Counter Assault Bear Keg Evaluation

Backside Line

Though it’s not essentially the most enjoyable to hold due to its dimension and weight, the Counter Assault is tough to beat in the case of safety, sturdiness, and acceptance. We’ve examined bear canisters for dozens of nights in a few of the most densely populated bear areas, and with the Bearkeg, we’ve at all times slept peacefully figuring out our meals was secure.

The brilliant yellow end makes it simple to identify your bear canister from afar, however bears can not see the attractive meals inside. Bears may also dislike the three-way keylock design that wants a coin to open. As soon as inside, the spacious inside gives loads of room to pack every week’s price of meals and makes packing and unpacking easy. It might even function a camp stool, though the domed high isn’t essentially the most comfy seat round.

The Bearkeg presents an inexpensive alternative for backpackers heading into dense bear territory, however ultralight hikers aiming to shave each ounce may want a clear canister or kevlar bag.

Our information to the most effective bear canisters and backpacking meals storage has many different choices should you’re in search of one thing else.

How We Examined

We put the Bearkeg via its paces in dense black bear nation throughout peak hyperphagia season, carrying it throughout dozens of path miles within the Rocky Mountains. Alongside the way in which, we examined its capability and value in real-world backpacking situations, confirming that it lives as much as all the producer’s claims.

Weight & Packability

At 3 kilos 11.4 ounces (the heaviest bear canister on our listing), weight isn’t the Bearkeg’s robust level. This isn’t the canister you carry once you’re counting ounces. It’s finest for group journeys the place the load could be shared or rotated amongst hikers.

Packing the Bearkeg could be simply as difficult as carrying it. Standing 13.5 inches tall with a 29-inch circumference, it eats up loads of pack area. Realistically, vertical packing is your solely possibility.

No backpack we’ve examined thus far matches it horizontally. Packing it vertically is basically the one viable possibility. Its clean, barely tapered sides additionally make it tough to strap securely to the surface of a pack. In the event you’re planning to carry the Bearkeg, we advocate pairing it with a pack that has a V-strap or twin straps on the lid, or a minimum of 60 liters of capability.

Ease of Use

The Counter Assault Bearkeg requires a coin or related object to unlock, however general, it’s fairly easy to make use of. The one potential disadvantage for some may be the opaque partitions, which block your snacks from view, however in addition they present additional safety in opposition to curious critters.

To open the lid, merely use a coin to show the three stainless-steel locks. The clearly marked lid then swings open to disclose a big opening that makes packing and unpacking simple. The lid is a bit of laborious to grip together with your fingers, but it surely simply falls out if tipped on its edge.

One other criticism some of us may need with the Bearkeg is its domed lid. The canister is sturdy sufficient for use as a stool, however the domed high isn’t as comfy on the butt.

Safety

The Bearkeg’s safety is unquestionable – this factor is constructed like a WWII bunker. Its thick, inflexible plastic shell barely flexes and feels prefer it might face up to a nuclear blast. In different phrases, no bear’s moving into this one.

Opening the canister requires human-level dexterity. The lid has three stainless-steel locks that should be turned with a coin or related software – easy sufficient for individuals with opposable thumbs, inconceivable for paws and claws. That’s people: 2, bears: 0. 

Whereas clear canisters make it simpler to identify small gadgets, the Bearkeg’s opaque partitions really work in your favor by decreasing a bear’s curiosity about what’s inside, holding your meals a lot safer.

Allow CompatibiLity

The Counter Assault Bear keg is licensed by the IGBC and is an accredited container for all Nationwide Parks. The Bearkeg is a well-liked mannequin stocked by ranger stations for rental to the general public.

Capability

The Bearkeg holds loads of meals. As a take a look at, we checked what number of dehydrated Good-to-Go meals we might match into every canister whereas nonetheless closing it tightly, and the Bearkeg was capable of maintain 21 meals. That’s sufficient for 3 meals a day for every week, or dinners for 3 weeks!

In actuality, the Bearkeg can retailer every week’s price of meals or extra should you pack it fastidiously. 

Ought to You Purchase the Counter Assault Bearkeg?

Resulting from its giant dimension and weight, the Counter Assault Bearkeg isn’t appropriate for each journey, particularly if you wish to hold your pack light-weight. As a substitute, it’s finest for lengthy solo journeys or shorter group journeys the place persistent bears are a identified concern. 

The place bears are an actual menace, nonetheless, you’ll be able to calm down figuring out your meals is safe contained in the Bearkeg. It’s so sturdy and reliable that it most likely gained’t see a redesign except a prehistoric super-bear species emerges from an ice age hibernation. Its reliability is supported by a listing of companies, together with the NPS, so you’ll be able to really feel assured that you just’re following meals storage rules nearly wherever you go.

Fortunately, the Bearkeg isn’t any match for the human mind (and thumbs). Supplied you’ve gotten one thing flat and durable, it’s simple to open and even simpler to pack because of its cavernous opening.

What Different Bear Canisters and Backpacking Meals Storage Ought to You Contemplate?

Need a lighter possibility? See our full information to backpacking meals storage.

Naked Boxer Champ Evaluation: The Champ has the same design to the Bearkeg, that includes a tool-dependent mechanism, tapered form, and sturdy, opaque development. Though it holds much less meals, it’s a lot lighter and simpler to pack. 

REI Traverse Evaluation: Of all of the clear bear canisters, the REI Traverse conjures up essentially the most confidence with its thicker plastic partitions and heavy-duty locking mechanism. It might even collapse in dimension as your meals provide decreases or be adjusted to a smaller dimension for a fast journey.

BearVault BV500 Journey Evaluation: BearVaults stay a few of the hottest bear canisters used on the path. They’re easy, simple to pack, and inexpensive.