Best Bear Canisters and Backpacking Food Storage of 2025

When the bears get hungry, the hikers get food storage. After researching many of the bear canisters available on the market, we narrowed it down to the best options to keep you, your food, and the bears safe. Our team has logged thousands of miles in bear country and recently tested these canisters during peak hyperphagia season (aka fall, when bears are the hungriest) in Colorado’s rugged Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. 

Each canister was assessed for ease of use, security, capacity, weight, packability, and acceptance among regulating agencies. Our lineup features trusted brands like BearVault, Counter Assault, Bare Boxer, Smellyproof Bags, REI, Grubcan, and Ursack, including both hard-sided and soft-sided designs. 

We tested these food storage containers in some of the toughest backcountry environments to identify which systems truly provide the best balance of safety, durability, and convenience.

And for more info, check out some of our other popular gear guides:

Quick Picks for Bear Canisters & Backpacking Food Storage

This is our first roundup of food storage options! Get a quick overview of the best models below, and keep scrolling for detailed reviews and firsthand insights from the field.

Best Bear Canister Overall: Grubcan Carbon 6.6 ($650)

Best Large Capacity Bear Canister: Counter Assault Bear Keg ($100)

Best Wilderness Area-Approved Bear Canister: Gossamer Gear Bare Boxer Champ ($100)

Best Weight-to-Capacity Bear Canister: BearVault BV500 Journey ($95)

Best Bear Bag: Ursack Major ($120)

Best Value Bear Canister: REI Traverse ($90)

Affordable & Lightweight Bear Canister: BearVault BV450 Jaunt ($84)

Best Bear Canister Accessory: Smellyproof Bags ($17)

How We Test & Methodology

Collectively, we’ve spent hundreds of nights in the backcountry from the Adirondacks to the Sierras testing out dozens of different bear canisters. Additionally, we develop quantitative testing methods to analyze features like weight, packability, ease of use, security, acceptance, and capacity.

Weight & Packability

Every bear canister takes a turn on our scale to verify its actual weight against the manufacturer’s claim.

Then, we assess how efficiently the canister packs vertically and horizontally, both inside and outside a typical backpacking pack. Because bear canisters are heavy, packability is essential for a durable and balanced carry.

Ease of Use

The best bear canister designs walk the line between the smartest bears and the clumsiest humans. In other words, you want a device that’s simple enough for a beginner backpacker with frozen fingers and an exhausted mind to open, yet tough enough to deter a persistent bear of average intelligence.

We evaluate ease of use based on how much practice it takes to quickly open a canister, whether tools are needed, and if the canister is simple to pack and close without trouble.

Security

Most bear canisters are generally secure enough to keep out any woodland critter.

However, some manufacturers push the limits of security by using lighter-weight plastic or making them see-through so you can see all of your goodies. These choices can sometimes compromise the canister’s security and lead to problems with bears

Permit Compatibility

Most people only use bear canisters when they are required by a particular area or agency. For example, the National Park Service mandates the use of a bear can in Rocky Mountain National Park.

The IGBC sets the standards for bear canister certifications, but some IGBC-approved canisters have been banned in certain areas, so it’s important to always be aware of local regulations. Other agencies that test and certify bear canisters include the WMI and the SIBBG.

Capacity

It’s crucial that your chosen bear canister can contain all your food, toiletries, and scented items for the entire trip. Generally, a higher capacity bear canister scores better, but we also look at how many capacity options a brand offers.

Why Trust CleverHiker

From the Wonderland Trail during peak blueberry season to the bear-infested Shenandoahs, Gear Analyst Brett Kretzer has spent a lot of time in bear country. He’s spent months exploring the backcountry, covering thousands of miles on various thru-hikes including the Long Trail, Colorado Trail, GR11, Wonderland Trail, and more. 

Through his many roles as a gear expert over the years, Brett has developed a sharp eye for how gear performs day after day. He’s tested nearly every bear-resistant method available, from tough hard-sided containers to smell-proof bags and bear hangs. With years of hands-on experience and trial and error, Brett has built a deep knowledge of bear-proof containers so you can choose with total confidence.

