Reviews > Cook Gear > Bear Resistant Containers > BearVault BV200 > Brian Tannehill > Long Term Report

Backpacking Background:

I am fairly new to backpacking, but I have hunted/fished/camped all my life in East Texas, Colorado, and California. The majority of the hunting has been done from a well-established base camp, venturing out from there for the day. Because of the young kids I have (2, 8, 10), I mostly do weekend overnight camping trips, or day hikes Geocaching anywhere along the central coast of California. I am also an avid mountain biker. My two oldest boys are getting to the point where they can do more hiking and camping with me. I am looking forward to this in the future. For now I live in the Central Coast area of California (Lompoc, Santa Maria area), and am surrounded by many different areas from beaches to mountain regions ranging up to 5,000 feet (1,500 m), with the temperatures averaging about 60 F (16 C) degrees year round.

Product Information:

Manufacturer: BearVault
Year of Manufacture: 2004
www.bearvault.com
Mfg Weight: 2 lb 7 oz (1108 g)
My weight: 2 lb 6.75 oz (1098 g)
Dimensions:
12.5 inches (31.8 cm) tall
8.5 inches (21.6 cm) wide
MSRP: $79.95 US

Field Locations:

The locations of my testing varied from the beaches located in the central coast of California, (Lompoc, Santa Maria area) to the National Forest just east of here ranging up to 5000 feet (1500 m). Temperatures ranged from the low 40's F (5 C) up to 80 - 90 F (26 C - 32 C) inland. Weather varied from windy to wet, cold to hot. Unfortunately no snow was involved during the test period.

Long Term Thoughts:

This is the third and final report in a three part series. You can read about the initial and field reports here.

Usage:

Six + months have gone by now testing the BearVault BV200. This thing is virtually indestructible. I was only able to get out for a handful of overnighters, where I needed the BearVault. If I wasn't going to need it I did not usually take it, mainly because it was so big and bulky. The latest trip I used it on was a 6 mile round trip overnighter with 2 adults. Keep in mind we are both growing young boys so my buddy REALLY over packed for food. I was able to cram four packages of ramen noodles, six packages of Kraft Easy Mac, my small cooking pot, 1 pop tart, various assortments of snacks, and MSR DragonFly stove and 22 oz bottle in the BV200. We left the BV200 out overnight away from our camp, and no animals seemed to mess with it. I have not had any animals mess with it since I have gone out with it. I guess that is a good thing. My hiking partner tried to open the BV200 a few times after watching me do it. He commented on how you almost always have to place it on the ground and twist the lid open. I've found that the lid does not move freely enough and makes it tough to open. I cannot open it unless I put it on the ground and twist like the directions say.

Packable:

I have packed the BV200 into several different packs. See my field report for some examples. For me the best configuration was strapped to the outside of a backpack, if feasible. I used it mostly on an external frame pack, strapping it to the bottom section.

I recently acquired the Osprey Aether 60 backpack. The BV200 packed nicely into this pack. I stood it up on its end and I did not have any problems carrying it or packing it. I did pack the BV200 on numerous day hikes, where I just wanted to see how it rode in a pack and handled on the trail. I find it to be big and cumbersome for the type of hiking/camping that I do. I usually do solo overnighters in bear country so I do need something. Normally I wound up throwing all my little pieces of gear that do not really have a home into the BV200. This means that it frees up my pockets for OTHER gear. Thus I will never make it into the light or ultra light categories of hiking.

Multi Use:

Overall the BV200 has held up well to the abuse I have dished out for it. Short of putting it into a hydraulic press it is very durable. I like the see through shell as well. It lets me see what I am grabbing instead of having to disrupt everything to search for what I need.

I have also used the BV200 as a camp chair and stool. I find it works best as a stool to prop my feet up on. I'm too much of a wide load to have it act as a good seat for me. I found it hurting after a while, and was a bit sore the next day.

Conclusion:

Overall I did not like carrying the BV200. It is too big for me. I think a smaller 2-3 day version would be cool, maybe half the size and weight. It also added over 2 lbs (910 g) to my pack. I had to do a cost benefit analysis on this one and decide if it was worth letting a bear tear up my pack, or my food, to save a couple of pounds.

Things I liked about the BV200:
See through
Tough
Lots of room

Things I do not like about the BV200:
Lots of room
Big and bulky

Thanks to BearVault and BGT for allowing me to participate in this test series.

Brian

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Reviews > Cook Gear > Bear Resistant Containers > BearVault BV200 > Brian Tannehill > Long Term Report