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Jezbo
senior member (52)senior membersenior member
  
10/26/2017 10:10AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
First Duluth Packs are beyond expensive, Frost River is awesome but heavy, so both ruled out. Im just wondering if anyone has had a Kondos and a CCS canoeing pack and could give their take on both. Im leaning towards a new CSS pack but am wondering if anyone has experience?
 
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10/26/2017 10:17AM  
Kind of a Ford vs Chevy question, both good, the honest truth is you can't really go wrong with either. With that said my money goes to Cooke every time, not only is Dan a heck of a nice guy his fabrication and designs are of the highest quality.

On a more technical level I like the way CCS does their strap attachment and reinforcement areas a bit better, also the materials used in these areas were superior to the Kondos but I have not looked at a current Kondos so that may or may not be the case anymore. I don't think a person could carry enough weight to rip one of those shoulder straps off.

Looking at how many Duluth packs still function after decades of use, I'd say his design is likely way overkill, but that is pretty much my middle name and what attracts me to his products. Simply put they are not designed to last a lifetime, they are built to last multiple lifetimes.
 
10/26/2017 10:56AM  
I have recently (in the last three seasons) purchased two CCS packs (a Guide and a Bushcrafter) and a Kondos Outfitter Special. All are great packs, superbly designed and crafted. The Kondos is probably more robust- extra reinforcement on every strap and stitch. The Guide has the benefit of a well placed lift strap below the harness, helpful if you lay your pack flat in the canoe and lift out from the top and bottom of the pack (especially if the pack is wedged in a narrow solo) (my Kondos is currently at Kondos getting such a strap installed). The Kondos fits my solo better. Both are very comfortable and adjustable for carrying. You can't go wrong with either. I've had incredible customer service from both.
 
BobDobbs
distinguished member (472)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
10/26/2017 11:19AM  
I can't remember if Kondos have a top pocket, but it is hyooj on the CCS packs. More than enough room for 2 sets of raingear and other things you need to access in a hurry when on the go.
 
Northwoodsman
distinguished member(2059)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
10/26/2017 12:03PM  
I have a CCS Bushcrafter, Explorer, and Pioneer. My brother has a CCS Guide. On my last trip my buddy rented a Kondos Outfitter. Although both Kondos and CCS are extremely high quality and both have fine craftmanship, I give the CCS a slight edge because of the top pocket (on the outside), the comfort, and color choices (I like bright red because it's almost impossible to miss). You also can't beat the customer service. The zippered stuff sacks that are available are the handiest way to organize gear and I highly recommend those as well.
 
10/26/2017 03:32PM  
For a solo pack the Kondos Outfitter Special is my choice. Fits into the narrowest of canoes. I've had a CCS #4 that was awesome. Like people have said, both companies are superb. Both are at Canoecopia to check out in person.
 
TipsyPaddler
distinguished member (315)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
10/26/2017 06:32PM  
I have not tried any Kondos products. I own three CCS Pioneer packs, a 60L barrel pack, two rucksacks, a 1.1 oz tundra tarp and ridgeline stuff sack and several stuff sacks and barrel bags. Completely agree with all the positive CCS comments.I am very happy with all my CCS products and customer service is superb. The medium stuff sacks are great for organizing smaller items in the Pioneer packs. The barrel bags are great for organizing a food barrel. The pioneer pack has lift handles at the top and bottom of the "strap/harness side" as well as at the top on either side of the flap. Only way it could be easier to lift is it to make it self-levitating.

Kondos may be great products too but I am so happy with CCS stuff I may never find out.
 
OldFingers57
distinguished member(4990)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
10/27/2017 02:28PM  
I have 4 of the Kondos packs. Two Outfitter Specials a Guide pack and a Day pack. All are used from VNO. They are still in fantastic shape after being used on countless trips by others. They are comfortable to portage with.
 
Dooger
distinguished member (170)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
10/27/2017 06:02PM  
I'm a Kondo's guy myself.
 
10/27/2017 09:46PM  
CCS is my Fav...but as others say really can’t go wrong with either.

T
 
10/28/2017 07:44PM  
I've got a couple kondos and several CCS. My kondos are very big. Probably compare to a CCS guide. Oh, and I have a kondos guide which is an oversized day pack well laid out. I like the CCS gear and use it pretty much exclusive. But I hang on to it all for the future generations to enjoy.
 
10/29/2017 10:14AM  
We have a Kondos (redrock super pack w/ the blue barrels inside), CCS Guide, and each girl has a CCS Rucksack. Both companies make great products and I highly reccomend both.

When tandem w/ an adult I take the Kondos w/ the canoe (low profile works well and is very comfy while carrying a canoe) and the other adult takes the Guide. On my solo trips or daddy/daughter trips I only bring 1 big pack and for those it's the CCS Guide. It is also comfy to carry, and the difference maker as some others have mentioned is the outside/top zippered compartment on the flap. That is where my raingear and water bottle go for easy access on the go.
 
Cedarboy
distinguished member(3437)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
10/29/2017 07:55PM  
CCS all the way.
We own CCS Hybrids Packs, Standard packs, Rucksacks, tarps, Lean 3 Plus Shelter, various stuff sacks, pole bags, stake bags, winter sled bag etc, etc. Great gear from Great people, customer service second to none!
CB
 
ozarkpaddler
distinguished member(5163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
10/30/2017 11:31AM  
Started selling my old Duluth Packs to save weight over a decade ago. Had I known the prices would go up almost to the price of gold, I'd have held onto them a bit longer. A few people got some dandy bargains from me! I now have only one Duluth Pack left, the one my Pack basket fits into.

Of the packs I have left, I have a Kondos and a CCS Barrel pack. I couldn't choose one over the other, both are excellent. So, look at the size that you need and the features you want and compare the available packs with those two. Whichever you choose, it will be well made and durable!

 
mgraber
distinguished member(1486)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
10/30/2017 03:06PM  
I would say they are very close in quality but have various different specs that you just have to compare and decide on. Some have mentioned the top zippered pouch on CCS, personally I prefer the two zippered side pouches and zippered front pouch found on several of the Kondos packs. Mostly just a preference thing. Kondos does have many choices of sizes and styles.

As far as tarps go, CCS all the way.
 
11/08/2017 01:29PM  
I've liked every product I've purchased from both companies.
 
QueticoMike
distinguished member(5280)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
11/09/2017 11:50AM  
I like CCS products
 
11/10/2017 08:14AM  
I was a kondos guy until I got my first CCS pack. I do like my little kondos guide pack. But the CCS packs are sized and shaped better. Quality? CCS has the edge but kondos is good quality!
 
Jocobo81
member (36)member
  
11/11/2017 01:29PM  
Big fan of CCS gear, I have their 10x10 tarp and insulated food pack. I beat the stuffing out of my stuff and I’ve haven’t had a si glen issue in the ten years I’ve owned CCS gear. My food pack is often fully loaded and hanging in a tree by its handles, no rips or tears at all.
 
Beemer01
Moderator
  
08/03/2021 03:59PM  
Belatedly joining this. As noted CCS and Kondos are both well designed and made. Question- those of us who use the Kondos Guide pack…. What do you line it with to keep the contents dry? Contractor bags are way too large, and smaller bags are generally too flimsy.

Thanks
 
08/03/2021 05:17PM  
Beemer01: "Belatedly joining this. As noted CCS and Kondos are both well designed and made. Question- those of us who use the Kondos Guide pack…. What do you line it with to keep the contents dry? Contractor bags are way too large, and smaller bags are generally too flimsy.


Thanks"


I don't use the Kondos Guide but I do use a CCS Bushcrafter which is virtually identical. I let the pack get wet and keep the contents dry by using an assortment of dry bags. My preference an assortment of Sea to Summit Ultra Sil dry bags. You could probably locate a Sil-nylon bag that could fill the whole pack if you wanted.
 
WHendrix
distinguished member(623)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/03/2021 07:59PM  
Compactor trash bags. They are just the right size and are made of a much thicker material than similar size trash bags. They don't appear to be regularly available any more, but I have found dusty old boxes of them on the top self with other trash bags at Ace hardware.
 
Finnboy
distinguished member (160)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/04/2021 05:50AM  
I have Kondos gear. A guide pack and a #4. I’ve used them A LOT. My tripping partners all have them, too.

I also have a skijoring setup, a couple of dog harnesses, and I use quite a few dog boots over the course of the year.
 
PeaceFrog
distinguished member (339)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/04/2021 08:42AM  
Banksiana: "I have recently (in the last three seasons) purchased two CCS packs (a Guide and a Bushcrafter) and a Kondos Outfitter Special. All are great packs, superbly designed and crafted. The Kondos is probably more robust - extra reinforcement on every strap and stitch. The Guide has the benefit of a well placed lift strap below the harness, helpful if you lay your pack flat in the canoe and lift out from the top and bottom of the pack (especially if the pack is wedged in a narrow solo). My Kondos is currently at Kondos getting such a strap installed.

The Kondos fits my solo better. Both are very comfortable and adjustable for carrying. You can't go wrong with either. I've had incredible customer service from both."

Have used both over the years with different outfitters. I like both as many others on this thread. Both good quality. Can't go wrong either way.

Just purchased two Kondos packs this year. One from this messageboard (thanks Boonie) and one directly from Kondos.

BTW - the label on the pack I just received from Kondos now reads Portage North. Guessing the Kondos name is going away soon. Still a good quality pack. Very happy with both.
 
tomo
distinguished member (211)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/04/2021 10:56AM  
I have a Kondos daypack and was frustrated on my most recent trip that the grab loop broke and the stitching on one of the pack straps is pulling out as well. Have only used it for two years or so....
 
08/04/2021 12:52PM  
tomo: "I have a Kondos daypack and was frustrated on my most recent trip that the grab loop broke and the stitching on one of the pack straps is pulling out as well. Have only used it for two years or so...."


Send it back. They will repair or replace.
 
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