The Best Bear Canisters for the Pacific Crest Trail

• Weight: 41 oz / 1.162 kg
• Dimensions (in): 12.7 x 8.7
• Dimensions (cm): 32 x 22
• Capacity: 11.5 L
• Material: Polycarbonate

According to the Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Survey, the BearVault BV500 is the most popular PCT bear canister. It’s made of polycarbonate (i.e., transparent blue plastic) and has a capacity of 11.5 liters. Yes, it weighs 41 oz / 1.162 kg (aka 2 lb 9 oz) and will occupy a huge amount of space in your pack, but this is the nature of the bear canister. To open the bear canister, you must push two different tabs on the lid down (one after another) to move them past a plastic stopper. It’s not that complicated. The lid of this bear canister comes completely off. The opening is slightly more narrow than the rest of the bear canister.

Pros: Uniform shape, transparent, bear-proof, don’t need tools to open
Cons: Heavy, can be tough to open when cold

• Weight: 33 oz / 935 g
• Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 8.7
• Dimensions (cm): 22 x 21
• Capacity: 7.2 L
• Material: Polycarbonate

The BearVault BV450 is the smaller version of the BV500 – for those looking to save a bit of weight or who are on a diet. It’s made of polycarbonate (i.e., transparent blue plastic) and has a capacity of 7.2 liters. With ~60% of the capacity and 80% of the weight of the BV500, it weighs 33 oz / 935 g (aka 2 lb 1 oz). It’s advertised as holding up to four days worth of food, but as with all these canisters, you can do more if you’re smart about your packing (i.e., ditch it all). This canister has the same two-notch lid as the BV500 and can be opened without using tools (or coins).

Pros: Uniform shape, transparent, bear-proof, don’t need tools to open
Cons: Heavy, can be tough to open when cold

• Weight: 43 oz / 1.219 kg
• Dimensions (in): 12 x 8.8
• Dimensions (cm): 30 x 22
• Capacity: 10 L
• Material: ABS polymer

The Garcia Model 812 Backpackers’ Cache differs from the previously mentioned bear canisters because it is not a perfect cylinder – it has a bulge in the middle, limiting its use as a horizontally placed seat. However, it works well as a seat when placed vertically. The opening is slightly smaller than the other models listed here, and since it’s not transparent, you can’t see what you’re digging for. You will also need a coin, screwdriver, or incredibly tough nails to open this bear canister. Honestly, this is my least favorite of the bunch.

Pros: Bear-proof
Cons: Heavy, not transparent, need a coin (or tool) to open, not a uniform shape

• Weight: 36 oz / 1.021 kg
• Dimensions (in): 14.5 x 9
• Dimensions (cm): 37 x 23
• Capacity: 14.7 L
• Material: Carbon fiber

The Bearikade Expedition differs from the previously mentioned bear canisters because it is made of carbon fiber – and costs a lot. This is an awesome bear canister, but the price is absurd. Compared to the BV500, you’re paying $54 per ounce of weight savings. That said, the capacity of the Bearikade Expedition is larger than the BV500 (14.7 L vs 11.5 L). The BV500 costs you $6.96 per liter; the Bearikade Expedition is $23.80 per liter. The opening of this canister is nearly the same size as the rest of it, but you will need a coin (or something similar to open it). Also, the lid does not detach all the way – it’s tethered to the canister (sorry, no Frisbee).

Pros: Bear proof, carbon fiber, large capacity, opening the same size as the storage area
Cons: Not transparent, sharper edges than the others (pack wear), need a coin (or tool) to open

• Weight: 31 oz / 879 g
• Dimensions (in): 10.5 x 9
• Dimensions (cm): 27 x 23
• Capacity: 10.6 L
• Material: Carbon fiber

The Bearikade Weekender is the lightest but the most expensive bear canister available to PCT hikers. In real dollars, it is $62 cheaper than the Bearikade Expedition, but as far as dollars per liter of space, it’s the most expensive ($27.17 vs.$23.80 for the Expedition). The opening of this canister is nearly the same size as the rest of it, but you will need a coin (or something similar to open it). Also, the lid does not detach all the way – it’s tethered to the canister (sorry, no Frisbee).

Pros: Bear-proof, lightest option, carbon fiber, opening the same size as the storage area
Cons: Not transparent, sharper edges than the others (pack wear), need a coin (or tool) to open

• Weight: 43 oz / 1.219 kg
• Dimensions (in): 13 x 8.7
• Dimensions (cm): 33 x 22.1
• Capacity: 10.5 L
• Material: Polycarbonate

The LIGHTER1 Big Daddy is the heaviest option available. I am only including it here because a fixed number of bear canisters are approved for use on the PCT, and this is one of them. The only thing that sets this bear canister apart is that the lid doubles as a pan for cooking. But how do you use your bear can as a stool (basically its primary function) while cooking? If you’re considering getting this, you should probably get the BearVault BV500.

Pros: Bear-proof, lid doubles as a pan, transparent
Cons: Heaviest option available. Do you really need your lid to be a pan? How will you sit on your canister and cook?

• Weight: 43 oz / 1.219 kg
• Dimensions (in): 13 x 8.7
• Dimensions (cm): 33 x 22.1
• Capacity: 5 L
• Material: Polycarbonate

The LIGHTER1 Lil’ Sami is a smaller version of LIGHTER1’s Big Daddy with less than half the gear capacity. Despite this dramatic difference, the canister costs only $5 less than the larger version (which is much more than the comparable capacity BV450. The opening on the Lil’ Sami is the same size as the Big Daddy, using the same size pan as a lid. The canister’s overall shape is a bit more cylindrical than the BV450 (which is a bit boxier), which may mean easier packing, depending on how expert you are at organizing your pack.

Pros: Bear-proof, lid doubles as a pan, transparent
Cons: Expensive. Do you really need your lid to be a pan? How will you sit on your canister and cook?