CONDOR ELITE FRONTIER EDC - Config (REVIEW)
And so it begins, a new frontier. The EDC Urban Assault Commute System.
- FULL DISCLOSURE -
So I've been working from home for what seems like a million years but soon, if all goes to plan, I'll be moving into new offices. So I am going to need new rucksack for my EDC (Every Day Carry) and I've chosen the Condor Frontier. Now don't get me wrong, it's great pack just as it is, but I've said it before, "Everything needs a little nip and a tuck" so I'm looking forward to modding the Condor Frontier and making it my own.THE RUCKSACK
What’s first? the rucksack!
I chose the Condor Frontier quite quickly, I respect Condor as a brand and know their products quite well. This rucksack is part of their Elite range so; thoughtfully designed, considered materials in the form of Mil-Spec 500 denier Invista Cordura with Rhino skin being used on the base and other major abrasion points.
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| THE CONDOR FRONTIER UNMODIFIED |
There is plenty of attention to detail re. web management and those little features that make life a bit more pleasurable. I was also mindful that some days I would be riding my bike to work, so light as well as tough would be good. I was also impressed with the consideration of design given to the back padding, which looked like it would be comfortable even in the summer. This is a 20L pack so is a perfect size for EDC.
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| THE CONDOR FRONTIER CARRY SYSTEM - PRACTICAL, UTILITARIAN & COMFY |
Un modded bag favourite features:
- I love the laptop sleeve, plenty big enough and really plush, it's just really easy to slide our laptops in and out.
- A secondary access to the main compartment via a zipper behind the carry handle.
- I like the dump all, Admin pocket at the front, with excellent pockets for a auxiliary power source and smart phones
- Best of all is the plush lined, zipped pocket to the front and top of the bag. Great for your glasses and very easy to find and grab them in a hurry.
Enough about the rucksack, in the usually way, there are plenty of videos and blog posts about the Condor Elite Frontier. This post is all about the mods.
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| COMPONENTS FOR THIS MOD, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MESS |
THE MODIFICATIONS
The concept for this mod, is essentially from what I learned, from the mods I made to my hiking rucksack. You can read more about that HERE - MODS & CONFIGS [Condor-Convoy Rucksack]
But this time I decided to go with a grey colour way for this build,. A bit more imaginative then Black and a little more urban fitting than Coyote or OD. The Condor "Graphite grey" matches the slightly easier to get, "Wolf grey" pretty well and I was pleasantly surprised, to find that the Triple Aught Design, Foliage green is a lot more grey than green and really works well with the Condor Graphite. Yep life used to be more simple but it is fun to consider colours when so many are available now.
EXTERIOR
Triple Aught Design Transport Tail.
For me one of the best pieces of kit TAD make and very clever they sell it as a component, meaning we can strap to any rucksack that it fits and give that TAD utility cool. In this case the Transport Tail fits easily, directly to the integral compression straps of the pack.
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| HOW THE NEW ADDITIONS TO THE PACK WORK WITH THE NOW REDUNDANT COMPRESSION STRAPS |
A simple mod is required, in the form of swapping out the sidelock buckles on the TAD for the now redundant buckles, straight from the rucksack, nothing to buy here. “Excellent”.
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| BASE ATTACHMENT, SHOCK CORD AND COMPRESSION STRAP DETAIL |
Then use the utility straps that come with the rucksack to strap the bottom of the Transport Tail to the pack.
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| BASE ATTACHMENT DETAIL |
The lose straps then tidied up with ITW web dominators. Note that the straps can still be used to attach items to the bottom of your pack.
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| ITW WEB DOMINATORS ARE YOUR FRIEND |
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| SHOCK CORD LACE SYSTEM DETAIL |
I’ve used Charcoal grey shock cord to lace the Transport Tail to the front MOLLE field. This to form a more secure and adjustable pocket and make it less likely for my mountain bike helmet to fall out.
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| TRIPLE AUGHT DESIGN TRANSPORT TAIL MOD IN USE #1 |
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| TRIPLE AUGHT DESIGN TRANSPORT TAIL MOD IN USE #2 |
I say it myself, but this is a great mod, as we can make the shock cord as long as we like, to carry some really big kit if we want.
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| TRIPLE AUGHT DESIGN TRANSPORT TAIL SLIP POCKET AND CUSTOM ZIP PULL DETAIL |
Probably should have mentioned earlier but I have mounted the Transport Tail upside down, this makes an excellent use of the interior slip pocket, which otherwise would not be used.
CARRY HANDLE
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| CUSTOM COBRA WEAVE HANDLE IS VERY COMFORTABLE |
I’ve seen this before online and in videos etc so wanted to try it myself. The custom cobra weave handle is made from 12ft of grey 550 Paracord. I’ve woven it quite lose to make for a softer handle for my baby hands. Having paracord stashes in this way is a big thing for me even in an urban environment. A 1001 uses especially if you ride a bike to work!
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| ALMOST A PREREQUISITE FOR MY BUILDS NOW - GREYMAN TACTICAL |
INTERIA
This had to start with a Greyman Tactical RIP-M panel.
