REI Traverse Modular Bear Canister Review

It seems like common sense, but the Leave No Trace principle I see violated most frequently is Number 6: Respect Wildlife. Why? Because part of respecting wildlife is ensuring they don’t have access to human food. While some campsites make this easy by offering bear lockers and cables to secure food overnight, you won’t always have access to those amenities.

Enter: the recently released REI Traverse Modular Bear Canister. The Traverse is REI’s spin on the humble bear canister and integrates some revolutionary new features.

Opening REI’s Traverse Modular Bear Canister at camp. Photo courtesy of Anna “Magic” McKinney Smith.

REI Co-op Traverse Modular Bear Canister

MSRP: $79.95
Materials: polycarbonate
Large configuration specs:

• Weight: 3lbs 9.1oz (57.1oz)
• Interior volume: 11.25 liters / 686 cubic inches
• Diameter: 9.1 inches
• Height: 13 inches

Small configuration specs:

• Weight: 2lbs 8oz (40oz)
• Interior volume:6.75 liters/412 cubic inches
• Diameter: 9.1 inches
• Height: 8 inches

Circumstances of Review

I work as a backpacking guide in the southeast and have carried bear canisters on trips in Pisgah National Forest and Big South Fork National Recreation Area. This canister was tested during overnight trips along the Appalachian Trail through North Carolina and Tennessee.

REI Traverse Modular Bear Canister Features

REI’s new bear can is made up of three pieces: the lid, the middle section, and the bottom. Using all three creates the large configuration of the can. Using just the lid and the bottom creates the small configuration. Photo courtesy of Anna “Magic” McKinney Smith.

Large and Small Configuration

The biggest selling point for this can is easily the fact that it’s basically two in one. This can was designed with a large configuration suitable for longer food carries (roughly 3-7 days), and a small configuration for shorter trips (1-2 days). 

The canister has three parts: the lid, the middle section (needed for the large configuration), and the bottom. To use the large configuration, a user connects all three pieces. To use the small configuration, simply take out the middle piece and connect the lid to the bottom of the can.  

Two-Step Locking System 

The Traverse Modular bear canister was designed with two easy-to-operate locks. They come in the form of small buttons that a user pushes down, then turns the lid. There is a clearly labeled “1” and “2” that, when pressed in the correct order, makes it easier to remove the lid. The buttons also make an audible click to let you know when the lid locks shut.

Scalloped Lid

A feature unique to the Traverse is its scalloped lid, which makes it easier to grip when turning the lid. Similar products have flat and smooth lids. I found this feature particularly handy in the cold. 

Colorful and Translucent

Designed to be bright and stand out, REI’s bear can is a vibrant orange color. This makes it easy to see around camp. The polycarbonate is translucent, so while it is highly visible, it’s also light enough to see inside. This ensures you can spot what you need from the outside of the can without having to blindly dig through all of your food.

Digging through the Traverse bear can to find dinner. Photo courtesy of Anna “Magic” McKinney Smith.

Certified Bear-Resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee 

Testing by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) has become the industry standard for bear-resistant food storage products. The ICBC is a committee with members spanning a variety of agencies, from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, National Park Service, and more. They all work together to conserve grizzly bear populations and habitats by promoting “interagency coordination of policy, planning, management, research and communication.”

The IGBC offers product testing for manufacturers to see if their containers can hold up against a real-life grizzly. The goal of this program is to minimize human/grizzly bear conflicts by properly storing items that would attract wildlife. It is important to note that this approval means that a product is grizzly bear RESISTANT. There is no 100% guarantee that a product will never be breached by a bear. 

Products that receive IGBC approval have gone through rigorous testing and meet standards established after consulting human/bear conflict experts and bear biologists. “Testing” happens with grizzlies in Montana and Washington with the help of the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center and the Washington State University Bear Center. The IGBC has a list of over 500 products that have been tested and approved for bear-resistant storage.

Working hard to get the lid of the Traverse bear can off during a snack break. Photo courtesy of Anna “Magic” McKinney Smith.

REI Traverse Modular Bear Canister Pros

Two Cans for the Price of One

The biggest appeal of the Traverse over other bear canisters is the fact that it’s basically two cans in one. With the large and small configurations, a user can choose a size that is suitable for the length of their trip. Users of other brands must purchase large and small bear cans separately to have that kind of variety. That can get expensive quickly! I love the modular concept and think other brands will follow suit.

Approved by the IGBC

REI’s Traverse Modular Bear Canister was certified bear-resistant by the IGBC on June 27, 2024 (Certification No. 245491). In my mind, if a product has been tested against a grizzly, it means that it will hold up against other wildlife I may encounter in the backcountry. On the AT, for example, hikers have to protect their food from black bears, mice, squirrels, and raccoons, just to name a few. 

Food stored in a bear can is protected from all critters and ensures that these animals aren’t exposed to food that could be harmful to them or cause them to continuously seek food from humans. The saying “a fed bear is a dead bear” applies to ALL wildlife!

It can be challenging to find the best place on your pack for a bear can. I found it easier to secure it to the outside of my pack. Photo courtesy of Anna “Magic” McKinney Smith.

Read Next: The Case for Bear Canisters on the Appalachian Trail

It Gets Easier with Practice

At first I struggled to figure out the locking system. You’d think with just two buttons it would be simple, but maybe I’m not as smart as the average bear. Thankfully the Traverse comes with a carrying case that has instructions printed on the side. After consulting the instructions, I discovered the “1” and “2” that are conveniently labeled on the side of the can. 

