When you first start looking at bear cans, it can be a bit daunting. What size, what weight, what shape, so many questions. To help with this, I’ve put together this list of the primary bear-resistant containers on the market right now. You will want to consider how long you plan to be out on the trail and ultimately, how much you want to spend.
How Big of A Bear Can Do You Need?
When calculating how big of a bear can you need, plan on 100 cu. per person per day. This of course can vary depending on how much food you need, and how well you can pack. This should give you enough space for your food and various toiletries that need to be in there as well.
Be Sure Your Can is Rated for Your Park
One other consideration for what can you choose is the particular park/area that you are going to be visiting. Not all cans are approved for all areas, so keep that in mind and do your research.
What Goes in Your Bear Canister (And Why It Matters)
A bear canister isn’t just for food. It’s designed to protect anything with a scent that could attract curious and hungry bears. This includes:
All Food and Drinks: This means every snack, meal ingredient, beverage (even empty cans and bottles), cooking spices, and even the crumbs at the bottom of your bag.
Trash: All food wrappers, packaging, leftover scraps – even the seemingly harmless ones.
Anything else with a scent: Chewing gum, medications, hand sanitizer, or items of clothing that have food residue or perspiration on them.
Why is this crucial?
Bears have an incredible sense of smell: They can detect food and scents from miles away. Even seemingly insignificant smells can tempt them.
Habituation is dangerous: Once bears learn to successfully associate humans with food, they lose their natural wariness and become a risk to both themselves and campers.
Proper storage protects you and the bears: By removing all scent temptations, you make your campsite less appealing, helping bears maintain their natural foraging habits and avoiding potentially dangerous confrontations.
Remember: “If you can smell it, a bear can too!”
List of Bear Cans
Below is a list of some of the most common bear cans currently on the market. If there is one that I’m not aware of, please let me know!
Smallest of bear canisters, this little can is perfect for a quick overnight trip, for sharing out the load in a group, or for your lunch left at a base while you venture and explore, climb, fish, or hunt. This size allows hikers, regardless of age, build, or fitness, the independence to manage and carry their own backcountry food safely. The same quality, design, and bear worthiness as our classic bear containers, the BV425-Sprint makes for a simple, light 1-2 day sprint into bear country.
PROS: Uniform shape, transparent, bear-proof, (generally) don’t need tools to open, can see can contents CONS: Heavy, can be tough to open when cold
A classic for shorter trips, the BV450-Jaunt is the ideal bear canister for a weekend trip for two or a solo trip for a few days. Compact enough to fit into smaller packs, yet spacious enough for a wholesome amount of food, the BV450-Jaunt keeps your food safe, protects bears and other wildlife, and keeps your backcountry jaunt going, storing 3-4 days of food.
PROS: Uniform shape, transparent, bear-proof, (generally) don’t need tools to open, fits in small packs, can see can contents CONS: Heavy, can be tough to open when cold
Pack compactly and take a longer trip! A smaller option for long distance backpackers, and also ideal for a shorter small group or family trip, most people can fit about 5-6 days of food in here. Extreme food dehydrators can fit even more! Durable and tough, keep bears and critters at bay while you trek to the next supply stop or to the trail’s end.
PROS: Uniform shape, transparent, bear-proof, (generally) don’t need tools to open, fits in packs horizontally, grooved for strapping to exterior, can see can contents CONS: Heavy, can be tough to open when cold
The BV500-Journey is the gold standard for multi-day adventures, long-distance hikers, and aspirational thru hikers. The largest and most spacious of BearVault canisters, BV500s have logged more miles than any other canister. Whether packing a few hearty meals for a group, or counting every ounce of calories to reach your goal, the BV500 is up for the journey, fitting 7 plus days of food.
PROS: Uniform shape, transparent, bear-proof, don’t generally need tools to open, , grooved for strapping to the exterior, can see can contents CONS: Heavy, can be tough to open when cold
Super sturdy bear can that you need a tool to open. While it is approved for use in all areas of the USA, it is one of the heaviest of the bear cans on this list. It is usually available at REI, but I’m seeing it as out of stock, so it may be hard to find.
PROS: Hard for bears to open, makes a good seat CONS: Need a tool to open, uneven shape, can’t strap to pack
If price is no object and every ounce counts, then the Bearkide series might be for you. Made of carbon fiber, these bear cans shed weight at the expense of cost. Built for solo hikers, it can also protect food for two adults on a 2-3 day trip.
PROS: Need a tool to open it, very light, opening the same size as the can, uniform shape CONS: Price, hard edges, opaque
Sharing all the other features of the Scout, the Weekender is suitable for two people to escape for the weekend, or if used for just one, it can supply you for up to 6 days.
PROS: Need a tool to open it, very light, opening the same size as the can, uniform shape CONS: Price, hard edges, opaque
The Bearikade Blazer is the choice for fast hikers on longer trips. It can supply a group of 3 for 3 days. If used as a personal unit, it can supply you for up to 9 days with efficient packing.
