canoeing barrel backpacks???

[goatariba]

i have used these for ATLEAST 15 years so far as i can remember. i was simply curious as to whether others do aswell?
completely waterproof ofcourse. fit in a canoe seamlessly. no sharp corners to effect a canoe and low profile to portage as well.
basically BOMBPROOF packs. also animal proof !!!
they are designed flawlessly for this purpose, exterior handles and all
just wanted to bring up somethin i hadn't seen discussed.
plus they float. haha well unless you fill'em with concrete ofcourse.
just was hoping to open a discussion on them. users? haters? lovers? questioners?
personally i have owned and used several 60litre versions over the last 15 years or so.
regards
Russell

 

[Bushman5]

used the smaller 35 liter one for many years when i was a bike messenger. LOVE those barrel packs!

 

[Mack]

I'd never seen one before. It's been many years since my canoe was stolen but earlier this year I got a new one. I may have to try those out.
Thanks.

 

[dipbait]

where do you get them and how much are they?

 

[Hassilov]

I have both 30 liter and 60 liter barrels with harnesses. IMO, they are the best way to carry and store food. The airtight seal keeps the scent inside. As long as you are diligent in keeping the outside clean, you can be pretty certain that animals will not focus on it. I once had a bear paw my barrel, then walk away. That wouldn't happen if it was a fabric food pack. Even though they aren't bear proof (he can eventually chew through the plastic) they are the best defense I know. Better than olive barrels. And being waterproof, they're ideal for canoeing.

 

[Hassilov]

where do you get them and how much are they?

Look to canoe outfitters, like Piragis

 

[dipbait]

Whoa, 60 bucks.!

I use an old igloo water jug. Its water tight , floats and free. It will hold a camera, wallet, cel phone, .38 revolver and toilet paper.

 

[Hassilov]

I agree, that price is rediculous. I paid $34.00 for my 60 liter and $20.00 for my 30 liter. Harnesses vary in price – you get what you pay for with those.

 

[kgd]

My old buddies used to run an outfitter company that canoed up the Seal River in Manitoba. They use the barrels to great effect. For all the qualities above mentioned. The key is that they really lock up. So if you do go down, you can recover your gear even (most times) if that involves them spilling over rapids and such. Coolers won't survive that. The seals are true seals not just a tight fitting lid. They won't come undone, they can survive being underwater better than any dry bag I know of.

They are animal proof. Coolers are not. I've had raccoons unlock the latches off of my coolers in the past. If I bring one now, I also bring a heavy duty rubber bunjee cord to wrap around them.

Depending on the contents of your barrel, you can roll them. They also pack together well as a group. The rounded sides let them inter-lock when grouped together.

If you stick with the same size barrels, you can have one or two (for multiple people carry) for many barrels (oh the other life of running your own outfitter company - you are a sherpa too!).

 

[Zaner01]

I use a 60 L barrel for canoe-tripping with the family. I'm gonna need a smaller one for solo trips.

Best food pack going; as mentioned above, if the outside is clean, the air-tight seal keeps food odours from attracting animals. And it's water-tight, fits well in a canoe, and floats.

A lot of places overcharge for the barrels. It's the harness you should end up paying more for, as the barrels themselves are second-hand.

Only downside is the weight of a fully loaded 60 L food barrel. But it gets lighter as you eat.

 

[skitertank]

pretty cool,ive never seen one of those

 

[sasha]

first time seeing one that is one heck of a good idea... I seen one guy in the sierra with two five gallon buckets straped to some kind of a harness. He was atlist a day and a half into the wilderness.

Sasha

 

[LMT66]

Make sure you wash these out well if they have been used for food ingredients. I used to pick these up stuffed with sausage or animal parts packed in preservatives for food companies.

 

[Hassilov]

Make sure you wash these out well if they have been used for food ingredients. I used to pick these up stuffed with sausage or animal parts packed in preservatives for food companies.

Yes, another good point.

You can't tell what was inside used barrels. Could be photo chemicals, animal parts, whatever. If it's iffy, pass on it and get a new one. Store it at home without the lid on so it doesn't build up odor inside.

And use a pin through the latch. It's the weak point. A bear can flip it open otherwise.

 

[bulgron]

Those look decent for storing food in your car when car camping in bear country. I found them for considerably less money than Piragis with only a minimum Google effort.