The concept for the BearVault was born during a 2002 Sierra backpacking trip with friends from the San Diego Hiking Club. Camped around a mountain lake, the group was lamenting the problems they had with bear canisters. Everybody agreed the available canisters were too heavy, held too little, and had too small an opening. BearVault bear canisters have been grizzly bear approved by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.