Marten wrote on Aug 6^th, 2013 at 7:52pm:

Magicpaddler wrote on Aug 6th, 2013 at 6:09pm: The 7 gallon bucket is taller than the 5 gallon.  When you carry one on a portage it drags the ground or you need to carry it with your elbow bent.  I made a handle that puts your hand very near the top of the bucket and this makes it much easier to carry. A problem to ponder. Perhaps a flip up handle or strap could be attached to the screw on lid. I would love to get rid of the pails wire handle

I have a 5 gallon bucket I use with a tool insert to carry items when I'm doing small home improvement type jobs.
I never liked the wire handles because they would snag up at the most inopportune times.
I removed the wire handle and drilled a 3/8 hole into bucket and made a rope handle with a foam rubber handle that is shorter than wire handle but still folds out of the way.
You could do the same with 5-7 gallon bucket, or maybe rig a removable rope handle and some sort of clip arrangement to attach it.
I always thought that if I ever became a hider rather than a hanger, I'd want a food bucket/barrel that wouldn't have an easy way for a critter to drag it off like a permanent wire/rope handle.