swd long haul capacity & bear can

Both have an unrolled length of 35″. There is only a 1oz difference in weight between the two. I would go with 50L. I had a BV500 vertical in my Kakwa 40L (33″) and it fit with a pretty light summer kit, but would have preferred to have the 55L as it was maxed out. The compression options on the SWD will allow you to cinch it down tight even if you don’t fill out all of those 50L; they have attachment points all over so it will compare to or outperform any pack in that regard. The 50L version should allow you to carry the BV450 horizontally too. It looks like it won’t in the 40L based on circumference measurements.

good to know. had the same question.  thanks charlie.

I have a 50L Wendigo now called Wolverine.  Same basic pack as Long Haul with more load carrying capacity.  Bearikade Weekender 10.5” tall will fits vertically without any issues.  Will not fit horizontally.  I carried the Bearikade and a 10L Ursack inside on one trip with some Boy Scouts last summer.

how do you like the wendigo/wolverine?

Talagnu, like you, I usually go out for 6 days and almost always have a bear can.

Just wanted to put a plug in for the SWD UL Long Haul 50. I too toyed with the 40 liter capacity, but ultimately decided to play it safe since my go-to canister is the Bearikade Blazer for my wife and me. Also, there are times when something extra gets added to my 3 season kit and I prefer not to lash things on the outside.  Better to have a little more room instead of not enough. When I do pack less gear, there is no floppiness with the 50 — just roll the top down an extra time or two — and it carries like a dream. Very happy with fit, features and impeccable craftsmanship.

That said, saving 8-9 ounces with the new SL40 pack sounds very tempting. I know that saving a few ounces on a pack makes no sense if it doesn’t carry as well, but the SL40 seems like a perfect 3 nights or less backpack that can handle a smallish bear can inside.

how do you like the wendigo/wolverine?

I have both in 70L – hands down the best backpacking pack I’ve had since the 1980’s.

I think it is a great pack. The hip belt is very comfortable and allows your hips to move freely. Carries 40-50lbs well if you have to. I was on a trip with some boy scouts last summer and was stuck carrying about 25lbs of food to start off the hike and other than having to carry that much weight I had no issues.

It’s basically a Long Haul with a stouter hipbelt and taller frame. I have the 50L model and purchased a bow bag that adds another 14L. My pack has the larger side pockets that seriously will hold a 1 gallon water jug and still have room for more.

I would probably go with the 50L just to have the extra capacity if ever needed. There are plenty of attachment loops to compress the pack if needed.

I have the SWD Long Haul 50 and have used a BV 500 with it. I’ve used the two together on two separate trips out to Yosemite visiting my daughter and was able to carry it both internal and with the Y-Strap they offer. You can also use 2 straps across the top if you want.
I’ve been searching for years for my “perfect” pack, and quite honestly the SWD Long Haul 50 is near perfect. If you go with one, I personally recommend the removable hip belt.

Also have the LH 50 and went back and forth between the LH 40/50 and like others went with the 50.  It cinches down and the extra space adds versatility.   As for the bear canister I have the 450 and it fits horizontally in the pack or vertically and it doesn’t really bow out the pack at all.   I like to carry them vertically in my packs.   When you go with a 40 or smaller size pack IMHO you are making more of a decision to carry it on the outside.

Love the pack but also have been eyeing up the SL40.  Although not a huge fan of shock cord, but that’s one nice thing about SWD is they will customize it if you need.  See SWD also updated their website, first time in a long time.

I have a smaller pack and prefer to keep it that way. The bv450 took up entire interior of pack…it was a no go for me. I am using the Carbon Fiber grub can (tuffystuffy). Benefits is weight, size fits horizontal under brain between brain and body of bag or vertical or horizontal in bag. 6.6L. I can pack 6days of dehydrated food, bars, and snacks using repak method (1.1lb/day 2800cal/day). Highly recommend vs the BV. You can rent one on a trial to see if it will work with your setup.

I have a rugged LH 50. Love the pack like others have stated I finally found “the one” after trying 7 other packs. I don’t often use. A bear can but it’s seems any of the smaller cans could easily fit vertically in the LH50.

I’m not an ounce counter so if it were me and I wanted a big can and even more load hauling capacity I’d go with a big wild or wendigo 70. Not much of a weight penalty for a tall frame and it still will roll down and compress at the end of a trip. I’m hoping to order a big wild 70 eventually to complete my quiver.

I’m hoping to order a big wild 70 eventually to complete my quiver.

@JoshB I’m curious why you would choose the Big Wild over the Wolverine (formerly Wendigo)?

Thanks

Does anyone with a SWD 50L know if a BV475 fits horizontally in the pack?

Does anyone with a SWD 70L know if a BV500 fits horizontally in the pack?

Ideally in would sit in the middle of the pack near the curve of your back and not put pressure against the pack material. The only packs I know that can fit are the Catalyst, Flex Capacitor 60-75, and the Arc Haul 70L. Wish more packs were a little wider as opposed to thin and tall for this purpose anyways.

I have a 50L Wolverine/Wendigo and a Bearikade Weekender which is 10.5″ x 9″ vs. 10.5″ x 8.7″ for the BV475. The Bearikade will almost fit horizontally in the pack, but does not. The SWD packs are tapered at the bottom and wider at the top.

Can’t speak to the 70L with a BV500.

Brenneman: 42″ circumference is minimum to fit Blazer/BV500. To protect the pack fabric a little more is actually better for the Bearikades with their sharper corners.

The Big Wild tapers over its height from the 43.5″ to 37″, so at some point those two canisters will start to jam. My guess is that they would sit a little too high for my taste

Yeah I think it would be a bit too high for me too. I wish they had a “Wild Wolverine” 70-75L that had a wider circumference at the bottom and maybe 35-36” unrolled height as opposed to 40”.

With my Wolverine and the numerous attachment loops on the pack, it is possible to setup straps to attach the Bearikade canister on the outside lower portion of the the pack in a “similar” manner to Nunatak’s hybrid Bears Ears Pack. Obviously won’t be as good, but it can be done and don’t know how much weight the attachment loops can withstand. Use of the harness made for Bearikades would probably help: https://www.simpleoutdoorstore.com/bearikade_harness.html

thanks all. I’m gonna order the 50l soon. seems like a versatile choice vs the 40l

I have a long haul 40 and BV 475 and the bear vault does not fit horizontally inside the pack. I am probably going to carry it empty outside the pack when I chose to use both together. I prefer not to  carry it vertically inside but it fits fine that way.

I like the versatility of not having a mesh back so it can be used for UL canoe tripping and packrafting. For me, the big wild 70 or wolverine would be an expedition backpacking pack or a canoe tripping pack where I’d want a simple and durable exterior for portaging.