--- product_id: 4662798 title: "BearVault Canister for Backpacking. 4 Sizes: BV500, BV475, BV450, BV425. Bear-Resistant Food Container for Camping, Hiking, Fishing, Hunting, Bikepacking. BearVault is Bear Safe!" brand: "bearvault" price: "R5840" currency: ZAR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 category: "Bear Vault" url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/4662798-bearvault-canister-for-backpacking-4-sizes-bv500-bv475-bv450-bv425 store_origin: ZA region: South Africa --- # 11.5L ultra-light capacity Transparent sides for quick access Grizzly & Black Bear certified lock BearVault Canister for Backpacking. 4 Sizes: BV500, BV475, BV450, BV425. Bear-Resistant Food Container for Camping, Hiking, Fishing, Hunting, Bikepacking. BearVault is Bear Safe! **Brand:** bearvault **Price:** R5840 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 🐻 Lock in your adventure, not the bears! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** BearVault Canister for Backpacking. 4 Sizes: BV500, BV475, BV450, BV425. Bear-Resistant Food Container for Camping, Hiking, Fishing, Hunting, Bikepacking. BearVault is Bear Safe! by bearvault - **How much does it cost?** R5840 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/4662798-bearvault-canister-for-backpacking-4-sizes-bv500-bv475-bv450-bv425) ## Best For - bearvault enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted bearvault brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **See It, Grab It:** Clear polycarbonate sides and wide opening let you find your snacks in seconds—no fumbling required. - • **Effortless & Durable:** Tool-free latch with rugged polycarbonate build designed for the toughest backcountry conditions. - • **Bear-Proof Confidence:** IGBC & SIBBG certified to keep your food safe from grizzlies and black bears alike. - • **Pack More, Carry Less:** Spacious 11.5L capacity fits 7+ days of food without weighing you down. - • **Park-Approved Essential:** Trusted by thru-hikers and approved in all major National Parks with bear canister mandates. ## Overview The BearVault BV500 Journey is a top-rated, 11.5-liter bear-resistant food container crafted from durable polycarbonate. Certified by IGBC and SIBBG, it offers a lightweight yet spacious solution for multi-day backpacking trips, featuring transparent sides for easy food access and a secure, tool-free latch. Approved across all National Parks, it’s the go-to choice for serious outdoor professionals who demand safety, convenience, and compliance on every expedition. ## Description desertcart.com : BearVault BV500 Journey Bear Resistant Food Container - Extra Large : Food Savers : Sports & Outdoors Review: Perfect for overnights - BV425 is small but holds enough food for maybe 1-2 days max. It will fit in a 45l pack easy but does add weight. Lid is easy to open but can be a bit slick making it a bit harder to twist at times. It’s very sturdy but it’s not totally sealed so do not submerge in water. Review: Not too hard to open, fits well in backpack - I used these for a canoe camping trip. I bought two of them for two people and a dog for a four day camping trip. Everything including dog food, our food, snacks, bug spray for us and the dog, sun screen, and medications all fit. We could have probably just done one for the two of us without the dog, so they have a decent amount of room. The locking lid is a little hard to figure out at first. I found it is easiest to push the locking piece down as you spin the lid toward it so that it is already down when the piece reaches the lock. The lock will also be stiff at first, and it will get easier with time. It is also relatively easy to clean. My fishing bait spilled in it, and I was able to wash it up and remove the odor of the synthetic bait. I would not use it for a stool though. It is durable enough, but it really isn’t comfortable to sit on, and I ended up sitting on the ground. I didn’t buy it to be a stool as its primary purpose though, so that’s okay. I can’t say how it would hold up with a bear. It seems durable, and based on the way bear barrels are certified using problem grizzlies from Yellowstone at a facility to test and certify them, I think it would do rather well with the black bears I have in this region. It is heavy to carry in a backpack, but I prefer that over hanging my food because its hard to find a good enough tree to follow regulations in the Boundary waters to secure the bag. The bear barrel follows all regulations and makes sure you aren’t accidentally feeding bears and other wildlife, causing them to become a problem and require removal. These bear barrels will make sure you are keeping you safe, other