First you press the button labeled “1” and turn the lid. This gets the lid to turn enough to line up with the second button, labeled “2.” After pressing down this button and turning the lid again, the canister is no longer locked. From here, it’s easy to untwist the lid. The process became easier the more I used it. I think the repeat turning helped to break the threads in a little bit as well, and the lid seemed to turn more smoothly.

REI Traverse Modular Bear Canister Cons

Heavier with Less Space

Bear cans in general are heavy and bulky. It’s largely in the name of base weight that many hikers argue against carrying a bear can. Many national parks and national forests require a bear canister, so they are becoming a necessary piece of gear. For that reason, many companies focus on making their bear cans as light as possible while still holding up against wildlife. 

Bear cans can be a pain to carry, but they are a necessary evil. A fed bear is a dead bear! Securing the REI Traverse Modular Bear Canister to the outside of my pack. Photo courtesy of Anna “Magic” McKinney Smith.

I was shocked when I read the weight and carrying capacity of the Traverse Modular bear can. It weighs nearly a whole pound more than its competitors, while offering less storage even in its large configuration. I had previously used BearVault’s BV500 and BV450, and this was the brand I compared the Traverse to the most. 

BearVault’s BV500 is 41oz and has a capacity of 700 cubic inches. In comparison, the large configuration of the REI Traverse weighs 57.1oz and has a capacity of 686 cubic inches. That’s a whole pound heavier and with a little less space!

The saying “ounces make pounds” comes to mind. Pack weight plays a huge role in being comfortable while backpacking, and people are willing to spend a little bit more money if it will save them weight. I think while the price point is more affordable for the REI Traverse, there are enough ultralight hikers in the backpacking community that these extra ounces will determine which product they purchase.

Read Next: Why I Always Carry a Bear Canister When Thru-Hiking

Difficult To Open in the Cold

I found that while the buttons on the REI Traverse Modular bear canister were easy to find and operate most of the time, they didn’t want to budge on cold mornings when I was in desperate need of hot coffee. Other users of this model complain about similar issues, stating that unless you have dexterous fingers, it’s nearly impossible to get your finger in the correct position to disengage the lock. I found using my pocket knife to press the buttons made it a little easier, but it’s an annoying extra step. 

This is not a problem that is unique to this canister. Opening a bear can, especially in chilly temperatures, is tricky no matter the brand. There is even a market now for “bear can keys” where cottage companies have designed products to make opening bear cans less of a hassle.

Trying to press the buttons to unlock the REI Traverse bear canister becomes more challenging in the cold. Photo courtesy of Anna “Magic” McKinney Smith.

Not Approved for Use on the PCT

I am preparing for a thru hike of the PCT and was considering bringing the Traverse with me on the trail. Per the Pacific Crest Trail Association, “food storage canisters are required in parts of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Inyo, Sierra and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forests, and in all of Yosemite, Lake Tahoe Basin, Desolation Wilderness, Lassen Volcanic National Parks and are necessary in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.” It is strongly encouraged to carry a bear can for the entire duration of the PCT, as is the case on the AT and CDT.

Despite the fact that the Traverse bear canister has been certified bear-resistant by the IGBC, this bear can is not on the allowed container list for the PCT. At first I thought maybe this was just because the Traverse is a newer product, but it was approved by the IGBC in June 2024, while the allowed food storage container list was most recently updated in December 2024. Seeking guidance, I reached out to a ranger at Yosemite National Park. According to Ranger Jeffrey, “the allowed containers list is still accurate and I don’t anticipate any changes in the next few months.”

That solved my conundrum of which bear canister I will be taking on the PCT. Alas, the Traverse Modular Bear Canister will be staying home.

Conclusion

This bear canister is good for what it is. Bear cans are bulky and can be a pain to open, but they are a necessary evil. The biggest selling point, to me, is the fact that it’s basically two cans in one. For that reason, I think it will be a popular choice as a first bear can purchase. Ultralight hikers will likely gravitate toward lighter options.

The translucent polycarbonate was designed to make the Traverse bear can easy to see inside of. Photo courtesy of Anna “Magic” McKinney Smith.

Overall I do think this is a good, albeit heavy, product that’s worth considering when shopping for a bear can, especially if you’re on a budget and want to get the most bang for your buck.

Shop the REI Traverse Modular Bear Canister

Comparable Food Storage Containers

BearVault BV500

• MSRP: $94.95
• Material: “Specialty rugged polycarbonate and other durable resins”
• Weight: 2lbs 9oz (41oz)
• Interior volume: 11.5 liters / 700 cubic inches
• Diameter: 8.7in
• Height: 12.7in

URSACK Major

• MSRP: $119.95
• Material: UHMWP (UHMWPE Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene is a type of polyethylene)
• Weight: 7.6oz
• Interior volume: 650 liters / 10.65 liters 
• Diameter: 12.5”
• Height: 18”

The Blazer Bearikade Wilderness Food Storage Canister

• MSRP: 384
• Materials: 6061 T-6 aluminum and “proprietary composite carbon-fiber cylinder with high strength epoxy”
• Weight: 2lbs 1oz (33oz)
• Interior volume: 12.3 liters / 750 cubic inches
• Diameter: 9”
• Height: 12”

The REI Traverse Modular Bear Canister was donated for purpose of review.