Analysis & Results

VALUE

Most bear canisters land at a common price point. When it comes to getting the best value for your money, it’s hard to go wrong with any of the options on our list. In this category, it’s about maximizing the value based on the single metric that matters most to your needs. 

That said, the Bear Boxer Champ and Counter Assault Bearkeg stand just barely above the rest in terms of what they offer for the price. Although they are not the lightest options on our list, they have incredible capacity, are essentially indestructible, and are loved by the people who matter – the National Parks and Forest Services. 

Although it doesn’t receive the highest scores across the board, the REI Traverse is worth mentioning for its two-in-one value. It’s the only modular bear canister on our list, converting into two different sizes to match the length of your trip.

For less than the cost of a fancy cup of coffee, Smellyproof Bags are a no-brainer addition to enhance the security of your food storage method. They provide extra protection by greatly reducing the smell of food wafting through the air. Even if a bear can’t crack open your bear canister, it might damage it or even roll it off a cliff in frustration if it detects food inside.

For those who prefer to rent bear canisters over purchasing them, the Grubcan Carbon 6.6 is the clear winner for long trips. Its rental cost is comparable to other canisters, but it is very easy to use and lighter than the competition by a mile.

Weight & Packability

The thing everyone dreads about carrying a bear canister: weight. There’s nothing worse than adding an extra two to four pounds of bulky plastic to your already heavy pack just to keep your food safe. That’s why manufacturers are always trying to reduce the weight of their bear canisters.

Do yourself a favor and grab a handful of Smellyproof Bags to add to your food storage method. Whether you’re hanging your food, using a canister, or a bear-resistant sack, Smellyproof Bags provide extra peace of mind and security at just over an ounce each. 

When hard-sided bear canisters aren’t legally required, soft-sided bags offer a lighter alternative. The Ursack Major will save you pounds of weight compared to a bear canister (and it’s IGBC-approved). Since Ursack is a more well-known company, it’s more widely accepted by regulating agencies and also tends to be a bit more affordable. 

The Grubcan Carbon 6.6, with its high-tech carbon fiber construction, it is by far the lightest bear canister that we’ve found. Its long, narrow shape also makes it easy to pack into most backpacking packs. However, those precious weight savings do come at a premium price.

BearVault is making the next lightest bear canisters on our list, with the BearVault BV450-Jaunt and BearVault BV500 Journey. The BV500 Journey weighs a little more than the BV450-Jaunt but can hold at least three more days’ worth of food. These are among the most popular bear canisters on the trail because they are easy to pack and lighter in weight compared to others. 

In its small configuration, the REI Traverse is reasonably lightweight, and its modular features improve packability. After you’ve eaten half of your food, the Traverse can be collapsed to free up space in your pack.

Out of the widely accepted, extremely bear-proof canisters that usually get a bad rap for their bulky weight, the Bare Boxer Champ isn’t that bad. Sure, it’s half a pound to a pound heavier than the competition, but it’s the lightest of the canisters allowed in the strictest areas like the Adirondacks.

Ease of Use

If you’ve ever tried to open a bear canister with cold hands and a rumbling belly, you’ve gotten a taste of the frustration that the bears go through. The trick is to develop a closure mechanism that baffles bears but is a cakewalk for humans. 

Smellyproof Bags unfairly dominate this category due to their simple, plastic zipper enclosure. 

Ironically, the least bear-proof containers most closely toe the line between human dominance and bear confusion. The Ursack Major relies on a drawstring and a knot tied around a tree. Although persistent bears have been known to tear through the Ursack from time to time, they are terrible at knots – a virtue of opposable thumbs. 

Out of the hard-sided containers, the Grubcan Carbon 6.6 has our favorite locking mechanism. It operates through a series of puzzle-like discs that easily align to lift the lid straight off. This clever design is simple (and maybe even a bit fun) for people, but it confuses even the smartest bears. Most importantly, cold hands hardly affect its ease of use since there is no pushing or squeezing needed.

The next tier of bear canisters in this category was difficult to judge. The BearVault BV450-Jaunt and BearVault BV500-Journey work reasonably well under normal conditions, but cold hands make their twist-off lids a challenge. The mechanism demands finger strength, and the canister can be slippery and hard to grip. Their redeeming features are the large opening and transparent walls, which make food organization very easy.

