If you backpack where one is required on a regular basis, the obvious answer would be yes. What if you don't? If you rarely (or never) visit places that require canisters, do you still need one? At first, I was hesitant to invest in such a heavy pricey chunk of plastic. There aren't many areas near me that require them. Over the years though, I've encountered a number of situations in which having a bear canister, even when it wasn't required, came in handy. I'd like to share a few of those examples along with the pros and cons of buying vs renting one. I'll also share some advice for selecting and packing a canister. Friendly disclaimer: I can only speak to my own experience in black bear territory across the Southeast. Some of what I share may not be relevant to backpacking in other parts of the country.
I also want to preface, I won't be focusing on bear canisters as an issue of ethics. There are arguments that all backpackers should use them wherever there are bears even when it is not required, and doing otherwise is unethical. I think it's silly to suggest choosing to hang a food bag rather than use a canister where one isn't required is wrong or selfish. Hanging a bag can be a perfectly acceptable method of overnight food storage when done correctly. Using bear canisters, required or not, is a matter of personal responsibility. It's up to each individual to weigh the pros, cons, risks, and rewards before making their own judgments.
Skip to...
Where, When, and Why?
Where, when, and why might a backpacker carry a canister even if it isn't required? For one, sometimes the Forestry Service (or other land management entity) will recommend backpackers use a canister when camping in areas with an increased level of bear activity. It may not be an official order or mandate, but is "strongly encouraged" because there's a high likelihood that hanging a food bag will be ineffective. If this is the case for an area you plan to be in, the first option is rerouting your trip to avoid camping in those high activity areas. If that isn't possible due to the activity being too widespread or a lack of other campsites along the route, then you might want to consider bringing a canister on the trip.
Doing some additional research beforehand will also help you determine whether or not to take the recommendation. You can gather info from a variety of sources such as statements issued by whoever oversees the area (National Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, etc.) and trip reports from backpackers who have been there. If the bear encounters / activity are recent or on-going, then using a canister might be the best option for protecting your food.
Keep in mind, a single post online or sign on the trail may not paint an accurate picture of current conditions. I once encountered a barricade while backpacking in the Jocassee Gorges. The sign attached to it was hard to read through runny ink, but what I could make out warned there were "impassible conditions ahead due to landslides." Thankfully, I had service to call the ranger station. It turned out, the damage from that event had been repaired nearly two years ago, but no one had bothered to remove the sign and barricade from the trail. If the statements about bear encounters are older and there hasn't been any activity or signs of it reported in quite some time, then calling the station directly may give you a better idea of the current situation. Depending on the response, you may decide to take your canister or take your chances with hanging a food bag.
Time of year also plays a role. Not only is Summer the black bears' peak mating season, it's also when their favorite treats ripen. During this season, you may want to use a canister when backpacking in areas where blueberries and blackberries typically grow to ensure the bears frequenting the area only get a taste of their natural food sources. Because black bears are less active in the Winter, a canister may not be as necessary in that same area during that time of year.
The surrounding features, or lack there of, at a campsite can be another reason. You can't hang a food bag where there aren't any trees or cables. If you're camping along an open ridge, on a summit/bald, or in a grassy meadow, then using a bear canister would be a good idea. Routes like Carvers Gap to 19E (Roan Mountain) and Big Bald via Sams Gap are two excellent examples. Even though backpackers don't have to use a canister to camp on the summits along these sections of the AT, it's something to consider. On Big Bald, there's literally nowhere to hang a food bag, making a canister the best defense against a bear (or a herd of deer) raiding your camp. This is the number one scenario in which I bring a canister when it isn't required. Better to be safe than sorry. Even if I get to camp and find a place I could have hung a bag a reasonable distance away.
Bears aren't the only critters a canister is effective against. Models with turning locks specifically are great for keeping racoons out of your food. These crafty trash pandas have no problem tearing a food bag out of a tree. It's one reason Cumberland National Seashore installed bear boxes at every site in their established campgrounds. Hanging a food bag is completely ineffective against the racoons there. So, in areas where racoons are abundant and bear boxes aren't an option, a canister may be the only effective way to keep them out.
