The 5 Best Bear Canisters

If you’re going camping or backpacking and want to keep wild animals away from your things, you need to find the best bear canister. A bear canister is a locking container that’s responsible for safely storing your food overnight. Not only does it lock your food inside the container to prevent bears and other animals from breaking in, but the container also prevents animals from even having the ability to smell the scent of the food in general, so you can avoid unwanted interractions with animals.

Check out our bear canister reviews and ratings to keep your food secure and your family safe when you’re camping in bear country.

The 5 Top Bear Canisters

Given these benefits as well as the convenience of saving your food together in one container, you should purchase a bear keg. Here are the 5 best bear canisters we’ve reviewed to help you find the perfect one for your needs.

Best Choice
Our Score 10 Out of 10
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Premium Pick
Our Score 10 Out of 10
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Best Value
Our Score 6 Out of 10
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Runner Up
Our Score 8 Out of 10
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Honorable Mention
Our Score 8 Out of 10
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* Ratings are determined using our specialized rating system.

FRONTIERSMAN Bear Canister for Backpacking & Hiking

Our Score 10 out of 10
Frontiersman Bear Safe & Resistant 11.86 Liter Food Storage Container, Locking Lid, Water & Airtight, Keeps Food Fresh, Prevents Food Odors That Attract Bears, Family Size & Longer Hike Usage
Frontiersman Bear Safe & Resistant 11.86 Liter Food Storage Container, Locking Lid, Water & Airtight, Keeps Food Fresh, Prevents Food Odors That Attract Bears, Family Size & Longer Hike Usage amazon.com Check price

SLIM, LIGHTWEIGHT & EASY TO CARRY: This 3LB bear resistant food container's ergonomic tapered shape slides easily in and out of your backpack; Provides greater pack balance and equal load distribut...

The FRONTIERSMAN Bear Canister for Backpacking and Hiking is the best bear keg for you because it’s lightweight and easy to carry while you’re traveling. This canister only weighs three pounds and it comes with an ergonomic tapered shape that helps the container easily slide in and out of your backpack. Not only that, but this product is recommended because it has a storage capacity of almost 12 liters, which is enough food storage for the whole family.

In addition to these benefits, this is the best bear canister because it prevents odors, and it also preserves the freshness of the food stored inside the container. This backpacking bear canister conceals the food with an air-tight seal, so it prevents the attraction of bears and other animals.

Furthermore, this is the best bear keg because of its durability. This canister is produced with a no-break, polypropylene material that is malleable. It conveniently stores more food than other containers because it’s capable of shaping around the food inside the package.

Pros
  • Field-tested and certified to meet the US Forest Service specifications
  • Contains a malleable material to prevent the container from breaking
  • This product is affordable
  • Difficult to search for food that’s inside the container, since you can’t see through the sides
Cons
  • Difficult to search for food that’s inside the container, since you can’t see through the sides

Counter Assault Bear Canister Keg

Our Score 10 out of 10
Counter Assault Bear Keg Food Container, 716 Cubic Inch
Counter Assault Bear Keg Food Container, 716 Cubic Inch amazon.com Check price

Meets or Exceeds all of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee Recommendations for Bear Deterrents
Mandatory in Many National Parks in the United States and Canada
Bright Yellow Proprietary Polymer...

The Counter Assault Bear Keg is the best bear canister because it’s produced from a blended material of proprietary polymers. This is beneficial because it provides maximized durability, and it resists breaking or cracking. Not only that, but this product is large enough to fit food for a large number of people, effectively storing food with its 9-inch by 14-inch dimensions.

Additionally, this is the best bear canister because it’s a bright yellow color, so it eliminates the possibility of losing it while you’re on your camping or hiking trip. Likewise, this backpacking bear canister meets all of the recommendations of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.

Moreover, this bear keg easily fits into your backpack, as its circular shape can conveniently fit inside a carry-on without requiring you to move around the contents of your backpack.