The Bare Boxer Champ and Counter Assault Bearkeg are both opaque canisters that require a tool to open. As long as you have something available, they are easy to use with cold hands. The Bearkeg has a touch more usability thanks to its wider opening. 

The REI Traverse, although neat and innovative in design, could use some improvement. Its locking mechanism requires two hands to operate, and there is a lot of friction between all of the pieces.

Security

The Counter Assault Bearkeg and Bare Boxer Champ are noticeably more secure than the rest of the competition, and both are favorites among regulating agencies. They carry certifications from both the IGBC and SIBBG, declaring them effective against all species of bears. Both canisters require a coin or tool to unlock, and their opaque walls help deter critter curiosity. Apart from that, they are very solidly built – a quality that is reflected in their weight.

The Grubcan Carbon 6.6 shares a lot of the same qualities as the previous two – opaque, sturdy, and grizzly and black bear tested – but is built with slightly lighter material. It also doesn’t require a tool to open, so it’s conceivable that a bear could figure it out, but it’s implausible.

Transparent walls can significantly increase a bear’s determination and persistence against a bear canister, which is why BearVault canisters like the BV450 Jaunt and BV500 Journey have been labeled as less reliable food storage options. Although they are effective most of the time in most scenarios, they have been defeated by bears in the past. The REI Traverse is another new, clear-sided canister with similar security features, but it also features a black carrying case to conceal the contents of the canister.

Bear-resistant bags like the Ursack Major, while extremely tough against claws and jaws, won’t stop a bear from crushing all of your food into a pulp.

Smellyproof Bags aren’t usually an acceptable standalone food storage method, but they do a good job at enhancing the security of any bear canister or bag. They help to trap smells and deter critters from finding your food in the first place..

Permit Compatibility

Once again, the Counter Assault Bearkeg and Bare Boxer Champ come out on top because of their endorsements from regulatory groups from the Adirondacks to Yosemite. They’ve been tested against black bears and grizzlies and hold certifications from the IGBC and SIBBG. You can feel confident you’re following local regulations virtually anywhere you go.

Even though it’s a lesser-known company, the Grubcan Carbon 6.6 makes the Adirondack’s list of approved bear canisters. It’s also approved by the IGBC and WMI for use against black bears and grizzlies. Notably, it was actually the first canister to pass the WMI (Wildlife Management Institute) test—a more recent test against black bears that essentially replaces the certification from the no longer active SIBBG. SIBBG approval isn’t meaningless yet, though.

Next in line is the REI Traverse. Although it hasn’t been around long enough for long-term user reports and feedback, it’s currently approved by the IGBC and WMI. 

The BearVault BV450 Jaunt and BearVault BV500 Journey are accepted in most areas across the country that require an IGBC-approved, hard-sided bear canister. However, they have received their fair share of criticism over the years, even being prohibited temporarily in some areas like Yosemite and the Adirondacks.

In areas that require an IGBC-approved food storage container but don’t specify hard sides, the Ursack Major is an acceptable option. Make sure to double-check local regulations because some specifically prohibit soft-sided containers.

Capacity

Most bear canisters come in various sizes, but for brands with multiple options, we chose the most common and practical ones. 

The Counter Assault Bearkeg provides a massive cavity for storing food and a wide opening that can fit bulky packaging. Its spacious interior boasts 11.7 liters of storage, enough for a week or more of food for one person. This is the ideal canister for long trips into dense bear country with hungry bears.

Following ever so slightly behind is the BearVault BV500 Journey, with a packable volume of 11.5 liters. The Journey is their largest model, capable of holding a week’s worth of food or more, but BearVault offers four different sizes to suit any trip length.

The Bare Boxer Champ is Bare Boxer’s largest model can hold about five to six days of food with roughly 10.7 liters of packable space. The opening is a bit small, so we recommend repacking food into smaller bags to maximize this canister.

Next is the REI Traverse, which holds about three to four days of food, based on most user reports. We believe you can fit another day or two in its larger configuration, but the screw-together mechanism often makes packing more difficult. 

