The Happy Camper: The Best Barrel Harness Is Back



It�s about time! Bill Ostrom of Ostrom Packs�has teamed up with Recreational Barrel Works�to once again produce a solid barrel harness�with accessories.

It�s about time!�My good friend Bill Ostrom of Ostrom Packs�has teamed up with Recreational Barrel Works�to once again produce a solid barrel harness�with accessories.

Bill disappeared from the outdoor retail world in 2013. His packs and barrel harnesses couldn�t be beat since he first opened his shop 26 years prior. The issue, however, was that he made them just too darn good. He also insisted they were Canadian-made�which upped the price compared to other companies manufacturing overseas.

At the same time, paddlers also changed from three-week-long far northern expedition-type canoeists to weekend warriors. Who needed a high-priced pack or harness for a couple nights in the woods?

Slowly, paddlers began to realize that products produced to carry heavy loads on your back during gruelling portages have to be made well�no matter how long you�re out there for. (It�s nothing like big screen televisions, toasters, microwaves, washing machines, cameras�)

I bought my first pack and barrel harness off Bill Ostrom at an outdoor show in Ottawa in 1994. I still use them to this day. Nothing has broken, ripped, torn or worn through. You own an Ostrom product for life�which is maybe why sales went down and Bill took a bit of a casual hiatus.

So, how did Recreational Barrel Works get involved? The company had worked with Bill back in the day. When Bill took a break, Recreational Barrel Works continued to sell barrels. Sales were good. But the company was always being asked about Bill�s legendary harness system. Nothing seemed to compare.

Bill decided to go back into product design. Their collaboration gave birth to a new harness called the RBW�Ostrom 60/30 Harness.

It�s slightly different than Bill�s old and famous Ostrom Voyageur model but has been simplified into a one-size-fits-all version with comfort built into the key places like shoulder-straps, back-pad and hip-belt. The result is a cozy barrel harness that works effortlessly with a 60Lor 30L barrel.

The classic Ostrom barrel accessories have also been reborn�with some minor alterations. The Barrel Cooler�good to keep your fresh food fresh and your beer even colder�has buffed up insulation and a zipper closure. And the Pocket Organizers and 60L and 30L Barrel Buckets have snazzier, more vibrant colours.

It looks like Ostrom is back in the game. Welcome back Bill.

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