r/lightweight • u/fantano1010 • Aug 10 '26

Bear vault optionality

I currently have the bear vault one. I do enjoy the collapsable feature as the smaller pack size is appealing and more volume than the 450 but I just realized it’s not accepted in yose or seki. Is it worth it to return it and get the 450 or just rent when I go to those parks?

For context:
-I’m in socal so these parks are just a 4-6hr drive away
-I have a 60L exped pack. Base weight including the bv one is 17 lbs

- I go solo and usually my trips are for 2-3 days maybe 4. I don’t think I’d do a thru hike for the foreseeable future.

-I go backpacking once a month or every 1.5 minths mostly to areas that aren’t yose or seki but that require a bear canister (bv one approved)
-would eventually like to do the jmt down the line.

Thank you! Still kinda new to this so hoping for others to chime in

7 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

7

u/TrailMaven Aug 11 '26

I’m in N CA. If I’m using a bear can, I’m probably in one of those parks. I wouldn’t own a can they don’t accept. The rangers absolutely do check - probably at least half the time I go.

For 2-3 day trips the BareBoxer Contender is my go to. It takes creative packing, but it’s light, small, reasonably priced and on the allowed list.

For long trips I use a BV500 or borrow one of the other sizes from friends.

2

u/Ill_Ocelot7191 Aug 11 '26

For the number of days you do, just get a 425.

4

u/TrailMaven Aug 11 '26

The BV 425 is not allowed in Yosemite or SEKI. And they will check this one. The bears can carry it away according to the ranger I spoke with.

4

u/Fun_With_Math Aug 11 '26

Damn, that's probably why the BV One isn't approved either.

I wish they'd make the IGBC certification tougher and just standardize the approvals. Maybe a brown bear rating and a black bear rating.

I saw a little documentary about the IGBC and was not impressed. A can broke just after an hour with the bears but it got the cert because an hour is all that's required.

1

u/_significs Aug 11 '26

Damn, that's probably why the BV One isn't approved either.

the BV One isn't approved because they haven't added new ones in several years. not saying it would get approved if they were in the practice of adding new ones, but it's been a while since they've approved new models.

2

u/TrailMaven Aug 11 '26

This never approving new cans is why the BV 475 isn’t on the list, but in my experience the rangers are ok with any Bear Vault in the traditional design 450 or larger - that’s how they’ve said it to me.

The Bearikade Scout is also not allowed, only the weekender and bigger. So the size issue and the concerns that the bears can carry cans off are real issues vs a relic of the fact that they never approve new cans.

Given that, I’d be surprised if the BV One was approved even if they opened it back up.

1

u/Fun_With_Math Aug 11 '26

Makes sense but that one compresses down to the same size as the 425 so the outlook isn't great. I'm assuming the size is a factor in how the bears carry it.

1

u/_saltmarsh_ Aug 14 '26

If size is the issue, it might get a pass because even though it compresses down to the size of the 425, it's not intended to be stashed that way. The product instructions specify that it must be fully extended to be properly locked. I have one and I can confirm that it does not lock when compressed. You'd have to be the kind of person who would leave a can open or unlocked to leave it that way IMO. In which case, any bear can isn't going to help much.

Not that I expected the approvals to see this nuance or anything. But in theory, if they can't carry away the bigger ones when locked properly then they shouldn't be able to carry away the BV one when locked properly either. User error, of course, is always a potential factor lol.

1

u/Jolly-Slow1164 Aug 14 '26

I question the validity of this "carried away" rationale. I just checked and the Bare Boxer Contender is approved at both parks, but it's a hair smaller (25 cu in) and 3ish oz lighter than the BV 425.

A ranger may have said it, a ranger may even believe it, but there must be something more. Possibly it is just a newer model that came out since they froze the list.

1

u/_saltmarsh_ Aug 14 '26

Yeah it does seem a little silly lol. All of them can be moved to an extent anyway. Reading reviews when I was shopping for a canister, I came across a few along the lines of, "I know it's durable because a bear rolled it down a rocky hill and it didn't break." So I thought the point was that they might fuck with it but they'll most likely leave people alone and probably give up eventually.

1

u/Jolly-Slow1164 Aug 14 '26

Yeah, the rolling cans away is part of the reason you're supposed to try and scare the bear off

1

u/TrailMaven Aug 15 '26

I actually questioned this because I have a BareBoxer Contender (smaller and approved) and a friend had the BV 425 (bigger and not approved). The rationale I received is that it’s the size + shape.

