I'm taking on a solo trip, and looking at options for bear proof food storage. I am not feeding an army (obviously), so I don't need a barrel set up. I'm only going for 4-5 days. I like the idea of the Bear vault, but it looks like a PIA to lug around for one guy. I like the Ursack too....but as we all know, the the BWCA mice/rodents are worse an enemy than the large critters these containers are designed to prevent- thoughts? I'm leaning more towards the ursack major just for the weight and the fact that storage is a premium at my house...just wondering the cons of this vs. the BV450/500 containers.

I like the ease of the BV500. Just stashing it off off-site a bit off of any major trails (affixing some reflective tape helps on occasion to locate it again) takes care of your overnight or day trip storage. Yes, it weighs 2 lb 10 oz but it does make a nice table...

You can try the Ursack Allmitey for bear and small critter protection:

https://www.ursack.com/product/ursack-allmitey-black/

This is what I use on my 4-5 day solos. Longer trips or bigger groups I bring two.

We have used Ursacks for the past 2 years and love them. When closed correctly mice cannot get in them. They are very light and pack down small when empty.

I bough my Ursacks specifically to avoid small vermin problems. I consider bear problems secondary. Tie then tight and the little buggers can't chew in. Have watched chipmunks up to raccoons try, all without success. An Ursack fits my pack much better.

butthead

I have the Bear Vault 500 and as well as the Ursack Allmitey. I like the Bear vault because it protects things from getting smashed. I generally bring both (I eat a lot) and use the allmitey as my snack bag for the day. If I had to take just one and I could fit all my food I would take the Allmitey. Light weight, critter and bear resistant, and easy to use. In case it matters to you a 1600 ml toaks fits inside the bear vault.

I just made the switch from hanging to bear canister. My research indicated that the Ursack will not prevent bear from chewing and contaminating food inside the sack with saliva. Also the Ursack can be more easily carried off than a canister.

Other than the weight of the canister and the process of packing food inside I have found little difference in carrying the bear canister. I carry the canister either inside my pack or suspended from the shoulder straps of my pack in front the same as I carried my original food pack.

I use different size canisters as needed. The first days food will be consumed and does not need to be stored in the canister as long as you single portage and don't leave it unattended.

MidwestFirecraft: "I have the Bear Vault 500 and as well as the Ursack Allmitey. I like the Bear vault because it protects things from getting smashed. I generally bring both (I eat a lot) and use the allmitey as my snack bag for the day. If I had to take just one and I could fit all my food I would take the Allmitey. Light weight, critter and bear resistant, and easy to use. In case it matters to you a 1600 ml toaks fits inside the bear vault.
"

I have 2 of each as well. The BV500 is nice because it is clear and nearly water-proof. You can also sit on it. Just stash it in the woods. It is the heavier option.
The Allmitey's are nice because they are lighter and conform to a pack better, however you tend to have to dig through them to find what you are looking for, aren't water proof, and have to be tied to a tree so a critter doesn't drag them off.

"The Allmitey's are nice because they are lighter and conform to a pack better, however you tend to have to dig through them to find what you are looking for, aren't water proof, and have to be tied to a tree so a critter doesn't drag them off."
I was worried about wet food as well, but to be fair when tied to a coniferous tree I have never had the food get wet.

Ursack all the way for me. A correct tie to a tree will prevent it from being carried off

I’ve used Ursacks for years. We’ve never had wet food or a little critter problem. Or a bear issue, either. And we’ve had plenty of little critters at our campsites. Haven’t seen a bear in camp yet.

i take 2 bv 500's in a granite gear quetico pack. i don't skimp on the grub. empty pack comes in the tent, bv 500's go in the bush at night.

Ursack. I have a small fold-able wind screen that fits nicely inside my ursack that gives me a little sense of protection from mild chewing. If it has been tested I have not seen evidence after several trips. Tie well to a tree as they would be easy to carry off. And it is the little critters I more worry about than bears.

I am a canister guy. Keeps everything unbroken. I just leave it in the fire area and have never had a problem. Fits in our crew pack. Started by hanging, what a PITA. Then went to the olive barrel. Small critters can chew into those.

I've been using the Ursack (large size) for 3 solo trips now, each about a week. I usually tie it to a tree off to the side about 5 feet off the ground. I bring only vac sealed food in the Ursack. Last year, I had a large bear in my campsite within 2 or 3 feet of the Ursack and he did not recognize it as food. Tie it right and the smaller vermin cannot get in. I later heard that the same bear was able to get to at least five hanging food packs, so he knew what he was looking for.

p.s. Because I am paranoid about my food, I intend to spend this year's REI dividend to buy a couple of Opsacks to put my food in before it all goes into the Ursack.

