I am looking for a "barrel" with shoulder straps that can be used to portage and store food during a week long canoe trip. Anyone have suggestions on a vendor that carries such a product? I have found options for a harness system but have not located the actual barrel.

Recreational Barrel Works is where we got ours.

Thanks. Our order has been placed!

Boundary Waters Catalog

Hopefully you already know this but there is a difference between "bear" barrel and a "blue" barrel. A certified bear barrel is extremely bear resistant, nearly 100%. A blue barrel is generally larger and can store much more food, kitchen gear, etc. It will slow a bear down compared to a typical portage pack but they can bite through it if they have enough time or if the scent is strong enough for them to really want to get into it. A blue barrel if used properly will keep food dry and almost anything smaller than a bear out. I say used properly because there are a lot of posts about critters and bears getting into a blue barrel in the middle of camp during the day when humans are present because the lid was not secured. Nothing like having a mouse, chipmunk, or squirrel getting locked in a blue barrel for a few hours or overnight. It would probably tear open every package and eat itself to death.

Northwoodsman: "Hopefully you already know this but there is a difference between "bear" barrel and a "blue" barrel. A certified bear barrel is extremely bear resistant, nearly 100%. A blue barrel is generally larger and can store much more food, kitchen gear, etc. It will slow a bear down compared to a typical portage pack but they can bite through it if they have enough time or if the scent is strong enough for them to really want to get into it. A blue barrel if used properly will keep food dry and almost anything smaller than a bear out. I say used properly because there are a lot of posts about critters and bears getting into a blue barrel in the middle of camp during the day when humans are present because the lid was not secured. Nothing like having a mouse, chipmunk, or squirrel getting locked in a blue barrel for a few hours or overnight. It would probably tear open every package and eat itself to death."

Very well said, Northwoodsman! I especially like the part about "used properly". To ensure it doesn't smell like food, I am more careful about making sure my hands are clean before touching my barrel than I am before taking out and disinfecting my contact lenses. And if the lid is not on, it doesn't work at all!