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 Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 52
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OP
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 52 |
Is the Bare Boxer still about the lightest option and lowest price for a solo hiker these days? Will just be using it for overnights at Whitney and around bear country here in Arizona. any advice would be appreciated! I would also be interested in a used one if you have something available.
Thanks
Last edited by hike500; 03/24/14 11:08 PM.
“Any thoughts of guilt, any feelings of regret, had faded. The desert had baked them out.” - Stephen King
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Re: Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,261
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,261 |
I use the Bear Boxer and I love the balance of weight AND shape. I say this, because the Bearrakade(sp) might be a few ounces lighter, but the size is not nearly as accomodating(unless there is a model I don't know about) as the solo Bear Boxer (which I have used for trips up to four days+)
PS check out EBAY -- that's where mine came from
The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day. 
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Re: Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 319
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 319 |
The Bearikade is aprox 9" diameter cylinder. The different models just have different heights, same 9" diameter cylinder.
The Bare Boxer is more tapered towards the ends, so it allows for more flexibility when putting it in your pack.
For the $ & weight difference, the Bare Boxer weekender is a better deal.
Although, Bearikade does offer custom sizing for height. So if you want something a little shorter, but still 9" diameter, they will make it. Check out the pricing list on the Custom Bearikade tab on the Wild Ideas web site.
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Re: Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 52
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OP
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 52 |
I use the Bear Boxer and I love the balance of weight AND shape. I say this, because the Bearrakade(sp) might be a few ounces lighter, but the size is not nearly as accomodating(unless there is a model I don't know about) as the solo Bear Boxer (which I have used for trips up to four days+)
PS check out EBAY -- that's where mine came from I think the Bare Boxer will be the way to go, now I will search for a used one if possible. Thanks
“Any thoughts of guilt, any feelings of regret, had faded. The desert had baked them out.” - Stephen King
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Re: Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 659
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 659 |
Bearikade rocks. Amazing product. Comes in three separate sizes, or custom. Is expensive and is the lightest when you compare volume to weight -- in this case, the Scout is the smallest NON-CUSTOM size, and it is 2.4 ounces heavier but has almost twice the volume (180 percent) of the Bear Boxer. It is worth it if you do this stuff alot. Though it is expensive, and 1.6 inches wider in diameter, so if you want to save money and/or need a narrower product, I can see why you might go with the Bear Boxer. http://www.wild-ideas.net/
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Re: Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,261
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,261 |
$232.00.....Did I read correctly?
Wow
I had no idea how expensive this stuff is (all of my stuff was bought mint condition on Ebay)
...and I was hyperventilating over the $150.00 Neo Air that popped the first time my buddy used it (after fixing it, I borrowed it and I must say that it is fabulously comfy)
The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.
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Re: Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,034
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,034 |
Bearikades are an investment and if I ever should not need them any longer, I can sell them on ebay for 80% of new price.
While there is huge turnover in used bear cans on ebay - each season's Muir Trail prospects seems to buy a can to hike one trip and then sells them again - you rarely see Bearikades offered. They are mostly bought by regulars who don't let them go. They are that good. Hard to improve. Everything else in my gear closet keeps changing and costing me money every year or two, while I don't spend another thought on bear cans.
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Re: Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 659
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 659 |
Ditto. I looked long and hard for a used Bearikade before I plonked the money down two seasons ago. Meanwhile, the new price of a Bearikade has jumped over 10% since I bought mine...I could sell mine tormorrow for what I paid for it.
Also, Bearikades are easy to open, and because the opening does not taper, getting to your stuff is fairly easy. The tapered ones force you to root around a bit.
I once wrote a poem about my Bearikade. It's pretty bad, so I'll spare you. But yes, they are that good.
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Re: Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,529 Likes: 107
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,529 Likes: 107 |
Karin, any poem you wrote is better than what I'd write ...I can't even start one! So go ahead and share. This is a safe place.
I would love to read it.
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Re: Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,253
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,253 |
Hmmm...if I'm not mistaken the Ursack is 7.3 oz. and holds the equal of a big canister.
