BearVault & Backpacking
FAQ

Free Shipping typically arrives in 5–7 business days (M–F). Expedited orders will ship according to the method selected at checkout.

Orders ship Monday–Thursday when received by 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time. Orders placed after 2:00 p.m. MT on Thursday, or anytime on Friday, will ship the following Monday.

Exclusions: Standard estimated shipping times do not apply to:

• Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, and international orders
• Rural, remote, or certain mountain towns, and APO addresses
• Items shipped via freight
• Public Holidays

We offer free ground shipping on all United States & Canada orders $50.00+ before taxes, except those going to Alaska and Hawaii. Free Ground shipping is not valid on any international orders outside the US and Canada. Certain remote locations may not qualify for free shipping.

We ship to all 50 US States and all 13 Canadian provinces and territories. 

For shipments outside of the United States, please contact our international distributors:

• Europe
• Japan
• Taiwan

We accept returns within a 45-day period after the date your BearVault was purchased on BearVault.com.

For a full product refund, the items must be returned in new condition with all packaging and contents in a new, resalable condition, and with no signs of damage, wear or use of the item. Products that are not in new condition or are missing items may be issued a partial refund, or no refund, at our discretion.

Click here to start a return

Find the best canister for your trip. 

—> Take our quiz

When your order ships, you will receive a shipment notification with a tracking number by email. Please note that orders with only stickers cannot be tracked and may take several weeks to arrive.

Bear canisters are hard-sided containers designed to securely store food and scented items. They protect wildlife by keeping bears from accessing human food,  and are an important product in preventing dangerous encounters. 

Many parks and forests require them for backcountry camping.

Requirements vary by park. Many, like Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, Grand Teton, and Denali, require IGBC-approved canisters. Trail-specific regulations may also exist. Always check the park or trail website before your trip.

For an overview visit our canister requirements page

Consider trip length, group size, and food choices. Rough guide:

• BV425 (5 L): 1–2 days solo
  
• BV450 (7.2 L): 3–4 days solo or 2-person trip
  
• BV475 (9.3 L): 5–6 days solo or 2–3 days for two people
  
• BV500 (11.5 L): 7+ days solo or multi-day 2+ people Plan roughly 100 in³ (1.6 L) of canister space per person per day.

—>Take our quiz to find the best size for you

• Pack close to your back for balance.
• Horizontally placed works best for stability; vertical placement may work depending on pack design.
• Strapping a canister on the top of a pack is not ideal but can work.
• Organize lighter items around the canister or inside to maximize space.

Odor-proof bags are not required. They can reduce strong smells and keep the canister cleaner, but a BearVault is effective without them.

Place on flat ground, at least 70 big steps (200ft) from your tent. Avoid cliffs or wedged positions. Never store inside your tent.

No! Bear canisters are not designed for loaded falls - they are designed for ground level storage.

All scented items: food, toiletries, sunscreen, lip balm, menstrual products, utensils, and trash. 

A great rule of thumb is to store anything that goes on your skin or in your mouth in the canister.

Twist the lid counterclockwise until the black nub hits the blue stopper, then press the nub inward to unlock. To close, twist clockwise until the nubs click past the stopper. Don’t over-tighten.

No. Just twist until the nubs click past the stopper. Overtightening will make opening harder, especially in cold or wet conditions.

Use a plastic card (loyalty or library card) for extra leverage. 

—> Check out our video on tips for opening the BearVault

Temperature, moisture, dirt, or grime can affect the canister. Clean threads with mild soap and a toothbrush, and consider food-safe silicone lubricant if needed.

Yes. Avoid DEET, bug sprays, adhesives, paint, or solvents. These can degrade plastic and void the warranty. If chemicals must be stored inside the canister, securely double-bag them to prevent any leakage.

BearVaults are water-resistant, not fully waterproof. Bears can still smell food; no canister is completely scent-proof. Use dry bags for extra water protection if needed.

Water-based adhesives are fine. Solvent-based adhesives or paint can damage the plastic and void the warranty.

Yes! It’s durable enough to sit on if the lid is fully closed.

Canisters reliably protect food and prevent bears from becoming habituated, unlike tree hangs or bagged storage.

Yes. Improper storage risks food loss, fines, or dangerous encounters that may result in euthanizing a bear.

