Bear spray–does the brand matter?

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=18948

Wow, that thread is a sh*tshow.

Edit: it doesn't really answer my question though. Mostly looks like a meta-fight.

What I have read is that you are looking for spray with 2% capsaicin as that is the active ingredient

Counter Assault is the one I see most often. It is kind of expensive but it goes on sale often st REI

http://counterassault.com/html/bearsprayspecs.html

You want bear spray not mace or pepper spray. The two big brands are Counter Assault and UDAP. I don't think chamically there is a huge difference. My understanding is that UDAP tends to come out faster than Counter Assault. This can be good and bad. The bear will get a facefull faster but then again you run out faster as well. My understanding is that its not unknown to have a bear spray can basically empty at the end of an encounter with a bear so I'd get one of the larger cans.

In my opinion the things to check are concentration (2%), spray distance, and spray duration. When you start reading the effective distance you realize that bear needs to be real close before you let it rip.

The other thing is te date of manufactur aned expiry date. Make sure you dont get caught with an old can. Also when your can does expire test it out to get a feel for the distance and the inebitable blow back that gets on in our eyes.