BearVault BV475 Trek vs BV450 vs BV500 (2026)
The BV475 is BearVault’s official middle size. Capacity sits between the BV450 and BV500, but a middle volume is not the same thing as approval on every land unit that already lists the other two.
Heads up: PickedOutdoors is reader-supported. Some links here are affiliate links, so we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Commissions never decide what we recommend. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. How we make money.
How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec and pricing pages and the findings of the reviewers we name and link. We haven’t field-tested these products ourselves, and we don’t give scores. How we pick.
Check the land unit you are entering. Food-storage rules have the force of law in many parks and change. We cite the pages we fetched and the dates on them; this is not legal advice. Confirm the current rule before you hike.
Quick answer
Choose BearVault BV475 Trek ($89.99) if you want the official 9.3 L / 2.5 gal middle volume at $94.99. Choose BearVault BV450 Jaunt ($94.99) if you want the smaller official 7.2 L / $89.99 BV450, and your land unit’s current list names it or you are packing a shorter 8.3 in official height at the shared 8.7 in diameter.
Last updated Prices checked Nov 2026
Check BearVault BV475 Trek price (opens in a new tab)Check BearVault BV450 Jaunt price (opens in a new tab)
Key facts at a glance
| BearVault BV475 Trek | BearVault BV450 Jaunt | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Official price (fetched Nov 10, 2026) | $89.99 | $94.99 | $99.99 |
| Official volume | 7.2 L / 440 ci / 1.9 gal | 9.3 L / 565 ci / 2.5 gal | 11.5 L / 700 ci / 3 gal |
| Official weight (disagreements reported) | 2 lb 1 oz / 940 g. The same official page also prints 2.1 lb, which is 0.6 oz heavier than 2 lb 1 oz — we report both | 2 lb 4 oz / 1.03 kg (also printed as 2.25 lb; those two figures agree at 36 oz) | The official page prints 2.5 lb and 2 lbs 9 oz, plus 1.16 kg. 2.5 lb is 40 oz; 2 lb 9 oz is 41 oz. We report that disagreement rather than picking one |
| Official dimensions | 8.7 × 8.3 in (same 8.7 in diameter as the other two) | 8.7 × 10.5 in | 8.7 in diameter × 12.7 in height |
| Official food-days copy | 3–4 days for one person | 5–6 days for one person | Up to 7 days for one person (the page also says 7+ days in other copy) |
We compared these canisters using BearVault’s official BV475, BV450, and BV500 product pages and BearVault’s bear-testing page, all fetched November 10, 2026, plus the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee’s bear-resistant products program page and Yosemite National Park’s allowed food-storage container list (last updated July 10, 2026; the page also says the list was last updated May 1, 2015 and remains valid, accurate, and complete as of July 2026). The BV475 is the official middle size in this lineup, not a replacement for our existing BV450 vs BV500 comparison. Maker copy on the BV450 and BV500 product pages says those models are approved in places that include Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia, and the BV500 page also says it is approved in all national parks. We do not repeat “approved everywhere” or “all national parks” as a fact. BearVault’s own testing-page FAQ says some areas restrict BearVault and that you should always check local regulations. The IGBC program page says certification does not imply automatic approval on all public lands, and that certified products are not guaranteed bear-proof. This is not legal advice.
Choose the BV475 Trek if you want the official middle canister we fetched: $94.99, 9.3 L / 565 cubic inches / 2.5 gallons, 2 lb 4 oz / 1.03 kg, 8.7 × 10.5 in, official 5–6 day capacity, IGBC #5423 and WMI #BB0021 on both the product page and BearVault’s testing page. Choose the BV450 Jaunt if you want the smaller official canister at $89.99: 7.2 L / 440 cubic inches / 1.9 gallons, 2 lb 1 oz / 940 g, 8.7 × 8.3 in, official 3–4 day capacity. Choose the BV500 Journey, on our BV450 vs BV500 page, if you want the largest official canister at $99.99: 11.5 L / 700 cubic inches / 3 gallons, with an official weight line that prints both 2.5 lb and 2 lbs 9 oz (1.16 kg) — we report that disagreement rather than picking one. Yosemite’s allowed-container list, last updated July 10, 2026 and described as still valid, accurate, and complete as of July 2026, lists BearVault 110B, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, and 500. It does not list a BV475. Do not treat the BV475 as Yosemite-approved on the basis of the BV450 or BV500 appearing on that list. IGBC certification is not automatic approval on every public land unit, and it is not a “bear-proof” guarantee. This is not legal advice; check the current land-unit list before you go. Official camp-storage language on these product pages: place the canister on flat ground at least 200 feet / 70 big steps from your tent, and never store it in the tent. We have not tested these canisters with bears, and we don’t give scores.
