REI Traverse Bear Canister Review

Bottom Line

The REI Traverse is a two-in-one bargain that solves the issue of needing a single bear canister for any trip length. Its modular design folds down and expands to two sizes, accommodating both 2-day and 5-day trips equally.

This sturdy canister is secure enough to withstand the best efforts of both grizzly and black bears, with certifications from WMI and IGBC. Although it appears to be a lightweight, transparent plastic container, the weight is noticeable when handling the Traverse. It’s a heavy-duty bear canister with a durable locking mechanism. We appreciate the practicality, but after several nights of testing in the Rocky Mountains, we believe the first version of the Traverse’s user-friendliness could benefit from some refinement.

Of course, the hallmark and main selling point of the Traverse is its modular capabilities which allow it to collapse as you eat your food, or morph into a different size entirely. This design is revolutionary for the budget backpacker and a tough price point to beat. For more heavy-duty bear canisters, see our guide to the best bear canisters.

How We Tested

We have hundreds of hours of hands-on experience with the industry’s top bear canisters, from the lab to the trail.

Dozens of nights in the backcountry, from the Rocky Mountains to the Sierras, inform our understanding of the most important features in food storage.

Weight & Packability

Weighing in at 3 pounds 8.3 ounces, the REI Traverse is the second heaviest bear canister on our list. It’s also not the easiest to pack. In its full size configuration, the canister only fits vertically inside of a backpack. Strapping it onto the outside is okay as long as you have a V-strap or one strap on each end, but a single strap can’t effectively grip the slippery, wide belly of the REI Traverse.

If you collapse the canister to a smaller size, packing becomes much easier. The compact version weighs about 2 pounds 7.3 ounces (still heavy for its size) and can fit horizontally into most backpacks.

The added bonus of the REI Traverse is that, once you’ve eaten half of your food, the container can be compacted to its smaller size and nested into the remaining half to save space.

Ease of Use

The REI Traverse isn’t impractical by bear canister standards, but this first version could use some refinement. We’re eager to see how this new canister develops in the future.

We love the finger indentations on the lid, which provide a grip when you unscrew it. We also appreciate its unique modular features and the super wide opening. The transparent orange color is easy to spot from a distance in low light and lets you see the contents. It even doubles as a great camp stool.

However, the whole mechanism just requires a bit more effort to operate than we’d like. The lid has to be turned while simultaneously pressing both metal tabs with both hands. The lid itself has a lot of friction and has to be wrestled off.

The canister’s threads are built into the inner wall, which creates a wider opening but requires careful packing. If any food or packaging gets caught in the threads, the lid can become frustratingly difficult to remove.The main takeaway here is that all of the components are practical, intelligent, and they do work, but with more effort than other canisters.

Security

If a canister takes some effort for a person to open, it usually means it’s more than bear-proof. As mentioned earlier, the REI Traverse’s locking mechanism needs a fair amount of dexterity.

As opposed to all plastic components, the REI Traverse’s push tabs that lock the lid in place are made of metal. That means they virtually can’t be broken, chewed, or worn down. On the downside, bears are smart, and one could conceivably use the finger indentations on the lid to unscrew it if accidentally left unlocked.

Although it’s nice to see the food inside your canister, bears can see it too. With transparent containers like this one, bears are more likely to persist, putting your canister (and potentially your food) at greater risk of abuse.

Permit CompatibiLity

The REI Traverse is approved by both the IGBC (Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee) for effectiveness against grizzly bears and the WMI (Wildlife Management Institute) for black bears. 

The transparency of the Traverse has a caveat. Places like Yosemite National Park and the Adirondacks have historically discouraged see-through canisters. As the REI Traverse is a new model, it’s not yet on Yosemite’s list of approved bear canisters. Only time will tell how other agencies receive it in the long run.

Capacity

Depending on its configuration, the REI Traverse can hold from one to five days’ worth of food. While REI doesn’t specify exactly how many days it can carry (though it does list 11.25 liters), most users report about three to four days.

We believe most people could probably squeeze another day or two if you pack strategically, but the Traverse admittedly doesn’t hold as much as it appears it should. The threaded design requires leaving about an inch of space at the top for the threads to function properly. 

The smaller configuration, at 6.75 liters, is good for up to four days of backpacking food. When stuffed with nothing but dehydrated Good-to-Go meals, the small configuration fits six meals, while the larger configuration fits sixteen.

Should You Buy the REI Traverse?

Because of its two-in-one design, the REI Traverse is a perfect budget buy for the versatile backpacker. It works great for trips from one to six days in length and nests into itself, so you never have to take up more pack space than necessary. 

Only time will tell if bears will learn to crack open this transparent trove. So far this burly, certified canister has been built to withstand the test. Although it’s a little tricky to use, it seals up nicely and feels secure.

That said, the REI Traverse is heavier than most. For ultralight thru-hikers trying to keep their pack weight down or who don’t need a canister for most of their hiking, there are better options available.

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

See out full guide to food storage options for more lightweight or widely accepted alternatives.

BearVault BV500 Journey Review: BearVaults are the other transparent bear canister options. They are similarly see-through, but lighter weight and a little easier to open. The BV500 is closest to the REI Traverse’s large configuration.

BearVault BV450 Jaunt Review: The BV450 is the closest equivalent to the Traverse’s small configuration. It fits about the same amount of food, but is easier to use and remarkably lightweight. 

Bear Boxer Champ Review: The Bear Boxer is lighter than the REI Traverse and holds even more food than the Traverse’s large configuration. Thanks to its tank-like and opaque design, the Bear Boxer is widely approved and encouraged in the most regulated wildernesses like Yosemite and the Adirondacks.