To carry a bear canister or not is the age old question among backpackers – between the added weight and bulk to your pack, and never seeming to find one that holds the perfect volume, the decision often comes down to requirements and regulations where you plan on hiking.

This summer, BearVault released 2 new sizes of bear canisters aimed at striking this perfect balance between canister sizes. The BV475 and BV425 give hikers more options when it comes to food storage by introducing new sizes that fall in the middle of their previously offered options.

Price: $86.95 Weight: 2.1lb Size: 10.5in(h) x 8.7in(d) Capacity: 2.5 Gal Material: Specialty rugged polycarbonate and other durable resins

The BearVault 475 is designed to hold a single hiker’s food on 5-6 day hikes where enhanced food storage is needed. You could also likely get away with holding multiple people’s food on overnight or shorter trips.

I tested this bear canister on multiple summer backpacking trips in both the Tetons and Rocky Mountains of Montana. Trips ranged from overnight hikes to five days treks.

Location & Needed Protection: When making your decision between carrying a bear bag or bear canister, much of this comes down to the location where you will be camping. “Problem Bears” that know how to retrieve a bear bag hanging in a tree are becoming increasingly common, and many governing bodies will enforce food storage guidelines that require bear canisters. In addition, a large portion of long trails throughout the country will have certain areas where a bear canister is required – and although you can sometimes pull a longer day to avoid camping in these areas if you don’t have the correct bear protection, it pays to do your research and plan strategically on which type of food storage and camping option makes the most sense. Weight: A good old fashioned bear bag is inherently going to be lighter weight than any bear canister currently sold on the market. However, this is one area that shaving ounces away may cause more harm than good. Always carefully consider your location and the level of food protection that you need before ditching your bear canister for a bear bag. While there are many places in the US where hanging a bear bag works fine, these areas are slowly shrinking due to improper food storage which in turn leads to problem bears. Be smart in your thinking, and prioritize ditching weight in different areas before forgoing proper food storage.

The Perfect Size: I have been using BearVault canisters for years, and have always struggled with finding the perfect size to match my needs. The BV450-Jaunt model always felt a bit too small – especially when wanting to share the canister with another hiker to cut down on combined weight, while the BV500-Journey model was always a bit too big unless I was going out for extended distances.

All this being said, I was over the moon to find out that the brand was introducing a new mid-sized canister to fill this gap. The BV475-Trek model is the happy medium between their two flagship sizes. Large enough to hold food for two people on a long weekend hike, but small enough to be used solo if you wanted to extend your trip by a few more days. The smaller size also allows a lighter weight option for long distance hikers who excel at packing light and compact meals, or for those who dehydrate their own food and usually have a smaller volume. Thoughtful Design: BearVault’s motto is “made by backpackers, tested by bears”, and this catchphrase has definitely proven to be true. Details like using a clear plastic to assist in searching for specific snacks, and the canister doubling as a camp seat are telltale signs that the company has a deep understanding of what elevates life in the backcountry. The canister has a unique wide, round shape, and is comparatively slippery to reduce easy leverage for bears of all sizes. This smooth, round design also assists in easy packing and removal as you set up or breakdown camp.

Are You Smarter Than A Bear? As previously mentioned, I have been using BearVault canisters for a number of years, and have admittedly always had difficulty opening the lid. It sometimes takes me a few minutes to finally get past the bear proofing – especially when tired after a long day of hiking. I go back and forth on whether this is a con. On one hand, the container is obviously bear proof if opening it is a challenge, but on the other, it’s frustrating to not be able to access my food as quickly as I want when in the backcountry. With this in mind, I would practice opening the canister before leaving on your trip, and ensure you feel comfortable accessing your food while in the backcountry – especially if you are going out solo.

The BV475 is a welcome addition between the two previous sizes in the BearVault line. Designed to carry 5-6 days of food for a single hiker, the bear canister is ideal for backpackers who will be able to hit town every week or so, yet still want the flexibility of spending more than a few days on the trail. Coming in at $86, the price is fair compared to other food storage options – especially considering the canister could hike with a backpacker for many years to come. The BV475 is my new go-to canister both for solo trips and for shorter weekend excursions with friends where we want to cut down on combined weight by carrying one canister.

BearVault BV450 Jaunt Bear Canister – $76.95 / 2 lbs. 1.6 oz. Counter Assault Bear Keg Food Container – $89.95 / 3lbs 10oz Ursack AllMitey Bear and Critter Sack 10 Liters – $154.95 / 9.5oz *This product was donated for the purpose of review.

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Hi! My name is Colleen, but I'm better known on the trail as Spot. I am a PA native who now calls the mountains of Colorado her home. My days are spent as a graphic designer and photographer, but I spend every available minute of my free time outside. A few years back, I discovered the AT and since then it has been the #1 thing on my mind. Since 2016 I have hiked over 1,000 miles of the trail, with plans to some day stand on top of Katahdin with all 2,200 miles under my belt. You can usually find me somewhere in the mountains either hiking, skiing, or rock climbing. Happy trails!

“BearVault’s motto is “made by backpackers, tested by bears”, and this catchphrase has definitely proven to be true.” Hmmm…. Still waiting to see the first documented “test” and subsequent review by even one bear…😎

I wish more shelters had Bear Boxes. I carry a canister but love to put the food and pack (if it fits) in a bear-proof steel box. NJ shelters have those. The best bonus is that with all the food in the box the Shelter mice have nothing to eat and are not as numerous.