Not a problem packing the Barney on the hips under regular loads and no weight on the shoulders.
The extra padding comes handy when you've got a sheep down and 120 lbs
or you're packing elk quarters. You're going to notice it on both hips and shoulders irregardless and more so with thin shoulder straps. The MR hip padding probably stays and rides better on the hips than the Barney but I havn't had too much trouble and thats where body type / hip fit comes into play.
A combination would work for sure.
Overall between the two packs. The MR offers way more versatality and use for an array of hunts. The Barney is a work horse pretty much made for one or two things.
Guys ask me what they should get. A MR or a Barney.
I ask them what they want to do with it and it usually entails a pack to do it all, short hunts, long hunts, deer, elk, goat, sheep and from overnighters through to longer trips. I tell them to go with the MR pack without hesitation.
If a fellow says he wants a pack for an annual 2 week sheep hunt and solely for sheep hunting with some other use like maybe packing elk or moose quarters. I recommend the Barney.
So a pack with more bang for your buck and getting use out of it other than sheep hunting - definatly the MR or other packs like eberlestock etc.