Dear Friends,

My family, myself, and our staff are proud to be part of a legacy of so many adventures, expeditions, and life-long memories made over 40 years. Whether being carried over a portage in the wilderness of the Boundary Waters or as part of your daily commute, your stories and experiences have become our heritage of crafting the toughest gear, built for you, right here at the edge of the Boundary Waters in Ely, MN

Portage North, formerly Kondos Outdoors, was born in Ely in 1980 out of a need from outfitters requiring gear that could withstand the rigors of being on trail all season long. With a roll of fabric, some thread, and the determination of crafting 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 for seven years and is the director of Rock Ridge Christian Camp since 2015.  We enjoy being able to take our personal experiences and knowledge and incorporatethat into how we design and build products for Portage North and share the wilderness experience with others.

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.

From our families to yours,
Michael and Corissa Larson