9 Best Bear Canisters for Backpacking [2024]

The Backpackers Cache Bear-Proof Container was formally known as the Garcia Bear-Resistant Container but has changed its name. This particular bear canister is a solid choice if you want a durable bear canister that won’t let you down. It has been constructed using a bear proof, tough ABS polymer.

This design has been designed with rounded edges as well as smooth sides. This prevents bears from gripping onto the canister and carrying it away.

You’ll be able to store plenty of food in the Backpackers Cache Bear-Proof Container. It comes with a large capacity of 614 cubic inches.

I used this bear container when backpacking in Denali National Park, Alaska which is one of the many places that require you to use and carry an approved bear cannister.

Overall, the Backpackers Cache Bear-Proof Container is an almost unbreakable bear canister for backpacking.

Lighter1 Big Daddy Bear Canister

Weight: 2lb. 11oz / 1.22kg
Pros:
> Lightweight – only weighs 2 pounds 11 ounces
> Large capacity – gives you 650 cubic inches worth of food storage space
> Versatile – aluminum lid can double as a cooking pan
Cons:
> Not odor proof, need to combine with an odor barrier bag to prevent bears from sniffing out your food

The Lighter1 Big Daddy Bear Canister is another great choice if you want a clear bear canister. You can easily locate the food item or scented item you’re after without having to empty the canister first.

A great feature of this bear canister is its aluminum lid. This can double as a cooking pan if you want to save more space in your pack.

You’ll get an impressive amount of storage with this bear canister. It gives you 650 cubic inches of storage to play with. It is also super lightweight so won’t add too much additional weight to your backpack.

Overall, this is an interesting combination of a bear proof container and cooking pot that is large enough for most backpacking trips.

UDAP NO-FED-BEAR

Weight: 2lb. 13oz / 1.28kg
Pros:
> Smaller size is easier to pack away in your backpack
> Can hold up to 4 days’ worth of food
> Durable – Constructed using a bear proof polymer blend
Cons:
> Need to use a screwdriver or coin to open the canister

The UDAP NO-FED-BEAR Canister is the perfect choice for keeping bears away from your food. UDAP has designed a bear canister under the adage that “a fed bear is a dead bear”. 

This bear canister is lightweight and constructed using a durable bear proof polymer blend. It can store up to 4 days’ worth of food, so will be ideal for weekend trips. 

It also won’t take up too much room in your pack, and can be attached to the outside of your backpack for ease. 

Your food will be secure in this bear canister as you will need to open it using a coin or a screwdriver.

Ursack Major

Weight: 7.7 oz / 215 grams
Pros:
> Large capacity – features an impressive 10.65 liter capacity
> Lightweight
> Durable – bulletproof fabric will easily keep your food safe from bears
> Easy to use – simply tie a knot in the cord, then secure to a sturdy fixed object away from your camp
Cons:
> Not odor proof – not designed to be odor proof so will need to be paired with an odor barrier bag
> Not approved in all National Parks

Not sold on the plastic bear canisters? Then the Ursack S29 is one of the bear canister alternatives. This is a bear-proof food sack that you can use to keep your food away from any hungry bears.

All you need to do is tie a knot in the cord, then attach it to a fixed item away from your camp, such as a sturdy tree branch.

These bear bags are lightweight. It weighs a maximum of 7.6 ounces, so won’t weigh you down. It gives you a large 10.65 liter capacity for around 5 days’ worth of food for a single person.

While this is a great option, not all National Parks have approved this bear bag for use.

It is also super durable. The material is bulletproof, so will be just the thing to keep pesky bears out of your food. It is also one of the Best Bear Bags for Backpacking in Bear Country.

Counter Assault Bear Keg

Weight: 3lb. 10 oz / 1.65 kg
Pros:
> Large capacity of 11.7 L
> Lightweight
> Durable
> Bright yellow color
Cons:
> Heavy
> Need a coin or screwdriver to open

The Counter Assault Bear Keg is another large capacity bear-proof container for hiking and backpacking. Everything about this product says quality. From the rounded edges to quality bear-proof lid there is a lot to like.

It has an impressive 11.7 L of capacity but that large size comes at the cost of weight. At 3lb. 10 oz / 1.65 kg it is the heaviest backpacking bear canister.