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| MOLLE (RIP-M) 10.75 x 15in COULD HAVE BEEN CUSTOM MADE FOR THIS BAG |
Their 10.75x 15inch model fits the main compartment of the Condor Frontier perfectly so not having a way the strap it in, is actually not an issue at all (thought it would be). The pack gives us other options for carrying laptops and files so the main compartment is free to organise; Plugs, charges, cables, a tool kit and those every day essentials we all need these days.
ORGANISATION
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| EDC ORGANISED BY PRIORITY MOST USED KIT AT THE TOP! |
Condor was the first-port-of-call for Interior organisation; Top row is a Sidekick pouch. This is great piece of kit and very adaptable. It has a firm box like construction, padded and has elastic loops for smaller associated items. On the front of the pouch is 3x3 of MOLLE some of which also have hook and loop Ideal for ID strips, First aid, bike tools, EDC etc.
NEXT
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| ADDED BENEFIT FOR THE USE OF A RIP-M IS BEING ABLE TO REMOVE YOUR ORGANISED KIT IN ONE GO |
Next is the morning tea or coffee in a Klean Kanteen 12oz insulated bottle. I have added a Klean Kanteen component cap with foldaway hanger. As the bottle has a definite place to sit, simple clipping the bottle to the MOLLE panel with a carabiner works fine in keeping it in place.
NEXT, NEXT
This is a Maxpedition 5” flashlight sheath for Maglight touch. Very old now but still works great, but with brighter, more power efficient LED technology it’s probably time to reluctantly retire this old boy.
BELOW
Is the Condor T&T admin pouch.
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| I JUST LIKE THE PICTURE : ) |
I’ve written about this most excellent piece of kit before in this blog so I won’t bang-on about it now. But everything is in here from note books to business cards to light tool to keys and cables. Sometimes I MOLLE the T&T to the RIP-M panel but quite often I don’t, so I can easily take the organiser out, open up and put on my desk. This is really handy.
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| EDC ORGANISED WITH-IN THE CONDOR T&T ADMIN POUCH |
You can read more about my Condor T&T organiser with kit list HERE.
THE PELI
In these pix I have the PELI 1010 micro case strapped to the T&T with shock cord. This works well as it keeps the case where I want it and easy to find. The PELI Micro case has become quite important as part of my urban EDC.
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| PEII CASES ARE NEW TO ME BUT WHEN FRAJIL KIT NEEDS TO BE SAFE AND DRY WHILE EASY TO GET TO THEY ARE A GREAT SOLUTION |
I wasn’t sure how I wanted to use it in the beginning but now use it to keep and carry flash drives and memory sticks that may, from time to time have sensitive mission/project information on them, where it is imperative that they absolutely will not get damaged or wet. Especially if this is a clients property which is quite often the case.
So there you have it - The EDC Urban Assault Commute System. It’s light, convertible and I think pretty cool to look at. It's a great EDC if we are on a budget and It’s wonderful to use, especially the laptop sleeve. Some times it feels a bit strappy but that’s all just part of it’s charm. The components are easy to get from Amazon etc and best of all... no stitching, sowing or gluing required.
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| MOD COMPONENTS LAYOUT |
ABOUT THE LINKS WITH-IN THIS POST.
I've included links to GEAR featured so you can find out more or even purchase. In some cases items have been upgraded or discontinued so I have linked to equivalents, I hope that's OK.
GEAR LIST:
• Condor Elite Frontier rucksack (Graphite Grey)
• Greyman Tactical Ridged Insert Panel MOLLE (RIP-M) 10.75 x 15in
• Condor Side Kick pouch (Black)
• Klean Kanteen insulated 12oz (Black)
• Klean Kanteen component cap with foldaway hanger
• Peli Micro Case 1010
• Maxpedition 5'' Sheath
• Condor T&T Admin pouch
• Triple Aught Design Transport Tail (Foliage green)
• 550 Paracord 12ft (Grey)
• ITW Web Dominators x6 off (Foliage green)
• Shock cord 4 feet (Charcoal gray)
• Cord locks large (Black)
ITEMS FEATURED BUT NOT MENTIONED
• Hazard 4 ID patch
• Hazard 4 Press Patch
• Hazard 4 flag moral patch
• 550 Paracord (Black)
• Maxpedition key keeper
• Camelbak Military Reservoir
THE CONDOR / GORUCK QUESTION
A wise man once said; "The best plans are the ones that were never made".
Some of you who follow Yomp Notes on Instagram and Twitter etc will notice that I use a Goruck GR1 for my EDC. I've even written a blog post about it HERE - Goruck GR1 Rucksack EDC
The question is... What happened to the Condor Elite? "Simple" I use both!
- Think Goruck; Covert, understated, slightly smarter and more formal
- Think Condor; Every when else, especially when riding to work.
Initially I bought the Condor with the plan to use as my EDC, then after making the modifications and indeed writing most of this post, the opportunity to buy the Goruck came-up so I took it. I would have probably left it there but I have been asked "What happened to the Condor?" so here we are.
RELATED POSTS:
ASSETS [Kit] - EDC Admin / Organisers
ASSETS [Kit] - Goruck GR1 Rucksack EDC
MODS & CONFIGS [Condor-Convoy Rucksack]
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