I spoke about how our packs worked for us in a previous post.

Bears Ears

We picked up our framed bears ears and have been using them. I wanted to talk a little more about them.

I asked Jan if colours were an option and he informed me the main pack would be the blue color shown but he was able to make the front pocket and water bottle pockets coloured. Why do I want colours? Bright is easier to see. And different colours allow Party City and I to tell our packs apart.

The wet pocket is genius. I normally would carry my shelter in a stretchy pocket (on the PCT so far I had it strapped to the top of my pack). Having a wet pocket lets me throw my rain gear and tent there instead of jamming them in the stretchy pocket. The volume in this pocket is generous. I’m also able to fit our diaper wash bag in there.

We have front pockets but at the moment mine mostly has diaper supplies (mostly dry diapers) and the floor to the tent (to keep it dry) and pegs (to avoid losing them or poking a hole in my rain gear). On trips after diapers the pocket might not be full and might be removed and left at home

I get a side top pocket. I love these. I always strap one to my packs. These are built in. One for my ditty bag (500 mL bottle, soap, toilet paper and used TP bag). One for my buff, gloves and wind pants. Natasha has fit a 2L evernew water bag in it as well during a long water carry. These side pockets are huge.

I miss the zipper roll top pocket from my SWD pack that I use for permits, ID and headlamp. I need to figure this out. I have it in a side pocket but would rather it somewhere else.

It’ll be different not having a hip pocket but I can likely make use of shoulder strap pockets. I usually throw snacks in one hip pocket and “quick access” clothes like a buff or gloves in the other. Right now I have a hip pocket that I am using as a shoulder pocket and it works well enough.

The back pad feels small but sufficient. I get some decent ventilation with it.

The roll top is nice. It feels easy. I don’t fill the main compartment much – the roll top rolls as far down as it can go. I will have enough room for winter gear or synthetic insulation instead of our down quilts. It’s tight in my other packs but very generous here.

Strapping two sleeping pads to the top isn’t bad. I could lash them vertical or on the bear can as well if needed. I will try this to lower the height of the pack which will make using umbrellas easier.

Bear cans

We bought bear cans (BV500). Ours were lost by a trail angel (was supposed to be a resupply drop and pick up on the GDT in 2021) so we “need” new ones anyway. Since we likely will finish after the Sierras it makes sense to buy it and not have to worry about returns. We can just rent a car, throw them in the back and drive home. REI had a used one so we saved some money as well. We do occasionally need these for trips or trail building trips near home so we will use them. If we were more coordinated we might have been able to get bear cans from our friends but it wasn’t feasible on this trip.

We put a bunch of stickers (90s cartoons) on the bear cans to make them easier to identify. Secret picked the stickers he liked. He found a magic school bus one 🙂

So far nothing unexpected. These are the same they were a decade ago. They work fine. Are heavy ish. They fit the bears ears very well though and we can carry 5 days of food for the family in two BV500s.