More and more, land management agencies are requiring backpackers to store their food in “approved” bear-resistant equipment. A common question is, “What is the lightest bear-resistant food container I can buy?”
Many, many years ago I was shopping at a well-known backpacking outfitter for a sleeping bag. In those days, retailers like this one, had special areas or rooms with all their sleeping bags on display. This store had several inflated air mattresses and foam pads available so shoppers could try the fit of sleeping bags in the store. Additionally, the store had experienced employees that could answer all questions and ensure customers bought the correct size bag.
In conversations with a couple employees they showed me a new product — a bear canister — recommending it to protect my food.
But it isn’t that simple.
Regulations
If an agency requires a bear-resistant container, you must use one, and it has to be a container the agency has approved. In heavy use areas, rangers will check to see backpackers are in compliance. If not in compliance, expect to be fined and/or removed from the area. In other areas, the question is, should you use one of these pieces of gear.
Bearphobia
Many people, like the store employees I encountered a couple decades ago (or longer I can’t remember), recommend you bring them on every trip where there are bears. I call this “bear-phobia.”
The better answer is to understand bears. A great place to start is by reading this book:
Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance, by Stephen Herrero
Who are We Protecting?
Now back to my comment that, “ . . . it isn’t that simple.”
Land managers do not require bear-resistant containers to protect the backpacker’s food. They want to protect the bears. There is an old saying . . .
A fed bear is a dead bear.
For the record, my comments pertain to black bears. I have no experience with grizzly bears.
In the backcountry, away from popular trails, bears are afraid of humans. If they see you, they will run away. There are two exceptions, (1) a mother bear with cubs and (2) a situation where a human encounters a bear at close quarters, surprising the bear. If you avoid the first two exceptions, there is little to fear.
In heavily-trafficked areas near trails and designated campsites, some bears have become “habituated” with humans, knowing the backpackers have food. These bears lose their fear of us, and often become aggressive if they think we have food. Actually, they don’t have to think we have food, they can smell it.
From this article published by the Federal Government’s National Institute of Environmental Health,
Bears are thought to have the best sense of smell of any animal on earth. For example, the average dog’s sense of smell is 100 times better than a human’s. A blood hound’s is 300 times better. A bear’s sense of smell is 7 times better than a blood hound’s or 2,100 times better than a human’s.
If a bear has become habituated, then they know you have food. These bears become problematic. If relocating them doesn’t stop them from searching out human food, the only thing the land agencies can do is euthanize the animal.
When and What Kind of Container Should You Use
If the rules say you must bring one, the questioned is answered.
For other areas, the backpacker needs to determine the chances of running into a bear. Popular campsites in bear country that do not require a canister, would still be a place you might want to bring one.
For other areas, you might want to consider the lighter Ursack solution. Or if the likelihood of a bear walking into your camp is small, bring no protection. I often sleep with my food. The closer I get to popular areas, the more likely I may choose to bring a Ursack. In areas where they are required and are heavily used, I just don’t go there. It is not the bears I don’t want to deal with, it is the hordes of humanity. I like bears better than a lot of backpackers 😉
Some Specs for Containers
The picture at the top of the page shows the four containers I own. As far as I know, every agency that requires bear canisters has approved the Garcia and Bear Vault brands. There are probably others, but you want to check with the agency before hand. The Ursack I will discuss a little later.
Garcia Canister (Backpacker’s Cache 812 Bear Proof Container)
Size: 10 liters (614 cubic inches) Dimensions: 12 X 8.8 inches Weight: 2 lb. 12 oz.
Bear Vault 500
Size: 11.5 liters (700 cubic inches) Dimensions: 12.7 X 8.7 inches Weight: 2 lb. 9 oz.
Bear Vault 450
Size: 7.2 liters (440 cubic inches) Dimensions: 8.7 X 8.3 inches Weight: 2 lb. 1 oz.
URSACK MAJOR 2XL Bear-Resistant Bag
Size: 30 liters (1830 cubic inches) Dimensions: 16 X 22.5 inches Weight: 10.9 oz.
URSACK MAJOR XL Bear-Resistant Bag
Size: 30 liters (915 cubic inches) Dimensions: 12.5 X 22 inches Weight: 8.8 oz.
URSACK MAJOR XL Bear-Resistant Bag
Size: 10.65 liters (650 cubic inches) Dimensions: 12.5 X 18 inches Weight: 7.6 oz.
Some Thoughts on the Ursack
The image of the Ursack shown at the top of this page is no longer available, and areas that have approved Ursacks do not permit the older models like mine.
For more information on Ursack models, visit the Ursack website.
There is one big problem with the Ursack — people who do not tie them to a tree exactly as the instructions mandate. User error.
If a bear works on an Ursack and cannot get it open, you will have all your food crushed and covered in saliva, so your food really isn’t edible.
Last time I checked some agencies require the optional aluminum liner to be inserted into the Ursack. These liners weigh more than the Ursack. Also, Ursack recommends using a OpSak odor-proof liner bag. I question whether or not they are really odor proof for a bear and they don’t last too long, as the slider (similar to a ZipLock) wears quickly.
A better option would be a NyloFume pack liner from LiteSmith. I highly recommend this company.
I use these NyloFume liner bags with my Ursack and also in a regular stuff sack if there is a slim chance of a bear encounter. I double bag my food and double knot it to try and minimize food odors.
What I Use
If a canister is required or if there is a greater than slim chance of bear problems, I use the Bear Vault Canister. They are the lightest, easy to open and close (for me), and I like that I can see what is inside it. Some people complain the lid is difficult to use.
Sometimes I use the old model Ursack.
But most of the time, in areas where bears live, and the chances of a bear trying to get into my food is extremely low, I use a stuff sack and NyloFume combination.
Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance, 3rd Edition
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BearVault BV500 Journey Bear Resistant Food Container – Extra Large
$94.95 (as of June 28, 2024 18:41 GMT -07:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
BearVault BV450 Jaunt Portable Bear Canister for Backpacking – Medium
$83.95 (as of June 28, 2024 18:41 GMT -07:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Ursack Major XL Bear Backpack – Bear Bag for Backpacking – Camping Pack
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