Bear canisters suck. They’re heavy, awkward to pack, obnoxious to open and close, and usually expensive. There certainly are many places that require them, even if it’s just to thwart clever critters such as raccoons and the like, but most of the time there’s a better option available for you to protect your vittles. This option is lighter to carry, easier to pack and more cost-effective.
Behold, the bear bag! Also called a food bag, this is exactly what it sounds like: a bag that stores all your food and scented items while you’re out traipsing through the forest. When used in conjunction with a few different hanging methods, your bear bag will keep your tasties out of an animal’s reach, both keeping you f rom going hungry on your trip, and keeping the animal safe f rom human intervention.