When it comes to outdoor gear I like simple and there is nothing simpler than the tumpline.
It is one of the oldest load bearing devices known to man and was used by many cultures.  
In North America it was employed by Voyagers, Mountain Men, and Native Americans, and
was considered the only feasible way to carry furs and gear over the portage trail.  It is still
used today by Sherpas hired to carry gear to the base camp of Mt. Everest.                         

 A tumpline consists of a headpiece 2 - 4 in. wide and about 20 in. long.  Attached to this
headpiece are two tails, one on ether side, ranging from 5 ft. - 12 ft. depending on what
you would be carrying.  The tails are tied to your load and the head strap is placed on top
of your head.  This puts the load directly in line with the spine.  It allows you to carry heavy
loads longer and more comfortably then with shoulder straps.  

There are two key points to keep in mind that make the tumpline work properly.

1.        Tie the tumpline so the load is high on the back.  A load that is to low will swing from
side to side and interfere with your hip movement as you walk.  The best way to eliminate
any swing is to grab and hold the tumpline on ether side of the head.
2.        Make sure that the headpiece is on top of your head and not on your forehead.  If
you feel you neck muscles straining against the weight of your load, it is to far forward.  If it
feels like It is going to slip off the back of your head it is to far back.  If you put your finger
on the very top of your head, the head strap will rest just forward of this spot.  You may
need to move the head strap around until you find that sweat spot.  

 The tump can be use to carry anything you take with you on a canoe trip.  Most traditional
portage packs come with a head strap already attached to the pack.  Adjust the strap to
whatever feels the most comfortable to you.  I generally adjust my load so 50% of the
weight in on the strap and 50% on my shoulders.  Other uses for the tump is portaging the
canoe, packing a wannigan, bring in a load of firewood, and you can use it as a ridge line
or guy line for a tarp.

 Securing a tumpline to a load is easy to do.  Lets look at a couple of videos of the most
common uses.  
Northwest Woodsman
Explore the Unreachable
The Tumpline
Wannigan
Canoe