Grubcan Carbon 6.6 Bear Canister Review

Bottom Line

We tested the Grubcan Carbon 6.6 on a backpacking trip in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. The lightweight, user-friendly design was a refreshing change from notoriously bulky bear canisters.

The Grubcan Carbon series are some of the lightest bear cans on the market, yet they are also incredibly strong and secure, meeting both IGBC and WMI standards. The multiple key-lock enclosure is simple and easy for humans to use, even with cold hands, but it’s a brain teaser for bears.

Although the narrow shape requires some strategic packing, this canister can hold up to five to six days of food and easily fits on the outside or inside of your pack. The price point is unfortunately a big hurdle, but Grubcan offers a streamlined rental program with fast shipping, making this our top choice for its low weight and accessibility.

For more options, check out our guide to the best bear canisters and backpacking food storage.

How We Tested

We tested this canister during a backpacking trip in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, covering over 50 miles with five days’ worth of food. We also compared all features to the leading canisters on the market to provide an accurate view of usability and acceptance in real-world conditions.

Weight & Packability

The most challenging feature to achieve with hard-sided bear canisters is low weight and good packability. The Grubcan Carbon has come closer than any bear canister we’ve seen. This carbon fiber canister weighs just 1 pound 13.8 ounces, a fraction of the weight of most competitors, which often exceed three pounds.

The Grubhub is easy to pack, whether on the interior or exterior of your backpack. Its long and thin design (13.4” tall and 23” around) easily slides vertically into any pack enclosure, but like most bear canisters, will only fit horizontally inside the widest packs. The wavy outer shell provides a handy ledge to grip with your fingers as well as a place to secure a strap when packing on the outside.

Ease of Use

The Grubcan hits that perfect middle ground of being a no brainer to open for humans but an absolute brain buster for bears. The lid has a multi key-lock design with three notched rotating discs that must align perfectly for the lid to lift off. Once aligned, the lid lifts straight off easily—no buttons or threads needed. No pressure is required, and the discs are easy to turn even with cold hands. Interestingly, the lid is actually more finicky to put back on than to take off, as the discs can sometimes shift on their own when the lid is off.

Our main complaint with the Grubcan is its narrow opening, which makes it somewhat difficult to pack larger food items or reach for things that have sunk to the bottom. The canister is also completely opaque, so you often have to dump all its contents on the ground to find what you’re looking for. Additionally, if you like using your bear canister as a stool, you might want to consider a different option. The slightly rounded bottom and tall height of the Grubcan make it easy to tip over easily.

Security

The Grubcan Carbon keeps up with the best in preventing bears from getting in. The canister is made from carbon fiber and Kevlar, making it incredibly lightweight and durable. The non-see-through design adds an extra layer of security.

Although the lid comes off very easily when unlocked, a bear would have to get wildly lucky to align the keyed discs. We’re not saying it couldn’t happen, but we believe the locking mechanism on the Grubhub is as secure as any other toolless lid design. Finally, the slippery plastic shell is difficult for a bear to pick up and carry away with its bear hands.

Permit CompatibiLity

The Grubcan Carbon holds certifications from both the IGBC (International Grizzly Bear Committee) and the WMI (Wildlife Management Institute).

Because Grubcan is a smaller company, it’s less likely to be included on the strict approval list for certain public areas where curious bears pose a big problem.

Capacity

The Grubcan Carbon is available in two sizes – the 6.6L and 4.6L – both of which seem small for what Grubcan claims they can hold. The 6.6L is marketed to carry an impressive six days of food for one person. The key is to use the “repacking method,” which involves removing your food from bulky manufacturer packaging (such as cardboard boxes, hard plastic containers, and standard freeze-dried food packaging) and repacking it into plastic sandwich bags. While this frees up a lot of space in the canister, it definitely adds an extra step to your planning process.

Without repacking, the Grubcan 6.6 comfortably holds about four to five days of food for one person. For comparison, we managed to fit 12 dehydrated Good-to-Go meals into a single 6.6L canister. That provides breakfast and dinner for 6 days, with no space left for lunch or snacks.

Regardless of your packing method, the narrow opening and wavy canister walls make packing and unpacking a little more of a hassle than wide-mouth canisters.

Should You Buy the Grubcan Carbon 6.6L?

A full purchase of the Grubcan Carbon 6.6L isn’t recommended for casual or beginner backpackers — it’s quite expensive. The people who are most likely to get the full benefit from this excellent ultralight option are long-distance backpackers who spend a lot of time in bear country each year.

However, Grubcan offers an excellent rental program that provides great value. This is why it is our top choice. We find that for a 3 to 10 day trip, the cost per day ($7), plus the flat-rate shipping to anywhere in the US ($15), costs significantly less than comparable models we tested. However, this takes some planning. You’ll want to make a reservation ASAP – these top-tier cans get reserved months in advance during summer.

Although it’s not as widely recognized in some specific areas of the country, Grubcan meets the same strict testing standards as other top bear canisters. Its intelligent locking mechanism, wavy shell, and opaque material keep bears confused while making it easy for humans.

Our main gripe is the packability of the Grubcan. Some design features that make it ultralight also make it a bit harder to use, such as the narrow opening and tall, slender profile. However, if you’re serious about long, ultralight trips in bear country – and don’t mind setting things up ahead of time – the Grubcan is our top choice for ergonomic, efficient, and sleek food storage.

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

Check out our full list of bear canisters and good storage favorites for affordable options that won’t break the bank.

Ursack Major Review: Maybe you don’t even need a bear canister. In many parts of the country where bears are less clever, a hard-sided bear canister isn’t necessary, and a Kevlar bag like the Ursack Major will suffice. It’ll still keep your food relatively safe while reducing the weight of your pack.

BearVault BV450-Jaunt Review: For trips lasting no more than three to four nights, you can get nearly the same amount of storage as the Grubcan by choosing the smaller, more compact BV450. 

Grubcan Wave 6.6: Grubcan provides their canisters in a more affordable polycarbonate version. It’s completely transparent (so less secure) and slightly heavier, but much cheaper. It’s also worth mentioning that it is currently only IGBC certified and has not yet passed the WMI’s black bear test