How Much Food Fits in a Bearvault BV425 - BV450 - BV475 - BV500 ?

[@gcvrsa]

One thing I would definitely caution people is to remember that more needs to go into a bear canister than just food. Anything that has a scent that could attract wildlife has to go in, so buy a bigger canister than you think you need. In fact, if you can only buy one, I would recommend you get the biggest one, and then find a pack that fits it. If you are going on a shorter trip, you can always pack other items in the canister than food, but you cannot make a smaller can bigger. Also remember that your first day's food doesn't need to go in the canister, because you are going to eat it before you need the canister, and ditto for any food you are planning to eat during each day's hike, if you want to pack the canister at the bottom of your pack, where it probably makes the most sense to pack it, because of the size and shape and weight.

[@farstrider79]

@@gcvrsa Definitely all your food smelling stuff in there, but I definitely would put anything but that stuff. If you stuff a spare shirt in your canister with your beef jerky, then pull it out and wear it while you're sleeping, you're wearing that smell. Try to keep things seperated if at all possible.

[@joycec8]

Hiking Guy out there, answering the questions we've asked ourselves while shopping at REI 👍

[@Hikingguy]

Ha thank you 👍👍👍

[@austinburns4213]

I can't tell you how many times I have gone back to this video, Hiking Guy. Super

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you appreciate it!

[@mistyreed4558]

This was enormously helpful!! Thank you so much. I don’t know REI or other retailers don’t offer the info in this way, so quite appreciated 👏🏻

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you!

[@edfody5369]

i've gone 4 days / 3 nights using the little bear vault - go to for all trips regardless of the rule - so much easier to drop it by a tree instead of trying to find a hang!

[@lightwalker4558]

I bought the BV500 to take during my 2021 trip on the 100 Mile Wilderness. It fit 6 days of meals. I threw my first day's good in my pack to get to 7 days. I did not use zip lock bags. I finished that hike in 6.5 days. 😁

[@totoroben]

Here is an informative table model grams liters g/L BV425 800 5 160 BV450 940 7.2 131 BV475 1030 9.3 111 BV500 1160 11.5 101 As you can see from the table above, weight of the canister relative to capacity drops significantly as you increase capacity. It would make sense in this case, when traveling with a group, to have one person carry the food on shorter trips. That would be decided based on the amount of servings you are trying to fit, as outlined in your video.

[@photorockbar471]

When I use a canister that is too big for the trip, I put other things in the canister besides food.

[@odbt1071]

As a booger eating moron, these are the types of tips I am looking for. Thank you.

[@StevenTorrey]

Considering need for breakfast, lunch, dinner--coffee, snacks--even at BV 500 cannister is sufficient only for about 6 days of hike. If your lucky!

[@mtadams2009]

Thanks for making this video. I only use the canister for stashing food for resupply. I live on the East Coast and have no issues just hanging my food. I hike with a dog so I need to bring additional food. Thanks for making such a good video. Take care

[@ShaunBurch]

I appreciate this practical demonstration of realistic expectations. Thank you!

[@DrKeithMcNally]

I appreciate this video. Thanks. I'm prepping for a AT thru hike for 2025. I'm gathering all the information possible. My problem with this is - I can't eat the high-sodium packs (health reasons). Still, great information here.

[@Chefrabbitfoot]

Just picked up the bv475 for my 7 day hike in a couple weeks :)

[@bsmukler]

Somewhere there’s a bear with an IPad licking its lips, thinking “Yum, Clif Bars….”

[@GreggObst]

This was hugely informative and helpful and answered the questions I had about picking the correct model. Thanks!

[@daveevans7151]

Great video! Bought the BV 425 and it really is a one day/two dayer. I was shocked how heavy it was though. I am coming from a Bearikade weekender (650ci) and that thing is bigger and not much heavier. Was trying to look for a smaller footprint for a smaller bag on one to two night trips. We have to have them in RMNP (unfortunately). Still on the fence about the 425...hard to get other things in there when it's loaded with food.

[@dperry7309]

I’ve been carrying the BV500 on all trips to the Sierras for years. Most of the time it’s overkill for size and weight. I’m looking forward to the BV425 to free up pack space and almost a pound! Thanks for the great info👍

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you 👍 and yea, after the 425 came out I was wondering why it hadn't come out sooner. I love that it's small and doesn't eat all my back space.

