Just saw that REI came out with their own bear canister. It nests into half it's size which is a neat idea. Looks to be about the same price as a BV-500.

REI Bear Canister

Looks like a "Better Mousetrap" but the reviews are really varied and all over the place..

RW

I'm not commenting on the quality of the product, but I believe any bear canister or bear proofing for the BWCAW needs to be from an approved list of products per the FS rules. This REI canister is probably a good product, but I know for a fact that this REI brand was not on the approved list. Maybe someone else has a link to that list or to the bear proofing rules

HangLoose: "I'm not commenting on the quality of the product, but I believe any bear canister or bear proofing for the BWCAW needs to be from an approved list of products per the FS rules. This REI canister is probably a good product, but I know for a fact that this REI brand was not on the approved list. Maybe someone else has a link to that list or to the bear proofing rules
"

A great reminder, a bear container has to be IGBC certified to be able to legally use in the BWCAW.

This REI container is listed under the IGBC approved containers so it is allowed in the BWCAW. Good to check though.

IGBC containers approved as of January 2025

timatkn: "


A great reminder, a bear container has to be IGBC certified to be able to legally use in the BWCAW.


This REI container is listed under the IGBC approved containers so it is allowed in the BWCAW. Good to check though.


IGBC containers approved as of January 2025 "

I stand corrected. The REI Bear Can is indeed approved for BWCAW

DMan5501: "Looks like a "Better Mousetrap" but the reviews are really varied and all over the place..


RW "

Seems like most of the negative reviews are from people not reading the directions

Swampturtle: "

DMan5501: "Looks like a "Better Mousetrap" but the reviews are really varied and all over the place..



RW "

Seems like most of the negative reviews are from people not reading the directions"

That's what I was thinking. I'm intrigued by the modular and collapsible nature of this jar. I'm going to head into REI and check it out for myself.

I was looking at one the other day - it seems particularly challenging to open. To be fair however I was in the store and the directions were not readily available, so it's possible I was missing some instruction - it looks like there are two tension metal clips to depress, but the tension is so high that it was nearly impossible to open without pain.

Could they have picked a more awful color? I guess nobody will lose them...

I saw them in the store too and it took me a while to figure it out. It’s difficult because you need to press a pin on each side and turn the top at the same time. With a hand needed on each side it just leaves your thumbs to turn the top. Maybe it’s easier after doing it a few times. I don’t see the need for both pins, one would have been fine. I think if I got one I’d disable one pin.

I’ve had the REI Traverse canister since it was available in late January. It’s better than a BearVault (I own both) so never fear, you’ll not regret your purchase. It’s not hard to open, unless you’re a bear. I often do solo trips so it’s a way better option for me.

Trust me, it’s a better mouse trap.

scottiebaldwin: "It’s not hard to open, unless you’re a bear. I often do solo trips so it’s a way better option for me. "

What's your trick? With two heavily-sprung ball clips to depress and a lid to rotate / remove, I cannot figure out the proper positioning and hand placement. I know the instructions say "one pin at a time", but it doesn't seem to work that way in practice (although I only played with one for a few minutes, so I am certainly willing to admit to missing someting!). Please advise...

I like the price. I don't need the 2 sizes in one feature, but I think it is nice.

Bottom-line for me is that it weighs a whole pound more than the Bear Vault of the same size. 3 lb 9oz vs 2 lb 8oz. It is not so much an issue on a canoe trip. I am not an ultra light weight traveler by canoe. I also backpack in my old age and I lean more toward ultra light on hikes.

sedges: "I like the price. I don't need the 2 sizes in one feature, but I think it is nice.


Bottom-line for me is that it weighs a whole pound more than the Bear Vault of the same size. 3 lb 9oz vs 2 lb 8oz. It is not so much an issue on a canoe trip. I am not an ultra light weight traveler by canoe. I also backpack in my old age and I lean more toward ultra light on hikes."

Good point.

1.1 # heavier and the Bear vault holds 11.5 L vs. REI 11.25 L. Heavier and less capacity, although minimal. To some that will matter.

Gosh…I remember when BV’s were $45…doubled in the last 10 years.

T

AluminumBarge: "I saw them in the store too and it took me a while to figure it out. It’s difficult because you need to press a pin on each side and turn the top at the same time. With a hand needed on each side it just leaves your thumbs to turn the top. Maybe it’s easier after doing it a few times. I don’t see the need for both pins, one would have been fine. I think if I got one I’d disable one pin. "

The directions are printed right on it. Press one side turn, press other side turn. Not pressed at the same time.

Swampturtle: "

AluminumBarge: "I saw them in the store too and it took me a while to figure it out. It’s difficult because you need to press a pin on each side and turn the top at the same time. With a hand needed on each side it just leaves your thumbs to turn the top. Maybe it’s easier after doing it a few times. I don’t see the need for both pins, one would have been fine. I think if I got one I’d disable one pin. "

The directions are printed right on it. Press one side turn, press other side turn. Not pressed at the same time. "

I tried that and it didn’t work with the one I saw on display. Still don’t see the need for two pins. The BVs I have aren’t real easy to open either but for me they’re a bit easier.

I have a BV500 that I bought several years ago. Today I tried out the REI Traverse canister in the store. I agree with the posters who say it is easy to open: I was able to get it open without using any tools. Like some previous posts, you just push one button in, then the other button and it screws right off. The trick is is that you have to press the buttons in the right order. They are labelled "1" and "2" right on the vault, but they're embossed, and the same color as the vault, so it's a bit difficult to read at first. I can't open my BV500 without using a small tool.

And I really like the way that the Traverse collapses on itself to allow you to reduce its size when you've eaten through some of your provisions during a trip. AND it comes with a nice little carrying case, all for a slightly lower price than the BV500. If I were buying my first bear vault, I would for sure buy a Traverse.

But, since I already have a BV500, I went ahead and bought a BV425 to have a smaller- sized canister for shorter/solo trips. The BV425 is smaller than the small-form Traverse and it's almost 1 pound lighter. That's the only reason I went with the BV425.

I spied some cheap prepacked bear canisters at Menards.
*chuckle*