Madden Equipment Condor 100

Advantages:

1) zip out sleeping bag divider

2) 9 straps to compress load and/or secure loose items- large and small loads can be accomodated with ease

3) fully adjustable carrying suspension system

4) side pockets

5) removable waist belt

6) floating top lid

7) lid accomodates a 50 oz. Camelbak bladder and hose

Disadvantages

1) those 9 straps are too long

2) the adjustable suspension system needs a trip or two just to fine tune

Comments

This pack is quite sturdy with a lot of thought into how to crunch the load as close to the back as possible. The built in side pockets and holsters are clever touches. In their recent catalog Madden has dispensed with the adjustable suspension idea so this Condor 100 is probably one of a kind (even the color was/is not normally available commercially). As a climber who is used to long approaches to a base camp, I hope Madden has not dispensed the idea of a completely removable waistbelt when the time to climb has come. The great compressibility of this pack makes the "top lid converting into waist pack' redundant. In the recent "Backpacker" pack manufacturer list the "Mountaineer" (the update of the Condor) has dispensed with this lid feature.

Madden was a superb little Colorado packmaker, but they are out of business now. They had a reputation for making Cordura packs that were bombproof, but heavy by today's standards. The Condor is durable and bombproof, for sure. The suspension has limited adjustment, but if it fits, it fits. Carries heavy weight better than any pack I've had. Very slim design, good for bushwhacking. The company made varying versions of this pack. On mine, there are two long slim pockets on the face of the pack. These are OK, but I'd rather have a beavertail. Still, it's a good pack, and if you see one on E-Bay, buy it.