KEEP YOUR ADVENTURE GOING

Bear Canisters
Built for the Outdoors

Bear Resistant Food Storage

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Our canisters are bear-resistant, ranger-approved, and built to survive the wild

BearVault BV500® — Journey BV500 Dimensions BV500 opened and laying down BearVault BV500® — Journey
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BearVault BV500® — Journey $99.99 USD
BearVault BV475 — Trek Young man camping and using the BV475 Bear with paw on BV475 BearVault BV475 — Trek
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BearVault BV475 — Trek $94.99 USD
BearVault BV450® — Jaunt BearVault BV450® — Jaunt BearVault BV450® — Jaunt BV450-Jaunt Product Photo
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BearVault BV450® — Jaunt $89.99 USD
BearVault BV425 — Sprint BearVault BV425 — Sprint BearVault BV425 — Sprint BearVault BV425 — Sprint
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BearVault BV425 — Sprint $84.99 USD
Designed by Backpackers
Tested by Bears
Keep Your Adventure Going
Designed by Backpackers
Tested by Bears
Keep Your Adventure Going
Designed by Backpackers
Tested by Bears
Keep Your Adventure Going

What Size Bear Canister Do I Need?

Answer a few quick questions to discover which bear canister fits your adventure!

Take Our Quiz

How To Guide

Learn how to open, pack, and store your BearVault safely and efficiently — on and off the trail.

Explore Our Tips & Tricks

Bear Canister Requirements

Canister rules change depending on where you hike. Discover which parks, trails, and wilderness areas require one.

Know Before You Go

Our Guide to Backpacking

Offering practical advice, checklists, and insider tips to ensure your trip is a success.

Start Your Adventure

Where Do I Need a BearVault?

Much of North America is home to Grizzly Bears and Black Bears. We all have a responsibility to protect these incredible creatures and the wild spaces where they live. This starts with properly storing your food so that bears can live naturally and your trip stays safe and fun!

In addition to the many parks, forests, and trails that mandate the use of bear resistant food storage, we recommend carrying your BearVault in all places inhabited by bears.

Bear 101

Bears are one of North America’s most iconic wild animals — and one of the most important to understand if you spend time outdoors.

Knowing the difference between black bears and grizzlies, their behaviors, and where you might encounter them, can be the difference between a great backcountry trip and a not-so-fun one.

Get to know the bears in your neck of the woods and level up your knowledge.

→ —> Learn More

Bear Safety

Knowledge is power...So is being prepared!

The best approach to bear safety begins with three essentials: knowing how bears behave, carrying the proper equipment, and being aware of your surroundings.

When we make smart choices, we protect ourselves and the wildlife we came to see.

Take the time now to learn what to do in different scenarios. So if the time comes, you can make the best choice, not the scared choice.

→ —> Stay Safe

Bear Attack Statistics

Knowing when and how bear attacks happen is your best defense — not bear spray (though that helps, too).

Since 1784, there have been about 180 fatal bear attacks in North America. That spans over 240 years, so on average, that is less than one fatality per year across an entire continent.

To put it bluntly, your odds of being struck by lightning are higher.

→ —> Get The Facts

Smells That Repel Bears

After 20+ years of testing bear-resistant products in real wilderness conditions, we've learned that successful bear deterrence isn't just about strong smells—it's about understanding exactly how bears think, what drives their behavior, and why some strategies backfire spectacularly.

A bear's sense of smell is 7x stronger than a bloodhound's & up to 2,000x more sensitive than yours.

Meaning, in ideal conditions, they can detect food from 5+ miles away.

→ —> Learn what actually works (and what doesn't).

Surviving The Wild

Scratched, clawed, and still sealed. That’s real bear-resistant strength.

Before

After

Why Customers Trust BearVault

I’ve been a happy user of my BV450 for about 4.5 years, and this is the first time an animal has disturbed it. The good news is that the bear gave up - victory for the BV450! My food was intact, and the bear didn’t decide to bother me either!

Jeff (Pine Brook Trail, White Mountains)

We were camping at Clouds Rest Junction in Yosemite when another party alerted us that there was a bear playing with our canister. He was chomping on the top of it even when we made noise and got loud. With enough time and enough noise, he left it alone. It was covered in saliva, but the bear didn't get in! The bear moved on with his life, and our food was safe!

Maren (Yosemite)

Had a grizzly come into our camp in the day while we were setting up tents. He was not worried about us as we yelled and told him to take off. That night, he came back and tried out our BearVaults. I am happy to say I got some very cool trophy scratches on my vaults, and the bear did not get into them. Fun!

That scratched-up vault goes with me everywhere I camp now. It is not just for bears. It has kept out all sorts of critters.

David (British Columbia)

A habituated juvenile black bear entered my campsite. I moved away safely while it slammed, chewed and pawed at the canister, working at the lid and locking mechanism. Fish and Wildlife later said the bear was a repeat offender. The bear carried the canister off for a few nights before another hiker—who happened to hear my story—found and returned it. Serendipitous story actually

Kelly (Pemigewasset Wilderness, White Mountains)

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Bear FAQ

Find the Answers to All Your Questions

Read Our Full FAQ Page

Why use a bear canister instead of other storage methods?

Bear canisters are the only consistently reliable option. They prevent wildlife from accessing your food and help prevent bears from becoming habituated or a danger to campers.

How effective are BearVault canisters at keeping bears out?

Extremely effective. BearVault is IGBC/SIBBG certified, making it nearly impossible for bears (and most wildlife) to open. 

They pass strict field tests and outperform other methods.

How do I choose the right size?

Do I really need a bear canister?

Yes. Improper food storage can lead to food loss, fines, or even the euthanization of bears. Canisters are safer and easier than food hangs.

What scented items must go in a canister?

Any scented items: food, toiletries, sunscreen, lip balm, utensils, menstrual products—must be stored in the canister to prevent attracting wildlife.

What’s the lightest BearVault model for ultralight backpackers?

Our lightest BearVault model is the BV 425, perfect for overnight hikes, short backpacking trips, or keeping food safe at base camp. Ultralight, bear-resistant, and built for solo hikers or minimalist adventurers.

Can products damage the canister?

Yes. Avoid direct contact with DEET, bug sprays, fishing adhesives, or paint. These can break down the plastic. Double-bag and store chemical items separately, and don’t spray anything near the canister.

Any use of DEET or chemical substance nullifies BearVault's warranty.

Customer Support

Mon - Thur, 9am - 5pm MST

Easy Returns

Returns accepted for 45-days

Limited Lifetime Warranty

Lets see what we can do!