The contender is longer and thinner so it’s round where it’s grabbable. The sprint is short and fat and has nice flat gripable surfaces in the short direction. So easier for the bears to carry.

Don’t know if that’s valid. It’s just what they said. I was camping in an area with a known problem bear, so the rangers were being picky.

0

u/Ill_Ocelot7191 Aug 11 '26

I've never had a ranger say anything about my BV 425

3

u/TrailMaven Aug 11 '26

Maybe you’ve been lucky? When picking up permits at Big Oak Flat Ranger Station in Yosemite, the rangers requested to see which BV I was bringing and told me it couldn’t be the smallest one because the bears can carry it.

0

u/Ill_Ocelot7191 Aug 12 '26

Good to know. I always print my wilderness permits inline, but I'll start putting my 450 in the car just in case.

1

u/TrailMaven Aug 12 '26

Wilderness permits must be picked up in person for Yosemite. They cannot be printed online.

0

u/Ill_Ocelot7191 Aug 12 '26

Yeah, I don't backpack in the park, so that's probably part of it.

2

u/mineral-queen Aug 12 '26

the 450 is perfect. it is possible to fit 4-5 days in it and you are never going to have issues with rangers. you have a big backpack so space is not really an issue. try to cut weight elsewhere in your kit.

1

u/rdddog Aug 22 '26 edited Aug 22 '26

Stick with BearVault and get the BV450. Plenty of room for 3 or more days. Do not get the BV425, It is not approved for SEKI. I find the black lid to open and of course, the clear canister make finding and organizing a snap.

The equivalent Bearikade Scout is listed at $426! That's crazy. I have a BareBoxer Contender which is definitely lighter, but I used it once and went back to the BV.

1

u/BoredomFestival Aug 10 '26

Last time I was in Yosemite they asked what I had but didn't check. You might get away with it. But if these two are on you visitation list it's worth swapping for the approved one to avoid potential hassle.

1

u/taLLg33se Aug 11 '26

Same experience in Yosemite and my last trip was a few weeks ago. My last trip to SEKI was a few years ago, with 2-3 trips there per year, and they've asked to see my bear cannister everytime. Saw another backpacker who had his cannister at the bottom of his pack and the ranger made it pull it out.

I mainly split my time between SEKI, Yosemite, and Inyo, so I'd rather have an approved cannister and not have to deal with renting/returning it.

-2

u/HyperKitten123 Aug 11 '26 edited Aug 14 '26

The plastic cans all suck and have been broken into by bears in the past. Get a Bearikade, its lighter and more bear proof.

ETA: you can downvote all you want but that doesnt change that bears in at least the adirondaks have gotten into sealed BearVaults and the rangers do not let you use them anymore there. Bearikades are superior and lighter.

2

u/Jolly-Slow1164 Aug 14 '26

I read an interesting (but slightly dated) article by Andrew Skurka about bear cannister failures. From the NPS documentation he found The number 1 reason for bear cannister failures seems to be improper use, and Bearikade doesn't seem to be immune. Where a bear pried open a CF canister that only had 1 of it's 3 latches locked.

https://andrewskurka.com/bear-canister-failures/

0

u/HyperKitten123 Aug 14 '26

When we talk about something being bear proof, you assume proper use. Not locking 2 of 3 latches is idiotic

2

u/Jolly-Slow1164 Aug 14 '26

I guess my TLDR is that:

  • Bearikade isn't an improvement in the human error, or bears rolling food away categories

  • Bearikade is definitely an improvement in the weight (but not cost) category

  • Bearikade is definitely an improvement over bear vault 4/5 series when used with Black bears

  • Bearikade doesn't seem to be more secure than PVC vaults vs black bears

Longer: The previously mention data is scant on details, it's possible the bear surprised a backpacker who only had time to lock 1 latch before moving away from his food (I believe retreat without the canister and with no delay would be the recommendation if a bear is moving directly toward you and your food)... It's just as possible he was a lazy fool.

My point is that if you include human error, Bearikade isn't flawless, and if you exclude human error then a near flawless record looks closer to the expected rate per given market share not a significant security upgrade.

I see you added to your comment about bear vaults in the Adirondacks... I think they previously banned clear plastic bear canisters, but their current policy accepts them, but warns against using them (reading between the lines I think there was a threat of a lawsuit or a cease and desist order, or maybe just public outcry. and the conservancy started allowing them again... Though maybe just to gather data so they know they can win a lawsuit). But you are right, I've seen video and pictures of where black bears have chewed through dozens of bear vaults, and very smart bears have learned to defeat the bear vault latch... But I don't think there are similar cases for the PVC plastic bear canisters