So I ordered this 8 Gallon Drum

I am trying to figure out a way to carry it, I've seen the nifty straps that people sell but I'm not paying $75 for that.

My thought was to maybe dump it into an Army seabag/dufflebag and just use it that way.

The DIY in my thinks that I could rig something up.

This will be used for a food pack.

It will probably fit in one of the bags you suggested, just use some padding inside so it softens your back.

Just to let you know the barrels with the molded handles like you ordered are a little thinner material than the common BWCA blue barrel.

Yep....backpack 2-strap duffles are cheap priced and will get you by. You might also try 'kondosoutdoors' barrel harness (sales sometimes) or google 'NRS Paragon pack'. used to be around 50 bucks. Duffles surplus around 10-15.

I have used the same barrel in an army duffel. There's plenty of room for more gear in the bag as well. You may want to add a waist belt to it if you're loading it full and doing long portages.

I'm curios, is this unit bear proof? I would think with the handle and thinner material it would be fairly easy for a bear to rip into it if they wanted. Are you still planning on hanging it or just stashing it away from the camp/smells of the campsite.

I have seen these before and they are a great price but not if they don't serve the purpose you are intending them for.

I'm just thinking that eight gallons of food would be like a half of the summer for me! Of course one can put more than just food in it.

I had a 13 gallon one that I strapped onto a backpack frame. It worked great. I also had a 15 gallon that fit into an army surplus bag that cost me like $10 at the Winona Farm & Fleet.

quote dprochef: "I'm curios, is this unit bear proof? I would think with the handle and thinner material it would be fairly easy for a bear to rip into it if they wanted. Are you still planning on hanging it or just stashing it away from the camp/smells of the campsite.


I have seen these before and they are a great price but not if they don't serve the purpose you are intending them for. "

Fishguts has a picture that he'll be posting shortly I assume...

The plan was to hang it still. I just didn't want to spend the ridiculous amount for food packs.

I'm going up there for the first time so we'll see, I figure I'll only be into this setup for under 50 bucks, if it doesn't work. Oh well.

Thanks for the info guys!

Nice find Zarzinger, are these units waterproof? I have the traditional blue barrel, but the closure/lid is slightly different. I have been thinking of getting another (these are less than half the price of the traditional blue barrel), but want to make sure the closure is waterproof.

I have placed my barrel in a #3 Duluth pack along with other stuff and carried it no problem. A surplus duffel would likely work fine as well.

Yep, ye ole 'Fishguts picture' will show you the other blue barrels arent bearproof either. And yes, these cheaper barrels are waterproof. Submersible? maybe for a while. They have a gasket/ sealin the lid with a metal cinch. I think SMELL is most of the battle anyway. Once a bear smells and WANTS IN IT;;;;;he's gonna GET IN IT! The only thing I don't like about the cheap barrels are the inset handles as opposed to the other black handles. (Minor imo) One thing I do like is the 'flat' that rests against your back as opposed to the round that rolls back and forth on your spine on the higher priced barrels.