Overall, I love the large capacity and bright yellow color but the weight makes other bear canisters a better option

Bearikade Expedition

Weight: 2lb. 4 oz / 1kg
Pros:
> Super large capacity – 900 cubic inch volume / 14.75 L
> Lightweight
> Great for longer trips or groups
Cons:
> Very Expensive

Serious about your camping and hiking expeditions? Then the Wild Ideas Bearikade Expedition is just the thing you need for your trips. This carbon fiber bear canister is durable and able to withstand heavy duty use.

Another great feature of this canister is that it is super lightweight. It only weighs 36 ounces, so you won’t have to worry about it weighing you down.

The Wild Ideas Bearikade Expedition gives you a whopping 900 cubic inch volume / 14.75 L to play with. This gives you a super large capacity in terms of storage capacity.

Overall, this is the best carbon fiber bear canister but it is also the most expensive and hard to justify such a huge cost.

Bearikade Weekender

Weight: 1lb. 15oz / 878grams
Pros:
> Large capacity – gives you 650 cubic inch volume worth of storage
> Smaller trips – ideal for weekend trips for 2 people, or for up to 6 days for a single person
> Lightweight – only weighs around 31
Cons:
> Pricey – one of the more expensive models on the market

Want a sturdy bear canister but without the large capacity that takes up lots of space in your backpack? Then the Bearikade Weekender is the ideal alternative. 

This bear canister packs in an impressive storage capacity of 650 cubic inches, which will be perfect for 2 people over a single weekend. Or if you’re just using this for yourself, this will give you up to 6 days’ worth of food.

The Bearikade Weekender is lightweight at 31 ounces. It has also been constructed using a durable carbon fiber to stay bear proof. Like the other Bearikade container it is super expensive and hard to justify the cost.

Bear Canister Comparison Table

Easy to use

You will of course want to select a bear canister that will be easy for you to use. How easy is the bear canister to open?

Do you need any additional tools such as a screwdriver to help you prize open the lid, or can you simply twist the lid open? This will help factor in how easy the bear canister is to use while you’re out on the trail.

Another thing to consider is whether the canister is constructed using clear plastic or other material so that you can see exactly where everything is.

I like to use a Bear canister made using non-clear materials may make things trickier when you’re trying to find a particular item. A clear canister can help you to locate what you need without having to empty the canister first.

Bears smell food from a very long distance away. And it’s best to remember that the majority of bear canisters aren’t scent proof. So you may need to combine them with odor proof food bags, which will go inside the canister and around your food items to keep the bears off the scent.

Lightweight

If you plan to be out on the trail for a while, you will need to consider the weight in your backpack. Chances are that you’ve opted for other lightweight equipment, such as the best ultralight tent.

As we’re sure you know, every ounce counts when you’re out on the trail. So you will need to look for a bear canister that will be super lightweight so that it won’t weigh you down.

Bear Canister Capacity

Another factor you will need to consider is the capacity of your chosen bear canister. Think about how long you’re going to be out camping or hiking. Is it just a short weekend trip?

Or will you be out for a week or more? This will determine how much capacity you will need from your bear canister.

If you’re likely to only use it for weekend trips of no more than 2 or 3 days, then you can opt for a smaller bear canister. If you’re going to be out on the trail or camping for more than 7 days, you will need a larger bear canister to hold more food. 

Durable

When it comes to bears, durability will matter. It will be important to opt for a highly durable bear canister that has been made using sturdy materials. You will need to ensure that it will be bear proof, so that a bear can’t easily smash open the canister to get to your goodies.  Not all bear canisters will withstand a full on attack from hungry Grizzly Bears. But you will be fine with the ones on the list above.

It will be worth looking for a bear canister that also features a bear proof design. This will include smooth sides, and making sure that there is nothing for the bear to grip onto.

Budget

A factor that may dictate which bear canister you opt for will be your budget. Some of the higher end models will cost several hundred dollars, which could be out of your price range. It will be best to take a look at the features of each model and see which will best fit your needs.

It could be worth saving that little bit extra and putting it towards a high quality bear canister to ensure that your food will be safely protected from any bears.

Easy to pack

It will also be worth considering how easy your chosen bear canister is to pack. Take a look at the dimensions of your preferred product. Can this easily fit into your backpack or does it need to be strapped to the outside?

Most bear canisters will not fit horizontally into your backpack, especially if you are an ultralight hiker, but almost all will fit vertically. Some canisters will need to be strapped to the lid of your backpack.

Conclusion

Here are all the Best Bear Canisters for Hiking and Backpacking:

Frequently asked questions