BearVault BV500 Journey Bear Canister Assessment

Backside Line

The favored BearVault BV 500 is a light-weight bear canister that gives a superb capacity-to-weight ratio, suits simply inside most packs, and incorporates a flat lid that may double as a camp stool or desk. Its clear partitions permit for straightforward viewing of contents, and the bumps and ridges on the outside assist maintain it safe below backpack straps.

Our frustration is the screw-top lid which will be difficult to function, particularly when the plastic stiffens in chilly climate. Although the BearVault BV 500 isn’t particularly singled out, clear cans are typically discouraged in areas with persistent, intelligent black bears.

Examined over hundreds of path miles in dense black bear nation throughout peak hyperphagia season, the BV500 has confirmed to be a dependable selection for multi-day journeys. For hikers in search of a light-weight, sensible, and sometimes safe canister, it’s a superb worth. For the complete image, see our information to one of the best bear canisters.

How We Examined

Our workforce has used the BV500 for not less than 20,000 miles of backpacking over time.

We examined the BV500 over weeks of backpacking journeys in dense black bear nation throughout the Rockies, together with throughout peak hyperphagia season. We evaluated its ease of use, weight, capability, and safety, and in contrast it to different canisters. We additionally gathered insights from a whole bunch of non-public accounts about its real-world effectiveness. 

Weight & Packability

The BV500 is a really fairly weighted bear canister. At 2 kilos, 7.4 ounces, it achieves a superb capacity-to-weight ratio. When hard-sided bear cans are required, that is certainly one of our high decisions for its mild weight.

As certainly one of BearVault’s bigger fashions, the BV500 does take up noticeable pack area, though it’s nonetheless smaller than some heavier canisters on our checklist. It stands about 12.5 inches tall with an 8.75-inch diameter, becoming vertically in most packs or strapped horizontally outdoors.

In contrast to fully easy canisters, the BV500’s ridged and grooved floor makes it a lot simpler to safe with backpack straps, so that you gained’t have to fret about it slipping all through the day.

Ease of Use

The BV500’s ease of use will depend on your finger energy and whether or not your fingers are chilly. Its screw-top lid has two tabs that must be pressed down whereas twisting the lid previous the matching locking tabs on the physique. That’s simpler stated than executed on the BV500’s slippery plastic, particularly in chilly temperatures when the lid stiffens and fingers lose dexterity. This has been our major challenge with this may for years. 

On the brilliant aspect, the clear partitions make it easy to see what’s inside with out digging round, and the huge opening allows you to attain in and retrieve or set up gadgets simply.

Its huge base additionally ensures the underside sits flat, and the fully flat lid offers an ideal floor for a desk or stool. The canister’s top is right for each functions.

Safety

The BV500 is safe sufficient for many backcountry conditions. The polycarbonate building is thinner than that of different fashions within the lineup. 

The BV500 remains to be our go-to. Its gnaw-resistant plastic simply retains out all different curious critters that lack the energy and ingenuity of a bear. For hikers in search of a light-weight, dependable canister able to dealing with typical bear nation situations, the BV500 presents a superb stability of practicality and safety.

We strongly suggest pairing any canisters with a Smellyproof bag to higher deter curious woodland creatures.

Allow CompatibiLity

The BV500 is authorised by each the IGBC and SIBBG, which is sufficient to meet the necessities of most backcountry zones, together with Yosemite Nationwide Park. Nevertheless, you need to all the time double-check rules for the particular space you’ll.

Capability

The BV500’s 11.5-liter capability offers sufficient area for about 4-6 days of meals for one particular person, presumably extra you probably have actually space-efficient meals and set up rigorously. We managed to suit 20 dehydrated meal pouches contained in the BV500. It’s one of many roomiest canisters on our checklist, and the huge opening permits for the usage of a Smellyproof bag. 

Ought to You Purchase the BearVault BV500 Journey?

The BearVault BV500 is ideal for hikers and backpackers in search of a dependable, light-weight, and versatile bear canister with out the burden of a heavy tank. It’s greatest suited to solo adventurers, {couples}, or small teams touring in bear nation.

Its mild weight and glorious capacity-to-weight ratio make it a powerful selection for longer journeys. Its flat lid and tall design additionally function a sturdy stool or desk, including additional usefulness at camp.

For many who just like the screw-top lid and desire a canister that balances usability, weight, and flexibility, the BV500 delivers glorious worth, offering peace of thoughts with out pointless bulk.

What Different Bear Canisters and Backpacking Meals Storage Ought to You Take into account?

See our full information to backpacking meals storage for a lot of different choices.

BearVault BV450 Jaunt Assessment: The BV450 is the smaller sibling of the BV500, holding about 3 to 4 days of meals and packing down a lot smaller. It has the identical screw lid enclosure and a helpful table-like form.

Grubcan Carbon 6.6 Assessment: within the light-weight design of the BearVaults and trying to improve? The Grubcan Carbon is the lightest hard-sided canister we’ve found, and it even has a intelligent locking mechanism. It’s very costly, however the rental program presents an awesome deal.

Smellyproof Luggage Assessment: For lower than the price of a cup of espresso, this stuff are a no brainer to considerably increase meals safety by decreasing the odor of your meals. Contemplating the stakes, it’s value taking this step.