PROS: Need a tool to open it, very light, opening the same size as the can, uniform shape CONS: Price, hard edges, opaque
Just how much food do you need to bring? At 900 cubic inche, the Bearikade Expedition MKII is the choice for longer trips or larger groups. It can supply a group of 3 for 3 days. If used as a personal unit, it can supply you for up to 12 days.
PROS: Need a tool to open it, very light, opening the same size as the can, uniform shape CONS: Price, hard edges, opaque
The Big Daddy features our unique canister/cook pan combination system, with the anodized aluminum canister lid doubling as a cook pan and the internal aluminum bracket working overtime as a detachable pan handle. Easy-to-maneuver aluminum screws attach the lid to the canister, and flathead notches allow for screw removal in the coldest temperatures with your tool of choice.
PROS: Lid doubles as a pan, transparent, PCT approved CONS: Can’t sit on it and use the pan
Minimize your pack weight with a 300 cubic inch bear-proof food storage solution at a weight of only 1lb 12oz. The Lil Sami features our unique canister/cook pan combination system, with the anodized aluminum canister lid doubling as a cook pan and the internal aluminum bracket working overtime as a detachable pan handle. Easy-to-maneuver aluminum screws attach the lid to the canister, and flathead notches allow for screw removal in the coldest temperatures with your tool of choice.
PROS: Lid doubles as a pan, transparent, PCT approved CONS: Can’t sit on it and use the pan
Your basic no-frills bear canister that holds enough food for a weekend and won’t break the bank, but won’t be the lightest thing ever. Great for occasional campers that only need a bear can once in a while.
PROS: Affordable CONS: Not entirely even, can’t strap to pack, need tool to open
A good basic bear canister, this is on the small side but very affordable. You do need a tool to get into it, and with under 300 cu. you need to be efficient in your food packing. It is also reasonably light for the price.
PROS: Affordable, relatively light CONS: Not a uniform shape, need a tool to open
Heavy, but an affordable option if you need a lot of storage for a group. Counter Assault does make a sack to put the can in so you can strap it to your pack. Not a light option, but lots of bear-proof storage for the money.
PROS: Affordable CONS: Need tools to open, smooth sides, need bag to strap it to pack
Bear Can Buying Guide For Backpackers
Picking a Bear Can
When you first start looking at bear cans, it can be a bit daunting. What size, what weight, what shape, so many questions. To help with this, I’ve put together this list of the primary bear-resistant containers on the market right now. You will want to consider how long you plan to be out on the trail and ultimately, how much you want to spend.
How Big of A Bear Can Do You Need?
When calculating how big of a bear can you need, plan on 100 cu. per person per day. This of course can vary depending on how much food you need, and how well you can pack. This should give you enough space for your food and various toiletries that need to be in there as well.
Be Sure Your Can is Rated for Your Park
One other consideration for what can you choose is the particular park/area that you are going to be visiting. Not all cans are approved for all areas, so keep that in mind and do your research.
What Goes in Your Bear Canister (And Why It Matters)
A bear canister isn’t just for food. It’s designed to protect anything with a scent that could attract curious and hungry bears. This includes:
Why is this crucial?
Remember: “If you can smell it, a bear can too!”
List of Bear Cans
Below is a list of some of the most common bear cans currently on the market. If there is one that I’m not aware of, please let me know!
BearVault BV425-Sprint
Smallest of bear canisters, this little can is perfect for a quick overnight trip, for sharing out the load in a group, or for your lunch left at a base while you venture and explore, climb, fish, or hunt. This size allows hikers, regardless of age, build, or fitness, the independence to manage and carry their own backcountry food safely. The same quality, design, and bear worthiness as our classic bear containers, the BV425-Sprint makes for a simple, light 1-2 day sprint into bear country.
PROS: Uniform shape, transparent, bear-proof, (generally) don’t need tools to open, can see can contents
CONS: Heavy, can be tough to open when cold
BearVault BV450-Jaunt
A classic for shorter trips, the BV450-Jaunt is the ideal bear canister for a weekend trip for two or a solo trip for a few days. Compact enough to fit into smaller packs, yet spacious enough for a wholesome amount of food, the BV450-Jaunt keeps your food safe, protects bears and other wildlife, and keeps your backcountry jaunt going, storing 3-4 days of food.
PROS: Uniform shape, transparent, bear-proof, (generally) don’t need tools to open, fits in small packs, can see can contents
CONS: Heavy, can be tough to open when cold
BearVault BV475-Trek
Pack compactly and take a longer trip! A smaller option for long distance backpackers, and also ideal for a shorter small group or family trip, most people can fit about 5-6 days of food in here. Extreme food dehydrators can fit even more! Durable and tough, keep bears and critters at bay while you trek to the next supply stop or to the trail’s end.