[@edmundoa1935]

Thanks!

[@Hikingguy]

Big big thank you!

[@xLightsouTx628x]

I have the 425. I love it. Perfect for me for 1-2 over nights

[@Oldsparkey]

I've been using the BV 450 for more years then I care to say. Always wishing they had one a little shorter. The BV 425 would be ideal for me and a 4 night trip. I'm one of those you mentioned , I pack everything in Zip Locks since I like to do the Freezer bag cooking. I also make most of my meals , preferring home cooking for the most part. Florida has Black Bears but the real trouble makers are the masked Bandits ( Raccoons ) that roam the wood lands. Before the Bear Vaults it was a section of a large PVT pipe with end caps to stop the bandits. The group I canoed with called them " Coon Tubes ".

[@Hikingguy]

Ha I hadn't heard of the PVC tube idea but it makes a lot of sense. I used to live on the east coast and have done my fair share of garbage can cleanup after raccoons got in and did their thing.

[@Oldsparkey]

@@Hikingguy .. It works good. Watched a couple Raccoons try there level best for about 20 minutes and they never got in it. That was up in the North Eastern part of the Okefenokee Swamp at Cravens Hammock .

[@kenwbrenner]

Hi. First time viewer, enjoyed watching this in additon to needing to understand bear canisters better. I really liked the way you showed the capacity and # of days for each canister. I mostly do shorter (5-6 days) AT hikes, or hikes in the Smokies, so your video helped me understand what size to potentially look fo (i.e. VV475?). I think these would be easier to carry if we still used the old external frame packs (i.e. Jansport D3). I'm 70 and have been hiking since the early 70s. Like these, I find the newer equipment is too expensive for the average hiker. Regardless, great job on this video, will look at your channel for other videos. I also enjoyed the humorous way you showed each canister - are you by chance ex-military? God Bless!

[@HuskyMike]

Re: Taking on shorter trips. Had the same thought about that little BV425. Definitely something to be said for the worry-free aspect (and multi-use ability) of a bear can.

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, it's just simple and one less thing to think about / do... very happy with the 425.

[@wolfeadventures]

Great visual aide. I like the Bare Boxer for 1-3 day trips. 26oz or so. 275 cu.i.

[@totoroben]

This is a very helpful video. I am interested in how much space repacking the food would save, and capacity to weight ratios between the different models. I'll do some more research. My thought is to buy the largest one, and on shorter trips designate one person to pack in the food when splitting up gear.

[@Hikingguy]

Yea that's usually what I do when taking trips with friends. We just take turns carrying the 500.

[@barnaclebill1615]

I loved this video so much better as u show the packs and stuff the heck outta the canisters. 👍👍🇺🇸😁

[@gr8bkset-524]

If I take all the food out of their pouches and put them into small ziplock bags I can fit 12 days worth of food in my BV500. More importantly is the calories. In order to last long and not go rancid, these freeze dried foods don't have any fat/oil in them. I add a table-spoon of olive oil to breakfast oatmeal and dinner freeze dried foods. For lunch, it'll be something with peanut butter. fat/oil has 200-300 calories per ounce, whereas carbohydrates have half as much.

[@markmessick8691]

Thanks for the review. I have the 450 and with repackaging I can fit 4/5 days of food for one. Looks like you shot the video at Crystal Cove State Park / Moro Canyon?? Thanks again, I truly appreciate your videos. Before I go on a hike I check to see if you have already done it so I know what to expect. Your videos are very well done, entertaining and informative.

[@Hikingguy]

thank you!

[@personal.YouTube.channel]

Yes, I agree. Repacking stuff would allow you to get more in the container. YES IT IS WORTH IT ! .... ( Anything worth doing is worth doing right )

[@mudbone7706]

Very helpful demonstration of the sizes/capacities of these bear cans. Also, digging the jazz soundtrack!

[@NealBenson]

Great video! Thank you so much for making this.

