How Much Food Fits in a Bearvault BV425 – BV450 – BV475 – BV500 ?
BV425: https://bit.ly/3SLUPmT – BV475: https://bit.ly/3pcTs36
BV450: https://bit.ly/3zVGaga – BV500: https://bit.ly/3vVGU3S
REI: https://bit.ly/3Jsx2UY Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JiTYpy
LATEST GEAR LIST: https://hikingguy.com/best-hiking-gear/
IT’S EASY TO SUPPORT: https://hikingguy.com/support-hiking-guy/
Bearvault came out with two new sizes, the BV425 Sprint and the BV475 Trek. In this video, I’ll show you how many common backpacking food packets and bars fit into the BV425 and BV475 and the existing BV450 and BV500. I’ll also show you how the bear canisters fit into 55L and 30L backpacks.
PLEASE LIKE if you found the video helpful or enjoyable. If you think it could be better, please leave me a comment with feedback instead of downvoting it.
#hiking #nature #adventure #healthyliving #outdoors #explore #backpacking #naturalbeauty #hike #hikerchat #naturelovers #optoutside #trails #getoutdoors #neverstopexploring #trailtime #hiker #52HikeChallenge #camping #backpacking #bearvault #bearsaftey #bears #pct #bearcanisters @bearvault
Thanks! Good information to know.
They are heavy!!!
Bv500 is huge but it makes a great seat at camp!
Very helpful!!
There are some areas in Adirondack State Park in New York where BearVault products are NOT approved, because local bears have been able to open them.
So, what do people using this system do with their cookware/dishes, etc overnight? Those things could also bring a bear to your campsite.
I appreciate this practical demonstration of realistic expectations. Thank you!
If your bearvault is too large for your trip just stick non-food items in it. You do remove them at camp and have to reinsert them to continue. Not too much work though.
I carry almost nothing non-food that needs protecting. For 7-night+ I have a travel-size toothpaste (powder is smaller), an equal sized container for sunscreen (I go long sleeve and long pants instead). And I will guarantee animals will not bother sunscreen or bug spray.
Last trip, 6 nights, one freeze-dry as emergency, and home-dried food plus sweets and lunches, plus accidentally an extra meal. All fit in the 500, just barely, with first night meal external to vault. Might invest in smaller one, but probably not, as BV500 fits my pack and a couple oz ain’t gonna make my trip better.
Great video! Very informative 😃
I loved this video so much better as u show the packs and stuff the heck outta the canisters. 👍👍🇺🇸😁
Great video! I just checked the Olympic NP site, and the BV425 and BV475 are not yet approved for use (as of March 4, 2024); same for Yosemite. I don’t know if some Gov websites say differently? Otherwise the 475 seems like an attractive side for portability. Though keeping mind that a few more things other than just food need to also fit in the container.
At Olympic:
https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/wilderness-food-storage.htm
At Yosemite:
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/containers.htm
At RMNP:
They just say a commercial hard-sided container without specification as to type or brand.
I can’t tell you how many times I have gone back to this video, Hiking Guy. Super
Great video! Bought the BV 425 and it really is a one day/two dayer. I was shocked how heavy it was though. I am coming from a Bearikade weekender (650ci) and that thing is bigger and not much heavier. Was trying to look for a smaller footprint for a smaller bag on one to two night trips. We have to have them in RMNP (unfortunately). Still on the fence about the 425…hard to get other things in there when it’s loaded with food.
One thing I would definitely caution people is to remember that more needs to go into a bear canister than just food. Anything that has a scent that could attract wildlife has to go in, so buy a bigger canister than you think you need. In fact, if you can only buy one, I would recommend you get the biggest one, and then find a pack that fits it. If you are going on a shorter trip, you can always pack other items in the canister than food, but you cannot make a smaller can bigger. Also remember that your first day’s food doesn’t need to go in the canister, because you are going to eat it before you need the canister, and ditto for any food you are planning to eat during each day’s hike, if you want to pack the canister at the bottom of your pack, where it probably makes the most sense to pack it, because of the size and shape and weight.
I use a Bear Keg or another version. I also have 2 giant grub cans. I bought them watching bears open BEAR VAULTS in less than 30 minutes they could open!!!! I will never carry a bear vault. I watched 3 bears open them from not tooo far away because they were interested in them more than me or my Bear Kegs or Grub Cans. Bears apparently have bigger brains than humans but a little less dexterity and practically no use of the internet. I did watch a bear open a Bear Vault in under a minute. I can not but he had the Nails of Doom. It took seconds…… Sorry, a bear will need a quarter to get in mine. Bear Keg , Counter Assault. Best Bear Spray. Also best anti bear….Bear Vault is cute but I watched bears open it more easily than I do and they never leave much scraps…….
like your vids but i could fit more food in my bv 475 you just have to take everythng out and zip lock it
Thank you for a very useful visual guide. My style of backpacking food is "Dollar General Resupply". So, its quite different than the Mountain House meals. But the Mountain House meals condense a lot less and so take up about the same volume. In short, 4 days of food is 4 days of food.
So this video does exactly what is intended: give a accurate visualization of how large a bear canister is needed.