I have used both; they each have advantages and disadvantages as noted, so it depends on how you prioritize those differences. If you're going to get one, I'd go ahead and get the larger BV500 vs. the 450.

We are a two canister couple!

Have not used BearVault brand - we carry Garcia's. Yes they add weight and bulk to the pack, but they double as a place to sit, which is especially important when you're cooking at a fair distance from the firepit.

the bulkyness gets offset over the course of a trip as we will put dirty clothes in them as we empty them of food.

boonie: "I have used both; they each have advantages and disadvantages as noted, so it depends on how you prioritize those differences. If you're going to get one, I'd go ahead and get the larger BV500 vs. the 450."

Same here, I own both. I use the Ursack for backpacking and solo canoe trips and the BV500 for canoe trips with more then me.

If I had only one, I would probably stick with the Ursack.

I've got an Ursack AllMitey and so far it's been great. It's not super light (I think mine comes in around 13oz) so it'll be less than ideal for ultralight backpacking, but I refuse to compromise on the security of my sustenance when out in the wilderness. If you follow the instructions and tie it up on a tree around some large branches (that a bear would have a hard time breaking) then it will stay up off the ground. There are videos of grizzlies trying to get into one (for testing the strength), and they are unsuccessful every time from what I have seen. I do not use an internal can structure. I do however use a Loksak OPSAK which I think was made for the Ursacks; it's quite large and covers the entire internal volume of the AllMitey. It gives you an odor barrier so it will attract less wildlife, even if they can't get in. I think the AllMitey would have no problem holding enough food for 1 person for 5 days if you're not bringing tons of luxuries and fresh food. But even if you slip in a piece of fruit or something I think you could do it, assuming mostly dehydrated stuff and no solid packaging that will take up volume. I had 3 days of food for a backpacking trip and only used maybe 1/3 the volume. I know Joe Robinet and Doug Linker and Shawn James (wilderness YouTubers) all have Ursacks and have fit 8-9 days of rations in theirs.

Just read the instructions and watch some videos to learn how to tie it. It's basically just a double overhand knot, but you wanna make sure you get that opening as tightly closed as possible and keep pressure on the knot as you're tying it to keep the opening shut. Again, if you hang it around the trunk/supported by branches, it'll stay up off the ground. Mice and squirrels can still access it via the tree but being up off the ground is a big plus. On my hiking trip I didn't even see any evidence of critters trying to get in.

I have never seriously considered or researched Ursacks. A couple years ago a buddy an I each bought a Bear Vault 500. We used to think that hanging food was fun, a challenge and somewhat of a tradition. Unfortunately in my head I knew that 50% or more of our hangs were not adequate to protect our food from bears, much less the smaller critters. Since using a Bear Vault, it is a pleasure to walk it out of camp 30 yards or so and drop it in an inconspicuous place. In so doing we not only save ourselves the aggravation of multiple tries at throwing the dang rock over the branch, having the rope stretch so much that a decent NBA player could reach it, and often times have it hanging right over or near a main trail from the campsite. So we have started a new tradition of packing our food in the BV 500, hiding it in the woods nearby, and have a lot more confidence in the whole process.

lindylair: "I have never seriously considered or researched Ursacks. A couple years ago a buddy an I each bought a Bear Vault 500. We used to think that hanging food was fun, a challenge and somewhat of a tradition. Unfortunately in my head I knew that 50% or more of our hangs were not adequate to protect our food from bears, much less the smaller critters. Since using a Bear Vault, it is a pleasure to walk it out of camp 30 yards or so and drop it in an inconspicuous place. In so doing we not only save ourselves the aggravation of multiple tries at throwing the dang rock over the branch, having the rope stretch so much that a decent NBA player could reach it, and often times have it hanging right over or near a main trail from the campsite. So we have started a new tradition of packing our food in the BV 500, hiding it in the woods nearby, and have a lot more confidence in the whole process. "

+1 Well said. I never felt totally confident with hanging food packs. Using bear canisters I am as close to "total confidence" as one can get in the woods. I started using them for backpacking out west and decided to apply them to canoeing. Have never regretted it.

Clean Camp

lindylair: "Unfortunately in my head I knew that 50% or more of our hangs were not adequate to protect our food from bears, much less the smaller critters."

This right here is exactly what I was thinking when I bought a blue barrel. Sure, it may not be bear proof but it is bear resistant and has a seal so I doubt the bear would recognize it as food. So I think that on average, we would be safer than with trying to hang.

