These are popular in the western United States, where in some areas with grizzlies, they’re required, but they’re useful almost anywhere if you want a surefire way to keep food untouched by all kinds of critters.
When I moved to the West Coast, I was sooooo excited that I finally had to get a bear canister! They may be heavy and tough to put in a pack, but hey, they’re iconic! This smaller size fits into a pack relatively easily and holds a lot, especially if you’re keeping volume in mind while shopping. And they really are useful beyond just for bears. I brought mine to Joshua Tree this past weekend because the last time I was there, there were a ton of mice, and there’s just no good place to hang a food bag. Enter: the can! And hey, don’t forget to put your trash and any other scented items like toothpaste in there for the night, too.
A lot of official car camping sites have bear lockers if you need them, but not all, especially if you’re a fan of off-road and off-grid adventures. But for backpacking, it’s absolutely the move since you’re often sleeping away from official sites or stops.
Promising review: “I love this thing. It fits easily into my pack and can fit electrolytes, snacks, a collapsible mug, matches and fuel, and 6–8 freeze-dried meals. Even witnessed an inquisitive deer who accidentally rolled it down a rocky hill and not a scratch or crack on it!” —stace
Price: $76.95 (also available in larger sizes)