Not worth "the risk" imo even if as you said, it's easier to stay below 50% with a barbarian.I personnaly think it's gonna be time to heal when I have less than 50%.
I don't find it too risky. Bear gives you damage resistance on almost everything on top of the hitpoints barbarians get. And in my experience in a full party enemies tend to prefer targets like Gale anyway.
Also, there are other items that also trigger on 50%, and which the "bearbarian" (love this nickname
) can wear, such as the helmet of grit (bonus action), or the writhing pendant (no opportunity attacks), and also a new armor that gives wrath (+1 to melee damage). Editt: And of course Loviatar's love, how could I forget...
Meanwhile the sword doesn't synergize with anything.
