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 final of three reports of the BearVault BV200:

Initial Report, describes the BearVault in detail, not including field use.
Field Testing, including a detailed write-up of field testing.
Long-term Field Testing, this report, a follow up addressing on-going use and durability.

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

Long-Term Test: Testing took place in the mountains of the Pacific Crest Trail, including Little Bear Trail Camp near Big Bear Lake (Hmm, I wonder where those names came from?) and the southern end of the Sierra Nevada. Elevation 3,300 to 10,500 feet (1,000 to 3,200 meters). Temperatures 28 to 85 degrees F (-2 to +29 C), including light rain and very light snow flurries.

A bear-resistant food container is one of those "love-it, hate-it" items. I hate carrying more weight than I have to. On the other hand, I really hate hiking out of the wilderness hungry because a bear ate all my food. (I've done that just once.) A bear-resistant container takes all the anxiety out of worrying that every night noise is a bear coming to dine on my gorp. They are also required in many areas now, which helps protect the bears from becoming habitual Yogi's and subsequently beingexecuted.

The BearVault is an excellent solution for food storage in bear country. The clear polycarbonate canister makes it easy to find the item I am looking for and the wide opening makes it easy to pack the can full. I find the claimed seven-day capacity accurate, assuming repackaging commercial freeze-dried foods and minimizing bulky items. As for ease of use, what can be easier than simply screwing the lid open? An initial difficulty with a tight lid caused by grit in the threads was solved by applying a food-grade silicone lubricant that was provided by BearVault. Current models come with this silicone film already applied.

I was able to fit the BearVault into all my packs, including my ultralight Gossamer Gear G4 (formerly GVP Gear). I tried using the raised guides to lash the BearVault to my other packs, and found I needed to have the straps straight and pulled snug to keep the BearVault from slipping. I prefer putting the BearVault inside the pack and lashing my sleeping bag and pad outside if room is needed.

Other than scuffs and scraps, the BearVault has sustained no damage, in spite of being dropped on rocks and concrete several times.

Summary: The BearVault BV200 is an easy-to-use cannister that should become the standard in bear resistant containers. It is the lightest and easiest to use bear-resistant container that is also affordably priced. Thank you, BearVault and BackpackGearTest, for the opportunity to test this product.

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Read more gear reviews by Bill Jeffrey

Long Term Report

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