=====> I used to think so too. The reality is you can get them in various sizes. They float, are waterproof, rugged, keep their shape, and can be used as a table. For me, they fit into the canoe without any problem. We often use it as a food barrel and it has handles on each side that allows us to easily hang it in a tree. I do not have a harness as I use them exclusively for canoeing.Hello ND, I have never used a barrel, but they look bulky and had to pack stuff in, and take up more room in the boat. But the idea of keeping stuff dry and secure, is appealing.
Roy