I'm trying to gauge the quality/comfort of the various barrel harnesses out there (Ostrum, Harmony, Hooligan, Granite Gear, etc). Can anyone give a concise rundown of pros/cons including a few different brands?

Apologies if this has been discussed to death but I tried the search feature and couldn't find much on the Harmony harness.

Thanks!

Can't comment on the harnesses you've listed. I've been happy with the NRS Paragon, don't know if it's the best out there, but it's been comfortable enough, adjustable and a prett good bargain.


NRS Paragon

I didn't know there were so many options out there. I guess I have some reading to do.

I believe when I've rented a barrel from VNO it was equipped with an Ostrum harness. I found it plenty comfortable to portage.

One of the problems with my Voyageur it likes to swag back and forth when going down the trail. I find this anoying. I thought that it was comfortable enough other people in the group complained about it. One said it dug into his back. I picked up a granite gear flatbed. I don't have these problems anymore, but they are expensive. Check the site, others have posted some that look nice for a lot less money.

If you have not purchased a barrel yet. You should consider getting two 30L and a pack to hold both. I have the 60L set up, but if I were starting over that is the way I would go. CCS does sell a pack that fits both. They could also be split up into two portage packs to share the load.

My two cents

Jrlatt

I bought a Hooligan this year it was great for me, but I have never tried another brand so no real idea how it would compare. Have to say though it was surprisingly comfortable to carry and the barrel was loaded with 8 days of food for five guys so it was heavy.

Thanks for the info everyone. I made a resolution to buy less cheap Chinese-made crap (tough to do, actually) so I've been trying to figure out the country of origin for several of the harnesses. Here's a quick rundown of my research - if anyone knows where some of these are made, please let me know. Also, if there are any others I'm missing.

Granite Gear Vapor Flatbed, unknown, $130-ish
Ostrum Voyageur 30, Thunder Bay Ontario, $125-ish
Headstrong 30L, unknown, $100-ish
Kondos 30L, Ely, MN, $80-ish
Piragis 30L, Ely MN, $75-ish
Hooligan 30L, unknown, $70-ish
Eureka 30L, unknown, $60-ish
Paragon pack, unknown, $55-ish
Harmony 30L, unknown, $50-ish
North49 30L, unknown, $40-ish

Several of these harnesses I can only find through Canadian vendors, so I'm not exactly sure what the final price would be after figuring in exchange rate, shipping, customs, etc. There's definitely some options out there, though...

I have the Harmony harness(2), they work great.

quote thistlekicker: "Thanks for the info everyone. I made a resolution to buy less cheap Chinese-made crap (tough to do, actually) so I've been trying to figure out the country of origin for several of the harnesses. Here's a quick rundown of my research - if anyone knows where some of these are made, please let me know. Also, if there are any others I'm missing.


Granite Gear Vapor Flatbed, unknown, $130-ish
Ostrum Voyageur 30, Thunder Bay Ontario, $125-ish
Headstrong 30L, unknown, $100-ish
Piragis 30L, Ely MN, $75-ish
Hooligan 30L, unknown, $70-ish
Eureka 30L, unknown, $60-ish
Paragon pack, unknown, $55-ish
Harmony 30L, unknown, $50-ish
North49 30L, unknown, $40-ish


Several of these harnesses I can only find through Canadian vendors, so I'm not exactly sure what the final price would be after figuring in exchange rate, shipping, customs, etc. There's definitely some options out there, though...


"

don't forget Kondos harness. they have a 30l and a 60l


barrel harness

good catch - the Kondos harness would be made in Ely, too, right?

I have the Headstrong 60L harness. After 8 trips it's showing no sign of wear. Lots of padding between barrel and your back, shoulders and hips. I like the extra hand loops sewn in so you don't have to use the barrel handles for lifting.
I only wish it would fit a 30L barrel so I would't have to buy a second harness.

My Hooligan gear says made in Canada. I would like to buy made in the USA most of the time but have no problem with our northern neighbors. I believe better quality than made in China.

quote K2: "My Hooligan gear says made in Canada. I would like to buy made in the USA most of the time but have no problem with our northern neighbors. I believe better quality than made in China. "

That's interesting because one of the Canadian retailers told me the Hooligan barrel harnesses are assembled from Canadian materials in China. Like you I would have gladly purchased a Canadian-made harness, and probably would have leaned towards the Hooligan it that were the case. Maybe I got some incorrect information...

In the end I went with the Kondos harness because 1) made in Ely 2) on sale. I debated paying roughly twice as much for the Ostrum harness, having heard really good things about it - we'll see how it works out I guess.

the NRS Paragon worked well for us. Very adjustable and comfortable. At $55, why spend more?

I have the Kondos harness and have been happy with it.

quote CanoeKev: "the NRS Paragon worked well for us. Very adjustable and comfortable. At $55, why spend more?"

I used a Paragon harness for a few trips. In the middle of one trip the main support strap (that attaches at the top) started to tear and pull away. We made it through the trip but I haven't used it since. This happened while carrying a heavy 60L barrel, it'd probably be fine with a 30L.

I have the Kondos harness and it works on my 60L just fine. The only change I would make is to get a little more padding between me and the barrel