Best 15 Backpacking Bear Proof Food Containers Of 2024

Bear proof containers are often required in some National State Parks. If you are going backpacking without a bear proof container, then there is a chance that a bear will visit your camp if it smells food. I highly recommend getting a bear proof container if you are hiking in bear country. I have listed a few very good ones below. They are very durable and they work well. I feel that you will be satisfied with your purchase mainly because the containers that I am going to recommend are extremely good.

Best Backpacking Bear Proof Food Containers – Quick Chart

How To Choose A Backpacking Bear Proof Food Container

Types Of Bear Containers

Certified Bear Containers

There are bear containers that claim to have been tested by a third party organization to see whether the container can withstand bears opening it. I don’t think there is a standard for these tests though. They would just give the containers to the bears and see if they can open it. A lot of these containers are very tough so maybe there is truth to these tests.

Hanging Containers

The most common hanging containers are often backpacks with a rope attached to them. They would tie the rope to the backpack and hang it to a tree. The bear won’t be able to reach the backpack because it would be too high.

Odor Blocking Food Container

Odor blocking containers can be anything. They can be plastic bags, food jars, vacuum sealed water bottles and so on. These items would prevent the odor of foods from leaking out of the container. This will prevent the bears from smelling the food so they will not go near the hiker or backpacker.

Choosing The Material

Polypropylene

Polypropylene and hard plastic are flexible, hard and semi-transparent and has high resistance to solvents. This is a great material for bear proof food containers. Most of the containers that are sold right now are made out of this material. This is very durable and this material is very inexpensive as well.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is often used in a lot of food jars. Food jars are great at blocking the odor of food but bears can still destroy them. Stainless steel is very durable, and rust resistant. This is a great material for food containers, cookware and other food related items.

Paracord / Rope

People that hang their foods up on a tree will often use a paracord. Paracords are very light in weight and easy to carry. A lot of ropes are very bulky, not compact and heavy so they are not good for backpacking. Paracords are great for backpacking trips.

Backpack

There are a lot of backpacks that are sold to be used as containers for foods. These backpacks are meant to be tied to a rope and hanged on top of a tree branch. You can also use your own backpack if you want.

Health Concerns

BPA Free

Since most of the backpacking bear containers are made out of plastic, it is important to make sure that they are BPA free. BPA has been known to make people sick. Most companies will tell you that their items are BPA free. If they do not, you should call them first before getting the item.

Toxin Free

Make sure that the item that you are getting is toxin free. It was not bathe into a pool of chemicals before being sold in stores. There are also items that chip away easily. The paint or plastic maybe chipping away without you knowing it. These tiny substances that fall off the container can make you sick.

Backpacking Features To Consider

Weight

There is really not much to say about the weight of the bear proof container since there are hardly any choices in this category. It is often mandatory in certain areas to have this type of container. But try to get items as light as possible. We just cannot carry too much weight. Carrying too much weight will mean more fatigue and less fun. It is important to budget the weight that we are carrying.

Dimensions

The dimension of the container matters. Some containers are very big. Keep in mind that you need to put this container inside your backpack. Most bear containers are pretty big. They are meant to protect your foods. When you go backpacking, you have a lot of foods to bring. So this is pretty big. You need to make sure that your backpack has enough space for it.

Capacity

The capacity of the bear proof container needs to be considered as well. Like I said, you have lots of foods to bring. You may not be able to fit all of them in the container. You need to make sure that the container you are getting is big enough for all the foods that you are going to bring.

Protection

The bear container has to offer some sort of protection to your foods. Hopefully, the container is odor free so that the bear cannot smell your foods. Even if the bear manages to get the container, the container should offer enough protection to the foods. The bear won’t be able to get it or break it open. So the container has to be solidly built and very durable.

Durability

Even if there is no bear or you have not seen any bear at all, the container has to be very durable. It should be able to handle lots of punishments from the outdoors. It must be hard to crack, destroy and it has to be well made. A container that is flimsy will break easily and you will end up replacing it. You will just waste your money and time if you ever got an item that is not durable.

