Thinking about food packs. I am exploring the differences between an insulated food pack, a dedicated 60L barrel and pack, and possibly a pack that could fit two 30L barrels. Likely would try and get the packs from CCS.

First, does anyone know if two 30L barrels would fit in a Cooke Custom Sewing Guide Pack? Next, would there be an advantage to two 30L barrels, VS one dedicated 60L barrel and pack?

Finally, is there a strong reason to get the insulated food pack over a barrel?

Thanks
Dan

CCS Deluxe Food Pack has more volume (4968 cu. in.) than a 60 liter barrel (3661 cu. in.) plus it is already insulated for fresh or frozen food. You'd have to insulate at least a portion of a barrel if you want to have fresh food. The CCS Solo Food Pack is smaller than a 60 liter barrel by 350 cu. in.

I have the CCS Quad Pack and a 60L blue barrel and it is very good equipment. But it is also heavy. The combined weight is over 11.7 lbs. It holds a lot of food! I use it for group/family trips with 4 or more people. I recommend thinking about the weight of big packs like these and who will be carrying it especially at the start of the trip. I have started trips with the full 60L barrel and pack weighing over 70 lbs.

OK, the CCS insulated pack, solo vs group pack. If I am going for a week with three people, I assume the CCS group size pack. Even if I don't fill it, I think that is what I need. Agree/disagree/ thoughts?

Next, if I go out solo, would the solo pack work for a week long trip?

Finally, if I went the route of getting the solo insulated CCS food pack, I am thinking fill that up with food, and if I need more space, add the additional items sealed up in the other pack?

Thoughts?

Thank you
Dan

I use the 60 liter barrel pack and love it.

If you go the insulated route you will have to hang it or roll the dice on critters getting in there. I would avoid this as I’m always looking for ways to minimize chores and maximize relaxation time when I’m up there, but you may not mind it. Just something to think about.

A week for three people should be pretty much perfect for the 60 liter barrel. Any extra space can be filled with camp kitchen gear.

Hi Tarnkt,
May I ask what type of pack or harness system do you use for the barrel. I have heard from some, they are not the most comfortable to portage.

Thanks! And of course muddying the water a bit on the decision!!!

Dan

DanC333: "Hi Tarnkt,
May I ask what type of pack or harness system do you use for the barrel. I have heard from some, they are not the most comfortable to portage.


Thanks! And of course muddying the water a bit on the decision!!!


Dan"

I use the ccs barrel pack. There is some padding on your back to help with comfort. It’s much better than the outfitter harness systems I used to rent.

Thanks.

I use a 60 L barrel with a North Water Quick Haul harness. They have worked well. I find it comfortable to portage. I bought them as a package from Recreationl Barrel Works. Recreactional Barrel Works no longer sells the North Water harness but rather sells an Ostrom harness. When I purchased mine the Ostrom harness was no longer being made but had been very highly rated. Since then the Ostrom harness has been brought back and is now part of their package. Links are posted below.

If you get a barrel, you might want to consider barrel organizers. My wife made some for us. They work well. They separate your food into three layers that can be removed one at a time. It certainly helps with the problem of what I want is always at the bottom of the barrel. I don't bring stuff that needs to be insulated. However, you can get insulated organizer layers.

Recreational Barrel Works

North Water Quick Haul Harness

Thanks! Followed link, just to look, everything sold out at moment! Wow, guess, folks are getting out there!

We have always used Ursacks and love them. They shrink as you go thru your food and they are tough as nails.

I was very close to purchasing an insulated food pack, but then decided to go barrel. I did not want to have to hang the pack. That was the deciding factor for me. I just have a basic harness. It's not super comfortable, but good enough to get down the trail. I might look at getting barrel pack someday. For group basecamp trips, we bring barrel and an 65qt Yeti cooler. THAT is P.I.T.A., but we eat very well all week.

I am really split on the two options here. I am concerned about the weight difference between an empty barrel and an empty pack, I would guess the insulated food container would weigh less, but how much, enough to be a difference to consider?

DanC333: " I am really split on the two options here. I am concerned about the weight difference between an empty barrel and an empty pack, I would guess the insulated food container would weigh less, but how much, enough to be a difference to consider? "

Take a look at the Piragis catalog. A 60L barrel coupled with the Granite Gear Vapor Flatbed Harness (for 1 carrying option) weighs 10.15 pounds. The CCS Deluxe Food Pack weighs 4.2 pounds. The difference is 6 pounds and the total price is about the same. The barrel is waterproof and relatively odor-proof as long as the lid seal remains in good shape. The insulated pack has a larger volume, is designed for fresh food, is lighter by 6 pounds, but is not waterproof or odor proof (you'd have to employ additional means to achieve those characteristics).

If I may suggest a way to test these options: Rent both from Piragis for a short trip to evaluate them simultaneously.

I weighted my 60 L barrel and North Water harness with a few carabiners and a shower curtain ring (locks the lid on) attached on a bathroom scale and it seemed to be about 10 lbs. The scale is not accurate enough for me to estimate the ounces (plus or minus). The Ostrom harness and 60 L barrel that is on the Recreational Barrel Works site weights 9.6 lbs according to their data. This is pretty similar to the data Ausable provided for the barrel/Granite Gear harness. A barrel will keep rodents out. The pack zips shut but a rodent might be able to chew through the pack. The barrel is definitely not bear proof but will probably deter a less determined bear. The prices at Recreation Barrel Works are, however, better than the others. Of course, there are sales, prices change, lots of vendors etc., but here is what I found.

Recreational Barrel Works 60L barrel and Ostrom harness package: $131.51 (USD).
Recreational Barrel Works 60L barrel only: $43.94 (USD)
Recreational Barrel Works Ostrom harness only: $91.57 (USD)

CCS Deluxe Food Pack (from CCS): $250
CCS 60 L barrel packs (pack only, no barrel): $145 (plain)or $215 (quad pocket)

Boundary Waters Catalog :
Kondos Harness only: $100
Granite Gear Harness only: $150
60 L Barrel only: $95

North Water Quick Haul Harness only (from North Water): $152.22 (USD)

In the end I went with Recreational Barrel Works because I liked the features and the price. I also had a good but unusual experience when purchasing. When I ordered my stuff it was shipped promptly but when the package arrived in Chicago, the United States government shut down. That included the post office/customs and my barrel ended up stuck in the airport. I called the owner, Andy Baxter (you may have seen him in Kevin Callan, the Happy Camper, videos). He traced the shipment from the Canadian end found the Canadian post office got it to the U.S. I traced from the U.S. end and found nothing. He was going to ship me a new barrel and harness when the order showed up at my house. I called and told him not to ship a new one. The U.S. post office never found the barrel after they traced it and a couple of months after the barrel arrived informed me that they couldn't find it. I tried to tell the post office it had arrived but somehow the message never got through. At any rate, I figured Andy who owns Recreational Barrel Works stood by me in this transaction.

(some links in my previous post)