REI Traverse Bear Canister Evaluation

Backside Line

The REI Traverse is a two-in-one discount that solves the problem of needing a single bear canister for any journey size. Its modular design folds down and expands to 2 sizes, accommodating each 2-day and 5-day journeys equally.

This sturdy canister is safe sufficient to face up to one of the best efforts of each grizzly and black bears, with certifications from WMI and IGBC. Though it seems to be a light-weight, clear plastic container, the load is noticeable when dealing with the Traverse. It’s a heavy-duty bear canister with a sturdy locking mechanism. We recognize the practicality, however after a number of nights of testing within the Rocky Mountains, we consider the primary model of the Traverse’s user-friendliness may gain advantage from some refinement.

After all, the hallmark and primary promoting level of the Traverse is its modular capabilities which permit it to break down as you eat your meals, or morph into a distinct measurement totally. This design is revolutionary for the finances backpacker and a troublesome value level to beat. For extra heavy-duty bear canisters, see our information to one of the best bear canisters.

How We Examined

We have now a whole bunch of hours of hands-on expertise with the business’s prime bear canisters, from the lab to the path.

Dozens of nights within the backcountry, from the Rocky Mountains to the Sierras, inform our understanding of crucial options in meals storage.

Weight & Packability

Weighing in at 3 kilos 8.3 ounces, the REI Traverse is the second heaviest bear canister on our checklist. It’s additionally not the best to pack. In its full measurement configuration, the canister solely suits vertically within a backpack. Strapping it onto the surface is okay so long as you’ve a V-strap or one strap on every finish, however a single strap can’t successfully grip the slippery, extensive stomach of the REI Traverse.

When you collapse the canister to a smaller measurement, packing turns into a lot simpler. The compact model weighs about 2 kilos 7.3 ounces (nonetheless heavy for its measurement) and might match horizontally into most backpacks.

The added bonus of the REI Traverse is that, when you’ve eaten half of your meals, the container might be compacted to its smaller measurement and nested into the remaining half to save lots of house.

Ease of Use

The REI Traverse isn’t impractical by bear canister requirements, however this primary model might use some refinement. We’re desirous to see how this new canister develops sooner or later.

We love the finger indentations on the lid, which offer a grip once you unscrew it. We additionally recognize its distinctive modular options and the tremendous extensive opening. The clear orange shade is straightforward to identify from a distance in low gentle and allows you to see the contents. It even doubles as an amazing camp stool.

Nevertheless, the entire mechanism simply requires a bit extra effort to function than we’d like. The lid needs to be turned whereas concurrently urgent each metallic tabs with each arms. The lid itself has a whole lot of friction and needs to be wrestled off.

The canister’s threads are constructed into the interior wall, which creates a wider opening however requires cautious packing. If any meals or packaging will get caught within the threads, the lid can grow to be frustratingly tough to take away.The primary takeaway right here is that all the elements are sensible, clever, and so they do work, however with extra effort than different canisters.

Safety

If a canister takes some effort for an individual to open, it often means it’s greater than bear-proof. As talked about earlier, the REI Traverse’s locking mechanism wants a good quantity of dexterity.

Versus all plastic elements, the REI Traverse’s push tabs that lock the lid in place are made from metallic. Which means they nearly can’t be damaged, chewed, or worn down. On the draw back, bears are sensible, and one might conceivably use the finger indentations on the lid to unscrew it if by accident left unlocked.

Though it’s good to see the meals inside your canister, bears can see it too. With clear containers like this one, bears usually tend to persist, placing your canister (and probably your meals) at larger threat of abuse.

Allow CompatibiLity

The REI Traverse is authorized by each the IGBC (Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee) for effectiveness towards grizzly bears and the WMI (Wildlife Administration Institute) for black bears. 

The transparency of the Traverse has a caveat. Locations like Yosemite Nationwide Park and the Adirondacks have traditionally discouraged see-through canisters. Because the REI Traverse is a brand new mannequin, it’s not but on Yosemite’s checklist of authorized bear canisters. Solely time will inform how different companies obtain it in the long term.

Capability

Relying on its configuration, the REI Traverse can maintain from one to 5 days’ price of meals. Whereas REI doesn’t specify precisely what number of days it could actually carry (although it does checklist 11.25 liters), most customers report about three to 4 days.

We consider most individuals might most likely squeeze one other day or two in the event you pack strategically, however the Traverse admittedly doesn’t maintain as a lot because it seems it ought to. The threaded design requires leaving about an inch of house on the prime for the threads to operate correctly. 

The smaller configuration, at 6.75 liters, is sweet for as much as 4 days of backpacking meals. When full of nothing however dehydrated Good-to-Go meals, the small configuration suits six meals, whereas the bigger configuration suits sixteen.

Ought to You Purchase the REI Traverse?

Due to its two-in-one design, the REI Traverse is an ideal finances purchase for the versatile backpacker. It really works nice for journeys from one to 6 days in size and nests into itself, so that you by no means should take up extra pack house than vital. 

Solely time will inform if bears will be taught to crack open this clear trove. To date this burly, licensed canister has been constructed to face up to the check. Though it’s a bit of tough to make use of, it seals up properly and feels safe.

That mentioned, the REI Traverse is heavier than most. For ultralight thru-hikers making an attempt to maintain their pack weight down or who don’t want a canister for many of their mountain climbing, there are higher choices accessible.

What Different Bear Canisters and Backpacking Meals Storage Ought to You Contemplate?

See out full information to meals storage choices for extra light-weight or extensively accepted alternate options.

BearVault BV500 Journey Evaluation: BearVaults are the opposite clear bear canister choices. They’re equally see-through, however lighter weight and a bit of simpler to open. The BV500 is closest to the REI Traverse’s massive configuration.

BearVault BV450 Jaunt Evaluation: The BV450 is the closest equal to the Traverse’s small configuration. It suits about the identical quantity of meals, however is simpler to make use of and remarkably light-weight. 

Bear Boxer Champ Evaluation: The Bear Boxer is lighter than the REI Traverse and holds much more meals than the Traverse’s massive configuration. Because of its tank-like and opaque design, the Bear Boxer is extensively authorized and inspired in essentially the most regulated wildernesses like Yosemite and the Adirondacks.