Bear-safe storage is an absolute necessity when visiting parts of the backcountry, But as someone who doesn’t go into bear country much, my primary concern on backpacking trips is always rodents and other critters.
There’s nothing worse than waking up to find that a squirrel has snuck into your food bag and taken your precious snack. Classic bear canisters provide protection from both bears and animals, but they are heavy, cumbersome and take up a lot of valuable space in the pack.
Luckily, there is a new solution on the market. Edotech recently released a soft-sided food storage bag that is bear and rodent-resistant. To see if the Ultralight Bear Locker could handle all of nature’s creatures, I took it on a 7-day backpacking trip in Oregon.
In short: Edotech Ultralight Bear Locker ($163) A huge improvement over traditional bear canisters. Although it can’t be used in every backcountry area, its ability to keep out critters and rodents makes it a useful tool.
Shortcoming
- expensive
- Not usable in all regions
Edotech Ultralight Bear Locker Design
The bag, which is available in capacities of 9L, 14L and 20L, is made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, a fabric similar to Dyneema. This material is designed to be extremely tough and durable as well as waterproof. It has a cinch closure made of nylon ties.
Edotech says that Interagency Grizzly Bear CommitteeJoe, who tests bear storage, has rated the 14L size (and only this size) as “Grizzly Bear Resistant.” To receive this designation, a product filled with food is placed in an enclosure with brown bears for 60 minutes. If the bear fails to break the container, it leaves. No product is “bear proof.” The brand says the bag is also rodent-resistant.
Using Bear Locker
I used this bag to store all my food and scented items on a 96-mile backpacking trip along the Oregon Coast Trail. Firstly, the bag was quite stiff and rigid. Edotech says that, over time, the bag will become more flexible, which is exactly what happened to me. I was surprised by how much I could fit in a 14L bag: I fit almost all my food for my entire week-long trip. I was able to compress and put bags of oatmeal and freeze-dried food in there.
I really liked how much less space it took up in my pack compared to a classic beer can. As the fabric became softer, I could actually fit it into small spaces in my bag between my sleeping bag and the stove.
I was using 50L packs, so real estate was an absolute premium, and there’s no way I could fit a classic beer can with all my other supplies. And yes, the bag can shrink. As I ate more and more food, the bag took up less space, unlike most bear compartments, which have a fixed size.
How safe is it?
Tying the bear bag took a while to get used to, but within a few days, I was a pro at it. To close it, you roll the top of the bag down as far as possible, like the classic brown paper bag for your lunch. Then you take the nylon ties, wrap them in opposite directions, and pull hard. From there, tie two overhand knots.
Edotech recommends tying the bag to a tree or other large object. I used cordelet and a lightweight carabiner to attach it to objects like large trees or bolted picnic tables each night. As a test, I even hung it from a tree one night using proper bear hanging procedure.
In the part of Oregon I was in, black bears have been seen in the past, but they are not very common, and of course, there are no grizzlies. Apart from citing the IGBC approval, I can’t say anything about how it will perform against the Grizzly.
little ‘bear’
However, when it comes to other creatures, the Edotech Bear Bag excelled. One night, I was camping in a very developed area with very aggressive chipmunks. One night as I was preparing dinner, a chipmunk tried to rummage through my pack when I turned my back to it for less than a minute. These people had no fear of humans and seemed to be very motivated towards food.
I secured my bag, went to bed and hoped for the best. I woke up, and to my surprise, the bag didn’t seem that much worse for wear. At another camping site, bear-safe lockers were provided, but as soon as I opened them, I found that they were all filled with rat feces. I secured the Edotech bag, and then secured the locker. Once again, no hungry rodents made a dent in the bag.
This ability to protect against rodents becomes even more important when you take hantavirus into account. People can contract this disease if they come in contact with the saliva, feces or urine of rodents. of nevada State Epidemiology Office (NOSE) said that even if rats get into your food, infection is possible. In all this context, it is important to have a rodent-resistant bag, and I am confident in saying that the Edotech bag can save even the hungriest, most determined creatures.
other features
While the fabric is waterproof, since the closure is not a full seal, the bag itself is only waterproof. I tested it on an ill-fated attempt to cross an estuary at low tide. Unfortunately, the low tide was not low enough, and I got drenched up to my ribs from the wave. Almost everything in my pack – tent, sleeping bag, fleece – was wet, but the Edotech’s stuff was dry.
Later on in the trip, I got caught in a heavy rain storm that lasted for 24 hours straight. To keep my electronics safe, I put them in Edotech bags and sealed them, and even with everything else dripping, they were still dry.
edotech vs bear bins
For backpackers, probably the biggest attraction of this bag is its weight. The 14L size weighs only 7 ounces and can hold 5 to 6 days of food for one person. Beer Vault’s BV475 This is probably the closest comparable model, as it can also carry the same amount of food. Its weight is 2.25 pounds.
By using Edotec, you’ll save 21 ounces, or about one and a half pounds. Even if you’re not very lightweight, that’s a huge weight savings. It’s also lighter than Beer Vault’s lightest model, the BV One, which weighs in at 1 pound, 15 ounces.
Of course, it’s important to note that just because a product is marked as bear-resistant from the IGBC, it doesn’t mean it’s approved for use in certain areas. For example, many national parks designate that people who live in backcountry areas Sure Use a bear canister.
This means that the EdoTech cannot completely replace the bear canister in your gear closet; You’ll still need beer cans for some situations. Always be sure to check local regulations regarding bear-safe storage requirements before heading out.
However, I think having both in your quiver is an excellent option. For example, if you’re on trips where bear locks are provided, it’s still advisable to bring along an Edotech bag to protect against rodents.
When I went to New Zealand, there were no bears, but there were hyper-aggressive birds that were protected by law and very eager to get into the stuff of hikers. This bear bag would have been a great solution.
a note on price
The 14L size of the Edotech bag is priced at $163. It is quite expensive; The BV475 costs only $95, and REI’s modular canister Retailing for $90. I highly doubt that Edotech bags are that expensive to produce; The cynic in me thinks the brand is definitely charging a premium for weight loss, because it knows most ultra-lighters will happily pay more to cut ounces.
The brand makes a black bear-resistant bag that costs a little less, but I’d prefer to pay a few extra bucks for the toughest, most durable version.
Ultimately, I think the cost is worth it. I really hate carrying my bear box around. I fly a lot to go on backpacking trips, and fitting your pack in the overhead bin on a plane is no more difficult than dealing with a heavy, bulbous bear canister.
Edotech Ultralight Bear Locker: Conclusion
an important part of responsible environmental management and leave no trace of morality Not allowing wild animals to access human food. The more food wild animals have, the less afraid they are of humans, which can result in potential dangers for them and us. The Edotech Ultralight Bear Locker is an effective, easy and lightweight way to play your part in keeping your food safe.
Although it can’t be used in every backcountry area, its durable, ultra-tough fabric keeps out critters and rodents and protects your belongings. For backpackers looking to save weight, this is a boon, saving more weight and space than a traditional bear canister. The price is high, but the utility and function means it definitely deserves a place in your gear closet.
