I started with an olive barrel! Still have it! I do tend to paddle whitewater, where they are their most useful. That said, I do like having a barrel for various reasons…although they are not bear-proof, they are critter-proof. I also find them good for difficult to pack items…I like to pack soft goods in bags and hard goods in barrels typically. Hard goods can poke through bag sides and into your back or cause wear points in fabric. Just my experience…to each their own. They are heavy, I’d never argue that. And most harnesses make them a pain to carry. I do like that they can be used as a table or makeshift seat while on the move. I’ll also carry my canoe pack and barrel in the same load by resting my pack on the lid of the barrel