@UnpackingBackpacking

As it stands in the state of bear cans, I feel the pressing issues to address are weight and price. If a container as light as a Bearikade could be priced at half the cost, you'd have a long backorder waitlist. The fully-collapsible feature is almost a moot point since it would only come into play either the last day of a trip or for home storage. A partially-collapsible design to reduce pack volume mid-trip would be intriguing. A more pack friendly shape would be the icing on the cake. Keep going!

@johnclauson4619

I'm not sure collapsing/modular is a priority for me unless you can find a way to expand functionality with the different pieces. For me i don't mind the bear can (bear vault for me) because it's a chair and a table and the lid is a platter. If it's too much to fit in my pack i strap it outside and put the food in a dry bag in my pack. I think trying to make it a multi purpose piece of camp furniture is the way to go

@awalkingingmistake

I just want a shorter, wider BV500 that is slightly flatter on one side, so that it fits into a 40L pack with a typical UL thruhiking kit.

I think you're definitely right that there's a huge leap in innovation that could "solve" many of the problems with bear cans, but I also think that there's a ton of room for incremental improvement in the existing models

@shaexplr

The way I'd use this is by keeping the compact collapsed pack outside my pack and all the food inside while hiking. While I'm at the campsite, I'll use it to store my food overnight and then collapse it again while hiking the next day

@billb5732

OK, but I suggest that you tried to solve the wrong problem. WEIGHT is a greater issue than bulk.
I'm not sure how you can find lighter materials than Bearikade, but if you could cut the price in half you would be doing us all a big favor!

@braydonthegreat5099

Cool ideas but collapsing is not a big factor for me tbh. I sort of accept the drawbacks of the normal cans and just take that in account when planning my trips

@kellycarlen9605

Congratulations. You actually got me thinking about this. Usually it’s watch the video and forget it. Had three thoughts:

First, the simplest design really is often the best. A one-piece cylinder with a lid really nails it for weight/volume/strength. I really think the biggest breakthrough would be in materials. Carbon fiber is great, but expensive. As someone else mentioned already if you could get something like the Bearikade but at Bear Vault prices you’d have a winner. Wonder how much a titanium bear can would weigh and cost…

Second, one of your complaints about bear cans is slipping out of the top straps on a pack. Perhaps something you could look at is adding slots or tabs or clips or magnets to the can body to run the pack straps through that would prevent slipping. You could make adhesive backed tabs that you could add to the can. There, problem solved.

Third, what if instead of a can you made the whole pack (at least the main compartment) out of Kevlar or Spectra like an Ursack? I haven’t done any weight calculations on this. Granted it also doesn’t help if an actual can is required. Buy hey, you asked for ideas and I’m spitballing you some.

Good luck with your project!

@michaellevitan952

Great attempt Chris - I loved the video - You're industrial design ideas are out-of-the-box, but unfortunately you face the same dilemma as when you started...How to make the best "bear proof" vessel. My take is you need to rule out soft shells, as your food would become paste after a bear slam. Second, hard shell may be the only option, since hinged or "dynamic" components will be week spots. Third , what happens to a threaded or lock-twist sealing method after a massive load? You might not be able to open the unit, if the plastics get scrunched. Lastly, keep up the good work. I wish these things weighed half the weight and half the volume. perhaps a multi-unit option. Some hikers and backcountry campers might benefit from a smaller version that can house early morning coffee and other quick snacks. :)

@JMCD107

Since most folks will have a bearcan or two already; the biggest issue is weight; I will work around most other variables. Cost would be the second biggest factor when considering a purchase. I love where your heads at though, this is an issues that could us some solving!

@whamilto

As others have mentioned, I don’t think collapsible is the priority or necessary.

Having a shape that would fit well in a pack and also be lightweight would be the priority. Something shaped like the inside of a pack with a flat side that would be against your back would be the ideal. Constructed like a Bearikade, but shaped flatter maybe? Not such sharp edges either, as those abrade the inside of the pack material which is usually a laminate.

I have some ideas on this I’d be happy to share. Ideas, and no time to implement myself.

@marclaliberte5491

The size of the bear-resistant container depends on the amount of food you need to carry. This may seem obvious, but it really means there's not a "one size fits all" solution. With the food I typically carry, I find that 15 L is enough for six days. If I need more, up to 12 days, 30 L will do the trick. That's the size of the Ursack Major XL and Ursack Major 2XL, respectively. The nice thing with the Ursack Major is that the weights of the XL and 2XL are almost the same (250 and 300 g, respectively). For me, that's the solution, and I don't think you can make a rigid sided container as convenient and lightweight. As for the bears running out with the Ursack @2:20, well, tie the sack to a big enough tree, not too close to your tent, and that pretty much solve that issue.

@TheYellowcake235

Great video! I really enjoyed you walking us through the different processes. Stoked to see where you guys go with this!

@ryangreen8458

A square shaped bear can with a deep Allen key in each corner. I feel that would help maximize space inside a backpack, while eliminating the lid thread issues. Another banger video 💪🏼

@shawnr6117

I think your best entry point to the market would be designing a can that fits into 40-50l packs better. From what I've seen on yt that seems to be where most hikers run into issues, bigger packs not having the same problem. Bear cans aren't required here so I haven't researched every option but all the ones I seen look rather bulky.

@kjbdn

Have you considered a longer, thinner cylinder than the conventional bear cannister? It could have either flat or dome ends. It could work basically the same as a current bear cannister; however, a longer, thinner design would allow for packing items around it in one's pack. Just a thought. Thank you for putting so much thought and time into this problem!

@borrago

A collapsible canister is only of value if it is lighter than a traditional one. The bulk is not a problem, the weight is.
Ditch the idea and 8nstead develope a lighter canister that is just as strong and has a flat side and you would have something that people need.

@wyomingguy22

I'd settle for just a bear can that is easier to open.

@paulconnelly640

I'd say rather than redesigning a hard sided option work with the relevant authorities to get acceptance of bags such as Ursack and Adotec. The bags seem to have all of the features you're trying to replicate. If the issue is bags can be taken by a bear work on that.

@2189-waliof

The main benefit of a collapsible bear can is aircraft travel to the trail in my opinion. Sorry to say that and I appreciate the effort. But all of these designs would not be easier to carry (still effectively on top of the backpack, while not having grooves for the straps or alternatively taking up a lot of space inside.
Also simplicity is huge and the risk of losing a part of the can is just not worth it.
Please focus on weight instead. A barrel, one side flat to rest against the back inside the backpack or rest safely atop the backpack. Why not made out of titanium with reinforcing rings on the inside?

@Symitry

Let’s say you implement a lock similar to a medicine bottle, add locking points on the outside at different heights, so it’s just two parts. It’s only a 50% reduction, but can alternately also be used as a seat or little table