It’s not always easy to find a bear proof cooler. If you’re heading into bear country and need to keep your food and drink safe, it’s important that you carry the right type of cooler for the job.
In this article we’ll talk about five different bear proof coolers that are some of the best options on the market today.
OVERVIEW
YETI BEAR PROOF COOLERS
Are you a serious bear hunter type? Then you can’t go wrong with YETI coolers. These coolers have passed a live bear test conducted by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC). The test lasts for 1 hour where coolers are double padlocked and food essence is spread on the outer surface to attract bears.
They also have a large capacity that can accommodate a number of cans based on the size of your group – 25 quarts, 50 quarts, 75 quarts, etc., with rotomolded design that keep contents in place regardless of the shake or bounce during your trip.
YETI COOLERS
- Bear safe.
- Can hold 50 cans.
- Have 5-year warranty period.
- Needs double bear proof padlocks to prevent from opening.
- Can be a little expensive.
POLAR BEAR COOLERS BEAR PROOF COOLERS
For those who want a longer shelf life for their food and drink, the Polar Bear Coolers’ line is worth considering. They’re also bear-proof and made from durable materials that grant a 5-day insulation which further preserves your consumables.
Moreover, they’re large enough for all your supplies and run on wheels for quick transportation. You can even use them to store your newly caught fish.
POLAR BEAR COOLERS COOLERS
- Bear safe.
- With easy-drain purge valves.
- Have limited lifetime warranty period.
- Needs a warranty registration to prolong usefulness.
- Can be a little expensive.
GRIZZLY BEAR PROOF COOLERS
If you prefer the eco-friendly type than the regular coolers, Grizzly Coolers don’t disappoint. Aside from being proudly made in the USA, their components contain Ecomate polyeurethane foam, an environment-friendly substance that prevents outside heat from entering and spoiling your food and drink.
The Grizzly cooler comes in three sizes; a 12-quart model that holds up to 60 cans of beer, 20-quart model that holds 40 pounds of ice, and 40-quart model that can hold 110 lbs of ice.
GRIZZLY COOLERS
- Bear safe.
- Fit in the back seat of most cars and SUVs.
- Have 2-year warranty period.
- Lightweight.
- Can take up space of some seats due to large size.
- Expensive.
- Also require double padlock.
ROVR BEAR PROOF COOLERS
When you have extra stuff to bring on camp, the RovR coolers are a good option. Particularly ’cause of the extra storage bin they hold on top. This means you can conveniently take additional items like; fishing equipment, foldable chairs, camping gear, etc.
And in terms of warranty coverage, they have a 5-year warranty for the hard shell or body and 1-year warranty for the rest of the components.
ROVR COOLERS
- Bear safe.
- Have extra storage space.
- Preserve food and drink for 10 days.
- 5+1-year warranty period.
- Very expensive.
- Also require double padlock.
WHAT IS THE WEIGHT CAPACITY OF BEAR PROOF COOLERS?
Sometimes, the weight capacity of bear proof coolers is given by the manufacturers. But if you can’t easily identify the weight of your chosen piece, your best solution would be to convert quarts to pounds since weight depends on the number of contents, which the same goes for overland fridges. Here’s a quick reference:
| Bear Proof Cooler Size | Weight (in Pounds) |
| 25 Qts. | 52.16 lbs |
| 30 Qts. | 62.59 lbs |
| 40 Qts. | 83.46 lbs |
| 50 Qts. | 104.32 lbs |
| 60 Qts. | 125.18 lbs |
| 70 Qts. | 146.05 lbs |
| 80 Qts. | 166.91 lbs |
| 90 Qts. | 187.78 lbs |
| 100 Qts. | 208.64 lbs |
HOW DO BEAR PROOF COOLERS WORK?
Bear proof coolers not only prevent food and drink spoilage but also protect your sustenance against wild animals, specifically bears. How bear proof coolers serve their purpose comes right down to the material where they’re made from – rotational molded (rotomolded) design. This means that bear proof coolers are usually made from a compound of various plastics, metals, and additives such as; polymer and aluminum. This way, they’ll have more resiliency against bumps or impacts from outside forces.
They also contain rubber gaskets or lids that are air tight, which provide a vacuum seal that keep your items secure inside. However, bear proof coolers can’t guarantee 100% that bears won’t catch any scent from your supplies because the latter has an extreme sense of smell. This is where the double padlocks come in for additional protection.
HOW MUCH DO BEAR PROOF COOLERS COST?
Since bear proof coolers are of hard shell material for protective purposes as the name suggests, they’re naturally expensive. This is mainly determined by the capacity – the larger the size, the costlier it is. The same goes for popular and pioneer brand names.
Don’t forget that bear proof coolers also come in different styles based on your preferences. The average price entry is around $100-$200 for both hard and soft shell types but it can go as high as $400-$500. However, the backpack counterparts can be affordable but not bear proof at $80-$90.
CONCLUSION
Bear proof coolers can be expensive, heavy, and large, but they’re more durable than regular coolers. As long as you do your research diligently and gain the right knowledge, you’ll never run out of good bear proof cooler options. Share us your other valuable insights by commenting below.
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