Which BearVault Fits Your Pack?
Choosing the right backpack and bear canister combo is key to a smooth trip, whether you're out for a weekend or 2,000 miles. This page helps you determine which BearVault fits your backpack, using real-world data and expert advice from thru-hikers.
Jump down to use the Pack Fit Tool, or keep reading to learn how to size a pack, choose a canister, and pack it all efficiently.
How to Choose a Backpacking That Works with a BearVault
A well-fitting pack makes all the difference on trail, especially when you’re carrying a bear canister. Most backpacks are sized based on your torso length and hip belt measurement. You can find these by measuring from the bump at the base of your neck (C7) to the top of your hip bones, then wrapping a soft tape measure around your hips.
Once you've found the right fit, consider how much volume you need:
- For a weekend trip, 40-50L is usually enough
- For multi-day or longer journeys, 50-65L gives you more flexibility, especially if you're carrying a BV475 or BV500
Keep in mind: not all 50L packs are shaped the same. Internal dimensions matter, especially if you want your BearVault to lie flat at the bottom of your pack for better weight distribution.
That’s why we built the tool below — to help you find a BearVault that fits your specific pack model and adventure style.
How to Store Food in Bear Country — and Fit it in a BearVault
When hiking or camping in bear country, proper food storage isn’t optional — it’s essential. Not just for your safety, but for the wellbeing of bears and future hikers.
That’s where bear-resistant containers like BearVaults come in. They protect your food and gear by preventing bears from becoming food-conditioned — a situation that often leads to the bear being euthanized.
Everything scented goes in the canister, including:
- Food and snacks
- Trash and food wrappers
- Toothpaste, gum, and lip balm
At night, place your BearVault 70 big steps away from your tent, on level ground, in a visible spot — never in or near your sleeping area.
How Much Food Fits in a BearVault
You’d be surprised how much food you can pack with a little planning:
| BearVault Model | Typical Food Capacity |
|---|---|
| BV500 | 7+ days |
| BV475 | 5–6 days |
| BV450 | 3–4 days |
| BV425 | 1–2 days |
—> Want help choosing a size? Check out our BearVault Size Guide or take The Quiz.
- Repackage food into flexible freezer bags
- Prioritize calorie-dense items (nuts, bars, jerky, tortillas)
- Fill air gaps with small, moldable items like trail mix or granola
Watch: How to Pack a BearVault Efficiently
Where to Put a Bear Canister in a Backpack
The most important thing about packing a bear canister is to Do It — no matter how bulky or awkward it feels at first. Keeping your food safe protects both you and the bears, so make it a non-negotiable part of your pack setup.
Where and how you carry your BearVault depends on three key factors:
1. Comfort
The best way to carry your canister is horizontally at the bottom of your pack. This placement keeps your center of gravity low and steady, making long hikes more comfortable. It also prevents your canister from shifting side to side like it might if carried upright.
As you work your way through your stash, use the empty space to store other items— keeping weight balanced and close to your body.
While many packs allow strapping a canister on top, we generally discourage this because it can make your load unstable and potentially unsafe.
2. Accessibility
Since the canister sits at the bottom, it’s not the easiest to reach during the day. Most hikers keep snacks in easily accessible pockets so they don’t have to dig through their pack until they reach camp.
3. Pack Capacity
If you already have a backpack and a BearVault, check if your pack’s main compartment can fit your canister lying down. If you’re still choosing gear, our Pack Compatibility Tool on this page will help you find the best combination.
For those seeking the perfect bottom-of-pack fit combined with easy access, we recommend these incredible custom packs designed specifically to fit the BV475 and BV500 canisters.
Introducing the Ultimate Pack Compatibility Guide
Most backpacks designed for multi-day trips can carry a BearVault BV475 or BV500 in an upright position. But if you prefer to carry your canister horizontally at the bottom of your pack—which many hikers find more comfortable and stable—you’ll need to check if your pack can accommodate that fit.
Our Ultimate Pack Compatibility Guide helps you do just that. Simply search for your pack model to see if the BV475 or BV500 will fit horizontally inside.
- This tool focuses on horizontal fit for the two largest BearVault models (BV475 and BV500).
- Most packs will accept any BearVault canister vertically, including BV450 and BV425, which fit easily in nearly all backpacks.
