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Reviews > Cook Gear > Bear Resistant Containers > BearVault BV200 > Laurie Shuster > Long Term Report
This is the third report in a series of three reviews on the BearVault. In this report I talk about my experiences during the final three months of the test. Please see my initial report for preliminary observations and a more detailed product description. My second report, the field report, covers the first six weeks of use. Reviewer Information Laurie Shuster shustelm@yahoo.com Olympia, WA Age: 35, Female Height: 5 feet 5 inches (1.7 m) Weight: 130 pounds (59 kg) Backpacking Experience I’ve been a dayhiker since the mid-1980's and a backpacker since 1992. I usually get out for one dayhike a week, try for a short backpack every month, take two or three 4-day backpacks per year and do some occasional car camping. I would not call myself a lightweight backpacker, but I am happy to say that my pack weight is gradually coming down. My goal is to have a manageable pack weight without sacrificing safety or a whole lot of comfort. Product Description The BearVault is a transparent polycarbonate bear canister with a black, hard-plastic screw-on lid that provides tool-free access to the canister.
Observations From the Field Weather
Conditions and Test Locations Lid In my Field Report, I commented that the lid operated smoothly for me. However, over the course of the last trip I noticed some resistance or drag as I would twist the lid on and off. This resistance was not a big deal; it didn't prevent me from opening or closing the canister. It was just slightly annoying since I'd had little to no trouble on previous trips. I couldn't find any obvious causes for the drag; I didn't see any dirt or moisture in the threads, etc. Several other testers have reported similar problems and have received silicone for the threads. I'd like to try that, too, and see if it solves my slight problem. On a positive note, the BearVault has continued to keep its contents dry, even during heavy rain. Food Storage Capacity In my previous report, I noted that 5 days worth of food came close to filling the BearVault to capacity. For this 4 night trip for two people (equivalent to 8 days of food for one person), our food overflowed the BearVault. The BearVault held approximately 5 to 6 days worth of food. We brought a second canister to store our extra food, first aid kit, bug lotion, sunscreen and other toiletries. In all fairness, we do tend to bring more food than most other backpackers. I am not a nice or happy person when I have low blood sugar, so I bring along extra snacks and good quality food. Plus, my partner is a pretty big guy who eats more than your average hiker. I wasn't disappointed with the capacity of the BearVault since I didn't really expect the manufacturer's estimate to apply to me. The BearVault does hold an ample amount of stuff and should comfortably provide enough room to secure our food and other bear baggable items for a weekend trip. Packing the Canister. Since my last report, I've experimented with another packing method. I filled the BearVault with food and other items and stored it in the bottom of the main compartment of my pack (above the sleeping bag section). Instead of standing the canister upright in my pack (as I explained in my field report), this time, I laid the canister on its side. The BearVault seemed to fit much better like this in my Osprey Ariel 90 pack (5500 cu in or 90 L). When I stood the canister vertically, it was tough to pack items around it. However, with the BearVault laying horizontally at the bottom of the pack, it was easy to stack things on top of the canister. Another advantage to this method was that it kept the food's weight closer to my center of gravity, giving me a more balanced pack load than in other configurations. My preferred packing method is still to stash the BearVault between my pack's removable top pouch and its main compartment. (See the detailed description and pictures in my field report.) But I do like this method as well. Durability Aside from a few light scratches, the BearVault looks as good as new. I don't know if any animals have tried to break into it. Summary and Final Comments - The clear plastic canister body is the feature I appreciate most on the BearVault. I don't need to open the canister to see what's inside, and it's easy to pinpoint the exact location of an item before I take the lid off. - No tools are needed for this easy to use lid. - I am very conscientious about securing my food while using the BearVault because it is so easy to use. - I am able to pack 5 to 6 days worth of food in it for one hiker. I will definitely continue to use the BearVault! Its easy, tool free operation and clear housing have made life on the trail much more enjoyable. Thank you BearVault and BGT for the opportunity to test this product! Read more reviews of BearVault gear Read more gear reviews by Laurie Shuster Reviews > Cook Gear > Bear Resistant Containers > BearVault BV200 > Laurie Shuster > Long Term Report | |||||||||||
