The shape is perfect and fits vertically in my backpack no problem. I eat very compact food and with effort this could fit 4-5 days of food, and 3 days of no compact food no problem. My only complaint is that they don’t offer a took to open the circles. I had to do some creative hunting to find something that would work, and it turned out that some weird tool on my Swiss Army knife worked, but that was a heavy tool to have to carry. Super easy to open once you have the right object; forks and knives won’t work. Most normal objects don’t. But I found I greatly preferred this opening method compared to the push in latch or credit bars ones that won’t work if you have cold hands.

I have two of the smaller Contenders.
I use one for weekends and both for longer trips, up to 7 days before resupply.
I have used them on ALL backpacking trips because they protect my food from all wildlife, large and small.
I love them.
I think one is 14+ years old and funtions as if new. Though it has some REAL brown bear tooth marks on it while doing its job!
Just bought the larger Champ just for the longer trips due to it finally becoming available. It is lighter, smaller and has more usable volume then using two Contenders.
The locking mechanism is super easy to use. I keep a small U shape piece of metal teathered by some kite string to quickly rotate the locks.
Also added reflective tape stripes to find at night.
One pic is two Contenders in Yosemite Wilderness, Aug., 24 2024 on the PCT. Yea it snowed over night.
Other is one Contender on The Lost Coast 2023. 5 O'clock on the beach watching whales!
Thanks for a well made and long lived product.

For me I can get two days of food in it no problem. With a little work I'm sure I could get 3 days worth of food in it. Lightweight easy to open!! Perfect !!!

Easier to open than my Bear Vault - especially when cold and wet with dew. Small enough to fit easily and horizontally in backpack. Held three days of food for 25 mile backpacking trip in SW Colorado.

Small and light!! I put two days of food in it with out trying hard!! I know I can get more in if I plan a little. I plan on putting reflective tape on it so I can find it low light or Mr. Bear knocks in around from where I put it. Locks are easy! to operate!!

I received my Bare Boxer. So far I have used it on one overnight trip in an area that has had recent bear activity. It did the job. The only change that I made was that I put reflective tape on the body so I could find it in the dark. It was very windy while I was preparing dinner, and the lid blew away. I wish I had put tape on that too. I did find it and took care of that When i got home. Looking forward to many happy trips with it.

Being limited on space on my motorcycle adventures in the backcountry, this was the perfect size. Thank you Bare Boxer for getting this right!

Love this canister and I made my own key for 82¢ that's with tax. Only tools used were a hacksaw and a metal file. It took me about 10 minutes. The blank key was bought at a local hardware, you have your choice of designs and colors. Mark your pattern with a sharpie. For reference I'm a 73 year old woman so if I can do it.......

The locking mechanism is actually much easier than I expected, and it's quite light for this type of bear resistant product.

I've had a Bare Boxer cannister for years and used it very successfully. My recent purchase of a second one is a gift for my daughter. I like that you now if provide a key.

Just purchased recently and got the chance to use it on a backpacking trip in New York state. The locks were simple to operate with the flat head screwdriver in my multi-tool. House keys or a knife would've worked too. The container was a good capacity for two people for 1 night, and definitely could fit more if we packed lighter and more efficiently. The material feels sturdy and secure and doesn't add an excessive amount of weight to my pack.

Perfect for an overnight with my cooking gear inside, or a long weekend with my stove and pot separate. Glad to have it in the central high peaks where my other canister is questionable.

For one person over a long weekend this is the perfect sized bear canister. Operates well and simply. Time will tell if it holds off the critters!

Nice size for 2-3 days and I don’t pack real well. Good weight. Fits in pack well. Had considered another can that is crazy priced. Glad I did this one.

My first canister for short trips. Was able to get enough food in it for three days with no problem. If I put my mind to it I'm sure I could do another days worth.. No problem opening with the included key or the flathead screwdriver on one on Swiss Army knives. Ver happy with the purchase.