Best Bear Canister of 2024

Reasons to Buy

• Approved pretty much everywhere bear canisters are required
• Very easy to close
• Clear sides making finding food easy
• No tools required to open

Reasons to Avoid

• Lid can be a little difficult to open. A few reports of stuck lids
• Not as lightweight as other options on the market

The BearVault brand of bear canisters is the most common one you'll see when everyone is breaking out their dinner at night, and the 450 size is the size most suitable for most people, on most trips.

The 450 size is enough room for 2 people for a weekend. If you're solo, it'll last you for a few days. This is the size that most people will need. If you're doing longer trips, BearVault has a couple larger size that will suit you just fine (and a smaller size too).

The opening is wide enough for just about any food item you could think to bring backpacking.

The lid is very easy to close, nobody really has any problems there. Opening the lid is a different story. It's true that you don't need any tools or anything to open the BearVault canisters, but I wouldn't say it's easy. You need decently strong fingers and a bit of technique. Definitely practice at home before you head out on your first trip.

There are also limited reports of BearVault canister lids becoming completely stuck and unopenable. I have personally witnessed this myself (an unlucky friend's brand new canister), and attempted to open a stuck canister by all sorts of means including heat, lubricant, prying with a knife, the list goes on. Obviously, no one wants to be out in the backcountry with a canister full of food that they can't access.

On the other hand, my canister has been used dozens of times and the lid has never become stuck, so this might be more bad luck of getting a dud than a serious defect with the canister. Still, something to be aware of. Definitely test opening and closing your canister before you leave home.

The see through sides are a big bonus. It really helps to not have to hunt through your canister for that one electrolyte pack. The see through sides also let light in to the canister interior, so even if you do end up having to hunt, you can see what's going on inside.

The canister has been designed such that it should fit in most backpacks. If you have a smaller, ultralight backpack you might run in to issues, but otherwise you shouldn't have a problem.

The Bearvault canisters are approved pretty much everywhere that a bear canister is required, so they're a safe bet on the regulatory side.

Reasons to Buy

• Heavy-duty construction
• Simple but secure locking mechanism
• Approved in all Parks

Reasons to Avoid

• Non-clear sides means you have to hunt a bit more
• Lid requires a tool to lock or unlock
• Very heavy when compared to other models
• Only one size available

The Counter Assault Bear Keg is an impressive piece of gear for campers and hikers who frequent bear country. This robust canister is designed to deter even the most curious bears, combining top-level security with relative ease of use.

One of the main attractions of this bear keg is its durability. Crafted from bright-yellow, high-strength polymer, it's engineered to withstand forceful bear attacks without sustaining damage. Numerous users have reported instances where the canister was knocked around by bears but remained secure, keeping the food inside perfectly safe.

Despite its solid construction, the Counter Assault Bear Keg is surprisingly lightweight. Weighing only 3.5 pounds when empty, it does not add much bulk to your pack — a feature that many hikers have appreciated in their reviews.

The storage capacity is another factor that earned this product positive remarks. With room to hold about a week's worth of food (approximately 11.7 liters), this keg is suitable for longer hiking or camping trips. It can also double as a sturdy seat in camp, a practical feature noted by some users.

User reviews do highlight a hiccup when it comes to accessibility – namely, the use of three inset screws to secure the lid. While this design ensures bears can't simply unthread the top to access contents, it does require you to have a coin or similar tool to hand for opening and closing. Some users found this inconvenient, although others saw it as a minor compromise for the peace of mind the keg provides.

As for fitting into your pack, the Counter Assault Bear Keg's dimensions (9 inches in diameter and 14 inches tall) should allow it to fit comfortably in most larger backpacks. Compact enough for ease of packing, but large enough to discourage bears, this product hits a sweet spot that users found to be just right.

Many users reported that despite dropping, dragging or other harsh treatment, the canister came out undented, unscratched and most importantly, unopened by bears. This testament to its durability and effectiveness was consistent across multiple reviews.

Reasons to Buy

• Huge storage capacity
• Easy to access and use
• Extremely lightweight and packable compared to hard sided models

Reasons to Avoid

• Not approved in all parks
• Requires a tree hang to keep your food from getting squished

The Ursack Major XL has become a go-to choice for many nature-loving folks when it comes to bear canisters. It's an efficient and lightweight solution for backpackers who want to ensure their food is safe from hungry woodland critters.

Weighing in at only 8.8 ounces, this bag is the perfect partner for those who want to keep their packs as light as possible. But don't mistake its weight for weakness – it's made of the ultra-high-performance fabric known as 'UHMWP'. This material is incredibly resistant to tearing and, according to Ursack, 'spectacled bear resistant'. So, it’s not just your average camping bag, it's practically a superhero cape for your snacks.

One thing customers love is the larger size. The Ursack Major XL can hold about 10.65 liters of food, which should be plenty for a several-days trip in the wilderness. Plus, the bag’s flexible material and design make it easier to squeeze into a packed backpack compared to the rigid structure of traditional bear canisters.

Attaching it to a tree is a breeze thanks to its integrated 6-foot, 2,500-pound tensile strength cord. This, combined with its patented and straightforward 'closure and double-cinch system', ensures your food stays secure no matter how clever the bears in your area might be.

However, it's crucial to remember that while the Ursack Major XL is a sturdy bag, it's not approved by all national park services in the United States. Some customers have reported experiencing difficulties with park rangers in areas where rigid canisters are required. This might be a downside depending on your preferred camping locations.

Despite this, many reviews online testify to the Ursack Major XL's durability and convenience. Users appreciate its weight, space, and the peace of mind it brings, though, some mention that it may take a bit of practice to master the knot-tying technique. And while it's on the pricier side, most folks think it's a worthwhile investment for frequent campers.