This may sound crazy, but a canister is also useful against horses. If you want to camp on the beaches of Cape Lookout National Seashore but you don't have a 4x4 vehicle or you're visiting during a season when vehicle transport isn't available, you can take a bear canister along. That way the wild horses that frequent the cape and nearby Shackleford Banks can't get into your food and trash. Unlike bears and racoons, the horses of the Outer Banks can die as a result of consuming human food.
Before moving on to types of canisters and tips for buying and packing them, I'd like to mention some alternatives backpackers may have in places where canisters are recommended or the terrain is not suitable for hanging a food bag. Take Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (aka Grayson Highlands) for example. Jefferson National Forest has closed certain areas to camping in the past due to high bear activity, and strongly encourages backpackers use canisters. However, backpackers have the option to utilize the bear boxes installed across several locations to store their food as well. There is also an electric fence near Rhododendron Gap where backpackers can hang their food. Another example would be bear cables along certain National Recreation Trails like the Foothills Trail. There are multiple campsites along the FHT where bear cables have been installed. Although there's no shortage of suitable trees to hang a bag from along this trail, if you aren't confident in your ability to throw a line, camping where there are cables is a convenient option.
Benefits of Buying vs. Renting
You may be thinking "Why buy it when I can just rent it?" For someone who doesn't backpack often or only needs it for a special trip, renting a canister might be the wiser investment. For someone who will likely need one on multiple occasions, buying might be cheaper in the long run than renting from an outfitter every time. Regardless of rental rates, picking up and dropping off a canister before and after each trip can become a hassle. Another downside to renting is having limited options. You have to make do with whatever style or capacity product that outfitter has in stock during your trip dates.
Purchasing your own, gives you the freedom to choose a canister that will best suit your adventure needs. An additional benefit to owning a canister is being able to lend it to friends who may need it. You can even work out a barter system with them. Use of your canister on their trip in exchange for use of a gear item or gadget of theirs on one of yours.
If you do decide to buy your own canister, I highly recommend renting at least once. That way you have something to compare the weight, lock system, and volume of other products to beforehand. Taking notes on the things you liked and disliked about the rental product can help you decide what features to look for when shopping for a canister.
New or Used?
What if buying a bear canister is the better option, but not something you can afford to do? The good news is, there are several resale sites where you can find used canisters. Most of which are significantly discounted and have superficial (if any) signs of wear. Options include but are not limited to:
In addition to shopping on resale sites, I recommend selling any gear you don't use or need anymore on them. If something isn't working for me or isn't getting enough use to justify keeping it, I sell it to someone who will use it to save up for another item I'm interested in. Depending on what you sell and for how much, saving up can take some time. However, I always find it to be worthwhile in the end. I was actually able to swap out my previous bear canister this way. For a while, I had a Udap NO-FED-Bear Canister. While it's by no means a bad product, there were several features I personally disliked. After a little research, I decided a Bear Vault Jaunt would be a better fit for me. I ended up selling my Udap canister on a resale site to a PCT hiker. It's kind of neat to think my old gear accompanied someone through the Sierras last year. I was then able to use what I made from that sale to purchase a gently used Bear Vault on the site. It's not the quickest way to come up with the money, but it works!
If you can't find what you're looking for on a resale site, consider splitting the cost of a new canister with a friend. You will probably have to work out a custody agreement, but at least you will have partial ownership of a canister. Lastly, you could try putting aside $10 a week. It will mean skipping your daily Dunkin' Run for the next couple months, but eventually you'll have the cash you need for a new piece of gear.
Choosing A Canister
There's a lot to consider when choosing the right canister for your adventure needs. Some models are nearly identical in terms of features, while others utilize innovative locking systems and materials you won't find anywhere else. Determining which features are most important to you can help narrow down the options. Are you looking for the lightest weight? The most storage space? The least expensive? Turning locks or a twist off lid? Below is a chart comparing the features of various bear canister models. It does not include EVERY available option, just the most popular ones on the market.