campers safe, and wildlife safe. I will buy again in the future if I need more for a larger group. I will also add that they do somewhat mask the odor of your food. I had gulp bait spill in it, and I couldn’t smell it until I opened it. Obviously a bear would likely still smell it, but at least it seems to dull the smell a little. ## Features - Every ounce matters! The BV500 excels as a high volume, lightweight bear barrel for backpacking. The most spacious choice of bear canister for backpacking ultralight style, pack food for 7 plus days. - Clear and easy to use: Easily find your breakfast. Transparent sides and a wide opening make it easy to find. Tool-free, with rounded corners and pack straps, it packs easily. Doubles as a camp stool! - Tested and Approved: Grizzly (IGBC) and Black Bear (SIBBG) certified bear resistant container. Keep your food and scented items protected from raids by bears and other wildlife. - The Gold Standard for Multi-Day Adventures, long distance and thru hikers. BV500 Journey allows you to pack a few hearty meals for a group, or maximize every ounce of calories. - Approved Canister of Choice: BV500's have logged more miles than any other backpacking bear can. Approved by all National Parks and Forests with bear proof canister regulations, and many state parks. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | B0019LSGQE | | Best Sellers Rank | #3,155 in Sports & Outdoors ( See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors ) #5 in Camping Bear Protection Products | | Brand | BearVault | | Brand Name | BearVault | | Capacity | 11.5 liters | | Closure Type | Latch | | Color | Transparent Blue XL | | Container Shape | Round | | Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,255 Reviews | | Global Trade Identification Number | 00893554000097 | | Item Dimensions L x W x H | 14"L x 9"W x 9"H | | Item Form | Round | | Item Volume | 11.5 liters | | Item Weight | 2.5 pounds | | Lid Material | Specialty rugged polycarbonate and other durable resins | | Manufacturer | BearVault | | Material | Polycarbonate (PC) | | Material Feature | Reusable | | Material Features | Reusable | | Material Type | Polycarbonate (PC) | | Material Type Free | Bear-Resistant | | Other Special Features of the Product | Portable, water-resistant | | Package Quantity | 1 | | Product Care Instructions | machine wash | | Product Dimensions | 14"L x 9"W x 9"H | | Recommended Uses For Product | Backpacking, Group Camping, Canoeing, Kayaking | | Size | BV500 Journey XL | | UPC | 893554000097 | | Unit Count | 1 Count | ## Product Details - **Brand:** BearVault - **Capacity:** 11.5 liters - **Color:** Transparent Blue XL - **Material:** Polycarbonate (PC) - **Material Feature:** Reusable ## Images ![BearVault Canister for Backpacking. 4 Sizes: BV500, BV475, BV450, BV425. Bear-Resistant Food Container for Camping, Hiking, Fishing, Hunting, Bikepacking. BearVault is Bear Safe! - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61OCF-RHRCL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Size** options. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Perfect for overnights *by A***X on June 23, 2026* BV425 is small but holds enough food for maybe 1-2 days max. It will fit in a 45l pack easy but does add weight. Lid is easy to open but can be a bit slick making it a bit harder to twist at times. It’s very sturdy but it’s not totally sealed so do not submerge in water. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Not too hard to open, fits well in backpack *by J***E on June 25, 2025* I used these for a canoe camping trip. I bought two of them for two people and a dog for a four day camping trip. Everything including dog food, our food, snacks, bug spray for us and the dog, sun screen, and medications all fit. We could have probably just done one for the two of us without the dog, so they have a decent amount of room. The locking lid is a little hard to figure out at first. I found it is easiest to push the locking piece down as you spin the lid toward it so that it is already down when the piece reaches the lock. The lock will also be stiff at first, and it will get easier with time. It is also relatively easy to clean. My fishing bait spilled in it, and I was able to wash it up and remove the odor of the synthetic bait. I would not use it for a stool though. It is durable enough, but it really isn’t comfortable to sit on, and I ended up sitting on the ground. I didn’t buy it to be a stool as its primary purpose though, so that’s okay. I can’t say how it would hold up with a bear. It seems durable, and based on the way bear barrels are certified using problem grizzlies from Yellowstone at a facility