Bare Boxer Champ Bear Canister Review

Bottom Line

The Bare Boxer Champ is one of the strongest and most secure bear canisters available, offering great value at a fair price. When you visit a ranger station to rent a bear canister, this is likely one of three options you’ll see.

We’ve spent many nights with the Champ, most recently in Olympic National Park. Its simple design is easy for people to use, yet it’s highly resistant to bears. Its durable build is one of the strongest we’ve seen, and it also serves as a decent camp stool.

Our main issue is that it needs a tool to open.

There are lighter options out there (check out our guide to the best bear canisters and backpacking food storage to see them), but for the price and the security of the Bare Boxer, it offers a lot of value for the money.

How We Tested

We’ve tested these canisters across hundreds of miles and dozens of nights, from Yosemite to the Rocky Mountains. We’ve weighed, measured, carried, and examined every feature to give a clear picture of the best bear canisters for grizzly and black bear country.

Weight & Packability

At 2 pounds 9.6 ounces, the Bare Boxer lands right in the middle of the road when compared to others. It’s not the lightest, but it’s far from the heaviest.

The Bare Boxer fits best when packed vertically inside a pack. Most packs struggle to fit its 12-inch height horizontally, but some spacious bags can accommodate it. When packed on the outside, the Bare Boxer works best with a dual strap or V-strap system. Its wide belly and tapered ends make it hard for a single strap to hold it securely place.

Ease of Use

Unlike other canisters, the Bare Boxer requires some kind of tool, like a key, knife, or multi-tool, to open its lid. Turn each of the three locks a half-turn and then hinge the lid open. While almost any stiff, skinny object will do, it’s not ideal that you can’t open the canister with your bare hands in an emergency. 

The Bare Boxer’s jet black color might not be ideal for people who want to see the canister’s contents through its walls. It’s also easy to lose in the dark. The main weakness, however, is the tiny opening. We often had trouble packing and removing larger food items through the small opening, and things at the bottom can easily get lost. With the Bare Boxer, it’s best to repackage your food into smaller bags for easier handling.

However, it does make an excellent camp stool.

Security

The Champ is easily one of the most secure bear canisters we’ve tested. It’s made of thick, ⅛-inch plastic and has a three-way stainless steel locking mechanism that requires a simple tool to operate. Bare Boxer includes a small key with purchase, but if you lose it, don’t panic. Almost any key, knife, or multitool will work. 

The smooth, slippery exterior prevents bears from getting a grip with their claws. The opaque finish effectively suppresses their curiosity, making them more likely to give up if they can’t see food clearly inside.

Permit CompatibiLity

Bare Boxers are widely approved for use in wilderness areas and parks. The can has both IGBC (Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee) and SIBBG (Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group) certifications and is on Yosemite’s list of approved bear canisters.

Capacity

The Bare Boxer comes in two sizes: the Champ (as reviewed here) and its smaller version, the Contender. The Champ offers a volume of 652 cubic inches and can store roughly five to six days of food. In comparison, the Contender can hold about two to three days’ worth of food. If you’re curious how that translates to pre-packaged dehydrated meals, it equals approximately twenty Good-to-Go meals for the Champ. 

Should You Buy the BARE Boxer Champ Bear Canister?

If you’re planning a trip in a strictly regulated area, the Bare Boxer is a sound investment. It has certifications from the IGBC and SIBBG and is on the list of approved cans for the National Park and Forest Services.

The super sturdy design keeps bears at bay and even makes for a good camp stool. We wouldn’t say the Bare Boxer is hard to use, but if anything, it’s slightly less convenient than other bear canisters.

Considering its reasonable weight and packable size, the Bare Boxer is our go-to canister for strictly regulated areas and is a great value for any backpacker.

What Other Bear Canisters and Backpacking Food Storage Should You Consider?

Our full list of bear canisters and good storage favorites covers everything from ultralight options to ultra-affordable. 

Counter Assault Bearkeg Review: The Bearkeg is like a bigger, burlier version of the Bare Boxer. It has a similar design, including a three-way key lock and a tapered shape, but offers greater capacity and a bigger opening. It’s also bright yellow, making it easy to spot. 

BearVault BV500 Review: The BV500 is a popular bear canister because of its lightweight, affordability, and see-through design. It’s one of our top choices for backcountry trips where hard-sided canisters are required.

REI Traverse Review: This new canister could be a good option because of its durability, secure design, and transparent walls. Uniquely, it can transform into different sizes to fit your needs, providing a lot of value in a single canister.