Best Backpacking Bear Proof Food Containers

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1. Backpackers Cache Bear Resistant Container

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.7 lbs
Material: ABS polymer
Dimensions: 8.8″ dia. X 12″ long
Capacity: 614 cubicin.
Feature Summary: Great company who makes well-constructed items, keep your food safe from wild animals, discourages bears from raiding campsites

Short Review: I really like making use of this backpacking bear proof food container and I know that you will too. This is pretty durable and you can put a lot of foods inside. You can even sit on it or use this as a chair because it is so durable. I like that this is easy to use simply and this works well. This is very lightweight which allows us to carry more items for a better outdoor experience. This has plenty of consumer feedback because it is wonderful. A lot of people that go backpacking in the Adirondacks use this container. It is pretty good and works well for its intended purpose.

2. Bear Vault BV500 Bear Resistant Food Canister

Technical Specs
Weight: 2lbs 1 oz
Material: Polycarbonate material
Dimensions: 440 Cubicin.
Capacity: 700 cubicin.
Feature Summary: Stores approximately 4 days of food; perfect for a couples weekend, wide opening, transparent food container makes it simple to grab exactly what you need, tested and approved by both the IGBC and the SIBBG

Short Review: This is an outstanding outdoor food container that you will find on the net. This can store around 4 days worth of food which makes it perfect for backpacking purposes. Great item to put your foods in so that you will not attract wild animals. This has surpassed my expectations and I know that I am going to be happy with this for a long time. It is a very durable container and you can even sit on it. It won’t get destroyed. Although I’m pretty light, not sure about heavy people sitting on this. Anyway, it is pretty durable and tough enough to survive animals poking and playing around with it.

3. Counter Assault Bear Resistant Food Keg

Technical Specs
Weight: 3.5 lbs
Material: Polymer Blend Material
Dimensions: 9″ X 14″
Capacity: Not Available
Feature Summary: Protects your food and protects the bears, mandatory in many National Parks, approved by the IGBC and the SIBBG

Short Review: This bear proof container is incredible that I really like using it. I must acknowledge I was mistaken about this considering that I initially did not think it will be fantastic. This provides 716 cubic inches of storage which is plenty or good enough for lots of dehydrated foods or liquids. This is approved by IGBC and the SIBBG so we can be at peace knowing that this works well. A good item to have for National Parks that are full of bears and other wild animals. The only drawback is that it is around 3.5 pounds which is pretty heavy for backpacking purposes.

4. NO-FED-BEAR Bear Resistant Canister by UDAP

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.4 lbs
Material: Polymer blend
Dimensions: 8 x 10in.
Capacity: Not Available
Feature Summary: Durable and made by an amazing company, constructed with a tough, bear-proof polymer blend Use a coin to open the canister’s metal fastener

Short Review: I am usually amazed given that this bear proof food container is incredibly good. We regularly think about the price of the item we are considering. This is a great food container that is meant for outdoor enthusiasts and hunters. It can be used for other outdoor activities too like fishing, car camping, sports activities and so on. This item has an inexpensive selling price and it is made with top quality materials. It is an awesome deal if you ask me. A good and well built container that can protect people’s food from wild animals.

5. FRONTIERSMAN INSIDER – The New Shape in Bear-Proof Food Storage

Technical Specs
Weight: 3 lbs
Material: Polypropylene material
Dimensions: 6 x 9.2 x 18.9in.
Capacity: 11.86L / 734.64 cubicin.
Feature Summary: 3LB bear resistant food container’s ergonomic tapered shape slides easily in and out, provides greater pack balance and equal load distribution, big storage capacity, making it a perfect hiking accessory for multi-day hikes

Short Review: You will be pretty satisfied in using this animal proof food container. I like that this is pretty sturdy and has a big capacity as well. I really like how good this item is. One of the best bear proof food containers that we can get. This is rather large and can carry a large amount of foods. It is easy to use and animals will find it very hard to open this. I’ve had nothing but success making use of this! I love that it can protect food and drinks from animals while in the outdoors. A little bit heavy though but definitely bear proof.

