BearVault  BV475 Trek Bear Canister

$89.95
Members get an est. $8.99 in rewards

The ideal bear-resistant storage for weight conscious, long-distance hikers or group trips, the BearVault BV475 Trek bear canister securely stores 5–6 days of food and fits sideways into most packs.

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Members get an estimated $8.99 (10%) back on this item.
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Features

  • Shorter than the BV500 model, yet light and roomy
  • Specialty polycarbonate construction with other resins is rugged and durable
  • Specifically designed to be wide, round and slippery to reduce leverage points for entry from bear jaws, claws and paws
  • Clear sides make it easy to find your next meal and stay organized; wide opening allows you to reach all the way in to find your treats
  • Screw-on lid is intuitive, secure and doesn't require extra tools to operate; no need to overtighten—2 clicks and it's closed
  • Strap guides allow you to secure it to your pack if preferred
  • Rounded corners offer smooth packing and easy removal
  • Doubles as a camp stool
  • Quick and convenient ground-level storage means you don't have to skip brushing your teeth or waste time finding a good tree to hang a bear bag
  • This BearVault model has been tested and certified as bear-resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee and is approved for use in most parks and wilderness areas

Made in USA.

View all BearVault Bear-Resistant Food Containers

Technical Specs

Best Use

Backpacking

Gear Capacity (L)

9.3 liters

Gear Capacity (cu. in.)

565 cubic inches

Material(s)

Polycarbonate

Dimensions

8.7 x 10.5 inches

Weight

2 lbs. 4 oz.

Reviews
31 reviews with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars

Ratings Snapshot

Product Rating

13 out of 16 (81%) reviewers recommend this product

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Average Customer Ratings

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use

Most Helpful Favorable Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars
Not Authorized in the Adirondacks
petrychris
1 year ago
I’m sure this canister works fantastically and as advertised in many places, but note, NONE of the Bear Vault line is authorized for use in the Adirondacks. They won’t let you pack in with one as the black bears there have figured out how to chew though them. No kidding! Am exchanging for the Counter Assault model which is approved for that region and it’s where I do most of my paddling and backpacking anyway. REI, please make this known in the purchasing details. The rangers in the ADK can confirm.
petrychris
Baltimore, MD
79 people found this review helpful

Most Helpful Critical Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars
Not Authorized in the Adirondacks
petrychris
1 year ago
I’m sure this canister works fantastically and as advertised in many places, but note, NONE of the Bear Vault line is authorized for use in the Adirondacks. They won’t let you pack in with one as the black bears there have figured out how to chew though them. No kidding! Am exchanging for the Counter Assault model which is approved for that region and it’s where I do most of my paddling and backpacking anyway. REI, please make this known in the purchasing details. The rangers in the ADK can confirm.
petrychris
Baltimore, MD
79 people found this review helpful
petrychris
Baltimore, MD
Rated 3.0 out of 5 stars

Not Authorized in the Adirondacks

1 year ago

I’m sure this canister works fantastically and as advertised in many places, but note, NONE of the Bear Vault line is authorized for use in the Adirondacks. They won’t let you pack in with one as the black bears there have figured out how to chew though them. No kidding! Am exchanging for the Counter Assault model which is approved for that region and it’s where I do most of my paddling and backpacking anyway. REI, please make this known in the purchasing details. The rangers in the ADK can confirm.

Age:45–54
Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Anonymous
San Diego, CA
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Perfect size and easy to use

6 months ago

I really enjoy this bear canister, originally I was going to get the BV450, but the employee said that the BV475 has more flexibility for how long you can backpack for. If you have extra food for an overnight trip, you can always just put your cook set and other misc items inside with it! As for the quality of the product, I heard people talking about how its hard to open, I disagree. Its very easy for me to open when you put it on its side and press with both thumbs! I am able to carry food for me and a friend for a few nights and love to not worry about packing too much!

Age:18–24
Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Carolinac
Albuquerque NM
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars

Way better than a bear bag

5 months ago

I appreciate the ease of storing my food with a food barrel and that it protects food from being crushed in my pack. I don't mind the bulk of the barrel in exchange for the easy stowing when I'm at camp and the protection of my food (i.e. if it rains your bear bag will get soaked). For being what it is it isn't too heavy. My only complaint (and this is a normal reaction of plastic), is that when it is cold the plastic gets more brittle and it becomes difficult to open the barrel. I think that there are attachments out there now for that problem.

Age:25–34
Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
ShardikTheBear
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

As advertised, its a bearvault

2 years ago

It’s going to be touch getting 5-6 days worth of food in here, but gosh darn, im gonna try!

Age:35–44

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
CYang
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars

Glad to not know if it works for real.

1 year ago

4 stars because... no bear tried to get in, and I had a friend who had a bear resistant tarp like thingy for his food and it was super lightweight and I was really getting quite jealous on mile 35 and onwards. It did not feel fair. But then, I also had a nice place to sit while I was eating and washing my face and all those things. So, it worked over all and this bear (me) did have trouble getting into from time to time. I just wished it wasn't so heavy... but then it wouldn't be bear proof I guess.

Age:35–44
Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Randy
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars

BV475 Just Right Size

2 years ago

I like this size. Not too big, not too small, holds dehydrated meals better than the 450. Still big inside the backpack but manageable. Also makes a nice place to sit when needed. Very easy to sort through food and can hold your stove and cooking wear too.

Age:55–64
Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
Margarita Covarrubias
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

BearVault

2 years ago

A bit hard to open when you have low hand strength but it served it's purpose during our backpacking trip.

Helpful?
Sierra Dave
Brooklyn, NY
Rated 1.0 out of 5 stars

Can't open in cold weather

10 months ago

Tried this for a Sierra hike in September. Bad choice: when temperature is around freezing the plastic becomes too stiff to deform and it is worse than having no canister, since you will be going without breakfast. After warming it in the sun, and using my hiking pole to poke the tabs, I was finally able to unlock it. Even at room temperature, the locking mechanism is not exactly easy to use compared to my old Garcia. Happily, REI refunded my purchase upon my return. But I almost had to abandon my hike. Beware.

Age:65–74
No, I do not recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
BAMF
Seattle WA
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

As advertised, like the safety stickers!

11 months ago

Easy to use, and it comes with stickers to place inside the lid with bear safety tips, which I appreciate as I’m new to backpacking.

Age:35–44
Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
claylay
Los Angeles, CA
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Does the Job

1 year ago

They are bulky but it worked perfectly for our one night trip to summit My Langley. It wasn't tested by any bears but they seem durable (although I've heard stories of determined bears being able to chew through the plastic).

Age:45–54
Yes , I recommend this product

Ease of Use

Difficult to useVery easy to use
Helpful?
1 - 10 of 31 Reviews

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