Choosing a Bear Canister (Bear Vault, UDAP, Garcia Backpacker's Cache, Bare Boxer)

Today we are looking at the most popular and most common bear canisters that are required at national parks to store your food when you are out in the back country. Choosing the right bear canister when going into the back country can be a difference maker. There are alot of pros and cons to consider with the options out there. We will see the similarities and differences that make them unique so you can choose what is the best one for you.
#bearvault #bearcanister #foodstorage
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[@TheNoobHiker]

This is an excellent review! Seeing all of them next to each other provides a great visual. You detailed each one perfectly! thank you! 👍👍👍

[@hectatusbreakfastus6106]

I like that you mentioned that bears can open bear vaults. That's a good enough reason for anyone who is serious about adventuring to look for other options.

[@OutdoorsIQ]

I don’t even know why I’m watching this, we don’t have bears in Australia😂

[@Olympic_TryAthlete]

There’s got to be something that would try to get your food.

[@martin.feuchtwanger]

You should add that the Lil Sami and Big Daddy each has an anodized aluminum lid that is also a 850ml fry pan. Could be a good plus for anyone who doesn't already have a fry pan.

[@anthropomorphicmonster9113]

Love my bare boxer. You can use more than a key to open it. I've used pocket knife, hard small sticks and a pointy little rock. I feel like I could get it open in any situation. I started hot soaking my food in a collapsible reusable silicone zip lock bag, that way I don't have to squeeze my pot and stove in there too. I can now get 5 days of food in it but I'm a small guy so I probably eat less than most backpackers. I now carry it on every backpacking trip. I just got fed up with hanging a bear bag. Most trees I find are less than ideal and always got my dang rock and line all tangled up. They also keep out rodents and birds where as bags do not.

[@chiraldude]

One thing about bear canisters is that, even though they don't collapse as you consume food, you can add non-food items which makes room elsewhere in your pack.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

yes good point

[@tinymetaltrees]

Thanks! This was helpful.

[@sundaymorninghikes6275]

That was great information! Thank you! While I love the weight of my bear bag, it really is a pain in the ass after a long day of hiking, and there were warnings of bears along the AT (I was in GA and NC this past July) that have figured out how to get the food even though it was hung up using the PCT method

[@austinburns4213]

Yes, I agree. I am terrible at getting a proper hang. The Appalachian Trail conservatory now strongly recommends using bear canisters and they believe that bear cans will soon be a requirement throughout the AT. The smokies do need to update their outdated regulations to allow bear cans: "All odorous items (e.g., food, trash, lip balm, toothpaste, stock feed, hay etc) must be hung on the bear cable system at each campsite or shelter."

[@jenb.6440]

Great information; thank you!

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gabriele1975]

I went with two BV450. Each person will carry their own food and help carry food for the dog. I'm considering an ursack for the dog food for longer hikes so the dog can carry his food in his pack and then throw the whole pack into the ursack at the end of the day. This will free up room in the BV450 so we can stay out longer.

[@craigdoeden3331]

Have a Garcia...getting a Bare Boxer. Same reasons you mentioned. Need a smaller one for short trips, and already have a larger one for longer trips.

[@charityanderson8327]

Same. We have a Garcia but just ordered the Bare Boxer due to weight and size. I'm a little worried about opening it but we'll see. I wish it had the same opening as the Garcia. That is super easy.

[@jimmythefish]

We have the bear vault 500. It’s usually our family of 4 hiking and so it’s me shoving it in my 85L Osprey pack. I like it. No hanging food and it doubles as a great chair. We’re in Victoria BC, need it for the OP anyways and have learned to love it.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

That is awesome! thanks for sharing your experience

[@garybolenable]

I took my Garcia bear canister on one of my hikes to the Enchanted Valley in the ONP. My first day out there a really big black bear tried to wander into my campsite at Pyrites Creek the first day. When I day hiked into the Enchanted Valley on the second day, I came back to find my Garcia totally mauled by what I'm assuming is the big boy that kept trying to come into my camp the first day. Nicely enough though, it held up fine.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Wow! Thanks for sharing

[@garybolenable]

@@BackcountryRenegade - This is one of my first videos so it is kind of raw, but it shows the black bear in question and the damage he did to my Garcia bear canister: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmrJqKCVd7WKq9E

[@BackcountryRenegade]

@@garybolenable nice! It held up pretty good. Did it’s job

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Just linked to you on my bear can video that will come out in a few weeks - hope it gets you some traffic!