Pros
  • Comes in a bright yellow color that prevents you from losing the canister
  • Stores up to 716 cubic inches of provisions
  • Contains a proprietary polymer blend material
  • Heavier than other products on the market
Cons
  • Heavier than other products on the market

BearVault Bear Keg for Backpackers and Campers

Our Score 6 out of 10
BearVault BV500 Bear Resistant Food Canister | For Extended Multi-Day Hikes, Backpacking, Hunting, Fishing, Kayak and Canoe Trips | Large, Lightweight, Crush Resistant Outdoor Food Protection | Lockin
BearVault BV500 Bear Resistant Food Canister | For Extended Multi-Day Hikes, Backpacking, Hunting, Fishing, Kayak and Canoe Trips | Large, Lightweight, Crush Resistant Outdoor Food Protection | Lockin amazon.com Check price

Approved Canister of Choice: BearVault is approved by all National Parks and all National Forests with canister regulations; For a safe outdoor experience, take a BearVault with you on the trail or...

The BearVault Bear Keg for Backpackers is the best bear keg because it’s the lightest canister to purchase on the market. Not only that, but this backpacking bear canister is user-friendly. It’s easy to open and close when you need to either store food or take food out.

This is the best bear canister for you because it’s able to store enough food for groups of people on camping trips that last up to seven days. This canister has a transparent material, so it allows you to easily see what’s inside the container from the outside in order to easily retrieve the food necessary.

Furthermore, this is the best bear canister because it’s durable and can withstand being dropped in water, thrown into branches, and endure the rain. This canister is impact-resistant and its material is so durable that it can also be used as a camp stool.

Pros
  • Approved by all National Parks and all National Forests with canister regulations
  • Lightweight and impact-resistant
  • Grizzly and Black Bear tested
  • Difficult to store inside of your backpack due to size
Cons
  • Difficult to store inside of your backpack due to size

Backpacker’s Cache – Bear Proof Container

Our Score 8 out of 10
Backpacker's Cache - Bear Proof Container
Backpacker's Cache - Bear Proof Container amazon.com Check price

Keep your food safe from wild animals
Discourages bears from raiding campsites

The Backpacker’s Cache Bear Proof Container is the best bear canister because it effectively eliminates the possibility of all types of animals from coming into contact with your food—successfully prevents bears, squirrels, birds, and other rodents from snooping through your food inside the container. Not only that, but this canister prevents other animals from smelling the scents of the food stored inside of the container.

Additionally, this product is the best bear canister because it is expert-tested and is effective in not only eliminating the odor from releasing outside of the container, but also passed the test of keeping hungry animals from gaining access to your food supply. You can also conveniently place this backpacking bear canister in a variety of different places, since it’s lightweight and can fit inside your backpack, tent, or other carrying bag. 

Pros
  • This product is affordable
  • Prevents bears from smelling the food inside the container
  • Easy to use
  • Doesn’t store large amounts of food
Cons
  • Doesn’t store large amounts of food

UDAP No Fed Bear Bear Resistant Canister

Our Score 8 out of 10
Udap No Fed Bear Bear Resistant Canister with Backpack Carrying Case Included
Udap No Fed Bear Bear Resistant Canister with Backpack Carrying Case Included amazon.com Check price

Made by UDAP, the most trusted manufacturer in bear protection.
Quality and safety tested for even the toughest environments
Required in many national parks.
Includes carrying case.

The UDAP Bear Resistant Canister with Backpack Carrying Case is the best bear canister because it is produced by UDAP, a highly trusted brand in the industry of products related to protection from bears. Not only that, but this backpacking bear canister is expert-tested for its quality and convenience, and it provides protection for your food in even the most difficult hiking environments of the wild.

Additionally, this bear keg comes with a carrying case for your convenience, eliminating the need to make extra space in your backpack or other luggage to fit it. The carrying case comes with a convenient handle that you can utilize while you’re hiking or walking to the campsite.

