Hey Ranger/MP
Thanks for the feedback.

Ranger,
I don’t think they’ll pack any different than the square clear Rubbermaid boxes because they fit the same way in my pack and I can cinch the side straps to fit them.
Biggest thing is you can’t see thru the barrels, but that’s really not a problem IF you pack each the right way. I’ll label one for Breakfast/Lunch other for Dinners and adult refreshments.

There TOTAL volume is a tad shy of my two boxes, but not enough to make a significant difference. Weight wise they weigh a little more, BUT since I’m not bringing my pulley rope system, it should just about even out.

I plan on double bagging the bucket liner NOT so much for water proofing, more for an extra layer of ODOR protection. It can’t hurt and doesn’t add any negligible weight.

MP,
On my 21 day solo, I used a variation of the plastic boxes. Instead of 2 boxes, I went with 3-15 QT boxes for a total of 45 qts. I had room to spare and I also brought back at least 3-4 days of food/drink mix because like usual I over packed which is better than under packing.

2-5 gal bucket at 20 qts a piece gives you about 40 qts. I might have to pack the buckets a little bit differently, but I’m sure they’d easily hold enough food for 3 weeks plus. I eat better than most, bring 3 bottles of coffee/cocoa booze and DON’T plan on catching fish for a meal.

That’s why I always end up with more food than I need. I don’t plan on changing my style of tripping until my body tells me I can’t do it anymore.

When that happens I could easily lighten my food pack by cutting back on the type of food I bring and the alcohol.

I find that it’s not the weight per say that bothers me, it’s the weight on my shoulders that give out long before my legs do.
I’m going to try something this trip to see if by spreading the load out better on my shoulders, it will eliminate that issue.

I've looked for a long time and think I might have found the answer?
They make Velcro on shoulder straps for those backpack type garden sprayers you see people using for fertilizer/bug control. There 5” wide and 14” long.

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I figure they’ll should make a noticeable difference carrying that heavy food pack and IF they work as I think they will, I’ll take them off the food pack and put them on gear pack so when I portage canoe it will help my shoulders there too.