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Awesome thanks! I’ll check it out

[@jliverty]

I'm glad you have done this review, I love putting stuff inside my BV450 but to be honest that size and the shape of it it's real pain in the ass inside Hyperlite 2400. I swear the God it's the ugliest and eat up a lot of space. I'm considering between bare boxer 101 and the UDAP right now, need to pull the trigger asap.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Stompahlicious like I said I got both of those. The udap makes good use of the space of the hmg pack, it’s like it was made for it. There will be a lot of awkward open space with the bare boxer but it is lighter. If you do more then two nights normally go with the udap

[@jliverty]

Backcountry Renegade yeah thanks to your video, and also bare boxes 101 seems sold out everywhere or back order if you can find one available please let me know?

[@charityanderson8327]

Excellent video. Thanks for not having the hyper youtube voice.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Oh man I was just researching this - perfect timing! I just ordered the Bare Boxer myself. Although most are hard to find at this time, one con for the Garcia is availability - I can't fine them anymore at all.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

lucky to even get a bare boxer. I looked and seem to be all sold out too

[@robertmarino3341]

Very timely for me too. I ended up with the Garcia - bought on Amazon (which I usually steer away from). It seems it one of the few approved for the ADK's - which I hope to be going this fall or spring. I know it's larger than what I will need but I will also fill it with stove, cup, utensils, toothpaste, etc.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Robert Marino that’s what I like to do. So it’s always good to have that room to do it. Garcia is very dependable. You won’t be disappointed

[@HuckOutdoors]

Check out the Lighter 1!

[@BackcountryRenegade]

yes I need to. I havent tried it out yet, so didnt have it to discuss more.

[@albertbray2785]

The BV500 and a Bearicade Blaser are about the same size. BV500 is 8.7" dia. by 12.7" tall and 700 cu in. Blaser is 9"dia. by 12" tall and 750 cu in. Both perfect for multi day treks and food for one up to at least 7 days. So, why don't Pack makers revise their packs to allow them to fit horizontally in their top of the line packs. Example: Zpacks Arc Haul 62L. The main compartment is 12.5" by 8". Added up that's 8+12.5+8+12.5 = 41" The BV 8.7+12.7+8.7+12.7 = 42.8" . and The Blaser 9+12+9+12 = 42" . So for company that provides a large percentage of the Packs used by AT, PCT, & CDT thru hikers, plus a lot of others that value their equipment, why don't they increase their main compartments slightly. I'M PRETTY SURE IT WOULD BE A GREAT SELLING POINT. PS I have tried to get both in my Arc Haul Horizontally. The Dyneema does not stretch. I am a hunter and have tried KUIU packs and others, same problem. Bear canisters are sized to insure the bear can not open its mouth to bite it. I'm not sure what pack manufactures criteria is .

[@bryceudd377]

At 3:07 you mentioned the bear vault canisters are outlawed in some areas due to some bears having figured out how to open them. This is the first I've ever heard of this. Can you link or direct where to find more information about this? I'd like to know where this has occurred. Thanks for your effort in making this video by the way!

[@christopherhaak9824]

This is really a myth, there is a single instance on a bear opening one. That bear was put down. Bears are persistent, but not that smart.

[@onionhead5780]

Just a heads up. I’ve seen pics of the clear brand that actually got chewed through.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Onion Head oh wow that’s crazy. Good to know

[@jerseyltd]

Is there other ways to store food on the AT? Im from NC and im olanning to go next week in asheville. ( solo..im fucking crazy lol) but i want to be ready help a brother out!

[@MaryannHazel]

I have the Bearikade Scout and Expedition - love them both. They are pricy, but in my opinion, well worth the cost. Never had an issue opening them either. I have a couple friends that have the Bear Boxer and both have struggled with them being hard to open. But for the price and size, they are great. Curious - do you have issues with the rib of the larger canister you bought digging into your back with the Southwest 3400? Nice review!

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Maryann Hazel I haven’t tried the bearikade canisters yet, but I hope too soon. The price has been keeping me a away so far. Holding out hope to find a used one for sell. I have had no problem with the udap digging into me while in the hyperlite 3400 as long as I don’t try to stuff a lot of stuff in front of it. Also I have a hyperlite 4400 and the Garcia fits fine in there and also no issues digging into me.

[@MaryannHazel]

@@BackcountryRenegade - thanks - not that I'm thinking about getting the UDAP. I had an issue with my Scout the first time I used it with the Southwest 3400. I had it on top of my sleeping bag, but I guess didn't cushion it enough. I had no issues doing a recent five-day hike. I was extra careful padding my back this time!

