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Break free from barrel harness dread

Voyageur Canoe Barrel Harness

“Blindfolded, you would be hard-pressed to guess you’re wearing a barrel, even with that information you would probably guess 10 pounds light.” Trent D.

Regular price $207.00 CAD
Regular price $207.00 CAD Sale price $207.00 CAD
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Shipping calculated at checkout.

Don’t let food barrel harness dread keep you from portaging into solitude. 😕Shoulder and back strain? 🥺Excruciating lower back pressure? 😵Being knocked off balance on the trail?  This canoe barrel harness is the solution!It is the only one that✅is custom-fit so it hugs your body✅has an extra thick, contoured foam back that flattens all the curves of the barrel✅has a soft, cushy layer against your back.  This harness feels like a pack! No pressure on your spine or lower back.  💥Our one-of-a-kind Upper Adjustment Buckle for the shoulder straps allows you to pull the top of the barrel closer to your centre of gravity so the barrel doesn’t throw you off balance.

Sizing Chart
Shoulder Strap Size *CHEST Circumference
Hip Belt Size *HIP Circumference

Canoe Trip-Ready Features

UPPER ADJUSTMENT -Gamechanger! The extra 3” pulls the top of the barrel closer to your back. So it doesn’t pull backwards. Use the Lower Adjustment if you have a short back.

LUXURIOUS CONTOURED BACK –Our extra thick, ergonomically contoured foam eliminates pressure on your spine and is sooo comfy with a heavy load.

CUSTOM-FIT - So your load is held securely, close to your body. More comfortable, stable and safer on the portages.

GRAB AND HAUL – 3 padded handles on the front and back for easy lifting. We guarantee them not to fail.

TUMPLINE (optional) - Choose from the TRAD Tump, or the wider, curvier RAD tump.

VOLUME - Easily fits 60L and 30L canoe barrels.

WEIGHT - 1.63 kg / 3 lb 6 oz of comfort and toughness (harness only)

COLOUR - Purple

Technical Specs

VOLUME - Easily fits 60L and 30L canoe barrels.

WEIGHT - 1.63 kg / 3 lb 6 oz of comfort and toughness (harness only)

Ultra-Thick CONTOURED Back Pad

  • So soft! And flat! (It really does feel like our canoe packs.)There is 3/4”/19mm cushy reticulated foam over the contoured form made of dense EVA foam.
  • Lumbar pad has 1"/25mm soft ether foam over a layer of 3/8”/9.5mm dense EVA foam.

Curvy S-Shaped Shoulder Straps

  • S-shaped shoulder straps curve in all the right places and fit all genders. Choice of sizes (S, M, L, XL) means they don’t pinch.
  • Shoulder straps have two layers of foam to spread the weight so they don’t dig in. (3/8”/9.5mm high-quality EVA dense foam & 1/2”/13mm soft ether foam)

Cushy Padded Hip Belt

  • Comfortable for all genders. (S, M, L, XL) (3/8”/9.5mm high-quality EVA dense foam and 1/2”/13mm soft ether foam)

High Quality Materials

  • National Molding Duraflex buckles you can rely on. 
  • High-density EVA foam does not compress over time.
  • Check out our Forever Guarantee.

Durable Construction

  • High-stress areas are reinforced with a bar-tack. (shoulder strap and hip belt attachments, handles) 

Giving Back

This year your purchase helps us donate packs to Project Canoe and Trails Youth Initiative. Nonprofits that get youth out on trip.

Custom-Fit. All Genders.

Interchangeable shoulder strap and hip belt sizes for a canoe barrel harness that fits like a glove.

  • S/M/L/XL shoulder straps
  • S/M/L/XL hip belt

Quick and easy measurement steps are here.

How to Measure For The Perfect Barrel Harness

Forever Warranty

Buy once ... have it for a lifetime. More details here.

Free Shipping

  • Free domestic shipping on orders over $125
  • 65% off shipping to the U.S.
  • See shipping and returns policy here.

Get The Perfect Fit Canoe Barrel Harness In 3 Easy Steps

Step-By-Step Sizing Instructions

Follow the steps below to select your shoulder strap and hip belt sizes. (S, M, L, XL)

It’s quick and easy, and your back will love you for it! 

