Backpackers' Cache - Bear Proof Container

Does what it should. You def need a flat head to open this so carry a swiss army or a multi-tool. I read that some parks will not let you carry bear bags (for raising in trees) or those other bear cans (the clear ones) because bears are smart and can get into them. The Garcia is the recommended brand for a reason.It's a few extra pounds in your pack, but this is the safest way to store food in bear country. Proper food and trash discipline are essential for bear and human safety. Bears won't bother us if we don't leave things for them to eat. And when bears don't associate us with food, we reduce the likelihood of deadly interactions.Cook food away from camp, downwind from your tent site (the farther the better but usually a couple of hundred yards will work). Eat everything you cook. Wash your dishes and dry them there, dump water into a sump (I dig a shallow hole with a backpacker trowel), seal your trash in zip locks, food in ziplocks, and put in your can. Leave your can at least 50 yds. from your camp site, somewhere that is is not likely to roll away if a bear tries to take a crack at it (they will not get into this can, will give up and move on). Also leave your toothpaste, deodorant and any other scented products like chewing gum, sunscreen, and bug spray inside the can overnight.I have seen a bear come into a tent for a pack of gum. This is because they associate humans with food and are unafraid. You can think careless campers before you for this behavior (it is learned, not instinctual). But is easily avoidable with the common sense precautions I have laid out above. But just to be safe, carry bear spray too!

As someone who has had more than their fair share of run-ins with hungry bears on camping trips, I can confidently say that the Backpacker's Cache Bear Proof Container is a game changer. No longer do I have to sleep with one eye open, wondering if Yogi is going to come and steal my snacks in the middle of the night.But let's be real, the real benefit of this container is not just that it's bear-proof - it's that it's human-proof too. I mean, have you ever tried to open one of these things? It's like a puzzle designed to test the limits of your sanity. Sure, it keeps bears out, but it also keeps me out when I forget the combination to unlock it. And let's not even talk about how many times I've accidentally locked myself out of my own snacks.But all jokes aside, the Backpacker's Cache Bear Proof Container really does do its job. It's durable, secure, and can hold a surprising amount of food (assuming you can actually get it open). And let's be honest, the satisfaction of knowing that your snacks are safe from the bears is worth the extra effort.So if you're looking for a way to keep your food secure on your next camping trip, and you don't mind a bit of a challenge, the Backpacker's Cache Bear Proof Container is the way to go. Just don't forget the combination, or you'll be going to bed hungry.

This thing is solid. I am confident that a bear would likely not get my food unless they actually carry it off with them but apparently they get frustrated and give up and move on. I’ve yet to actually see mine on action with a bear so I cannot attest to that yet but if I didn’t know how to open it it would not be easy to get into for sure. It held plenty of MRE’s for both my son and myself on a 3 day trip. It’s a tad on the big side for my liking but it straps nicely where a sleeping bag traditionally goes on many packs. It’ll bump and hit things along the trail but other than some superficial battle scars it won’t be an issue. A hammer could probably break it though. I’d like to have a little more size options like a taller, thinner one maybe but this does the job. I was intimidated before I went on a backpacker with it but once I had used it on the trail I think it’s fine. The hardest part is finding a good spot on your pack that won’t annoy you a little now and then. Nice piece of mind and for sure. Doubles as a good stool to sit on(not where there is imminent bear activity though. I carry a coin in my pocket for opening and closing on the trail, pocketknife works too most of the time but I think it would mess your blade up after a while.

Holds a LOT more than what you think. I carried about six standard-size Mountain Houses, several snacks, and my toiletry bag in this canister. I used a piece of electrical tape to secure a penny to the lid, which worked great. This does work great as a stool, as others have described, but also works as a stove stand! I carried a little alcohol stove on my recent hike and sometimes had a hard time finding a flat, level surface to set up the stove and keep the cook pot from teetering. Canister worked great for this! However, don't use the lid end - flip it over and use the non-lid end. The plastic did get warm enough that I couldn't open the lid again until it cooled for about 10-15 minutes and the plastic contracted back. If a hotter stove than an alcohol stove is used, put some foil underneath it, don't use a bigger stove directly on the plastic canister.I gave it only four stars, though. Reasons:- it IS relatively heavy. It's empty weight is almost as much as my tent. If I were hiking where there were plenty of big trees with lots of low limbs to choose from, I may skip this canister and hang my food. However, in some situations (like my hike in Alaska where the trees are scrawny, short spruce and pines that could not support a weighted bag) it worked great.- it's too dark! If you hide it in the bushes a ways off from your camp like you are supposed to, then you better remember where you left it. Also, if a bear bats it around and it rolls off a distance or down a hill, it would be hard to see. I put several pieces of reflective tape on it before I used it.Overall, a good purchase. Get the optional carrying bag, though. I tried to attach some straps to hook it to my backpack and it just slides off when jostled during a hike.