Reviews > Cook Gear > Bear Resistant Containers > BearVault BV200 > Bill Jeffrey > Initial Report

BearVault BV200 - Initial Report

Tester Personal Biographical Information

Bill Jeffrey
46 year old male, 6'4" (193 cm) tall, 225 pounds (102 kg)
San Diego County, California
Email: wjj2001 "at" yahoo "dot" com

I have over 30 years backpacking experience, starting with Scouting as a youth. I am currently the High Adventure Leader for a Scout Troop. I try to get out once or twice a month, plus at least one week-long trek each year. My trips are of two types. First, I am hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in sections, some of which have some rather crafty bears, and generally use a lightweight approach on these typically solo trips. Other trips involving family involve more traditional backpacking equipment. Terrain varies from sea level to 14,000 feet (4,300 m), desert to mountain, and trail to cross country, occasionally including snow travel. I lost food to a bear once many years ago, and have had my food kept safe from a bear by a bear resistant container on several occasions.

This is the first of three reports of the BearVault BV200 describing the BearVault and my initial impressions. Future reports will describe my experiences with the BearVault over two and then six months.

Product Description:

BearVault BV200 http://www.BearVault.com Received May 18, 2004 Black bear resistant food canister Certified by the Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group (SIBBG) Weight 2 lb 6 oz (1.08 kg) (Listed and tested) Outside dimensions 12.4 in (31.5 cm) long by 8.7 in (22.1 cm) diameter (Listed and tested) Interior volume 380 fl oz (11.24 L) (Listed and tested), 7 day capacity claimed by manufacturer Interior dimensions (Tested but not listed by manufacturer, approximate):     12 in (30.5 cm) long by 8.3 in (21.1 cm) diameter     Opening diameter 7.25 in (18.41 cm)     Approximate thickness of can wall 0.17 in (0.43 cm) Rain proof opening, tool free screw-on lid Transparent blue polycarbonate container with black ABS plastic lid

Many backcountry areas in the Sierra Nevada of California require the use of a food storage container approved by the Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group (SIBBG). Conditional approval requires completion of visual, impact, and zoo testing. The zoo testing requires the canister to survive one hour with Fisher, a large black bear at the Folsom Zoo. The BearVault not only survived 24 hours, but then an additional 24 hours with a second zoo bear. I visited Jamie at BearVault and saw an early model BearVault used in the zoo test. There were several indentations where the bear tried to puncture the plastic, but no holes or cracks that compromised the integrity of the container.

The BearVault BV200 arrived by FedEx in a corrugated retail box in fine condition.

The BearVault resembles a giant Lexan water bottle. The can is made of blue transparent polycarbonate. Near both ends of the can are seven pairs of raised dots in rows 1-1/8 inches (2.9 cm) apart which are guides to allow straps to be used to lash the BearVault to a pack without slipping off the ends of the container. Near the bottom of the can are two pairs of 1 inch (2.5 cm) raised ridges on opposite sides of the can which are designed to keep the can from slipping when holding it between your boots to open it. (More on that later.)

The lid is made of black ABS plastic which simply screws on the can. The lid screws on with two complete turns. To ensure the lid is fully closed, there are two tabs molded into the lid (on opposite sides of the circumference), and matching tabs on the canister. After 1.75 turns of the lid, the two tabs meet. Quickly spinning the lid past these tabs ensures that the lid is closed sufficiently. Simple instructions molded into the lid read:

WWW.BEARVAULT.COM
 
WARNING
CLOSE LID FULLY
BEFORE USING AS CHAIR
 
CLOSE TIGHTLY
 
SNAP QUICKLY PAST TAB

More specific instructions for opening the BearVault are provided by the manufacturer:

1. Stand the BearVault flat on the ground with the lid at the top.
2. Hold the base of the canister firmly between your boots and use the vertical ridges at the base to keep the canister from turning.
3. Place hands on the rim (not the center) of the lid while turning it counter clock-wise until the bumps on the rim snap quickly past the canister tabs. The lid can then be unscrewed from the canister.

I found this quite easy to do, although the can slipped a bit when wearing only socks on my feet. Stronger hikers will simply power past the tabs. Other hikers will want to back off a quarter turn, and then quickly "snap" the lid past the tabs. I also found that by holding the canister firmly under one arm and using both hands on the lid, I could open the container with just a little effort while holding it. This is my preferred method of operation, as I can open it standing or sitting without having to bend over to the ground.

Initial Impression:

So far the BearVault exceeds my expectations. I was initially skeptical about a see-through bear can but, even if it was not, a bear would smell the food inside long before it saw it. The wide opening and the ability to see what is inside make it very easy to pack and easy to find dinner.

The clear polycarbonate canister makes it easy to find the item you are looking for, and easy to pack the can full. I put nine "serves two" (yeah, right!) freeze dried entrees in and there was still plenty of room for lots of granola bars, candy bars, gorp, and drink mixes, as well as other odiferous items like sunscreen and soap. I look forward to seeing just how much food I can stuff in this can.

I was curious if "rain-proof opening" meant submersible, so I threw the BearVault empty into the swimming pool. It floated. I then pushed it under water for a few minutes, and found some small drops of water inside. So much for use as a dry box, although it is not meant to be submersible. Still, it is nice to know that if rolled down a hill into a lake at camp, it should float long enough to retrieve and salvage dinner.

When I first received the BearVault, I tossed it on the carpet and watched it bounce. I then tossed it on the tile floor, and again it bounced. Filling it with potatoes and dropping it three feet onto a concrete slab caused no harm to the BearVault. Filled with freeze-dried food, I dropped it at various angles to try to force the lid off, but the lid held tight.

Next: Testing will take place in the mountains of the Pacific Crest Trail, including places with names such as Big Bear Lake, Bear Creek, and Bear Valley. Hmm, I wonder where those names came from? Elevation 1,200 to 12,000 feet (300 to 3,600 meters). Temperatures 15 to 70 degrees F (-10 to +20 C) with a possibility of rain.

Field testing will include:

• Ease of Use: How hard is it to loosen the lid if I tightened it down too tight while fresh and rested earlier in the morning?
• Packability: How does this fit inside my little backpack? While I normally carry my bear can inside my pack, I will also test carrying it using tie down straps. Do the built in guides hold the container securely while bouncing down the trail? How critical is the strap placement between the guides - will a twist in the strap cause excessive movement?
• Protection of Food: I have no intention of luring a bear into my peaceful camp. However, I suspect that, since my food will be visible through the transparent polycarbonate housing, smaller critters might become interested. Will they become discouraged and go away, or will they hang out all night pecking away and keeping me awake? Does the rain-proof opening protect the contents from rain, sprinklers, and a dunking in the swimming hole? Does the clarity of the container have any effect on the quality of the food inside?
• Functional Durability: Since the lid is threaded, how do the threads hold up to grit, grease, and grime? Is cross-threading a problem? Does spilled oil or DEET insect repellant have any effect on the container?
• Extreme Durability: I won't ask a bear to test the container as that has already been done by Fisher and his friends. I will, however, take extra care to slam the BearVault around in camp. If it can withstand a thrashing by a bear, it should handle whatever I can do with ease. What happens if I pack it full of food and drop it on a rock? Roll it down a hill? Leave it on the roof of my truck and drive off?

Reviews > Cook Gear > Bear Resistant Containers > BearVault BV200 > Bill Jeffrey > Initial Report