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Re: Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 584 Likes: 13
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 584 Likes: 13 |
Hmmm...if I'm not mistaken the Ursack is 7.3 oz. and holds the equal of a big canister. wbtravis... I have always wondered about the Ursack. Are there any USFS Districts or NPS authorities that recognized it as "kosher." Also this may be silly, but how do they stand up to Marmots? In the last 6 years I've spent in the High Sierra I've been given more trouble from Marmots than bear (I've never even seen a bear in Whitney Portal or the Backcountry [including the JMT]).
@jjoshuagregory (Instagram) for mainly landscape and mountain pics
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Re: Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,034
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,034 |
Hmmm...if I'm not mistaken the Ursack is 7.3 oz. and holds the equal of a big canister. My nylon garbage bags are even lighter and hold even more.
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Re: Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 52
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OP
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 52 |
I just picked up a Bare Boxer on Whiteblaze.net for 50.00 shipped in like new condition. I have used one before so it should be just fine. Thanks for all the replies!!
“Any thoughts of guilt, any feelings of regret, had faded. The desert had baked them out.” - Stephen King
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Re: Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,261
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,261 |
My nylon garbage bags are even lighter and hold even more.
I could hear this comment delivered in the most dry tone of voice -- it made me laugh. A friend of mine refers to the Ursack as the Ur suck after one of the devices was torn to pieces.
The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.
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Re: Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 659
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 659 |
You were warned.
I love my Bearikade
Of the lightest and strongest materials it is made
The Garcia is heavy and scrapes my hand
When into its dark depths I grope blindly for foods both flavorful and bland
The Bear Vault is a little lighter
Than the Garcia, but it’s a fighter
Try opening the lid when it is really cold
Pushing, pulling, jabbing with a spoon, whatever … it gets really old
Yeah, the Bearikade costs an awful lot
But it will lighten your load, up mountains you’ll trot
Happy in the knowledge that your food is safe and sound
And that your pack is lighter by maybe half a pound
Now this inartful poem must come to an end
To pleasant dreams of the JMT, I now my mind will send.
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Re: Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 52
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OP
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 52 |
You were warned.
I love my Bearikade
Of the lightest and strongest materials it is made
The Garcia is heavy and scrapes my hand
When into its dark depths I grope blindly for foods both flavorful and bland
The Bear Vault is a little lighter
Than the Garcia, but it’s a fighter
Try opening the lid when it is really cold
Pushing, pulling, jabbing with a spoon, whatever … it gets really old
Yeah, the Bearikade costs an awful lot
But it will lighten your load, up mountains you’ll trot
Happy in the knowledge that your food is safe and sound
And that your pack is lighter by maybe half a pound
Now this inartful poem must come to an end
To pleasant dreams of the JMT, I now my mind will send. Most excellent sir, you leave me second guessing my purchase.
Last edited by hike500; 03/26/14 07:16 PM.
“Any thoughts of guilt, any feelings of regret, had faded. The desert had baked them out.” - Stephen King
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Re: Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,529 Likes: 107
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,529 Likes: 107 |
Excellent poem. Brought a smile to my face.
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Re: Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 213
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 213 |
Except . . . isn't "sir" a "maam"?
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Re: Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 908 Likes: 2
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 908 Likes: 2 |
You might consider the Ursack White model, with the metal enclosure. I've used it for several years with no problems in Sierra bear country. Problems with it have occurred when users don't follow the manufacturer's instructions. The closure knot has to be tied exactly as recommended, or bears can get into it.
But...check with the USFS and the Parks for their regulations. The Ursack is still not legal in SEKI and Yosemite.
Last edited by Bob West; 03/27/14 08:51 AM.
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Re: Bear-Resistant Food Container
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,253
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,253 |
Hmmm...if I'm not mistaken the Ursack is 7.3 oz. and holds the equal of a big canister. wbtravis... I have always wondered about the Ursack. Are there any USFS Districts or NPS authorities that recognized it as "kosher." Also this may be silly, but how do they stand up to Marmots? In the last 6 years I've spent in the High Sierra I've been given more trouble from Marmots than bear (I've never even seen a bear in Whitney Portal or the Backcountry [including the JMT]). I saw the INF forest order last year, which what has been for the last 6 years. Anything manufactured express purpose of keeping food safe from bears. I checked in the latter part of 2013 for the order and the link to it was gone. However, I have quoted it here...word for word in the past.
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