Brand & Model | Weight | Volume / Capacity | Lock System | Price |
1.6lbs | 275 cubic inches / 4.5L | Combination latch / turning locks (3) Uses key, knife or multi-tool. | $80 | |
1.75lbs | 305 cubic inches / 5L | Notches in twist on lid (2) | $78 - 80 | |
2.1lbs | 440 cubic inches / 7.2L | Notches in twist on lid (2) | $84 - 88 | |
2.25lbs | 565 cubic inches / 9.2L | Notches in twist on lid (2) | $90 - 95 | |
2.4lbs | 500 cubic inches / 8.1L | Turning locks (3) Uses coin, key ring, or flathead screwdriver. | $75 - 80 | |
3.8lbs | 716 cubic inches / 11.7L | Turning locks (3) Uses coin, key ring, or flathead screwdriver. | $80 - 95 | |
3lbs | 735 cubic inches / 12L | Turning screws (3) Uses knife, multi-tool or flathead screwdriver. | $70 -75 | |
1.9lbs | 300 cubic inches / 5L | Turning screws (2) Uses knife, multi-tool or flathead screwdriver. | $130 | |
2.8lbs | 650 cubic inches / 10.6L | Turning screws (2) Uses knife, multi-tool or flathead screwdriver. | $140 | |
1.75lbs | 500 cubic inches / 8.1L | Turning locks (3) Uses coin, key ring, or flathead screwdriver. | $326 | |
2.1lbs | 750 cubic inches / 12L | Turning locks (3) Uses coin, key ring, or flathead screwdriver. | $384 | |
2.7lbs | 580 cubic inches / 9.5L | Vertical gravity latch in twist on lid. | $110 - 120 |
The Bearikade may offer the best weight to volume ratio, but lets be honest the average backpacker doesn't have $400 dollars to throw at a carbon-fiber canister. The Bare Boxer contender is both lighter and cheaper than the Bearikade, but it has just over half the amount of space. Although a rare occurrence, some bears have figured out how to chew through the material or open lids on certain canister models. Meanwhile, the secret to opening ones that utilize screws or turning locks still eludes them. If you lose or forget to pack the "key" while your canister is locked though, the good news is the bear isn't getting your food. The bad new is neither are you. Every model has its setbacks. Weighing the pros and cons of each will also help you narrow down which to choose.
The average duration of your trips and whether or not you hike with a partner will also play a role in which canister to choose. If you typically take overnight or weekend trips, then a canister between 250 and 450 cubic inches (4 - 7L) would probably be best. If you travel solo, lean toward the lower end of that range. The Bare Boxer Contender, BearVault Sprint, and Lighter1 Lil Sami are all great options for folks that backpack alone. If you find yourself taking longer journeys like a week or more, a canister between 500 and 750 cubic inches (8 - 12L) might be better. If you travel with someone else, lean toward the higher end of that range. The great thing about sharing a canister with a partner is being able take turns carrying it. Conversely, I've met some backpackers who prefer having a smaller canister separate from their partner.
One factor that often goes overlooked when choosing a bear canister is the kind of backpack you use. Depending on the size of your pack, one may not fit in addition to other gear. For this reason, models like UDAP No-Fed-Bear and Counter Assault Bear Keg include a carrying bag that can be strapped to the outside of a pack. While this may be a good solution for some, not all packs have the hardware to attach a carry bag to the outside. Additionally, some ultralight packs may not be equipped to handle the uneven weight distribution caused by attaching a full canister to the outside. Grubcan and Frontiersman Bear Safe have tried to solve these problems by giving their products a tall and narrow design. This way backpackers can fit the canister in the center and pack the majority of their other gear around it.
