The BearVault BV425 is a 1 lb 12 oz (800g) bear canister able to carrying 2-3 days price of meals. It has an inner capability of 305 cubic inches (5 liters). The canister is made from sturdy polycarbonate. The BV425 has a gap with a diameter of seven” which makes packing and organizing your meals straightforward, and being clear, it’s fairly straightforward to seek out what you’re searching for and to understand how a lot meals you may have left.
Specs at a Look
- Quantity: 305 cubic inches, 5 L, (2-3 days)
- Device-Free Operation: Sure
- Materials: Clear polycarbonate
- Weight: 1 lbs 12 oz (800g)
- Dimensions: 8.7″ x 6″
- Diameter of opening: 7″
- Approvals: IGBC
BearVault additionally makes a number of different canister sizes, the BV450, BV475, and BV500, however the BV425 is perfect for brief backpacking journeys in areas the place a bear canister is required as a result of it’s straightforward to pack inside your backpack. I pack mine in the course of my pack, simply above my sleep insulation, and shim out the edges with unfastened clothes. It’s that small.
I began utilizing the BV425 this summer season for the 1-2 night time backpacking journeys I like to absorb the White Mountain Nationwide Forest, the place it’s a must to both grasp your meals (12 ft up and 6 ft out), use a bear canister, or one of many bear packing containers out there at designated tent websites. Sadly, Ursacks are now not permitted within the Whites.

Benefits
Whereas hanging your meals within the Whites is a light-weight choice, it may be troublesome and reasonably time-consuming to do. Furthermore, a small bear canister just like the BV425 has loads of benefits over hanging a bear bag in a tree. For instance,
- It’s impervious to mice and small rodents.
- Requires no ability to hold or tie knots.
- Bear canisters might be saved on the bottom.
- A bear canister is simple to stash (ideally 200 ft out of your campsite), even after darkish.
- Simple to scrub.
- Matches inside ultralight backpacks simply.
- You’ll be able to sit on it as a camp stool.
If you happen to’ve ever spent an hour or extra making an attempt to hold a bear bag on the finish of the day or as darkish approaches, these are fairly vital benefits.

Locking mechanism
The BearVault BV425 has a black screw-top lid. There are two little locking tabs on the lid that are sloping on one aspect to allow them to go by the locking tab on the canister when screwing on the lid. They’re blunt on the opposite aspect so they won’t go again by the locking tab till you forcibly depress them. To unlock the canister, push within the tabs on the lid till they clear the tabs on the canister and unscrew the lid in a single movement. It takes a few tries, however you get used to it fairly shortly.
If you happen to hike within the Excessive Peaks area of the Adirondacks, the BV425 and all the opposite Bearvault canisters aren’t authorized as a result of the native black bears have discovered how you can open them.
Competitors: The Naked Boxer
I additionally personal one other small bear canister, referred to as the Naked Boxer, which has near the identical quantity because the BV425. Whereas it’s barely lighter weight, I just like the BV425 as a result of it has a a lot wider prime opening (7″ as a substitute of 4.75″ on the Naked Boxer), it doesn’t require a instrument to open, and it’s straightforward to see how a lot meals you may have left inside.
Advice
The BearVault BV425 bear canister is a superb choice for brief backpacking journeys as much as 2-3 days in size if you realize you may be backpacking in locations the place bear canisters are required. Its small dimension means which you can simply pack it inside your backpack and you may stash it on the bottom at night time, even should you get to camp after darkish when hanging a bear bag in a tree could be just about inconceivable.
Disclosure: Bearvault donated a bear canister for evaluate.
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