to test and certify them, I think it would do rather well with the black bears I have in this region. It is heavy to carry in a backpack, but I prefer that over hanging my food because its hard to find a good enough tree to follow regulations in the Boundary waters to secure the bag. The bear barrel follows all regulations and makes sure you aren’t accidentally feeding bears and other wildlife, causing them to become a problem and require removal. These bear barrels will make sure you are keeping you safe, other campers safe, and wildlife safe. I will buy again in the future if I need more for a larger group. I will also add that they do somewhat mask the odor of your food. I had gulp bait spill in it, and I couldn’t smell it until I opened it. Obviously a bear would likely still smell it, but at least it seems to dull the smell a little. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Don't Know What the Fuss is About *by I***T on October 19, 2021* Okay, so, I finally got my BearVault 450 and got to take it out on a 4 day backpacking trip. I almost didn't buy this cannister because of all the reviews where people said it was too hard to open. But, I sat down with myself, and I said "self, you're trying to protect your food from animals with varying levels of dexterity. If you have to struggle to open it, at least you'll have the peace of mind that your campsite won't be ransacked." I went ahead and bought it. All I can say is....woa! I had concerns about this thing to be a struggle to open, but it was so easy! The place above the tab where you are supposed to push is clearly marked with ridges, and I didn't have to hold the cannister down or pinch it between my legs. I used one thumb and one hand and had no trouble opening this. Maybe it is because I have small fingers and the hands of a massage therapist? Either way, I do question what is so difficult about opening this. I did see some reviews about it being harder to open in the cold. I was out on a night that dropped into the low 40s and didn't notice any change in the rigidity of the plastic or ease of opening. There might be a lower temperature threshold for that, and if there is, I haven't had the chance to test it out yet. I saw a few reviews about the threads getting stuck. While I was out on the trail, I did get the lid stuck once, but it got stuck on the corner of one of my food bags, not the threading. I made sure to tuck them in below the lip of the opening and never had any snags again! It seems like as long as the cannister isn't over filled and nothing inside is packed in a way that touches the lid, it has less of a chance of getting stuck. The next concern I saw people have was the weight. I packed this cannister for a 4 day trip for me and my dog, including meals, snacks, kibble, and treats. Kibble is not that light and my dog eats 2 cups a day! After all that, the whole weight of the cannister and food was only 5 lbs. I don't know what kinds of meals people are packing to make this thing weigh 10+ pounds for a weekend trip, but if you know your camping food and pack consciously, then weight shouldn't be a problem. Lastly, there are a lot of negative reviews for this cannister in the Adirondacks. In the research I did (assuming it is accurate), you can't legally use any bear cannister in the Adirondacks that isn't approved by the rangers or one you rent from a trailhead. While that might be limiting to this particular cannister, there are thousands of other places around the US that I would love to go where I can bring this cannister. If I ever go to the Adirondacks, I will go in knowing I need to rent one of their cannisters. Easy problem to solve. Other than that, the design is emaculate. The large opening makes packing, reorganizing, and finding what you need so easy, as does the transparency. This can hold a lot of food when packed correctly, and it fits perfectly in my 75L backpack with the rest of my gear. It also makes a nice seat/stool when needed. I'll be getting the BearVault 500 next! ## Frequently Bought Together - BearVault Canister for Backpacking. 4 Sizes: BV500, BV475, BV450, BV425. Bear-Resistant Food Container for Camping, Hiking, Fishing, Hunting, Bikepacking. BearVault is Bear Safe! - Squeeze Water Filtration System - BoglerCo Ultralight Backpacking Trowel, 0.48 oz (13.5g) --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/4662798-bearvault-canister-for-backpacking-4-sizes-bv500-bv475-bv450-bv425](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/4662798-bearvault-canister-for-backpacking-4-sizes-bv500-bv475-bv450-bv425) --- *Product available on Desertcart South Africa* *Store origin: ZA* *Last updated: 2026-08-16*