[@BackcountryRenegade]

@@MaryannHazel nice, yes the UDAP does fit really well in the 3400. I should also mention I packed my pack using the hyperlite pods which helped give the canister a flat even surface to rest on, so I think that also helped to not make it dig into me..

[@robertmarino3341]

@@BackcountryRenegade Pods?

[@Doa616]

Borrowed the udap from my friend only issue I had was trying to open it ,, it was hard the thing holding the lid wouldn’t turn

[@BackcountryRenegade]

yes, takes a few practice tries and getting used to it. Have a coin handy or taped to the lid.

[@meltdownman1]

Thank you for the review! I was wondering if you could tell me if there is any kind of map out there that tells where a bear canister is required here in the State of Washington where I am from. It is very confusing. In addition, what areas the bear sack can be used in lieu of the bear cans?

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Your welcome! If you search, "Where Do I Need To Carry A Bear Canister?" there is a helpful article by improve backpacking that goes over many pf the places they are required. But it is best to always check the requirements of where you plan to go first.

[@peadookie]

You can also go to the forest service itself - e.g. Google "bear canister Coeur d'Alene national forest".

[@firstname4337]

wow, the bearvault 500 is huge -- if I had that I wouldn't have room for anything else in my pack

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Yes. Way too big for my taste

[@gigilaroux762]

After you fill it where do u put it? They don’t have any loops to hang it from something.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

It depends on what pack I take. I have a 55l pack and it fits inside. If I use a smaller pack I either use y straps to attach it to the top or if the pack has a top lid I will put it under the top lid and a cinch it down

[@TravelingPhotographer]

UDAP

[@ashleighyoung1295]

Thanks for making this video! I have a rookie question hopefully someone can help? I'm going car camping with my dog in Helen Georgia. If I buy this can the bear smell that there's food in my car? I'm scared that big brown boy will try to come in the car and get my peanut butter and jelly! If it has to stay outside can I hide it underneath my car? I don't want anyone in the camp geound to steal it.

[@charityanderson8327]

I kept food in the trunk of my car in the Adirondacks. There had been no bear activity yet that season and bear canisters were not required at this campground. A black bear came through, in the middle of the night, and scratched up my car. Best bet though? Ask the ranger or camp host.

[@Itsme83.]

Seems like you could make one out of a large pvc pipe. Why are these things so expensive?

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Bears can break through the pvc, these are built to better with stand and integrated locking top

[@cgKyle]

Another issue with the bag is that a bear can get their mouth around it and walk away with it. The canisters have diameters too big for that problem.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Very true . Thanks for mentioning that

[@twochordcool]

That's why it's imperative that you tie it to a tree.

[@davidconroy5683]

Amazes me why manufactures use blue tones which bears see best.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

haha, right?

[@jgrahambo85]

they don't need to see it, they will smell it just fine.

[@ryanknebel4912]

Bears being able to see the canister might be a good thing. Once they are able to recognize that canisters are not worth the effort to open, they often just skip them. If a bear sees the canister better, that keeps them at a further distance.

[@jillstatham4727]

Get your guns up

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Yes! Wreck’em

[@jheighten7568]

What happens if my food is inside a fridge in my car?

[@BackcountryRenegade]

I would think that would be okay for a night or two

[@drivingmissmolly]

Just FYI, the BV canisters (the clear blue ones) are no longer considered bear proof or resistant. Parks that require bear canisters won’t accept Bear Vault canisters anymore, they will make you rent a different one.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

yes I heard about that, bears are getting smarter, thanks for sharing

[@jerseyltd]

Do i really need this bulky stuff in my bag? Lol its going to take 30% of my space

[@BackcountryRenegade]

I know I agree. I only take it if it’s required, which at the places I typically go, they are. If it’s not required, take a bear bag

[@jerseyltd]

@@BackcountryRenegade AT is around asheville nc right? I think i can take either or. But is there anything i can do to protect my food other than these things? Something homemade or whatever? Thanks for replying! 🙏🙏🙏😁

[@stevepearson6983]

Your toothbrush and toothpaste should be in your bear can anyway.

[@BackcountryRenegade]

Yep indeed

[@ronaldgood3545]

"I'M SORRY, BUT.....Why complain about "COIN" use??..... THAT'S WHAT (MULTI-TOOLS) ARE FOR....🙄

[@wildandliving1925]

Bears get into the ur sack by bitting and ripping

[@Alaska_Gal]

The background music is so awful & distracting. :(

[@BackcountryRenegade]

lol old vid, lots changed

[@michaelbattin6717]

bearvault is worthless in cold weather.....do your homework