[@DanielBelliveau-y5x]

Along with other scented items which should go in a bear bag or vault, like sunscreen, bug dope, and toothpaste with brush ; and/or foot powder and body glide and lip balm; in the BV-500 I could only fit about 4 or 5 days worth of food. Realistically although those backpacker meals may say 2 portions, almost no one makes 2 meals out of them , not that I've ever seen. Re-packaging your meals could add more room for other food.

[@VivianInTheOC]

Such an excellent video. Very helpful. Thank you Hiking Guy!

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you 👍👍

[@pauldearhouse8309]

hey Hiking Guy - great stuff, helpful. Subscribing as I see lots of other good topics I've been curious about. Cheers

[@robinpettit7827]

If your bearvault is too large for your trip just stick non-food items in it. You do remove them at camp and have to reinsert them to continue. Not too much work though.

[@jesuschrist69]

People often suggest to put other items in the bear canister. But could see it being a problem if you put items you have in your camp / tent overnight in the bear canister during the day with your food and trash!

[@robinpettit7827]

@@jesuschrist69 Use ziplock bags so the food smells don't permeate the items you stick in the bear canister.

[@CaseyWatchin]

man I really needed this! thank you!!!!!

[@germotlp]

Good stuff. This makes my decision a bit easier

[@gcvrsa]

There are some areas in Adirondack State Park in New York where BearVault products are NOT approved, because local bears have been able to open them.

[@RebeccaTiffany1]

What is approved there?

[@jacobrousse111]

The bears in the adirondacks can destroy the bear vaults.. luckily, they're supposedly the only bears in the country smart enough to do so. They rent out black bear cans that utilize an embedded lid that locks with two coin slots. If you own a BV, you can exchange it for an approved container at the adirondack loj for no charge.

[@Mesol0vely]

The Counter Assault Keg is approved there

[@toddgrant7190]

I liked the jazzy music and sped-up video. Cute.

[@Jombo970]

Would you recommend going with the 425 or the 450 if you could only get one and primarily do weekend hikes…also, I heard bears can fit their mouths around the 425?

[@Hikingguy]

425 has been perfect for me on weekend hikes - no problems when I've used it in bear country but I'm sure a bear somewhere was able to bite it - it's more of an odds game than looking for something perfect

[@darkdante2k4]

Thanks for the review! Would you recommend a bear vault or ursack?

[@Hikingguy]

The Bearvault will give you more options when traveling in parks that require an approved canister. They're accepted in more places than the Ursack.

[@r0bertfrank]

awesome video, thanks so much

[@malloryhuffstickler777]

Great video! Very informative 😃

[@MastaSquidge]

The 425/475 still has not been added to the list of approved cans for many parks yet, so anyone considering one of those should keep in mind that rangers may make a federal case out of it. Pun intended.

[@ProjectileGrommet]

That’s crazy to me. I can’t imagine a ranger ticking you because your bear can was a half size too small

[@MastaSquidge]

​@@ProjectileGrommetyeah. It's silly, but some will uphold it to the letter... and number.

[@johnnycabrera8027]

Is it a thing to ask REI or some of these other companies if they could give you some sort of promo code? For instance, I like to buy things in person, so if I bought an item at REI I could give them your promo code just to let them know that because of you I went in store to purchase the item

[@Hikingguy]

I appreciate that, thank you. Unfortunately it's not an option so far. But again, big thank you, and grab your stuff in store, it's the best way to do it if you have one near you.

[@johnnycabrera8027]

@@Hikingguy Just wanna say thank you for your videos. I just started getting into backpacking and I live in the San Diego area. Your videos helped me with my first overnight hike and made me feel comfortable going into this since I’m the only one in my friend group who enjoys the outdoors this much

[@Hikingguy]

@@johnnycabrera8027 thank you!

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

😊Thanks. Very good information

[@InventorGadget]

Excellent! Very helpfull video!

[@DiGiTaLdAzEDM]

So, what do people using this system do with their cookware/dishes, etc overnight? Those things could also bring a bear to your campsite.