- Fill air gaps with small, moldable items like trail mix or granola
| Backpack | Capacity | BV475 | BV500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aarn Effortless Rhythm | 66L, 72L | Fits! | Fits |
| Aarn Featherlite Freedom | 60L, 65L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Aarn Featherlite Freedom PRO | 50L, 55L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Aarn Mountain Magic 50 PRO | 50L | Fits! | Does not fit |
| Aarn Peak Aspiration | 50L, 55L, 60L | Fits! | Fits |
| Arc'Teryx Aerios 45 W | 60L | Fits! | Does not fit |
| Deuter Aircontact Core 50+10 | 60L | Fits! | Does not fit |
| Deuter Aircontact Core 60+10 SL | 70L | Fits! | Tight |
| Deuter Aircontact Core 65+10 | 75L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Deuter Aircontact Core 70+10 | 80L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Deuter Aircontact Ultra 35+5 SL | 50L | Tight | Does not fit |
| Deuter Aircontact Ultra 45+5 | 50L | Tight | Does not fit |
| Deuter Aircontact Ultra 45+5 SL | 50L | Tight | Does not fit |
| Deuter Aircontact Ultra 50+5 | 55L | Fits! | Tight |
| Deuter Aircontact X 70+15 SL | 85L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Deuter Aircontact X 80+15 | 95L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Deuter Expedition 60+10 | 70L | Fits! | Tight |
| Deuter Expedition 80+10 SL | 90L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Deuter Expedition 90+10 | 100L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Deuter Futura Air Trek 45+10 SL | 55L | Fits! | Does not fit |
| Deuter Futura Air Trek 50+10 | 60L | Fits! | Tight |
| Deuter Futura Air Trek 55+10 SL | 65L | Fits! | Does not fit |
| Deuter Futura Air Trek 60+10 | 70L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Gossamer Gear G4-20 | 42L | Does not fit | Does not fit |
| Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 | 50L | Fits! | Does not fit |
| Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 | 60L | Fits! | Does not fit |
| Granite Gear Blaze 60 | 60L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Granite Gear Crown3 60 | 60L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Gregory Baltoro 65 | 65L | Fits! | Tight |
| Gregory Deva 60 | 60L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Gregory Deva 70 | 70L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Gregory Facet 45 | 45L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Gregory Jade 43 W | 43L | Fits! | Does not fit |
| Gregory Jade 63 | 63L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Gregory Maven 55 | 55L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Gregory Paragon 58 | 58L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Gregory Paragon 60 | 60L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Gregory Zulu 65 | 65L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Hyperlite Countour 35 | 35L | Does not fit | Does not fit |
| Hyperlite Southwest 40 | 40L | Tight | Does not fit |
| Hyperlite Southwest 55 | 55L | Tight | Does not fit |
| Osprey Aether 55 | 55L | Fits! | Does not fit |
| Osprey Aether 65 | 65L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Osprey Ariel 65 W | 65L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Osprey Ariel Plus 70 | 70L | Fits! | Does not fit |
| Osprey Atmos 65 AG | 65L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Osprey Atmos AG 50 | 50L | Fits! | Does not fit |
| Osprey Aura AG 65 | 65L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Osprey Aura LT 65 | 65L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Osprey Kestrel 48 | 48L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Osprey Tempest 40 W | 40L | Fits! | Does not fit |
| Osprey Talon 44 | 44L | Fits! | Does not fit |
| REI Flash 55 | 55L | Fits! | Does not fit |
| REI Flash Air 50 | 50L | Fits! | Tight |
| REI Traverse 60 | 60L | Fits! | Fits! |
| REI Trailmade 60 | 60L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Six Moon Designs Swift V | 50L | Fits! | Fits! |
| Six Moon Designs Swift X | 50L | Fits! | Fits! |
| ULA Camino | 54L | Fits! | Tight |
| ULA CDT | 54L | Does not fit | Does not fit |
| ULA Circuit | 68L | Tight | Does not fit |
| ULA Circuit 48 SV | 48L | Tight | Does not fit |
| ULA Dragonfly | 30L | Does not fit | Does not fit |
| ULA OHM | 54L | Does not fit | Does not fit |
| ULA Photon | 35L | Does not fit | Does not fit |
| Outdoor Vitals CS40 | 40L | Does not fit | Does not fit |
| Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight | 60L | Fits! | Does not fit |
| Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60 | 60L | Fits! | Does not fit |
| Zpacks Super Nero 50 | 50L | Fits! | Does not fit |
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FAQ
Which BearVault fits in a Deuter pack?
The BV475 fits horizontally in all Deuter packs, though it’s tight in the Ultra 45+5 SL, Ultra 45+5, and Ultra 35+5 SL. The BV500 fits horizontally in many Deuter packs, but even some models over 55 liters struggle to accommodate it flat. Use the Pack Compatibility Tool to check the exact fit and orientation options for your specific model.
Which BearVault fits in an Osprey pack?
The BV475 lies horizontally in every Osprey model, providing a comfortable and stable fit. The BV500 fits horizontally in most Osprey packs, including some 48-liter models; however, narrower packs may require carrying it vertically. See specific notes in the Pack Compatibility Tool.
Which BearVault fits in a Gregory pack?
The BV475 fits horizontally in all Gregory packs, including smaller models like the Zulu 40. The BV500 requires packs with a capacity of at least 43 liters for a horizontal fit. The Baltoro 65 is among the few larger Gregory packs where the BV500 fit is a tighter fit. Check your model in the Pack Compatibility Tool.
Can I carry a BearVault upright instead of horizontally?
Yes! Most backpacks can carry BearVault canisters upright with no problem, regardless of size. Horizontal placement is recommended for comfort and balance but isn’t mandatory. The BV450 and BV425 fit upright in almost all packs, making them versatile choices for smaller loadouts.
What if my pack model isn’t listed in the compatibility tool?
No worries! Many packs share similar dimensions across model years or brands. If you don’t see your exact pack, look for a similar-sized model in the tool. You can also reach out to our support team for personalized advice on fitting your BearVault.
How do I measure my pack to see if my BearVault will fit?
Measure the internal dimensions of your pack’s main compartment—width, height, and depth. Compare those to the dimensions of your BearVault model (found on our product pages). Remember that horizontal fit requires enough width and depth to lay the canister flat without causing bulges or strain.
Does carrying a BearVault on the outside of my pack affect fit?
Carrying a canister externally (strapped to the outside) is possible but generally not recommended for extended trips. It can cause imbalance, expose your canister to damage, and be less secure. We advise carrying your BearVault inside your pack whenever possible.
Can I fit my BearVault and still have space for all my gear?
Absolutely! Efficient packing is key. Carry your BearVault horizontally at the bottom, then organize your gear around it. Many hikers use compression sacks and pack smartly to maximize space. Check out our packing tips videos for pro strategies.