Note: When buying a canister to use specifically in areas that require them, be sure to research whether or not the one you're considering is approved there. Polycarbonate canisters for example may be a suitable option with no instances of break-ins or failure in one place, but that may not be the case somewhere else.
What I Use
I currently use the BearVault BV450 Jaunt. Weighing just over 2lbs and offering 440 cubic inches of volume, it's perfect for three day trips with a partner. Before I get into the pros, cons, and comparison to others I've used, I want to preface: I am in no way sponsored by or affiliated with BearVault. I use this product and recommend it simply because it works for me. My hope is by sharing my experience and opinions on it, I can help others determine whether or not it would be a good fit for them as well.
Previously, I used the UDAP No-Fed-Bear canister. My biggest frustration with it was the narrow, oddly shaped opening. This made it very difficult to pack and remove meals without crushing the contents or damaging the packaging. It was also on the heavier side and did not offer much versatility when it came to packing. Based on the tech specs, it should have offered more volume than my current canister. I never felt I was getting the most out of it though. All of this said, it's by no means a bad option. One thing I did like is how much easier the turning lock system was to open in cold weather than the push-in notches on my current canister.
I switched to a BearVault shortly after I started backpacking with my dogs. I wanted a lighter weight option with a wider opening. The Jaunt size specifically is ideal for three day trips with a dog or partner. When it's just me using it for overnight or two night trips, there's plenty of unoccupied space. It would certainly require some strategic packing, but I believe I could fit food, trash, etc. for a three day trip with my husband and BOTH dogs in the Jaunt.
An option I've read many positive reviews for (and I'm excited to try for myself) is the Bare Boxer Contender. It's praised for being one of the lightest options available, while still being affordable. Don't expect to fit a whole week's worth of food in it though. Similar to BearVault's new Sprint size, the Contender's small and compact design is best suited for solo adventurers on shorter trips. While this may seem like a disadvantage, the reduced volume is one of the reasons I recently purchased one. While I haven't had an opportunity to take it on the trail yet, I'm looking forward to it. I'll be sure to leave an update once I do.
Tips for Packing
Let's wrap up this post about bear canisters with a few tips for packing and how to get the most out of the space you have. These are tips and tricks I've learned from my own experience as well as from watching other backpackers. Some of them may seem obvious, but if there's a chance someone will learn something new then it's worth sharing anyway.
Take a lesson from this 7 Habits of Highly Effective People demonstration: Put your "big rocks" first followed by smaller ones. Start by placing the biggest space hogs in the canister before anything else. Work your way down in size as you add the rest of the contents. Since they're great for filling the gaps between full size meals, granola bars, trail mix packets, and other snacks will be the last to go in.
Remove any unnecessary bulk by repackaging meals in quart size Ziplocs. Especially store bought ones that come in rigid mylar packaging! Freezer bags are much more mailable, making them great for cramming more meals into a canister.
Don't pack your lunch and / or dinner for Day One in the canister. You're probably going to eat these meals on your way into or shortly after arriving at camp, so there's no reason to occupy precious canister space with them.
To avoid removing and repacking the canister during your breaks, put the snacks you plan to eat throughout the day in easily accessible pockets on your pack before leaving camp.
When sharing canister space with my dogs, I pack my pot in the center to act as a place holder for their food. When we get to camp, I take the pot out leaving the perfect gap to store the dog's food overnight. The next day, I repack the dog's meals in their saddlebags and place the pot back in the canister. It's a tight squeeze at first, but space gets freed up throughout the trip. This won't work with every canister model, but it does for the BearVault!
Because a canister will most likely be the heaviest gear item with you, try to pack toward the center of your backpack. If the canister won't fit inside (or other vital gear because of it), one strategy is to place all your food in a stuff sack inside the pack and attach the empty canister to the outside. While this may free up space inside the pack, the trade off is having to remove and repack all your food in the canister at the start and end of each day.
That's all I have for you today on the topic of bear canisters. I hope you found what shared here helpful and informative. If you have any game changing tips or tricks relating to bear canisters, please share them in the comments.