The Ursack Major (10.6 liters) is the most popular model and carries at least five days’ worth of food. However, the Ursack 2XL is a considerably larger version, providing a whopping 30 liters of packable space and can easily hold two weeks’ worth of food.

Grubcan’s largest model, the Grubcan Carbon 6.6, can carry a reasonable amount of food (up to six days’ worth) but requires using the repacking method to reach its full potential.

How to Choose A Bear CanISTER / Food Storage Container

How Much Should I Spend On a Bear CanISTER?

Bear canisters can vary greatly in price, so it’s important to think about how often you’ll use it. On one end, an ultralight thru-hiker who ventures through bear country year after year might choose to invest in a top-of-the-line ultralight bear canister. On the other end, most canisters can be rented for just a few dollars a day from your local outfitter or park service.

National Park & Wilderness area Requirements

Regardless of a canister’s certifications, some areas require backpackers to follow their own list of approved bear canisters. Yosemite National Park is well-known for this.

Bear Can Certifications

Sometimes one certification is sufficient, and not all certifications are equal. It’s important to understand what each one signifies.

IGBC – Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee

For this test, a baited container must withstand 60 minutes of being crushed, clawed, and chewed by grizzly bears. To pass, it must stay intact and functional. This certification is the industry standard – many agencies state that any IGBC-approved container is acceptable.

WMI – Wildlife Management Institute

The Wildlife Management Institute focuses more on black bears, a key distinction since they are typically more savvy scavengers than grizzly bears. Like the IGBC test, the WMI’s captive bear test involves the container enduring 60 minutes of continuous effort by a black bear, which must maintain its functional and structural integrity.

SIBBG – Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group

The SIBBG was an agency that tested bear canisters for efficacy against black bears in the Sierra Nevada. Although the SIBBG is no longer active, you’ll still see their stamp of approval on some bear canisters. Their testing involved a staged approach including a visual inspection, captive bear testing, and field testing. 

What are the Best Features of a Bear CanISTER?

There are several styles of bear-resistant containers, ranging from hard-sided to Kevlar bags.

Hard Sided

Commercially made, hard-sided containers are always your best choice for preventing bears from accessing your food and are often required in regulated backpacking areas. The downside is their considerable weight and bulk.

To Use: simply pack all of your scented items in the canister before heading to bed and leave it in a discreet spot away from camp.

Transparent vs. Opaque

The biggest difference between hard-sided containers is whether they are see-through. See-through canisters make it easier to find items at the bottom, but unfortunately, bears can see your food too, which encourages them to try harder to get to it. As a result, see-through canisters are much more likely to be banned in areas where bears pose problems.

Bag

Kevlar bags like the Ursack is a much lighter alternative to the heavy, bulky hard-sided containers. 

Although they successfully foil bears’ attempts most of the time and can even receive an IGBC certification, they aren’t nearly as secure or as widely accepted as hard-sided canisters.

To Use: simply pack all of your food and scented items in the bag and securely tie it to a tree away from your camp.

What Other Accessories Should I Consider?

Some additions to your primary bear-resistant container can greatly enhance its ability to deter bears and improve accessibility.

Odor-Resistant Bags

Odor-resistant bags like Opsacks or Smellyproof Bags are not enough on their own for food protection, but when used with a bear can or Ursack, they can add an extra layer of confusion to a bear’s scavenging process.

Aluminum Liners

Ursacks are sturdy enough to prevent a bear from eating your food, but not from crushing it. Adding an aluminum liner is a lightweight way to provide the bag with some hard-sided protection.

A Coin

Some bear-resistant models, like the Counter Assault and Bear Box, are much easier to open with a small, thin flat coin. Keep one in your kit in a handy spot. You can also use a small stone, the handle of a utensil, or even jam a finger in there, but a coin is the simplest and most convenient option.

Conclusion

While gaiters might not be top of mind when you think of hiking gear, they are an often-overlooked item that can have a significant impact on your hiking experience. By keeping your feet and legs dry and protected from rocks and brush, you can spend less time managing your feet and more time focused on enjoying the trail.