Being out in nature is good for the soul. The breeze in your hair, the rustling of leaves, the scent of pine, the sun on your skin — it’s the best medicine. What’s not so healing? A bear raiding your campsite and stealing your food.
If you’re a backpacker or camper, you need food storage that protects your meals and wildlife alike. That’s where BearVault comes in.
How BearVault Was Born: From Campfire Complaints to Bear-Proof Innovation
Share information about your brand with your The idea for the BearVault® was born on a backpacking trip. Sitting around a campfire, swapping stories after a long day on the trail, a group of friends began venting about the bear canisters they’d brought along.
They were bulky. Awkward. Hard to pack. The openings were too small. And worst of all, they were a pain to use after a long day of hiking.
That’s when Jamie Hogan, our founder, spoke up: What if we just made a better one?
Over the next several months, sketches and trail chit-chat turned into designs and prototypes. Reimagining everything from materials and proportions to the locking mechanism, the early designs were radically different from what was on the market. It was lightweight, transparent, and easy for human use, thanks to our “child-resistant” style twist-off lid.
It passed field tests with backpackers, but building a better user experience was only half the battle. The next question was our real challenge:
Would it actually withstand the power and determination of a hungry bear?
The Real Bear Test: Fisher vs. Our Prototype
With the first prototype in hand, the BearVault team headed to Sequoia National Park to begin the official testing process. The canister would need to pass SIBBG certification, a series of mechanical durability tests followed by the real trial: a showdown with an actual bear.
Enter Fisher: a 560-pound black bear at the Folsom Zoo, enlisted by the Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group (SIBBG) to test bear-resistant products.
The test was simple, one hour actively engaging with the canister. If it held up, it passed.
| Round one: 8 minutes: This round went to Fisher. He cracked it open and happily devoured the peanut butter, jelly, and meat inside.
The team returned to the workshop, made improvements to the design, and came back with a stronger prototype.
| Round two: 24 hours: BearVault took this round. After 24 hours of pawing, biting, and rolling, he gave up.
Still curious about just how tough the canister really was, we pushed it further. Placing the same canister into the enclosure of Sequoia, another massive black bear, for 24 hours. Sequoia also tried, failed, and eventually walked away.
The result? The BearVault canister survived 48 hours in the paws of two powerful, determined bears. Vastly exceeding the one-hour certification requirement.
Shortly after, the BearVault received full SIBBG approval, paving the way for its debut as one of the first widely accessible, user-friendly, and truly bear-resistant food canisters on the market.
Why Bear-Safe Food Storage Really Matters
Keeping food away from bears isn’t just a good camping habit; it’s a crucial act of conservation.
When a bear gets access to human food, it often marks the start of a dangerous pattern. Bears that learn to raid campsites and picnic areas become bolder and more reliant on people for calories. That puts them on a direct collision course with humans, and the outcome is often tragic.
Bears that repeatedly seek out human food are frequently relocated or euthanized to prevent future encounters. That’s why many land management agencies now require bear-resistant food storage in wilderness areas.
Proper food storage helps protect the wild instincts of wildlife. It keeps animals alive, visitors safe, and ecosystems in balance. In short: Keeping your food safe isn’t just about you. It’s about keeping bears wild.
What About Bear Hangs?
If you’ve spent time in the backcountry, you’ve probably seen (or tried) a bear hang—hoisting your food into a tree using a rope and stuff sack.
But here’s the reality: bear hangs are no longer considered a reliable food storage method in most wilderness areas.
There are a few key reasons why:
They're often ineffective
Finding the right tree, at the right angle, with a strong enough limb, isn’t easy. And even when done “correctly,” many hangs still don’t meet park requirements.
Bears have learned how to beat them
Some bears now send their cubs up trees to knock down hanging food. It’s not just a theory. It’s been observed
They harm the environment
Repeated use of the same trees near campsites leads to damaged limbs and compacted soil, especially in popular areas.
That’s why many national parks and forests have banned bear hangs altogether. Even long trails like the Colorado Trail have moved away from approving bear hangs and advocate use of bear-resistant containers, like BearVault canisters, are now the preferred—and often required—method.
✅ Bear canisters don’t rely on technique, terrain, or tree access.
✅ They protect both your food and the wilderness around you.
✅ And they’re far more effective than any hanging bag.
How to Use Your BearVault in the Wild
BearVaults are designed to be intuitive and trail-ready, but using them correctly can make all the difference. Here are a few key tips to help you make the most of your bear-resistant food storage.
Store 100+ Feet From Camp
Distance Matters
Stash your BearVault at least 100 feet from your tent, cooking area, and water source. Tuck it in a spot where it won’t roll—like between rocks or logs—but avoid cliffs and rivers.
Pro tip: Don’t wedge it somewhere a bear could pin it or drop it from a height. The goal is to slow the bear, not give it leverage.
Seal It After Every Use
Always Re-Close the Lid
Open your BearVault only when needed. Always twist the lid closed immediately after grabbing food or gear—this minimizes scent trails and keeps animals out.
Pro tip: Don’t leave it open while prepping meals or packing up.
Cook Away From Your Tent
Separate Cooking & Sleeping Areas
Set up your kitchen and food storage 100 feet away from your sleeping area. Store scented items like toothpaste, sunscreen, or wrappers in your BearVault at night.
ProTip: This isn’t just about keeping bears out of your gear—it’s about keeping bears out of your camp entirely.
Trail-Tested. Bear-Proof. Loved by Backpackers
Don’t just take our word for it—here’s what real hikers, backpackers, and outdoor adventurers say about their BearVault canisters:
—> Want to share your own trail story? Tag @BearVault or submit a review
Ready to Protect Your Food—and the Bears?
Your hike. Your food. Keep it that way.
BearVault canisters are built for the backcountry:
✅ Lightweight and easy to pack
✅ Simple to open, clean, and use
✅ Certified bear-resistant and field-proven
Whether you’re heading into grizzly country or just want peace of mind on a weekend trip, BearVault keeps your meals safe and your adventure on track.
Need Help Choosing?
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FAQs
Do I really need a bear canister for backpacking?
In many wilderness areas—yes. Bear canisters are required by national parks like Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, and Olympic. Even in places where they’re not mandated, they’re strongly recommended to prevent wildlife encounters and keep your food safe.
Are BearVaults smell-proof?
No bear canister is fully smell-proof, but BearVaults are highly scent-resistant when sealed. Always close the lid immediately after use and store the canister away from your tent.
How far should I store my canister from camp
Place your BearVault at least 100 feet away from your tent, cooking area, and water source. Tuck it between rocks, logs, or brush to prevent rolling—but avoid cliffs and rivers.
What can I store in a BearVault besides food?
Anything with a scent: food, trash, wrappers, toothpaste, deodorant, lip balm, sunscreen, etc. If a bear were curious about it, it belongs in the canister.
How do I choose the right size BearVault?
It depends on your trip length and how much food you carry. We offer multiple sizes for different adventures—from solo weekenders to thru-hikes.
Are BearVaults approved by the National Park Service?
Yes. BearVaults are approved by the Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group (SIBBG), the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC), and are accepted in most U.S. national parks and forests.
Can I use a bear bag or a food hang instead?
No. You should not. Bear hangs (rope-and-bag setups) are no longer considered reliable or approved in most regulated wilderness areas. Many bears have learned to defeat them, and improper hangs can damage trees and ecosystems.
That’s why BearVault does not sell or recommend bear bags.