Respect the bear and give it space. If the bear approaches, alert it (talk calmly, wave arms), back away slowly, and stand your ground if followed. For bluff charges, remain firm and use bear spray. In defensive attacks, play dead; in predatory attacks, fight back. Never run from a bear.

Stay calm, make yourself look bigger, speak firmly, slowly back away, and use bear spray if necessary. Never risk safety for gear.

Report encounters to park authorities to help with future management.

Bear Spray, a BearVault, plus knowledge of proper food storage, how to respond to aggressive bears, and seasonal bear behavior. 

Consider capacity, weight, ease of setup, and weather resistance. Freestanding tents are generally easier to pitch.

• Keep the canister close to your back and center.
  
• Ideally, pack the BearVault horizontally near the base.
  
• Compress soft items around it.
  
• Distribute weight evenly.

Yes. Use frameless pack configurations, compression sacks, and efficient gear placement to minimize bulk. BV425 is the lightest option.

Yes, especially in bear country. Smaller models like BV425 work well for minimalist day trips.

Larger canisters are harder to make strong enough to resist bears’ CPR-style pumping. The BV500 has structural ribs to prevent flexing, keeping it bear-resistant while maximizing size.

It needs to be large and strong enough to hold your food and resist bears. The rugged polycarbonate balances weight and durability.

Fines, tickets, eviction from the area, and, in extreme cases, jail. Always follow park regulations.

Yes, however, some areas may require the use of park-provided devices like lockers or cable systems.  Always check local regulations.

Pack the BearVault first, with food. It will be the heaviest item in your pack.  Keep the canister close to your back and compress soft items around the canister.

Use compression bags, nest smaller items, and pack only essentials. Organize efficiently inside and outside the canister.

Yes! Safety, regulatory compliance, and peace of mind outweigh the added weight. Choose the lightest model and pack minimally to reduce burden.

This is the “hyperphagia” season when bears eat almost nonstop to build fat for winter hibernation. Stay alert during this time.

Not exactly. Hibernation varies by species and climate. In warmer regions, some bears may den for shorter periods or not at all.

Fresh tracks, scat, or shredded trash are all signs that bears may be nearby.

 A curious bear might stand up, sniff, or slowly move away. A defensive bear may huff, pop its jaw, paw the ground, or charge. A predatory bear will move forward purposefully, with its head up and focus set on you. Recognizing these cues helps you react appropriately.

No. A cub almost always means the mother is close and highly protective. Give the area a wide berth and move away calmly.

Stay at least 100 yards (≈ 90 m) away. Getting closer can stress the bear or provoke defensive behavior.

Avoid headphones so you can hear, slow down near bends or dense vegetation, make noise, keep bear spray accessible, and give the bear space to leave.

Yes. They’re most active at dawn, dusk, and night—especially in summer and fall. Plan hikes for daylight hours.

Bells can help but are less reliable than speaking, singing, or clapping. Constant human noise is the best alert to avoid surprising a bear.

Stay calm and keep your distance. Make loud noises to alert the bear, don’t approach, and if it persists, leave and contact park authorities. If a bear enters your tent at night, fight back.

Toothpaste, lotions, deodorant, sunscreen, and even dish rags carry smells that attract bears. Cook and clean at least 100 feet from sleeping areas and store all scented items securely.

Avoid camping near berry patches, carcasses, or salmon streams. Choose a site downwind and away from active feeding zones. Give these areas as wide of a berth as possible.

Yes, but keep dogs leashed at all times. Loose dogs often run toward bears and lead them back to you. Store pet food with your own and be extra cautious.

Groups of three or more are statistically safer—more noise, more visibility, and less chance of surprising a bear.

No. Bird feeders, pet food, and unsecured garbage are major attractants. Remove them to help keep bears wild and safe.

While bears may become food conditioned, the real “problem” is human irresponsibility. When bears get food from humans, they lose their natural fear. Habituated bears often have to be relocated or euthanized. Prevent this by securing all food, trash, and scented gear.

Feeding or approaching bears is illegal in most areas and teaches them to seek food from people—creating danger for everyone involved.

Contact park rangers or local wildlife authorities with the time, location, and behavior observed. Reporting sightings helps manage bear populations safely.