BearVault 500

The BearVault 500 has been a trusty canister for me to use when other options are not allowed or not available. I carried this canister on the Pacific Northwest Trail from Chief Mountain Customs to Oroville, WA, and then again on the Olympic Peninsula, despite incredulous looks from others on the trail. At 41 oz it is heavy in comparison to some other options like Ursacks and bear hangs, and it is bulky to pack, but the ease of use and the peace of mind from its strong credentials (Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group and Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee approval) have made it an asset.

I can appreciate the weight to volume ratio when comparing to the canisters that I have checked out from some of the national park offices. It is also helpful that it is clear so you can easily find your food. I find that it can generally fit 5-7 days worth of food if I pack strategically.

Despite my challenges with bad circulation and cold hands, I’ve found that the mechanism for opening the canister is easy enough to operate and I’ve appreciated that no additional tools are needed. I haven’t had a bear investigate my canister that I know of, but I can say that all my food has stayed safe on my travels. I generally choose to use lighter methods of food storage when possible (like bear hangs or Ursack – see my other review), but when a canister is required this is my go-to.