Whether portaging over a wilderness trail or as part of your daily commute, your stories and experiences have become our heritage of crafting the toughest gear right here at the edge of the Boundary Waters in Ely, Minnesota. A Legacy:
Portage North, formerly Kondos Outdoors, was born in Ely in 1980 out of a need from outfitters requiring gear that withstands the rigors of being on trail all seas
on long. With a roll of fabric, some thread, and the determination to craft the best gear, Dan and Vicki Kondos started Kondos Outdoors. For 35 years, Kondos developed the gear we all have come to love and depend on for making our wilderness experiences successful. In 2015, I took on the task of carrying that legacy forward. I grew up venturing into the Boundary Waters from the age of three and spent much of my formative years exploring the Ely wilderness. In 2017, I married my wife, Corissa, who had been guiding BWCA trips since 2012 before becoming the director of Rock Ridge Christian Camp in 2015. As we run Portage North, we enjoy incorporating our personal experiences and knowledge into how we design and build products and how we share the wilderness experience with others. Next-Generation:
By bringing in state-of-the-art cutting and sewing equipment, implementing continuous improvement philosophies, researching the best materials, and having a 1.4 million acre test lab to vet our products, we strive to craft for you the toughest gear that will last you and the next generation a lifetime. Whether it's our rugged portage packs, camping gear, canoe accessories, or items for use in everyday adventures, we strive for every product that we make here in Ely to be a direct reflection of who we are. Therefore, we strive to be the best at what we do through service, respect, and authenticity.