6. Selkirk Design Ultralight Food Bag Hanging System

Technical Specs
Weight: 10.23 Ounces
Material: 1 Bearbag, 1 Rock Sok, 2 Ropes, 2 Carabiners
Dimensions: 6.22 x 4.06 x 3.62 inches
Capacity:
Feature Summary:  2-to-1 pulley system makes it as easy as possible to raise your food, perfect for camping, hiking, backpacking, back country fishing, etc., easily hang your valuables where only you can retrieve them

Short Review: One of the greatest things I have ever tried is this animal proof backpacking food bag hanging system. This is very easy to use. Just wrap the rope around the carabiner, attach it to the food bag and toss the bag up a tree. The design is extremely important for the reason that this plays a large role on how the item will look and how well it will work. This is perfect when you need something that can protect food and drinks from wild animals while in the outdoors. This particular item has an incredibly impressive construction. It has a superb design and works really well.

7. Backpackers Cache Bear Resistant Food Container

Technical Specs
Weight: 3 lbs
Material: Plastic
Dimensions: 8 x 10 x 11 inches
Capacity: Not Available
Feature Summary: Durable construction that will last for many years to come, tough construction, easy to stuff and store, versatile use

Short Review: You will not be disappointed with this bear proof container. Seriously, this item is precisely what you think it should be. Well made, good size. This is very shatterproof so it can withstand bears clawing at it. It is simple and very effective. It is a good way to protect the food from wild animals. It is also pretty inexpensive and lightweight which makes it ideal for backpacking purposes. This comes with a carrying case but most people just put this inside their backpacks.

8. Liberty Mountain Ultralight Bear Bag

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.2 oz. (without cord)
Material: Nylon
Dimensions: 5.5 in. x 18 in.
Capacity: 1300 cubicin. bag
Feature Summary: Ultralight Bear Bag will keep bruins, whistle pigs and other critters out of your miso soup and toothpaste, outer pouch has a velcro closure ideal for stowing the paracord, load your food, cookware, and personal items in this 1300 cubic inch bag, attach the 50 paracord

Short Review: This is a very awesome backpacking bear proof food container. Another rope with a bag that can carry a lot of food inside. The set is very lightweight so it is nice to have for outdoor purposes. The bag can store a lot of things and the set can be used in a lot of ways. The rope is pretty durable so it should lasts for a very long time. This definitely works well so no complaints here.

9. Udap NO-FED-Bear Bear Resistant Canister

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.4 Pounds
Material: Plastic
Dimensions: 8 x 10 inches
Capacity: Not Available
Feature Summary: Food and hygiene items attract bears and critters, odor-proof your campsite with OPSAK, prevent air-sensitive foods from getting stale, keep them sealed and fresh, 2-level seal and durable film stays sealed under pressure

Short Review: I really like this odor proof food container and many people love it as well. The company who created this is incredible and I just really like the simple details that were put into the creation of this item. This has a pleasant construction, well-crafted and the price tag is a steal. The item is very simple. It prevents the odor of the food from leaking out. The item is very tough and feels like it will lasts for many years to come. This is a versatile item that can be used in a lot of ways also.

10. Lighter1 Lil’ Sami Bear Canister

Technical Specs
Weight: Canister: 1lb 5oz; Pot: 6oz; Handle: 1oz
Material: Polycarb canister
Dimensions: 850mL. 6.9″ dia x 2″ height
Capacity: 300 cu in / 5L /
Feature Summary: Designed to save space, ingenious design from an amazing company, durable and well built

Short Review: Just by looking at the positive user reviews, I know that this bear proof food container is incredible. All items in the World wide web should be as durable as this one so that we will never make an error when it comes to purchasing one. This is a good canister that can hold food and other items. The only drawback is that it is pretty small so it cannot hold a lot of food. Other than that, it is pretty good and works well.

Insulated Containers That Block Out Odor

Here are some containers that I find useful also. If I am not going backpacking and I am just hiking in bear country, I would often just put my lunch into these containers. They trap in the odor and scent of the food so that I do not attract the bears that could be nearby. These are not certified though.