Hi. First time viewer, enjoyed watching this in additon to needing to understand bear canisters better.
I really liked the way you showed the capacity and # of days for each canister.
I mostly do shorter (5-6 days) AT hikes, or hikes in the Smokies, so your video helped me understand what size to potentially look fo (i.e. VV475?).
I think these would be easier to carry if we still used the old external frame packs (i.e. Jansport D3).
I’m 70 and have been hiking since the early 70s. Like these, I find the newer equipment is too expensive for the average hiker.
Regardless, great job on this video, will look at your channel for other videos.
I also enjoyed the humorous way you showed each canister – are you by chance ex-military?
God Bless!
Is it a thing to ask REI or some of these other companies if they could give you some sort of promo code? For instance, I like to buy things in person, so if I bought an item at REI I could give them your promo code just to let them know that because of you I went in store to purchase the item
Excellent! Very helpfull video!
What about your trash? Is there also enough room to place your trash in there ? The small canister …. I was told you need to store your toiletries and trash in there.
Very helpful demonstration of the sizes/capacities of these bear cans. Also, digging the jazz soundtrack!
If it was little bigger you could get in with your food and be even safer from bear attack.
The 425/475 still has not been added to the list of approved cans for many parks yet, so anyone considering one of those should keep in mind that rangers may make a federal case out of it.
Pun intended.
Thanks!
😊Thanks. Very good information
I appreciate this video. Thanks. I’m prepping for a AT thru hike for 2025. I’m gathering all the information possible. My problem with this is – I can’t eat the high-sodium packs (health reasons). Still, great information here.
Yes, I agree. Repacking stuff would allow you to get more in the container. YES IT IS WORTH IT ! …. ( Anything worth doing is worth doing right
)
Considering need for breakfast, lunch, dinner–coffee, snacks–even at BV 500 cannister is sufficient only for about 6 days of hike. If your lucky!
Great video! Thank you so much for making this.
Would you recommend going with the 425 or the 450 if you could only get one and primarily do weekend hikes…also, I heard bears can fit their mouths around the 425?
Along with other scented items which should go in a bear bag or vault, like sunscreen, bug dope, and toothpaste with brush ; and/or foot powder and body glide and lip balm; in the BV-500 I could only fit about 4 or 5 days worth of food. Realistically although those backpacker meals may say 2 portions, almost no one makes 2 meals out of them , not that I’ve ever seen. Re-packaging your meals could add more room for other food.
i’ve gone 4 days / 3 nights using the little bear vault – go to for all trips regardless of the rule – so much easier to drop it by a tree instead of trying to find a hang!
I have the 425. I love it. Perfect for me for 1-2 over nights
Just picked up the bv475 for my 7 day hike in a couple weeks 🙂
man I really needed this! thank you!!!!!
This was enormously helpful!! Thank you so much. I don’t know REI or other retailers don’t offer the info in this way, so quite appreciated 👏🏻
How much do they weigh when empty ?
Good stuff. This makes my decision a bit easier
Also, subscribed!
The reason why most people are having problems with bear bags. It’s because they’re being lazy. In hanging the bear bags.
The limb that you put the cord over for the bear bag. Needs to be just strong enough to hold the bag and can’t pull it down by the court But still be flexible enough. That way when the bear tries to climb OUT on it. The bear would fall.
It needs to be a substantial distance from the tree. Like over 10′ or more. Just strong enough not too strong. Not too weak
As well put it up a substantial distance up like 15-20′ no bear wants to fall. That far to the ground. ( THAT WOULD BE ONE HARD HIT )
I take my time. Find the right tree & this is what I do in over 20 years. Of long-term hacking & camp. I HAVE NEVER HAD A BEAR GET MY BEAR BAG.
The problem is LAZY & STUPID people.
awesome video, thanks so much
Thanks for making this video. I only use the canister for stashing food for resupply. I live on the East Coast and have no issues just hanging my food. I hike with a dog so I need to bring additional food. Thanks for making such a good video. Take care
hey Hiking Guy – great stuff, helpful. Subscribing as I see lots of other good topics I’ve been curious about. Cheers
Do you carry bear spray with you on your backcountry hikes.?
Have you ever seen strange lights in the sky.?
Great visual aide. I like the Bare Boxer for 1-3 day trips. 26oz or so. 275 cu.i.
Thanks for the review. I have the 450 and with repackaging I can fit 4/5 days of food for one. Looks like you shot the video at Crystal Cove State Park / Moro Canyon?? Thanks again, I truly appreciate your videos. Before I go on a hike I check to see if you have already done it so I know what to expect. Your videos are very well done, entertaining and informative.
Thank you for this!!
If I take all the food out of their pouches and put them into small ziplock bags I can fit 12 days worth of food in my BV500. More importantly is the calories. In order to last long and not go rancid, these freeze dried foods don’t have any fat/oil in them. I add a table-spoon of olive oil to breakfast oatmeal and dinner freeze dried foods. For lunch, it’ll be something with peanut butter. fat/oil has 200-300 calories per ounce, whereas carbohydrates have half as much.