BearVault BV450 Jaunt Bear Canister
Lighter and more compact than other bear resistant food containers, the BearVault BV450 Jaunt bear canister features simple access and volume for a 4-day solo backpacking trip or a weekend trip for 2.
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- Specifically designed to be wide, round and slippery to reduce leverage points for entry from bear jaws, claws and paws
- Weight is low and volume is high, thanks to the durable, polycarbonate construction
- Screw-on lid is intuitive and secure, and doesn't require extra tools to operate; no need to overtighten; see instructional video on how to properly open and close container
- Transparent canister is easy to see into and doesn't require you to empty the contents of the container to find specific items
- Wide opening allows you to reach all the way in to find your tasty treats
- Strap guides aid in strapping and packing canister to your preference; an ideal place for your can is inside your pack just above your sleeping bag
- Container doubles as a camp stool, a luxury most backpackers leave behind; close lid fully when using as a stool to preserve the screw-top threads
- This BearVault model has approval from both the Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group and Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee
- Stash on the ground or in a niche 100 ft. downwind of camp and cooking site; do not hang; never keep BearVault inside your tent
- Wipe rim clean of dirt and grime, and clean with mild soap and warm water; use a dry bag with your canister near saltwater; apply food-grade silicone to threads as needed
- Note: harsh chemicals will destroy the plastic; keep DEET and other strong chemicals away, or double bag it carefully if storing inside
- When not using, store in a dry, cool place out of UV sun rays
Made in USA.
View all BearVault Bear-Resistant Food Containers| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Gear Capacity (L) | 7.2 liters |
| Gear Capacity (cu. in.) | 440 cubic inches |
| Material(s) | Polycarbonate |
| Dimensions | 8.7 x 8.3 inches |
| Weight | 2 lbs. 1.6 oz. |
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Buy the next size up if you use prepackaged food.
My advice is to test fit what you think you'll need to pack in it well before your trip, and if it's a tight squeeze, buy bigger. The description says "volume for a 4-day solo backpacking trip or a weekend trip for 2" I'm preparing for a 2 day trip in Yosemite this summer, and they require a bear cannister. I may just be lazy, but I tend to take mostly dehydrated food of the just add hot water to the bag type when taking solo hikes, and simply put, they don't pack well into a round container. I tried packing in three days of food (the 2 nights I'll be in the backcountry +1 for unforeseen delays) and they kind of fit tightly, but after the 3 dinner and 3 breakfast pouches, there was no room to pack the looser foods I carry for lunch like crackers and tuna/cheese. I tried packing them both vertically and horizontally, but it made no difference Even not carrying my first days lunch (and possible even the pouch for my first dinner), it seems too small. the height of the bags is about the same as the depth of the cannister, so there is very little space left on top. If that is the sort of food you pack, I'd recommend the next size up. The weight difference is only about 2.5 ounces, but the the extra space means I can pack all the pouches in and have room on top for lunches and to put my toiletries like soap and toothpaste in at night. Even that seems like it'll be tight on day 1.
Opening tip
This container is exactly what I was expecting. Sturdy yet lightweight while still being durable. Great for a few nights worth of food by myself. My only complaint is that it is HARD to open especially when it has been out in the cold all night or when you're wearing gloves. Obviously this is a good thing (as it keeps bears out) but it can be frustrating early in the morning. Luckily I found a very easy fix. Just bring a spare gift card and insert it between the lid and notch on the container (pictured). Be sure the card is behind the ledge on the container and in front of the bump on the lid. Then you just twist the lid how you normally would while holding the container against your body to open. This has made using this canister SO much easier.
Bear tested, human approved
I purchased the BearVault for a camping trip to the Mississippi Headwaters in northern Minnesota. While eating breakfast in our campsite, we encountered a mother Black Bear with two cubs wandering through the campground. In an effort to calmly and quickly move away, we left with our BearVault sitting on the picnic table. From a safe distance, we watched the mother bear knock the canister around, claw at it, and even bounce her weight on it a few times. Once she left and we got the all clear from the Park Ranger, we were pleasantly surprised to find our BearVault intact, food uncrushed, and with only minor blemishes. Needless to say, I am sold and would recommend this canister. It is slightly hard to open for humans but once you get the hang of it, the tabs are easy enough to open. I will be purchasing a larger size for longer trips in the future.
How do you choose the right one...