PROS: Uniform shape, transparent, bear-proof, (generally) don’t need tools to open, fits in packs horizontally, grooved for strapping to exterior, can see can contents
CONS: Heavy, can be tough to open when cold
BearVault BV500-Journey
The BV500-Journey is the gold standard for multi-day adventures, long-distance hikers, and aspirational thru hikers. The largest and most spacious of BearVault canisters, BV500s have logged more miles than any other canister. Whether packing a few hearty meals for a group, or counting every ounce of calories to reach your goal, the BV500 is up for the journey, fitting 7 plus days of food.
PROS: Uniform shape, transparent, bear-proof, don’t generally need tools to open, , grooved for strapping to the exterior, can see can contents
CONS: Heavy, can be tough to open when cold
Garcia Model 812 Backpackers’ Cache
Super sturdy bear can that you need a tool to open. While it is approved for use in all areas of the USA, it is one of the heaviest of the bear cans on this list. It is usually available at REI, but I’m seeing it as out of stock, so it may be hard to find.
PROS: Hard for bears to open, makes a good seat
CONS: Need a tool to open, uneven shape, can’t strap to pack
Bearikade Scout
If price is no object and every ounce counts, then the Bearkide series might be for you. Made of carbon fiber, these bear cans shed weight at the expense of cost. Built for solo hikers, it can also protect food for two adults on a 2-3 day trip.
PROS: Need a tool to open it, very light, opening the same size as the can, uniform shape
CONS: Price, hard edges, opaque
Bearikade Weekender
Sharing all the other features of the Scout, the Weekender is suitable for two people to escape for the weekend, or if used for just one, it can supply you for up to 6 days.
PROS: Need a tool to open it, very light, opening the same size as the can, uniform shape
CONS: Price, hard edges, opaque
Bearikade Blazer
The Bearikade Blazer is the choice for fast hikers on longer trips. It can supply a group of 3 for 3 days. If used as a personal unit, it can supply you for up to 9 days with efficient packing.
PROS: Need a tool to open it, very light, opening the same size as the can, uniform shape
CONS: Price, hard edges, opaque
Bearikade Expedition
Just how much food do you need to bring? At 900 cubic inche, the Bearikade Expedition MKII is the choice for longer trips or larger groups. It can supply a group of 3 for 3 days. If used as a personal unit, it can supply you for up to 12 days.
PROS: Need a tool to open it, very light, opening the same size as the can, uniform shape
CONS: Price, hard edges, opaque
LIGHTER1 Big Daddy
The Big Daddy features our unique canister/cook pan combination system, with the anodized aluminum canister lid doubling as a cook pan and the internal aluminum bracket working overtime as a detachable pan handle. Easy-to-maneuver aluminum screws attach the lid to the canister, and flathead notches allow for screw removal in the coldest temperatures with your tool of choice.
PROS: Lid doubles as a pan, transparent, PCT approved
CONS: Can’t sit on it and use the pan
LIGHTER1 Lil Sami
Minimize your pack weight with a 300 cubic inch bear-proof food storage solution at a weight of only 1lb 12oz. The Lil Sami features our unique canister/cook pan combination system, with the anodized aluminum canister lid doubling as a cook pan and the internal aluminum bracket working overtime as a detachable pan handle. Easy-to-maneuver aluminum screws attach the lid to the canister, and flathead notches allow for screw removal in the coldest temperatures with your tool of choice.
PROS: Lid doubles as a pan, transparent, PCT approved
CONS: Can’t sit on it and use the pan
UDAP NO-FED Bear
Your basic no-frills bear canister that holds enough food for a weekend and won’t break the bank, but won’t be the lightest thing ever. Great for occasional campers that only need a bear can once in a while.
PROS: Affordable
CONS: Not entirely even, can’t strap to pack, need tool to open
Bear Boxer
A good basic bear canister, this is on the small side but very affordable. You do need a tool to get into it, and with under 300 cu. you need to be efficient in your food packing. It is also reasonably light for the price.
PROS: Affordable, relatively light
CONS: Not a uniform shape, need a tool to open
Counter Assault Bear Keg
Heavy, but an affordable option if you need a lot of storage for a group. Counter Assault does make a sack to put the can in so you can strap it to your pack. Not a light option, but lots of bear-proof storage for the money.
PROS: Affordable
CONS: Need tools to open, smooth sides, need bag to strap it to pack
Table of Contents
About The Author
MadMadViking
Related Posts
Tips For Car Camping On A Budget
Comparing The Top Brands Of 750ml Titanium Cooking Pots
What Are Pot Lifters For Camping And Why You Need One
Titanium Pots For Backpacking – Your Complete Guide
9 Haunted Hikes Near Seattle
Why you should have a wool blanket in your camping gear
Washington State National Forests
Stainless Steel Hydro Flask Bottle Alternatives