Now if we are in an area where we are particularly cautious about bears, like if there have been reports of nuisance bears in the area, then we can always decide to hang the barrel in the barrel pack. There is no difference between our clothes line and the hanging rope so we don't even need any extra gear. Plus if there is no good food bag tree then stashing it is going to be safer than putting it right where the bear always goes to look for the food.

I use an old Ursack that's been 100% mini-bear proof. I love the thing.

The BearVaults are also nice. I have two and often bring them for group trips. Yes, they are heavy, but they are great as seats (well, not great, but often better than camp furniture) and I love being able to put any odds and ends in them (filet knife, fishing reels, stringer, etc.).

Get both!

In our Perent Lake campsite a couple years ago we found this hollowed out stump right in camp and it seemed to be made for storing the BV 500:)

Yep, I have both, actually all three. BV 450, 500 and a Ursack, I take one or two depending on the circumstances.
Backpacking or canoe trips with long portages I take the Ursack. Other situations may find me taking the Ursack and the 450, other times only the 500 may go with me. I like the 500 for car camping in bear country that does not have bear proof lockers. It can hold alot of things besides food, (weather radio, fillet knife, condiments, chap stick so-on) I can see through it, find what I need, and it keeps them dry.

Here's a good compilation of what's available, as well as basic information on food packing.

So here's another spin on this for you if this helps. I am going out on the Numbered lakes this year out to Insula and back. The first and last nights of my trip will probably be in the area that got torched several years ago by the Pagami fire......are there enough campsites with in this area that actually have sturdy enough trees to hang an ursack??

PapaBear1975: "So here's another spin on this for you if this helps. I am going out on the Numbered lakes this year out to Insula and back. The first and last nights of my trip will probably be in the area that got torched several years ago by the Pagami fire......are there enough campsites with in this area that actually have sturdy enough trees to hang an ursack?? "

I did that same route in October, and never was at a loss for a tree to tie to.

I own an Ursack (the normal bear variety), a BV450, and two BV500s. On canoe trips I never hesitate to use the appropriate size (and quantity) Bear Vault. They're easier to use, they're pretty much as good as a safe, they protect their contents from squishing inside your pack, and when you're portaging - even single portaging - the little bit of extra weight doesn't matter. They can also double as a stool to sit on, although a Chair Zero weighs so little that I don't use them for that any more.

I got the Ursack for overflow on a ten day canoe trip with three people where we couldn't get all the food in my three Bear Vaults. In this supporting role I loved the Ursack - we used it the first day or so for food, then for the next couple days for trash until there was enough space in a Bear Vault to stuff the trash inside. Once it was empty, it stopped taking up space.

I do plan to use the Ursack more for backpacking. When your food is on your back all day, the weigh difference matters a lot, and also the fact that an Ursack takes up less space as it empties. I've never had trouble with anybody trying to get into my ursack; I tie it according to the directions, plus I tie a square knot over the top of the recommended knot. But with the Ursack I find I'm relieved every morning when I see it still intact and hanging where I tied it; with the Bear Vaults I sleep easy knowing nothing's getting in there.

To summarize: when canoeing/portaging, Bear Vault. When backpacking, Ursack. When I need lots of capacity, Bear Vault primarily, with Ursack for the first couple days' food.

personally I use 5 gallon buckets with gamma seal lids and hang them high, unless I am at the right sight to "hang them low". Hanging them low involves a shear rock face that's either very high or over deeper water, if a bear is standing in the water and can't reach it or better yet has to be swimming and can't reach it it has to be more secure than the pinata in a tree method. Sure he could pull the rope up from the top but that would be difficult and they have not been conditioned to do so.
I was at the Woodbury Sierra trading today and noticed the had a half dozen of the bear keg 12 liter from counter assault for $49

OK I have been out of the canoe tripping scene for a good bit. What happened to just using a stuff sack and hanging it in the trees? I have my first trip in 15 years coming up and would like to know why these over the old stuff sack in the trees?

singlebladecanoe: "OK I have been out of the canoe tripping scene for a good bit. What happened to just using a stuff sack and hanging it in the trees? I have my first trip in 15 years coming up and would like to know why these over the old stuff sack in the trees?"

The bears in the bdub are conditioned to find food hanging in the trees, you can easily train a rat to traverse a maze with a reward at the end, a bear is no different. At each campsite in the Bdub there are a select few trees that humans think are ideal for hanging a pack, each new group that comes in hangs their packs from the same trees. It's almost as if the people are more conditioned to food storage than the bears. The bear walks in to camp sees the pack in the tree and sees a neon sign akin to a small child seeing the golden arches and salivating over the fries in a happy meal. Much like a petty thief the bear wants to get in and out without opposition an ursack or bear vault is as of yet a relative unknown to the conditioned bear and as such is relatively unmolested.