[@Hikingguy]

wash them

[@coachhannah2403]

I carry almost nothing non-food that needs protecting. For 7-night+ I have a travel-size toothpaste (powder is smaller), an equal sized container for sunscreen (I go long sleeve and long pants instead). And I will guarantee animals will not bother sunscreen or bug spray. Last trip, 6 nights, one freeze-dry as emergency, and home-dried food plus sweets and lunches, plus accidentally an extra meal. All fit in the 500, just barely, with first night meal external to vault. Might invest in smaller one, but probably not, as BV500 fits my pack and a couple oz ain't gonna make my trip better.

[@MacBjorn]

Thank you for this!!

[@AV-om4rk]

Does the BV475 fit horizontally in the Hyperlite pack?

[@mamabi72]

I was going to ask the same question.

[@Hikingguy]

Okay so I just tried it out. It does fit horizontally in the pack, but it seems like the pack tapers a little at the bottom and it gets stuck about 2-3 inches above the bottom. You if you put it above there and pack things beneath it, you'll be fine. Video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHOnqZV7od5mmtk

[@StepsbyKaatje]

How much do they weigh when empty ?

[@glennwatson3313]

If it was little bigger you could get in with your food and be even safer from bear attack.

[@Hikingguy]

or trap the bear inside

[@pilgrimbruce6475]

Thank you for a very useful visual guide. My style of backpacking food is "Dollar General Resupply". So, its quite different than the Mountain House meals. But the Mountain House meals condense a lot less and so take up about the same volume. In short, 4 days of food is 4 days of food. So this video does exactly what is intended: give a accurate visualization of how large a bear canister is needed.

[@eddiediaz3787]

Very helpful!!

[@davidk7334]

Did you try standing the food pouches versus laying them down?

[@Hikingguy]

Yup same ballpark

[@S172142230149]

What about toiletries???

[@Hikingguy]

If you look at the part where I show you the filled canisters there's room in there for odds and ends.

[@elliottwiley2450]

Bv500 is huge but it makes a great seat at camp!

[@pnwhiker4239]

What about your trash? Is there also enough room to place your trash in there ? The small canister …. I was told you need to store your toiletries and trash in there.

[@Hikingguy]

Yup usually the trash as you go can stay in there. I have a ziplock back to keep trash in and when I'm done food, food bag goes in ziploc and in then in bear canister.

[@DrKeithMcNally]

Also, subscribed!

[@nedanother9382]

I had no idea there was a BV475.....Damnit.

[@peterbedford2610]

They are heavy!!!

[@tr7b410]

Do you carry bear spray with you on your backcountry hikes.? Have you ever seen strange lights in the sky.?

[@jodymills2199]

Are you David Paulides in disguise?

[@pellelindbergh4455]

like your vids but i could fit more food in my bv 475 you just have to take everythng out and zip lock it

[@Hikingguy]

yup, but most people don't and just want to put the food they bought in there as-is

[@pellelindbergh4455]

yeah you are right .@@Hikingguy

[@AlaskanGeezer]

I use a Bear Keg or another version. I also have 2 giant grub cans. I bought them watching bears open BEAR VAULTS in less than 30 minutes they could open!!!! I will never carry a bear vault. I watched 3 bears open them from not tooo far away because they were interested in them more than me or my Bear Kegs or Grub Cans. Bears apparently have bigger brains than humans but a little less dexterity and practically no use of the internet. I did watch a bear open a Bear Vault in under a minute. I can not but he had the Nails of Doom. It took seconds...... Sorry, a bear will need a quarter to get in mine. Bear Keg , Counter Assault. Best Bear Spray. Also best anti bear....Bear Vault is cute but I watched bears open it more easily than I do and they never leave much scraps.......

[@personal.YouTube.channel]

The reason why most people are having problems with bear bags. It's because they're being lazy. In hanging the bear bags. The limb that you put the cord over for the bear bag. Needs to be just strong enough to hold the bag and can't pull it down by the court But still be flexible enough. That way when the bear tries to climb OUT on it. The bear would fall. It needs to be a substantial distance from the tree. Like over 10' or more. Just strong enough not too strong. Not too weak As well put it up a substantial distance up like 15-20' no bear wants to fall. That far to the ground. ( THAT WOULD BE ONE HARD HIT ) I take my time. Find the right tree & this is what I do in over 20 years. Of long-term hacking & camp. I HAVE NEVER HAD A BEAR GET MY BEAR BAG. The problem is LAZY & STUPID people.