Home Bag (Short Term)
- Med Kit Bag
[/cs_text][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]Product Overview[/x_custom_headline][cs_text]Being quick and nimble is also an important factor when finishing a job out in the field. Without holding you back, the Frontier’s compact build provides considrable mobile prowess and doesn’t sacrifice any of the superior features you will come to expect of the Elite’s pack line. You won’t just be prepared to enjoy a trek through the great outdoors, but also be ready to conquer any urban exploration.[/cs_text][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]Features / Tech Specs[/x_custom_headline][cs_text]
- Size 18″H x 11″W x 7″D; 20L Volume
- Color Choices: Urban Gray (Aka. Graphite or Foliage), Coyote Tan, Black, Multicam
- Constructed with Mil-Spec 500 denier Cordura® fabric, high tensile strength composite nylon thread and webbing
- Rugged, high abrasion-resistant rubber material to reinforce bottom of the pack
- YKK zippers throughout the pack with paracord pull cords
- Synthetic Rhino skin drag handle with D-rings
- Main compartment (11″W x 18″H x 5″D) with U-shaped zipper, internal laptop and tablet sleeves, and document pouch
- Sized to fit 15″ MacBook or laptop with maximum width of 15″
- Backside compartment has a pocket for hydration with tube access to the top holds up to 2.5L bladder
- Fleece lined gadget pocket (5″H x 7.5″W x .5″D)
- Secondary compartment (16″H x 10.5″W x 2″D) with organizer panel and internal zippered mesh pockets
- Fleece lined gadget pocket (5″H x 7.5″W x .5″D) for scratch protection
- Air-Flow system on the back to maximize ventilation and back support
- Detachable waist belt
- Sternum strap
- Side compression straps
- Hook and loop ID panel
- Grommets on all compartments
- MOLLE front panel
- Imported
[/cs_text][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]My Thoughts[/x_custom_headline][cs_text]The first time I picked up the Condor Elite Frontier pack there was an initial gut reaction that told me this bag was awesome. Something about it was drawing me in. Was it the size, the Urban Graphite Gray color, the simple shape, the wedge shape velcro patch holder. I didn’t exactly know for sure yet but was soon to find out.
For me this pack is the PERFECT size for all around use. It is bigger than a tactical hydration pouch yet much smaller than a 3day bag. To compare I have a 5.11 Tactical RUSH 24 bag which is supposed to be a 24hr bag. I actually use the 5.11 for my 3 day kit instead because its that big (37 liter capacity) vs the Condor Frontier (20 liter capacity). Maybe it’s just me but I want the smallest, most compressed bag possible that can still fit all my essentials. In this case I use it for my 24hr EDC Go Bag / Daily Hike Pack.
This brings me to the comfort of the bag. Because it’s not too bulky I get the feeling I can move about freely without constantly bumping into everything when I turn around. Condor Elite did a great job on the design of the back pad providing both comfort and maximum airflow to keep you cool in the hotter months. I would like to see thicker padding used in the shoulder straps for even more comfort. They built in a nice height offset down the middle of the back pad between the cushioning to accomplish this. Another awesome feature is that is comes with a detachable hip belt. A lot of other packs of this size didn’t have that option. My 24hr bag weighs around 25 lbs fully loaded and I would not buy a bag without a hip belt at that weight. One last honorable mention is the “Rhino Skin” material covering the bottom of the bag. This will increase the durability of the bag especially if you descend lots of steep terrain while sliding down on your hands, feet and butt. I have found myself dragging the bottom of the bag during such descents and am happy to have that feature.
Moving into the guts of the pack. I was delighted at how many different pouches and pockets there were to help me organize my stuff. There is nothing worse than a pack that is jus a big hollow shell. One small thing that I really appreciated about the design is that the main compartment YKK zippers run the entire length of the pack so I can lay it on its back, unzip all the way, and open the compartment like a clamshell. This lets me get to items deep at the bottom of the compartment without having to unpack all the other stiff packed on top of it. This is a big win for me.
Condor also has a good selection of colors to suit your needs. For me the Urban Gray / Foliage color was exactly what I wanted. Something that is neutral in the city but blends well into the natural environment where I live.
My only gripe is the lack of MOLLE accessory bags in the same color (Urban Graphite / Foliage) for sale. I am big into modularity and ultimately would love to have these available so I can build my bag based on my trip / Usage requirements.
In Summary, there are a lot of well manufactured day use packs on the market that could fit the bill. However I have not found any others in the price class that can match the quality, comfort, adaptability, size/shape, and choice of colors (Especially Graphite for Urban Grayman Use). I highly recommend you take a serious look at one of these if you are in the market to buy.[/cs_text][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]Pros – What they got right[/x_custom_headline][cs_text]
- Quality Construction – double stitching, Invista Cordura, YKK zippers
- The Size (20L) and Comfort
- Comes in Urban Gray
- Lot’s of Pockets and Pouches for Organization
- Rhino Skin on the Bottom
- Price at around $100
- Comes with a Hip Belt
[/cs_text][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]Cons – What could be improved[/x_custom_headline][cs_text]
- Could use a thicker padding on the shoulder straps
- Lack of accessory pouches from Condor that match the Urban Graphite Gray color
- If Condor could add the rainfly concept from their Elite Fail Safe Pack that would be awesome.
[/cs_text][rev_slider frontier][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]The Final Verdict[/x_custom_headline][cs_text]The Condor Frontier balances size, looks, and function into a well priced bag. I think you get a alot more value than what you will actually pay for this bag. I recommend this bag without hesitation. [/cs_text][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]SRG’s Overall Rating (4.5 out of 5)[/x_custom_headline][cs_text]
[/cs_text][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true”]Get Yours Here at Amazon.com[/x_custom_headline][cs_block_grid type=”four-up”][cs_block_grid_item title=”Urban Gray / Foliage”]
[/cs_block_grid_item][cs_block_grid_item title=”Black”]
[/cs_block_grid_item][cs_block_grid_item title=”Tan”]
[/cs_block_grid_item][cs_block_grid_item title=”Multicam”]
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