11. Stanley Adventure Vacuum Crock Food Jar

Technical Specs
Weight: 3.4 Pounds
Material: 18/8 Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 8.7 x 8.7 x 9.4 inches
Capacity: 3 Quart
Feature Summary: Great item and very good for the outdoors, well made, I expect nothing less from this company, very durable

Short Review: I am fascinated by this insulated food jars. This double wall vacuum insulation and air-tight locking lid keeps food, soup, or chili piping-hot for 12 hours. Manufactured using 18/8 stainless steel material, where lids are made from BPA Free plastic. When locked down by the lid’s latches, the inner silicone gasket makes an air tight seal. I like that this is accurately what I expected, a really good item to store food. This is exactly what I was trying to find and I really like it! I am incredibly thrilled with the design and keeps contents very warm or very cold for long hours.

12. Stanley Classic Vacuum Insulated Food Jar

Technical Specs
Weight: 1.22 lbs
Material: 18/8 stainless steel
Dimensions: 3.8 x 3.8 x 7.3in.
Capacity: 17 oz
Feature Summary: double-wall vacuum insulation which limits the effects of outside temperature on the food in it, high-quality 18/8 Stainless steel, and is BPA-free, incorporating high-quality material build

Short Review: This outdoor food and drink container stands out over a great deal of other similar items. This is constructed out of high-quality 18/8 Stainless steel, and is BPA-free which makes this ideal for foods. This features double-wall vacuum insulation which limits the effects of outside temperature on the food in it. This has a wide opening accommodates drinking directly from the rim, or the use of tea strainers or filters if required. This is very effective with a lot of excellent capabilities and this is only possible mainly because of the remarkable design. It is no wonder lots of people love this, it is very easy to clean and great for busy people.

13. Zojirushi SW-EAE50XA Stainless Steel Food Jar

Technical Specs
Weight: 12.8 oz
Material: Stainless steel BPA-free material
Dimensions: 6.1 x 3.5 x 3.5in.
Capacity: 16.9 oz
Feature Summary: Dimples on the lid m make it easier to grab and open, clear-coated finish reduces fingerprints and makes cleanup easy, made from BPA-free material

Short Review: This is an extraordinary stainless steel food jar that you will find on the net. I really like the fact that this is extremely sturdy and can handle a lot of punishments. This is a simple item that is easy to use. Ideal item to have for the outdoors that works very well. Some items cost a lot that it is so wonderful that this item is really inexpensive. It is impressive that this is incredibly high quality and lots of people really like using it. I know that you will be incredibly satisfied with this considering that this has exceeded my expectations.

14. Thermos Funtainer 10 oz Food Jar

Technical Specs
Weight: 3.52 oz
Material: Stainless steel
Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.5 x 4.5in.
Capacity: 10 oz capacity
Feature Summary: Durable stainless steel interior and exterior, wide mouth is easy to fill, serve from and clean, keeps cold for 7 hours and hot for 5 hours, stay cool exterior

Short Review: You will not make a mistake when you purchase this insulated food container. This keeps cold for 7 hours and hot for 5 hours; stay cool exterior. This features vacuum insulation technology for maximum temperature retention, hot or cold. This is made with durable stainless steel interior and exterior and has a wide mouth which makes this easy to fill, serve from and clean. I find this among the most gratifying items that I have ever tried and a large amount of men and women think the same way as I do. We can carry more because this is very light. This is a whole lot better than most items I have tried.

15. DaCool Insulated Lunch Container Hot Food Jar

Technical Specs
Weight: 1 lbs
Material: Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 4.1in.
Capacity: 24oz
Feature Summary:  BPA free, no PVC, 304 stainless steel, food grade material, hot & cold water to preheat & pre-cool for 5~10 minutes, extra wide mouth can help you easy eating with the shipping stainless steel folding spoon

Short Review: This is a pretty amazing insulated food container. This is very durable because this is constructed out of BPA free, no PVC, 304 stainless steel, food grade material. This keeps liquids hot and cold for 12 hours. You will find this incredibly satisfactory and this is precisely as advertised. This item is made by an incredible company which is the reason why I know this item is one of the greatest that you can find online. This is exceptionally high quality. I am extremely happy I purchased this, and will buy it again. If you would like an item that can protect food and drinks from animals while in the outdoors in addition to being durable, then you will be happy with this.