You will need a cloth measuring tape. Or some cord and a ruler. 

If you’re between sizes - simply select the larger size. 

Custom-fit Promise! If it doesn’t fit, we’ll make it right.

Reach out if you have any questions!

  • Custom-Fit Promise

    Awesome comfort and fit for all genders. Any body shape and size.

    If it doesn’t fit, we’ll make it right.
  • Free Shipping in Canada

    Free domestic shipping on orders over $125.

    65% off shipping to the U.S. on orders over $125.

  • Forever Warranty

    Buy once ... have it for a lifetime.

  • Youth on Canoe Trips

    This year your purchase helps us donate packs to Project Canoe and Trails Youth Initiative. Nonprofits that get kids out on trip.

Customer Reviews

Based on 11 reviews
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N
Norma

There are 3 stand-outs for me with this harness. 1. The substantial padding on the straps, back, and hip belt. 2. The contoured frame that hugs the barrel, heping keep it firmly in place. 3. The placement of the weight-adjusting straps at/near the top of the barrel, allowing me to pull the weight closer to my body. This harnedd is a game changer for me.

S
Shane F.
Baby Bigfoot in a Barrel

If I tell the absolute truth, surely I will be accused of being a fake review. I am 60, born in a canoe on Rio Del Pesones. This is by far the best barrel harness I have ever seen up close. Only exception being fleeting glimpses and blurry photos of the type of harness used by Bigfoot, Sasquatch, and Ol’Boggy Creek monster, these are the best available most likely. Certainly I am aware there is a Sasquatch original barrel harness at Area 51 in Nevada. When that harness technology is reverse engineered and then made public, you won’t be alive, or if you are alive you won’t be able to afford it. Ostrom is the best barrel harness on the planet earth currently available to ordinary human beings. Believe it or not, the weight of this question will be on your back, not mine. I have an Ostrom barrel harness, I am a believer.

T
Trent
Bold claims

Bold claims… Like many I thought that the outlandish claims made by ostrom wouldn’t hold up. And can you really blame me? So often companies make similar claims with zero intention on backing them up. NOT HERE!!

Blindfolded you would be hard pressed to guess you’re wearing a barrel, even with that information you would probably guess 10 pounds light.

I’ve had 33 kg in a 60l barrel without issue.

Build quality is top notch, little details (such as big finger loops on the key adjustments) elevate this harness even further

The top straps are very handy (an 1170 peli case is a match made in heaven) and provide a little extra ring security in case of a swift water swim

Neutral observations (not deal breakers but to be considered)

Mission critical plastic components. again, not a downside and lends to the custom fit nature. But I definitely picked up a few more replacements for my collection before embarking on a long trip.

IMO spare parts should be standard practice anyway. (slip them into the bottom of the padding pocket if you don’t use a parts bag)

Holds water longer than other harnesses, naturally going to happen with the decadent padding then other harnesses.

It can be a bit of a wake-up on the first portage of a frosty morning

And easy 5/5

“The upper load adjuster is a piece of magic frankly” Peter H

Unique to Ostrom Outdoors

Think about the last time you carried a barrel.

If you’re like most people you spent the entire portage hunched forward. Trying to ignore the fact that the barrel was pulling you backwards.

That’s why the “Upper Adjustment” is such a gamechanger.

That shoulder stabilizer strap now attaches 3” higher to the top of the barrel.

So when you cinch it…it actually pulls the barrel closer to your back.

And the load closer to your centre of gravity.

If you have a short back, simply attach to the Lower Adjustment.

Comfort and Reliability for a Lifetime of Memories

Read on for Technical Specifications

Ultra-Thick CONTOURED Back Pad

  • So soft! And flat! (It really does feel like our canoe packs.)There is 3/4”/19mm cushy reticulated foam over the contoured form made of dense EVA foam.
  • Lumbar pad has 1"/25mm soft ether foam over a layer of 3/8”/9.5mm dense EVA foam.

Curvy S-Shaped Shoulder Straps

  • S-shaped shoulder straps curve in all the right places and fit all genders. Choice of sizes (S, M, L, XL) means they don’t pinch.