Besides what nooneuno said, hanging is a PITA compared to stashing a bear canister and not nearly as "bear resistant".

singlebladecanoe: "OK I have been out of the canoe tripping scene for a good bit. What happened to just using a stuff sack and hanging it in the trees? I have my first trip in 15 years coming up and would like to know why these over the old stuff sack in the trees?"

Marketing for ursaks and bear vaults is simply better than for hanging. (Not mych profit in marketing hanging.) I'm a hanger. I enjoy the sport of hunting for "the" tree and getting the rope in just the right spot. And I've never had a bear problem - bdub, Q, nor Philmont, where hanging is required.

billconner: "

singlebladecanoe: "OK I have been out of the canoe tripping scene for a good bit. What happened to just using a stuff sack and hanging it in the trees? I have my first trip in 15 years coming up and would like to know why these over the old stuff sack in the trees?"

Marketing for ursaks and bear vaults is simply better than for hanging. (Not mych profit in marketing hanging.) I'm a hanger. I enjoy the sport of hunting for "the" tree and getting the rope in just the right spot. And I've never had a bear problem - bdub, Q, nor Philmont, where hanging is required.


"

Curious why is hanging required at Philmont?

tg: "

billconner: "

singlebladecanoe: "OK I have been out of the canoe tripping scene for a good bit. What happened to just using a stuff sack and hanging it in the trees? I have my first trip in 15 years coming up and would like to know why these over the old stuff sack in the trees?"

Marketing for ursaks and bear vaults is simply better than for hanging. (Not mych profit in marketing hanging.) I'm a hanger. I enjoy the sport of hunting for "the" tree and getting the rope in just the right spot. And I've never had a bear problem - bdub, Q, nor Philmont, where hanging is required.



"

Curious why is hanging required at Philmont?"

It's their system and seems to work. The do have an area near each site for hanging with a wire rope taut between two trees or poles, and branches pruned, and all several hundred feet from tent pads. You get ropes and the equivalent of burlap bags and all food, toiletries, meds, cloths with food spills, etc all are supposed to be hung.

Knowing that they have prerigged hang spots-totally makes sense.


I started out hanging and moved to bearvaults and won't got back. As a diabetic the peace of mind knowing I have a snack safely stashed from the critters is invaluable. I have never had a bear get my food (knock on wood) but when I was hanging my packs it was a constant worry. I've got a decent arm and packed some long ropes but there were times when I knew my hang was still vulnerable. I am seriously considering an ursack for hiking trips though.

tg

Chicagored: "
p.s. Because I am paranoid about my food, I intend to spend this year's REI dividend to buy a couple of Opsacks to put my food in before it all goes into the Ursack."

I bring one of each because I usually go at least 10 nights solo with a dog. The ursack is for the dog food which I first put in freezer zip locks then into Opsacks before they go into the ursack. Any leftover room in the ursack gets trail bars or gorp bags to fill. IMO the opsacks are a must if not using vacuum sealed food packs.

I like the BV because it's clear and I use it for a table. I will fold up the ursack near the end of the trip and will fill in the empty space of the BV with delicate items like my MSR Whisperlite stove or fishing reels. It's a good system I like.

If going for a short solo I would take the ursack using opsacks inside.

boonie: "Besides what nooneuno said, hanging is a PITA compared to stashing a bear canister and not nearly as "bear resistant". "

I was a hanger in the 80's up to 2011. I am so glad I switched to just stashing a BV and an ursack. Much less PITA. Also, a bear did pull down my food pack in the 80's and I've never had rodent or bear issues when stashing.

Taking my grandson up in the 2nd week of June to South Hegman for a 3-nighter, his first time and my 3rd (though it has been roughly 35 years since my last trip). So, most of my old gear is gone, lost or worn out. I set about purchasing new stuff. I bought a food pack before reading the message board, since all I knew was hanging. After reading the messages here, I went and purchased a Bear Vault. I think I will bring the pack along anyway, using it for gear, and to carry the vault while we paddle. After we set up, I will stash it in the bush. We have mostly dehydrated food, plus some other items, and I confess I don't see how it will all fit in there, so I may end up hanging the pack anyway, maybe using it as a trash receptacle, since I plan on spending the three nights at one camp, unless we are able to move to another site. The Ursack looks interesting, but I have reached the end of my "new gear spending spree", so maybe next year. My grandson is my last hope, neither of my sons were interested in this kind of camping, which explains my long drought, and I want to make sure he wants to do it again. Any thoughts to help an old out of practice camper will be welcome. Thanks in advance.