Ultralight Packs Capable of Carrying A Berikade Expdition?

I have a Mariposa a few years old, not a 2012, but I think the proportions are similar. Last year on the JMT we rented Expeditions, and mine fit just fine in the Mariposa. Vertically. Some people seem to want their bear cans to go in horizontally but I like vertically better anyway because then I can get into it at lunch or something without hauling it out of the pack. Here it is on that trip, with the Expedition in it.

I was just out on the JMT with my zpacks exo. It worked fine, carrying a bearikade expedition vertically with some room on the beneath and on the sides.

I think you'll find most packs will hold a bear canister vertically. Heck, I can fit my bearikade weekender in my GG Murmur pack and I know an expedition will fit in their also because the diameter is the same. The issue isn't if it will fit, it's about how well the pack will carry the weight. I did the JMT in 2009 with a older mariposa and was carrying more weight than the pack was designed for. As a result I had a sore neck for a portion of that hike after picking up resupplies. I was carrying between 30-35lbs. at that time. I now carry 24lbs. max with water and 10 days of food in a canister. That might work in a Mariposa–I'm not sure. I now use a modified GoLite Jam2 that has proven to be very comfortable with the weight.
Whatever pack you decide on be aware of the recommended carry weight and by all means do some trail testing with it. Having something that fits in your pack doesn't mean you'll be comfortable carrying it.

Just did 7 days on the Sierra High Route with my ULA Circuit and cinched my Bearikade Weekender down on top of the pack. Worked really well and never shifted or caused any problems. I liked having it on the outside of my pack for quick access I think my starting weight with canister was around 37lbs. I'm sure you could put the expedition on the pack the same way.

The ULA Epic is designed to take a rolled-up packraft beneath the dry bag pack body. I've put a Bearicade Scout under the pack bag with no problems. I put some silicon dots on the wrap-around to help hold it in place. The Epic is a very clever solutions to issues like this!

Was able to get one onto/into a GG Gorilla but it took some creativity and very compact non-food gear for a 9-day Bailey Range traverse.

Exo works awesome, and only weighs 14 oz. I can carry a Bear canister and 30-35 lbs no problem and the pack is surprisingly comfortable.

Cheers

I have a zpacks Blast but made with the same material as the zpacks Exo but with larger volume. I love the pack.

The ULA Airx would also work.

I took the ZPacks Exo with a Bearikade Expedition on the JMT with my wife and two of our daughters. One of my replies to the questions I received after my trip report contains also a detailed “review” of the ZPacks Exo. I carried up to 39 lbs (right after resupply at MTR) in that pack and was very happy with it. It had enough space left for two person tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, extra clothes, stove, cooker, fishing gear, etc.

Manfred

P.S.: Afterwards I took my ZPacks Exo on the Sierra High Route. For that trip I carried only the Bearicade Scout and had a max weight of 26 lbs on my back – very comfortable and nice for climbing across all these passes with loose talus.

P.P.S.: I believe ZPacks has stopped production of the Exo and replaced it with the Arc Blast. Although the Arc Blast uses the same bag as the Exo, the design of the frame might prevent a Bearikade Expedition from fitting in due to the curvature of the frame.

I'm currently trying out a Zpacks Arc Blast and it fits a BV500 vertically no problem with lots of extra vertical room, and a little extra depth. According to the manufacturer website, the BV500 has a 8.7" diameter x 12.7" length, and the Bearikade Expedition has a 9″ diameter base by 14.5″ length. With all the extra room I had for the BV500, I think the Expedition should fit fine.

Michelle

Was this the case regarding the fit of he can in the upper portion of the pack, or does the can slip all the way down to the bottom? ZPacks site states: "A Bear Canister can easily fit standing vertically in the upper half of the backpack." Not sure how I feel having that weight up higher on my back. Also, what is your take on the pack sitting off your back?

TIA

KJ

Definitely, in either direction.

I know my Bearicade Expedition fits just fine upright in a Gossamer Gear Gorilla 2012. I have been using an older Mariposa for a long time which has plenty of room for the canister. I place it either on top of my loosely stuffed sleeping bag, tarp and clothes. If my tarp is wet from rain or condensation I put the canister next to my bag and clothes so my wet stuff stays on top.

My BV500 is currently placed above the curve of the frame, but "half" is misleading. It's really closer to 1/3 of the pack height from the bottom. When I get home I can measure precisely if you're interested. It's currently sitting on top of my sleeping bag and clothes, which is where I normally would place a bear canister in any other pack, so it's not placed any higher than usual.

I've only worn the pack around the house so far, but it seems to have good load transfer to the hips. I haven't noticed any pressure on my shoulders, and I don't notice the weight being further away. Although I've only worn it for maybe 30 minutes max, so perhaps a longer wearing may prove otherwise. Unfortunately, I've been having some back pains this past week, so I'm not sure when I'll be able to wear it for a few hours.

Just got a Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider pack, size Tall.

My 10-year-old Bearikade Expedition does not fit inside, but it does fit nicely under the Y-strap on top. I painted the Bearikade Expedition white to make it easier to find, and keep the contents cooler: