Bear canisters are essential when you’re hiking, backpacking, or otherwise traveling on foot through bear country. You might also hear them called bear safes, bear cans, or bear vaults. But those all describe the same piece of gear, serving the same important purpose: keeping your food and snacks out of Yogi’s paws. And the standard bear canister design hasn’t changed much in decades.
However, REI’s new Traverse Modular Bear Canister is different. Unlike many bear canisters that are nearly impossible to open without a tool and come in set sizes, the Co-op took a different approach. The brand claims its new design addresses both of those inherent design flaws while still serving its root purpose.
The Traverse Modular Bear Canister is not only modular, so you can expand it if you need to bring more food, but it’s also accessible with your bare hands. This is REI’s first-ever bear canister, and it doesn’t look like anything else on the market.
Traverse Modular Bear Canister: Easy to Open (For Humans)
Bears can sniff out enticing scents from up to 2 miles away. Bear canisters partially block those scents and are built to withstand a bear’s brute strength and determination.
But none of that really matters unless people can easily get inside of it to access their own food.
REI Co-op’s Traverse Modular Bear Canister claims it’s the easiest bear canister to open yet. A person can open it sans tools, the brand claims, by pressing in on two plastic tabs. Press Tab 1 first and rotate the lid until it naturally stops. Then, press Tab 2 and continue unscrewing until the lid comes off. When you’re ready to replace the lid, audible clicks alert you that you’ve locked the lid correctly.
It’s that easy (for human beings with opposable thumbs). Compared to some bear canisters we’ve used, that’s impressively simple.
Certified Bear-Resistant
To get certified as “bear-resistant” by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC), a container must survive an hour of direct contact with a trained grizzly bear. If you want to see how these products are tested, take a few minutes to watch these brown bears put canisters through their paces.
REI Co-op’s Traverse Modular Bear Canister passed the test and is IGBC certified. This hardy vessel uses a scalloped lid that’s easy for humans to grab but baffles bears. The polycarbonate material is also extremely durable and tough to tear or bite into.
When GearJunkie visited the REI Magnusson laboratory, this bear canister was being tested with a hydraulic faux bear’s tooth. It was impressive how hard that steel “tooth” had to be pressed into the plastic to puncture the canister’s exterior. It took more force than a grizzly bear’s jaw is capable of generating.
Modular Design: Choose Your Size
REI isn’t the first brand to make a bear-resistant canister that’s easy to open, nor is it the first to design one that people can open without tools. However, the modular design of this translucent canister is pretty unique. REI’s nesting design allows you to choose how big you want your canister to be.
If you’re on a long trip, nesting the compartments together can save pack space as your supplies dwindle. Alternatively, if you only need enough food for a night or two, you can leave the extension compartment behind altogether. Or, bring the extension compartment anyway and use it as a stool at camp. The options are plentiful.
The three-piece design allows for two sizes. The smaller container measures 9.1 x 8 inches and holds 412 cubic inches of supplies. In the large configuration, the canister measures 9.1 x 13 inches and holds 686 cubic inches.
What We Like About This Bear Canister
GearJunkie is currently testing one of these bear canisters, and so far, it’s been an awesome product. The ability to reduce its size on the go is a huge benefit and will save a lot of useful pack space on the trail. The separation between the main container and the extension is also useful for keeping some items separate from your food, like trash or toiletries.
We also particularly like the fact that it’s translucent. It takes the guesswork out of reaching inside and grabbing your dinner or a particular snack.
However, this thing is heavy. In its full configuration, it weighs 3 pounds, 9.1 ounces. In its smaller configuration, it weighs 2 pounds, 8 ounces. Compared to some bear canisters on the market, that’s a hefty weight. So, as with most things, there is a tradeoff to the convenience this modular design offers. Stay tuned for the full review.
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