Pros
  • This product is affordable
  • Comes with a carrying case that contains a handle
  • Made by a trusted brand in the bear protection industry
  • Doesn’t store larger amounts of food
Cons
  • Doesn’t store larger amounts of food

Important Bear Canister Features to Consider

There are various different types and designs of bear can to choose from, so you can pick the best for your specific needs. Here are a few features to consider when looking for the best bear canister so you find one that’s right for you:

Size

You should consider how large the backpacking bear canister is, since you’ll need one that will fit all the food that you’re planning on bringing. You’ll also need to consider how many people are coming on your trip and how long your trip will be. This will ensure you have a canister that’s large enough to fit all the food you need.

Weight

Considering the weight is important because most canisters are heavy to carry. Smaller canisters usually weigh around 2 to 3 pounds, and other canisters weigh up to 5 pounds. Make sure you choose a canister light enough for you to carry around while traveling to your campsite.

Material

The material is also important to consider because it helps determine how easy it is to find food inside the container, and it also helps determine the durability of the container in general. Additionally, the material of the canister also helps determine the overall weight of the canister, as some materials are heavier than others.

Benefits of Bear Canisters

There are a number of benefits to owning a bear can when the time comes to go camping out in bear country.

  • Provide a simple and effective way to safely protect your food from all animals, especially bears
  • Can also act as a camp stool to sit on
  • Can protect your food without you having to bag it in a bear hang
  • Save you time, since you only have to place your food in the container and then lock it
  • Waterproof, and can even float in water

A bear can offers safety for people going on camping trips by keeping bears and other animals away from their campsite and their food.

Tips for Using These Canisters

When you invest in a bear keg, it’s important to be able to use it properly. Here are some tips about how to keep your food safe from bears and use your bear keg more effectively.

Check If They’re Required

As part of camping etiquette, many parks and outdoor camping places require that you have some type of bear keg, so you should check the location you’re planning on traveling to in advance in order to make sure your canister meets the park’s guidelines. Most parks require a bear keg in order to prevent the encouragement of possible bears into the park’s perimeters, which ensures safety.

Only Use For Overnight Trips

Bear cans are really only required if you’re planning on staying overnight at a campsite. If you’re just planning on going on a one-day hiking trip, then you won’t require a canister, as the chances of animals snooping through your food are slim. Not only that, but you won’t want to carry a heavy canister around with you while you’re hiking. However, you should carry bear bells and bear spray when you go backpacking to avoid bears on the trail and protect yourself from them.

Don’t Attach Anything To The Canister

Straps or belts should not be attached to your container as it poses a camping danger to yourself and others. Doing so causes bears a greater opportunity to grab onto the strap or rope and drag it along with them, taking your food as well as the canister from you.

Invest in a Hard-Sided Canister

Purchase a bear can that contains a harder material, as it eliminates the possibility of the food inside the container from getting squished or ruined.

Overall, each product in this list offers you the ability to safely store your food away from bears and other animals while you’re camping in the wilderness. Additionally, they all prevent animals from having the ability to smell the scent of the food on your campsite.

Conclusion

Given these beneficial features, you should purchase one of the bear kegs in this list. But it is difficult to choose the best one for your specific needs. Our favorite was the FRONTIERSMAN Bear Canister for Backpacking and Hiking. This product is provides you with the best benefits and is available at an affordable price.

This is the best bear canister because it’s extremely lightweight, stores a large amount of food, and it effectively prevents bears and other animals from coming into contact with your food. Not only that, but this bear can conveniently fits into your backpack or other carrying bag, since it contains a malleable material that can be re-shaped to fit in any location. Given these benefits, the FRONTIERSMAN Bear Canister is the best bear canister on the market.

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todd

They are not waterproof. There is no gasket seal around the opening that prevents water or air from seeping in/out around the rim of the opening