"Nice size but not tall enough for one liter MSR fuel bottles"

Why would you put these in a dry box?  I leave them outside the plastic liner in my pack and put them in the bottom because I don't care if they get wet.

The whole liner and water proof issue surprises me.  I've never used more than a pack and plastic liner - the heavy clear vinyl ones outfitters often supply - and never ahd a problem - including a dump in white caps in October - 40 minutes from shore.  (My lack of wearing pfd  was clearly partially offset by the very bouyant packs.)  Everything inside was bone dry.

"October, white caps, 40 minutes from shore and NO pfd
Now that surprises me  "

See the other thread about me trying to find a pfd I might actually wear or at least wear some percentage of the time.

Jim J Solo wrote on Jun 27^th, 2012 at 6:03pm:

Ha! From REI no less. 

8 gal is too small for such a big footprint IMHO. Looks like overkill to me.

Quote:


Of everything I've seen in this "genre" this one intrigues me, in that it looks comfortable.  We use the food barrel, (as well as another food pack), to haul our stuff.  I wonder how this "box" compares in size and comfort to a barrel?  Mad Mat -- have you seen and/or tried this on a trip?

prouboy

I have that same problem far too often as well Dadman but I've had to dig them out often enough to know where I last stuck 'em. Here's thumbs that link to slightly bigger images (hey, screens were smaller way back when). Keep in mind I never said my solution was perfect or elegant. I did it on the cheap when I was in college yet I've never felt a desire to improve upon the current version. What began as a what if, a work in progress based on need, improved on successive trips until - hey, good enough. State of the art at the time was a garbage bag inside a (way out of my price range) traditional canvas bag. Consider them food for thought like prouboy's hardpack wannigan link.

Here it is as it would be configured for hanging or travel. Notice the flexible lid is secured at 8 points.


Next shows how I rigged the shoulder straps. The white duct tape on the bottom holds (2L bottle) plastic that acts like a belt loop for the main two straps that keep it closed.


Next shows the hip belt. The two straps left and right are the shoulder strap bottoms. It is what makes it comfortable to portage.


Here's a detail that shows the simple block of wood stuck inside the handle at the only manufacture's provided holes. It also shows part of a foamcore divider that separates my food from my stove, pots ... for solo trips.


I freely admit this is a very personalized contraption and in a way I'm rather embarrassed to show them these days but I'm a frugal guy and it's allowed me to do this for less than a buck a trip over it's lifetime. Makes up for the funny looks I get at portages.


The first time my friend brought a Rubbermaid box for his personal gear I scoffed too and I still would as a bag would work better. The boxes this thread is discussing look like good, serious gear to me. The tradeoff could be price and weight and I wouldn't be surprised if the barrel harnesses currently on the market fit these as well but for convenience sake, a box beats a barrel or a garbage bag lined bag any day IMO - especially a cold nasty rainy day, when at the end of a portage, you find your day-foodpack lacking that little nosh that just might put a smile back on your face.

FWIW - LL Bean carries the same damn (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) and they don't say what it weighs either! It's gotta be way freaken heavy. Weight is important but convenience is too.