High Sierra Topix

I keep my can upside down for rain. I take off the cable holding the lid to the can so I don't have to listen to it bang when hauling water back from the stream. Definitely a lifetime product. Best volume to weight ratio and the only solution for 10-12 days without resupply.

The Other Tom wrote: The O ring also keeps smells from getting out so Mr. Bear has a harder time smelling them.

i don't think a critter that can smell the contents of a sealed can has any problem smelling anything in a bear canister.

The function O-rings probably has more to do with making the lid fit perfectly tight and seamless to the can so there is no play in the lid, or a space that can be expoited by a fang or claw. With good o-rings, the lid will "pop up" just enough for easier access into the can. With no o-rings, or excessive worn rings, you might have to tip the can on it's side and use gravity to get the lid off since there is no longer any resistance by the o-ring. I think good o-rings help with smell and moisture, but that's not the only reason for them. It's a very simple and elegant design, perfect for getting to your food when you are tired, cold, and hungry or just old fashioned clutzy like me. I have never used any other can to compare it to but have heard that some cans that have threaded lids can be hard to undo in camp.

Freestone, are the o-rings difficult to remove?

"Check your large o-ring for width: 1/8" for Parker 2-268 and 3/32" for Parker 2-172."

Do you mean that not all Bearikades use the same large o-ring?

Btw they offered to replace my oring...I might at some point...I do just turn my canister upside down in rain. There is no way a fang or claw could get in mine even with the cracked oring...it's a tight fit.

Back to the poster who said it's a lifelong investment...if you are going to use it, then go for it! I have used the devil out of mine!:)

Longri, the o-rings are easy to remove and replace. My big o-ring was all cracked, but the 3 small ones located on the quarter turn fasteners look just like new. The fastener is held onto the lid by an E-ring on the back side of the lid and yes, apparently there are 2 different thicknesses out there. I think it's too bad Wild-ideas does not sell repair kits. Kinda like selling a car without providing the parts for repair and it's so easy to do.

Ndwoods, you are correct, after I removed all the o-rings, there was some slop, but not enough for claw or fang. With them gone, the can had to be turned upside down to get the lid off.

Simply turning the can upside down will is certainly keep the contents dry but ignoring equipment wear and tear could come back to haunt in unpredictable ways. The o-rings were not put there just for looks.

I asked Wild Ideas about the cable that holds the lid.
"This lanyard is designed to help keep the hatch from getting bent by stepping on it when not attached."
"The only consequence of having a hatch that is not flat is the increased possibility of moisture getting inside because of improper seating against the o-ring."