  • Shoulder straps have two layers of foam to spread the weight so they don’t dig in. (3/8”/9.5mm high-quality EVA dense foam & 1/2”/13mm soft ether foam)

Cushy Padded Hip Belt

  • Comfortable for all genders. (S, M, L, XL) (3/8”/9.5mm high-quality EVA dense foam and 1/2”/13mm soft ether foam)

Collapsible row

High Quality Materials

  • National Molding Duraflex buckles you can rely on. 
  • High-density EVA foam does not compress over time.
  • Check out our Forever Guarantee.

Durable Construction

  • High-stress areas are reinforced with a bar-tack. (shoulder strap and hip belt attachments, handles) 

You know you want this barrel harness - what's stopping you?

All Your Questions Answered!

What if I make an error on my sizing?

Reach out! We send you instructions on how to check the fit.

Our custom-fit promise means that we’ll work with you to make sure you have the right sizing.

Our shoulder straps and hip belt are interchangeable and easy to switch out. (We even have video instructions!)

 

We cover all shipping costs.

Is custom-fit worth the investment?

Here's something to think about. Portages will get harder as you get older. (Trust us!) Your pack will feel heavier and the smallest twist of an ankle or knee on the portage could wreck your summer.

A pack or harness that fits means you will be more surefooted and comfortable on the trail. So you can be confident in getting out summer after summer, perhaps on more challenging trips. (Quetico or the BWCA anyone?)

Thinking about the next 30 years…How does that return on investment sound?

“We loaded the pack up to about 55-60lbs and my husband helped me get it on my back and tighten everything up. It was a dream!!!

No more pain on my neck and shoulders from ill-fitting straps, and a waist belt that actually came to my waist and tightened up, and stayed in place. The portaging was SO MUCH EASIER for me!” C

What’s the warranty?

Our Forever Warranty means that our products are warrantied to any owner for the lifetime of the product against defects in materials or workmanship under normal use.

If your Ostrom Outdoors product fails due to a material or manufacturing defect, we will repair or replace it at our option.

Read more.

Canada Shipping

Free shipping on orders over $125 to the provinces and 65% off to the territories. You can select your ground courier at checkout.

View our shipping policy.

What is your return policy?

Any unused product can be returned for refund or exchange
within 30 days of when you receive it.

You are responsible for return shipping costs.

Contact us to initiate a return.

View our full returns policy.

Shipping to the U.S.

65% off shipping on orders over $125. You can choose your ground courier at checkout.

Read our shipping policy.

Shipping outside of N. America

Contact us to ask for a shipping quote. Keep in mind that your order may be subject to import duties, taxes and/or brokerage fees. These costs will be your responsibility, and we suggest you check with local import authorities before completing your purchase.

Why are your packs heavier than others?

Custom-Fit

Interchangeable shoulder straps and hip belt, and the adjustable torso all require extra buckles, fabric, webbing and reinforcement.

Obviously, we feel the pros outweigh the cons of a little extra weight.

Imagine feeling more comfortable, surefooted and confident on the portages. And wanting to go further into the backcountry.

Durability

Yeah, we took a hard look at ways to reduce weight…but it meant compromising on durability.

Check out the extra fabric and webbing to reinforce the suspension system and high-stress areas.

Making sure you have a pack you can rely on in the backcountry is the backbone of our Forever Warranty.

Have a question we didn't answer?

Send Bill a quick message. We're happy to help.

35 Years of Helping Paddlers Discover the Joys of Portaging

We’ve been tripping with our families since we were kids. And got so fed up with uncomfortable canoe packs and nasty barrel harnesses that Bill just had to design a solution.

He first looked to backpack designs for inspiration. The result was:

  • the first-ever internal frame portage pack. (So impressive with heavy loads.)
  • the first barrel harness with a contoured foam back pad and Upper Adjustment. (Game changer!)
  • and the first to offer custom-fit … because carrying 50+ lbs in a one-size-fits-all pack is unnecessarily painful.

“It was a blast being the lead designer for the Canadian Armed Forces Rucksack and Small Pack
System. We used scientific research and field testing to fully understand how pack design impacts load carriage, load control and weight transfer. It dramatically changed my approach to design. Custom-sizing does matter.
Bill Ostrom