BearVault BV475 Trek vs BearVault BV450 Jaunt: side-by-side
| BearVault BV450 Jaunt | BearVault BV475 Trek | BearVault BV500 Journey | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official price (fetched Nov 10, 2026) | $89.99 | $94.99 | $99.99 |
| Official volume | 7.2 L / 440 ci / 1.9 gal | 9.3 L / 565 ci / 2.5 gal | 11.5 L / 700 ci / 3 gal |
| Official weight (disagreements reported) | 2 lb 1 oz / 940 g. The same official page also prints 2.1 lb, which is 0.6 oz heavier than 2 lb 1 oz — we report both | 2 lb 4 oz / 1.03 kg (also printed as 2.25 lb; those two figures agree at 36 oz) | The official page prints 2.5 lb and 2 lbs 9 oz, plus 1.16 kg. 2.5 lb is 40 oz; 2 lb 9 oz is 41 oz. We report that disagreement rather than picking one |
| Official dimensions | 8.7 × 8.3 in (same 8.7 in diameter as the other two) | 8.7 × 10.5 in | 8.7 in diameter × 12.7 in height |
| Official food-days copy | 3–4 days for one person | 5–6 days for one person | Up to 7 days for one person (the page also says 7+ days in other copy) |
| IGBC number (disagreement flagged) | Product page: #5340. BearVault testing-page table: #5339. We report both and do not silently pick one | Product page and testing-page table both: #5423 | Product page: #5339. BearVault testing-page table: #5340. Those two official BearVault numbers are swapped relative to the BV450 product page. We report both |
| WMI number (official) | BB0022 on the product page and the testing-page table | BB0021 on the product page and the testing-page table | BB0010 on the product page and the testing-page table |
| Yosemite allowed-container list (July 10, 2026) | Listed (BearVault 450) | Not listed. The dated NPS list names BearVault 110B, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, and 500 only | Listed (BearVault 500) |
What are the pros and cons?
BearVault BV475 Trek: pros
- Official middle volume (9.3 L / 2.5 gal) between the BV450 and BV500, at $94.99
- Official 2 lb 4 oz / 1.03 kg, 8.7 × 10.5 in, and a consistent 36 oz official weight line
- IGBC #5423 and WMI #BB0021 match on the official product page and BearVault’s testing-page table
BearVault BV475 Trek: cons
- Yosemite’s allowed-container list last updated July 10, 2026 does not name a BV475. Do not assume it is approved there because the BV450 and BV500 are listed
- A middle volume is still a hard canister you have to pack; it is not a lighter bag alternative
- Maker day-count copy (5–6 days) is not a rationing plan we can verify for your menu
BearVault BV450 Jaunt: pros
- Lowest official price of the three ($89.99) and the lightest official listed weight (2 lb 1 oz / 940 g)
- Named on Yosemite’s allowed-container list last updated July 10, 2026 (BearVault 450)
- Shorter official height (8.3 in) at the same 8.7 in diameter, which can be easier to pack in a smaller bag
BearVault BV450 Jaunt: cons
- Smallest official volume (7.2 L / 1.9 gal) and official 3–4 day copy — short if you need the BV475 or BV500 capacity
- Official IGBC number on the product page (#5340) disagrees with BearVault’s testing-page table (#5339)
- The same official page also prints 2.1 lb next to 2 lb 1 oz — we report both rather than rounding them together
Which should you choose: BearVault BV475 Trek or BearVault BV450 Jaunt?
On the official pages we fetched November 10, 2026, the BV475 Trek is the middle canister: $94.99, 9.3 L, 2 lb 4 oz, 10.5 in tall. That middle size is not automatically legal wherever the BV450 or BV500 already appears on a land-unit list. Yosemite’s list last updated July 10, 2026 names BearVault 450 and 500 and does not name a BV475. IGBC certification numbers on the BV450 and BV500 product pages also disagree with BearVault’s own testing-page table; we report both. This is not legal advice. Check the current official list for the land unit you will visit, and follow the official 200-foot / 70-big-step camp-storage guidance. Never store a canister in your tent.
Choose BearVault BV475 Trek if…
- You want the official 9.3 L / 2.5 gal middle volume at $94.99
- Your land unit’s current official list actually names the BV475 — confirm that yourself; Yosemite’s July 10, 2026 list does not
- You want the IGBC number that agrees across the BV475 product page and BearVault’s testing table (#5423)
Choose BearVault BV450 Jaunt if…
- You want the smaller official 7.2 L / $89.99 BV450, and your land unit’s current list names it
- You are packing a shorter 8.3 in official height at the shared 8.7 in diameter
- You already compared the BV450 and BV500 and still want the smaller canister, not the middle or large one
Official IGBC numbers do not all agree
BearVault’s official BV475 product page and its bear-testing table both list IGBC #5423 and WMI #BB0021. The BV450 and BV500 product pages do not match that testing table. The BV450 product page lists IGBC #5340; the testing table lists #5339. The BV500 product page lists IGBC #5339; the testing table lists #5340. Those two product-page numbers are swapped relative to the testing table. WMI numbers (BB0022, BB0021, BB0010) agree across the product pages and the table. We report the disagreement rather than silently choosing one IGBC number. The IGBC program page says the way to verify certification is to match the number on the product to the current IGBC certified list, that certification is not a bear-proof guarantee, and that certification does not automatically approve a product on every public land unit.
