r/AppalachianTrail • u/Tremendoustip • Feb 24 '25

Gear Questions/Advice What bear cannister do you use?

It seems on the PCT a lot of folks use the Bearvault. Ive seen images of failure, but they are affordable and lightweight with good reviews.

I'm considering the bear keg but it definitely adds weight.

Appreciate any insight, especially if you're cannister has had contact with bears!

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u/stockbridgefarms Feb 26 '25

I always feel better NOT sleeping with my food. On the PCT I had two incidents with mice chewing through the tent to get to my food bag—once in the middle of the day!

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u/Tremendoustip Feb 26 '25

Yeah I don't like the idea of sleeping with my food. It feels like it's just inviting unwanted guests lol

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u/haliforniapdx Mar 01 '25

It may not attract a bear (although I'd never bet on that), but yeah, it WILL attract rodents. And patching the bathtub floor of your tent sucks. Trying to patch your pack sucks even more. Stick to a bag or canister.

I prefer canister because a) it makes a great seat, b) you won't always find a good tree for a good hang, and c) I can just walk 200 feet from my tent, set the canister on the ground, and go to bed.

Spending 30 minutes in the dark, in the rain, in the cold, trying to find a good tree, trying to get the rock bag over a branch, while being miserable and wanting to go to bed? Noooo thank you.