I needed a bear canister for one person, up to five days. I rented this particular model from the visitor center at Bryce Canyon a few years ago so was familiar with the size and lid, but still went back and forth between this and the Garcia. Ultimately I decided I could make the space work and, in the event I travel anywhere this is no longer bear-unfriendly, I'll deal with it at that point. It obviously takes up a significant portion of your pack real estate, but that's the reality of any bear canister. I use an Osprey Kestral 48 and this takes about 40% of the space. I pack my sleeping bag and pad at the bottom in a compression dry bag, then a small dry bag for clothes, then this. I am able to slide a 40oz water bottle, flip flops and stove alongside with some room leftover on top. Traveled portions of the Appalachian Trail without incident. I try to enjoy the fact that I can sit on it, you can see everything in it and it carries quite a lot if you pack efficiently. Some people complain about the lid lock, but I found a video demo'ing "the credit card trick," which works great on a new lid. The canister I rented at Bryce was well-used and I didn't have any issues, so apparently the lid does become easier to open with use.
It's supposed to be hard to open :P
The bears are very smart and resourceful In areas where these canisters are required. So these things need to be like big child safety lock on a pill bottle. Here's a tip to save your fingers and get it open easily: Use the top of the handle of your metal spork or spoon or any other thin-hard-thing to depress the black plastic of the lid in towards the blue plastic body. Then rotate. I open mine that way all the time and it saves your fingers in colder weather. I've used the Garcia Cans before buying this one and I prefer the BV because it's lighter (and less voluminous), clear, and fits better in my pack. Find what you like. Save the bears!
Kept the Bear out!
a bear stopped by during dinner in the mountains, but kept his distance. Later, we could see him watching us and seeing where we placed our bear cans. Before placing the third can, the bear inspected the first can after knocking it down from a tree. The bear quickly realized there was no access to the can's contents and walked away. I placed the 3rd can under a large boulder. During the night, I heard the bear slap the can against the boulder. Again, the bear found no access to the food within, and left. that was the last I heard from this bear that night
Good solution for food security
When compared with other animal-safe food container solutions, this is about as simple as it gets without compromising the security of your food. Bear bags are difficult to hang in the best of circumstances (though I do it), and the Ursack products are intended to ease that, but there are two different models (one or bears, one for rodents), but not one for bears and rodents; That, and if a bear does get your Ursack, you're essentially eating puree the rest of the trip. Increasingly, recreation areas are REQUIRING bear canisters. The BearVault does not need to be hung anywhere, and it keeps bears, rodents and insects out. If a bear does come across the container, the worst it is going to do is relocate it. The BearVault can also serve as a camp stool or a food prep table, and multi-use items are always good. The single negative IMHO is the packability of the BearVault. After a couple of uses, my initial apprehension about this aspect of bear-safe containers in-general have waned. The BV450 packs surprisingly well in a Granite Gear Crown VC 60. In fact, it has one advantage over packing food bags in that you can shove the container as hard as you want to compress the contents below and push additional contents down on top of it, and there is no risk of smashing your food. One nit is the lid locking mechanism, which is only really problematic when my hands have been really cold.
The warranty doesn't support manufacturing defects
Read this honest review. I've used this product in the past with no issues. However, this last one I purchased while sitting in storage developed cracks on the outside of the product. I reached out for warranty as the product was never actually used. They responded accusing me of storing chemicals inside the product (DEET) which never happened and would not replace or return the defective canister. After a few emails they still said it was chemical damage which would not be covered under warranty. Such a shame!
As Expected
This bear vault was exactly right/full for 2 people and 2 medium dogs over a three day backpacking trip with dehydrated meals, protein bars, oatmeal and kibble. This size is fairly small, but as big as I'd want to carry in a backpack. If we went any longer, I would personally buy a second canister rather than the bigger size. Some of the comments mentioned it's difficult to open; I found it fairly easy to press down on the tab and slide it through. It is a little more tricky when it's cold because the plastic seems more stiff, but definitely manageable! Completely worth it to keep your food safe and not reward bears for interacting with human things.
Holds advertised amount of food.
Purchased one for trips in the Sierra where they’re required. You can totally put 4 days worth of food in it. The trick is to repackage the dehydrated meals into quart sized ziplock freezer bags. Once you do that it’ll fit all your meals, snacks, etc. Doubles as a stool or cutting board. Sucks to have to carry one, but we do what we gotta do. I recommend packing all your food in it ahead of time tho. Might as well make sure you sized everything correctly before game day. I would also note, they kinda suck to open when your hands are super cold. I have not had a bear attempt to get into it. So I can not comment on that part.