BV450 Jaunt Portable Bear Canister for Backpacking - Medium

I dislike having to put one of these in my pack, they add weight and take up space, but I suppose the forest service doesn't want bears to associate hikers with an easy meal. You could always take the chance of hiking without one in areas where they are required, but then you run the risk of getting pulled off the trail.Gripping about the rules aside, this is a great canister and I've used it on countless trips now. It's easy to get your food in and out of since the lid is about the same diameter as the canister. I have friends that use the backpackers cache canisters, and they are constantly stuffing and ripping packaged food trying to get it through its smaller opening. Or they are asking to borrow my leatherman to undo the lid screws that eventually get clogged with dirt or other foreign particles, which can make it nearly impossible to open without a tool.This canister is relatively lightweight, easy to open and close, provides easy access to food, packs as nicely as any other canister, and has provided me with a decent seat on many occasions.If you are forced to pack a canister, then get this one, although I dislike all bear canisters this one is the least objectionable.

We were originally going to go with a bear bag, but since we live in an area with a LOT of black bears and do plan on visiting places with grizzlies we decided to just go all out and get the BearVault. I have a complicated relationship with bears; I love them but I keep having nightmares about them so I'm slightly apprehensive to have food anywhere near our campsite (even 200ft away). Thankfully the BearVault gives us some peace of mind as it's almost impossible for any bear to get into it (I believe there's only 1 documented case of a grizzly breaking into a BearVault). Any bear that gets into human food is to be put down by law since, once they get a taste, they won't stop trying to get more. I don't want to be responsible for that, nor do I want the calories I need for a backpacking trip to disappear. They also sent a coupon for a free BearVault sticker with the BearVault, so I bought 5 of the 10 different stickers they offer but only paid for 4. They're a great company that makes great products. The 450 is a good choice for a weekend backpacking trip for 2, or about a 4-6 day trip for 1 person. The only downsides are the weight and the bulk, but if you have a half-decent pack you shouldn't have a problem :)

Okay, so, I finally got my BearVault 450 and got to take it out on a 4 day backpacking trip. I almost didn't buy this cannister because of all the reviews where people said it was too hard to open. But, I sat down with myself, and I said "self, you're trying to protect your food from animals with varying levels of dexterity. If you have to struggle to open it, at least you'll have the peace of mind that your campsite won't be ransacked." I went ahead and bought it.All I can say is....woa! I had concerns about this thing to be a struggle to open, but it was so easy! The place above the tab where you are supposed to push is clearly marked with ridges, and I didn't have to hold the cannister down or pinch it between my legs. I used one thumb and one hand and had no trouble opening this. Maybe it is because I have small fingers and the hands of a massage therapist? Either way, I do question what is so difficult about opening this.I did see some reviews about it being harder to open in the cold. I was out on a night that dropped into the low 40s and didn't notice any change in the rigidity of the plastic or ease of opening. There might be a lower temperature threshold for that, and if there is, I haven't had the chance to test it out yet.I saw a few reviews about the threads getting stuck. While I was out on the trail, I did get the lid stuck once, but it got stuck on the corner of one of my food bags, not the threading. I made sure to tuck them in below the lip of the opening and never had any snags again! It seems like as long as the cannister isn't over filled and nothing inside is packed in a way that touches the lid, it has less of a chance of getting stuck.The next concern I saw people have was the weight. I packed this cannister for a 4 day trip for me and my dog, including meals, snacks, kibble, and treats. Kibble is not that light and my dog eats 2 cups a day! After all that, the whole weight of the cannister and food was only 5 lbs. I don't know what kinds of meals people are packing to make this thing weigh 10+ pounds for a weekend trip, but if you know your camping food and pack consciously, then weight shouldn't be a problem.Lastly, there are a lot of negative reviews for this cannister in the Adirondacks. In the research I did (assuming it is accurate), you can't legally use any bear cannister in the Adirondacks that isn't approved by the rangers or one you rent from a trailhead. While that might be limiting to this particular cannister, there are thousands of other places around the US that I would love to go where I can bring this cannister. If I ever go to the Adirondacks, I will go in knowing I need to rent one of their cannisters. Easy problem to solve.Other than that, the design is emaculate. The large opening makes packing, reorganizing, and finding what you need so easy, as does the transparency. This can hold a lot of food when packed correctly, and it fits perfectly in my 75L backpack with the rest of my gear. It also makes a nice seat/stool when needed.I'll be getting the BearVault 500 next!

As an avid backpacker, I'm always on the lookout for gear that's both practical and effective. That's why I was excited to try out the BearVault BV450 Bear Canister on my latest backpacking trip.I was pleased to find that this bear-resistant food container lived up to its reputation. Not only did it store all of my food securely, but it also gave me peace of mind knowing that I wouldn't have to worry about bears raiding my campsite.One thing to note is that the BearVault does add a bit of weight to your pack. However, this is a small price to pay for the added safety it provides. And in many national parks, bear canisters are required anyway, so it's definitely worth investing in a high-quality one like the BearVault.Overall, I highly recommend the BearVault BV450 Bear Canister for anyone who's planning a backpacking trip in bear country. It's sturdy, reliable, and able to store a lot of food, making it a must-have for any outdoor adventure. It can even double as a seat in a pinch!

The smaller can is larger than I expected (compared to my first choice of the Bare Boxer, which is prohibitively expensive to order in Canada) but it does fit inside my Gossamer Gear Mariposa pack as well as my Kriega OS-32 motorcycle saddle bags no problem. Lid is a bit tricky to remove (two locking tabs to work around) and will likely be even harder in the cold or with cold hands. Fits at least 5 Mountain House freeze-dried dinners and with some aggressive packing should take a bunch of snacks and other food items as well. Overall seems like the best option available, although price is high for what it is.