Yosemite’s dated list names 450 and 500, not 475
Yosemite National Park’s allowed food-storage container page, last updated July 10, 2026, also says the list was last updated May 1, 2015 and remains valid, accurate, and complete as of July 2026. The allowed BearVault models it names are 110B, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, and 500. A BV475 is not on that list. Maker copy that the BV450 or BV500 is approved in Yosemite does not extend, on this page, to the BV475. Other land units use different lists. This is not legal advice; read the current official list for the unit you will visit before you go.
Dated camp-storage safety notes (not legal advice)
Official BV475, BV450, and BV500 product pages, fetched November 10, 2026, say to place the canister on flat ground at least 70 big steps (200 feet) from your tent, avoid cliffs or wedged positions, and never store the canister in your tent. The IGBC program page, also fetched November 10, 2026, says certified products must still be used properly, that certification does not guarantee a product is bear-proof, and that certification does not mean a product is automatically approved on all public lands. BearVault’s testing-page FAQ says some areas restrict BearVault and that you should always check local regulations. We have not run a bear test. This is not legal advice and not a substitute for the land unit’s current food-storage order.
Who should skip the BV475 — or skip a hard canister altogether?
- Anyone headed to a land unit whose current official list does not name the BV475. Yosemite’s list last updated July 10, 2026 does not. Do not assume the middle size is included because 450 and 500 are listed.
- People who only need the smaller official 7.2 L BV450, or who already know they need the official 11.5 L BV500. See our BV450 vs BV500 comparison rather than buying a middle size by default.
- Shoppers who want a soft food bag instead of a hard canister. See our BearVault vs Ursack page, and still check the land-unit list; a bag that is allowed in one place may not be allowed in another.
- Anyone treating IGBC certification, a WMI number, or maker “approved everywhere” copy as a park permit. Those are not the same thing as the dated official list for the unit you will visit.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BV475 allowed in Yosemite?
What is the official price and volume of each size?
Which is lightest?
Do the IGBC certification numbers agree?
Where should I store the canister at camp?
Sources
Prices, specs and land-unit rules were checked on the pages below as of Nov 2026. Brands and land units change prices and rules often, so confirm them on the seller’s or official land-unit page before you buy or go.
- BearVault: BV475 Trek official product page ($94.99, 2 lb 4 oz / 1.03 kg, 9.3 L / 565 ci / 2.5 gal, 8.7 × 10.5 in, IGBC #5423, WMI #BB0021, 5–6 days, 200 ft / 70 big steps from the tent, never in the tent; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (bearvault.com)
- BearVault: BV450 Jaunt official product page ($89.99, 2 lb 1 oz / 940 g and a 2.1 lb line, 7.2 L / 440 ci / 1.9 gal, 8.7 × 8.3 in, IGBC #5340 on this product page, WMI #BB0022, 3–4 days; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (bearvault.com)
- BearVault: BV500 Journey official product page ($99.99; official weight line prints 2.5 lb and 2 lbs 9 oz / 1.16 kg; 11.5 L / 700 ci / 3 gal; 8.7 × 12.7 in; IGBC #5339 on this product page; WMI #BB0010; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (bearvault.com)
- BearVault: How BearVault Bear Canisters Are Tested & Certified (testing-page table: BV500 IGBC #5340 / WMI BB0010, BV475 #5423 / BB0021, BV450 #5339 / BB0022; FAQ says some areas restrict BearVault and to check local regulations; 60-minute live-bear contact language; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (bearvault.com)
- IGBC: Bear-Resistant Products program page (certification is not bear-proof; it does not automatically approve a product on every public land unit; match the number on the product to the current certified list; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (igbconline.org)
- Yosemite National Park: Allowed Food Storage Containers (last updated July 10, 2026; also described as a May 1, 2015 list still valid, accurate, and complete as of July 2026; lists BearVault 110B, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, and 500; does not list a BV475; fetched Nov 10, 2026) (nps.gov)
Related
BearVault BV450 vs BV500 (2026)
Same hard canister, two official sizes. The useful question is how many days of food you need to carry — and you still have to read the land unit’s allowed-container list.
comparisonBearVault BV500 vs Ursack Major (2026)
Both are IGBC-certified bear-resistant food containers, but they are not interchangeable. The hard BV500 canister is on Yosemite’s allowed list; the Ursack Major is not. Always read the land unit you are entering — this is not legal advice.
comparisonUrsack Major vs Ursack AllMitey (2026)
Two official Ursack bags at the same listed volume. The AllMitey adds official critter resistance and a lot of official weight and price. Neither bag is automatically legal in a park that requires a hard canister.