This is a comprehensive review of the Recreational Barrel Works Barrel for someone who has used it on a variety trips. You’ll learn important information about the barrel, performance, specs, real-world experience, and comparison to other options to help you decide if this barrel is for you.
What’s black and silver and blue all over? Obviously, it’s a canoe tripping barrel!! My inner Ron Popeil wants to go on a rhyming rant about how amazing these are, but I cannot think of a word that rhymes with barrel for the life of me. Wait one Minute, Gotta get that BARREL APPAREL!! That’s the ticket.
Recreational Barrel Works Barrel
$108.95
Recreational Barrel Works Barrel Review Features an air-tight plastic lid, metal snap-closure and two durable external folding handles. **$30 shipping charge on all Barrels** Features Lever-Lock Closure LidTwo external side handlesReplacement Parts Available 20L Flat bottom stable for use on… Read More
Recreational Barrel Works Barrel Review
Recreational Barrel Works Barrel Overview
The Recreational Barrel Works Barrel looks like an oversized heavy duty blue Tupperware container. You see these things around in most reputable paddle shops, like both AQ Outdoors stored in Alberta Canada, but what are they for?
We sell these barrels for the primary purpose of canoe tripping storage. They work well for food stuffs (and whatever else you can jam in there) as they can be tough for critters to get into, although not impossible. It drastically reduces your chances of your breakfast going missing while at camp or getting wet if it falls overboard. Don’t forget to take extra precautions when in bear country, and especially if you're close to a gaggle of raccoons.
Recreational Barrel Works Barrel Performance
The Barrelworks Barrels perform as expected, my food was always dry when needed. I’ve brought them on a few different trips over the years and haven’t had food spoiled by a critter or from the elements yet.
When you pair the Barrels with a barrel pack like the Harmony Dry Storage Barrel Harness or the Level Six Bad Hass Barrel Pack you get a barrel/pack combo that makes portages dreamy. Compared to other barrels, The Barrelworks Barrels are the best bang for your buck with superb performance (it barrels very well) and a great price point.
Level Six Bad Hass Adjustable Barrel Pack
$140.00
The Bad Hass barrel pack is the perfect tool for keeping your gear dry on your water-based expeditions. It features a fully integrated harness system, air mesh padding throughout, and a structured shoulder harness and waist belt. The Harness is… Read More
Recreational Barrel Works Barrel Specs
These barrels are available in three different Sizes. All sizes come with a lid and metal ring. Extra replacement parts are available if you're clumsy like me and drop your ring to the bottom of a lake.
20 litre / 5.3 US Gal
Flat bottomed (works well in fishing kayak tank wells)
1.4kg (3.1 lbs)
31cm / 12” in diameter
37cm / 14.5” in height
98cm/ 38½” max circumference
30L / 8 US Gal
Smaller, works well for weekend trips
Works with barrel harness
2 kg (4.4 lbs)
31cm / 12" in diameter
52cm / 20½" in height
98cm/ 38½” max circumference
60 Litre / 16 US Gal
Works best for longer excursions and adventures
3.6kg / 8 lbs
39cm / 15½" in diameter
63cm / 24¾" in height
125cm / 49¼" max circumference
Comparison to Other Paddling Storage Options
We don’t carry other brand barrels in the shop, to compare the Barrelworks barrels to, but we do carry similar products like NRS tuff sack and Bills Bags which are popular drybags amongst paddlers and trippers alike.
NRS Tuff Sack Dry Bag
$34.95
NRS Tuff Sack Dry Bag Review With the NRS Tuff Sack Dry Bag, you just drop your gear in the bag, fold down that watertight closure and forget about it. Professional outfitters around the globe rely on the NRS Tuff… Read More
NRS 65L Bills Bag Dry Bags
$264.95
Since 1977, outfitters, guides and weekend warriors have relied on Bill's Bags to keep their overnight gear dry trip after trip, year after year. This midsize dry bag can compact enough to fit in overhead compartments of most airlines and… Read More
When compared to a dry bag the barrels are definitely more durable and can stand up to more rugged abuse. The bags being not as rigid can and do fit into more nooks and crannies when loading the canoe, and also don’t require an extra harness to portage. To be honest, most trippers use both.
Barrel Vacuum/ Pressure Release Seal
Fun fact, food barrels are blue because it’s the food safe barrel industry standard. Another question we often get is: “What’s that red tab in some of the lids for?”
I couldn’t come up with a better answer than Barrel Works themselves, so it's quoted below.:
“The red-tab is a vacuum/pressure release for the seal in the lid. If a large temperature or pressure change occurs, barrels can form a vacuum (often displaying the sides of the barrel sucked inward) or become pressurized.
A pressurized barrel can shoot the lid upward when you take the ring off. A vacuum could mean you can’t pull the lid off. This problem doesn’t usually happen during field use unless the barrel is sitting in direct sunlight for an extended period.
To install the vacuum release pull-tab (or substitute a cable tie) insert through one of the two available slots in the lid before you close the barrel. Pulling the tab out will temporarily break the vacuum or release the pressure so you can remove the lid.”
Recreational Barrel Works Barrel Review Conclusion
For more FAQ you can check out the Barrelworks FAQ section.
For the food storage, security, and ease of use, the minute investment for a quality barrel is well worth it. When paired with a barrel harness it will change your canoe tripping life for the better. If treated right, the Recreational Barrel Works Barrel will last for years.
Cheers
Andy, Aquabatics Edmonton Manager
Recreational Barrel Works Barrel
$108.95
Recreational Barrel Works Barrel Review Features an air-tight plastic lid, metal snap-closure and two durable external folding handles. **$30 shipping charge on all Barrels** Features Lever-Lock Closure LidTwo external side handlesReplacement Parts Available 20L Flat bottom stable for use on… Read More
AQ Outdoors Contact
Edmonton: (p) 780 463-4892 (e) info@aquabaticsedmonton.com
Calgary: (p) 403 288-9283 (e) info@aqoutdoors.com
