You’ll find ranges which vary from 20 – 40 feet. The aim is to spray slightly above the bears ahead as gravity will cause the spray to fall down towards the eye area. Although it’s used in the same manner you would use mace on an attacking person, bear pepper spray and human pepper spray are not the same. Use. The bear’s (and human’s) response to this ingredient is immediate and devastating. The company he founded, Counter Assault, became the first Environmental Protection Agency registered aerosol bear spray. The spray is measured in feet, and you will find the ranges vary from 15 – 40 feet with most coming in at around the 20-30 foot rage. That said, if your bear spray is past expiration get rid of it and get a new one! Instead, it’s critical to have the bear spray ready to use at all times. The spray is dispensed from a handheld canister and can reach up to four metres. When it comes to bear safety, knowing how to travel in bear country is your best bet. Bear spray will usually comprise of an active ingredient (such as a capsaicinoid) along with a carrier (propylene glycol) and a physical propellant (a popular one being nitrogen). It needs to be easy to attach them to any pack or belt. Convenience - There’s no point whatsoever being armed and dangerous if it's packed at the bottom of your backpacking backpack so picking a bear spray that also comes with its own holster is a smart choice. In addition, you will also be able to control their ability to breathe and smell. These creatures are like skunks. You can purchase bear repellent sprays at any sporting goods store, but they can be expensive. Let’s go over the good, bad, and ugly of bear sprays so you can spend more time hiking and less time shopping! Though it is a beneficial tool, it should not be the only protective measure you take against a dangerous encounter. Eyes nose and mouth mucus membranes go into overdrive causing pain, watering, sneezing, and lots of growling (or yelling). }, Your email address will not be published. This won’t happen, however, unless your bear spray has an easy way to carry it in a ready access position. "bestRating": "5.00", That alone doesn’t make it perfect, but it’s a testament to a bear spray done right! That said, it may leave more room for accidental loss because the plastic holster is semi-open and the canister is held in only by snap pressure. Don’t worry though, it’s a temporary yet disabling effect that sets the eyes, nose, and mouth on fire! If necessary, take refuge in a vehicle. Spraying too soon will not create a strong enough deterrent as the spray will disperse. Included with your purchase is also a handy 32-page bear safety tips booklet as, after all, keeping yourself safe is every bit as important as being able to defend your camp. To get protection against the bear, as a self-defense spray is used that is known as bear spray. That’s why you want to be careful when using the spray not to aim it at your friends or accidentally spray yourself. With the passage of time and especially if the product remains unused, the pressure inside the canister is reduced, and it is this that compromises the spray’s effectiveness, and in particular, it’s useful range. Okay I gotta be honest, most of the important facts I listed above aren’t really statistics perse but they are cool! Wind will greatly alter the efficacy of any spray. I have launched several start-ups. SABRE Frontiersman Bear Spray 9.2 oz (Holster Options & Multi-Pack Options) — Maximum Strength, Maximum Range & Greatest Protective Barrier Per Burst! } Bear Spray vs. Bullets Which offers better protection? With hundreds of nights spent on the trail guiding backpacking trips and enjoying the trails myself, I’m here to guide you through the steps of choosing a top rated bear spray. Once deployed into the face of a bear, the stream of chili pepper fueled disability will last plenty long enough for you to get away. UDAP is dedicated as a company to providing quality, professional products for the outdoors, camping and hunting enthusiasts among you. A: No bear deterrent is 100% effective but proper use of bear spray will deter all but the most aggressive and determined bear. Of course, you probably already know that, don’t you? I enjoy sharing my experiences of backcountry education teaching and guiding through writing. There are tons of videos out there of users actually testing different brands in the field. Quick Answer: The 5 Best Bear Sprays For 2020, #4 Frontiersman Bear Spray with Chest or Belt Holster, How to Choose the Best Bear Spray – Buyers Guide. The spray can irritate the lungs, throat, nose, and eyes of the bear. Hence why you are using the spray in the first place. Past a certain concentration there’s not much of an advantage to be gained. Our guide to the best survival knives features more great products like this. If you want to stretch your dollar as far as it will go, you can't … Best For: High capsaicin content (2%) and customizable holsters. Plus, you can use bear spray with impunity—and with positive benefits for bear and human alike. Bear mace and pepper spray contain the same active ingredient, oleoresin capsicum.. Pepper spray is also used in much the same way as the instructions for bear mace above. In terms of strength, bear spray has about 2% CRC (Capsaicin and Related Capsaicinoids) and human spray only has about 1.33% CRC. Much like other self defense items, bear spray is best carried in a holster in an easy to reach area. Much has been written about bears and bear pepper spray and how to defend against bear attacks. Pepper spray is one of the most effective non-lethal forms of self-defense.. Never spray it on or near your camping gear, backpacks or blow up tents thinking that this will act in itself as a deterrent. 5. Which offers better protection? I think it’s safe to assume that it will dispense the 9 ounces of spray in 3 – 10 seconds but I can’t confirm that. We want holsters that encourage users to carry them on hip belts, chest straps, and other good locations. Is it just me or does it seem like Alaskan bear spray is a popular thing? Guard Alaska Bear Spray 4-Pack. Best For: An affordable option when you need something to keep your wallet from sinking. So we’re here to guide you through our top tips and recommendation for choosing a good formula with our Best Bear Spray review. Though they both contain the same active ingredient — oleoresin capsicum, bear spray contains a much lower concentration. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Best Multi-Pack: Guard Alaska 4-Pack Bear Repellent. No Ads. Of course, finally, you have to be able to quickly and reliable open the holster under pressure…. No Sponsored Content. Of course, the final performance is affected by wind and accuracy. Just remember that bear attacks are never expected so you should always be prepared. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. Garnier Ambre Solaire Dry Mist Fast Absorbing Sun Cream Spray SPF30, Non Greasy High Sun Protection SPF30, Easy To Use Mist Spray 200 ml 4.6 out … That’s not a 100% guarantee that you’ll be perfectly safe however. And in the name of self-reliance, it’s worth learning how to make pepper spray at home. A: A grizzly bear will be just as deterred and a brown or black bear. Frontiersman Bear Spray with Chest or Belt Holster. If you come face-to-face with a giant grizzly … However, they are different in that pepper spray contains much more of the active ingredient and the symptoms pepper spray causes a human are much more intense.. Bear mace is also designed to be used in … While gun ownership is a popular option when it comes to self defense and home security, there are a … CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON. So, what’s to be done about those nosy bears who come aggressing upon the wayward hiker? No where on the product page could I find a definitive testing list of distance or spray time. They need to hold your bear spray securely so it won’t fall out on the trail. If you want to comment or recommend a spray I didn’t include, please use my contact form to get in touch. When it’s time to use the bear spray, you don’t’ really get to tell the bear to wait until you can unpack the spray and use it. The most important thing if you are in the bear territory is to ensure that you always have your spray on hand. It’s not that the contents of the spray degrade and become ineffective but more so that the product starts to lose its ability to spray effectively. This last factor is one of the most critical performance factors that separate various bear sprays. — Effective Against All Types of Bears 4.7 out of 5 stars 3,301. Fortunately, you can make your own bear repellent using a few ingredients you can purchase at your local supermarket; the main ingredient is pepper. It’s designed to be a non-toxic and non-lethal means of repelling an attacking grizzly or black bear. Most bear sprays will give you a performance time of 3-5 seconds worth of use. Just read their article about guns vs spray right here. Your email address will not be published. At 7.9 ounces, this isn’t one you’d want for everyday carry (there’s also a 9.2oz option). The effects can last for over 20 minutes, and it’s used by military and the police globally as a deterrent against threatening behavior. Bear deterrent is quite like pepper spray, in fact, you could go as far as to say that it is a special type of pepper spray designed to work against bears. It is a temporary situation and the victim can get out of the danger zone IS BEAR SPRAY EFFECTIVE? The stats are impressive though and you’ll find this bear spray effective against any kind of mammal! The bears must be bigger up there. Bear sprays are another form of pepper spray. Of course, I can’t be sure exactly what testing factors they used to determine those distances, but an average of 32 feet of range isn’t bad at all. But just what is there to know about bear spray before you buy? The best strategy you can employ to avoid bears is to make as much noise as possible, always try and camp in groups and be vigilant and aware of the signs of recent bear activity – tracks, overturned logs, diggings, etc. Also, keep in mind that adverse weather conditions such as wind and rain can also affect the distance so judge wisely and be careful. While some bear sprays struggle to reach 20 feet of spray, Frontiersman tips the scales at a reported 30 feet if we take them at their word. First up though, we do highly recommend that you carry it with you in a holster or attached to your belt. "@context": "https://schema.org/", 9 Best Compasses For Outdoor (Review) in 2020, This product guide was written by GearHungry Staff, I confirm I wish to sign up to the Gear Hungry mailing list, 4Counter Assault 8.1oz Bear Deterrent Spray, Aim your spray canister towards the approaching bear, adjusting your angle for any wind direction, Keep your arm steady and sure and depress the trigger with your thumb, Aim slightly above the bear’s head to account for gravity, Don’t be tempted to spray all the contents at once in a panic as re-application might be needed, If the bear is still on the advance, spray towards the face, Once the bear is on the retreat, quickly but calmly leave the area and don’t run! Users rate that Udap Bear Spray has a range and distance of 30 feet and it has one of the highest quantities of capsaicin at 2%. Nowhere in the company’s specifications could I turn up a number for output or spray duration. You know that you are in safe and reliable hands when the product has been developed by a bear attack survivor. "aggregateRating": { Most bear spray works heavily based on one main ingredient. We keep going back the caveat “proper use” but proper use of bear spray is essential to deterring and type of bear. Udap 12HP Bear Spray is a high performing formulation coming in at a 2% concentration and offering a 30-foot spray range. When it’s time for the rubber to meet the road, you want as much time as possibly to hit your target and deter the bear, right? A: Bear spray is potent enough to cause a severe amount of discomfort although it’s unlikely to cause any permanent damage. Hint: Spray is proven through many studies to be equally or more effective at stopping bear attacks than guns and it weighs less when you have to carry it on the trail. However, considering that some bear sprays push up close to 40 feet or so, I’m going to say that every inch counts when you need to stop that bear as far away as possible! It could however definitely affect your eyes if it’s accidentally released at close range. Frontiersman Bear Spray at a Glance: 30 foot … We’ve included a range of price points with both a best and premium choice recommendation and of course, they all must be easy to use, with clear instructions that are straightforward enough to be successfully executed in a crisis situation with dangerous animals. However, it is probably the very best option for bears. If your bear spray is near expiration and you want to be sure, give it a quick test downwind and away from animals and people. Chances are your relatives are asking you things like, “what will you do if you get attacked by a bear?” over a family dinner. Go near a cub – Sure they are cute and look cuddly but just know that mama bear is around and will not appreciate you going near her cub! Be sure to replace the safety pin and wash your hands after! Hot pepper spray with a 2% active concentrate, Features a glow in the dark safety clip and chain. A bear spray is similar but not the same as it delivers a significantly lower l concentration of the active chili based ingredient. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate what we feel are the best products. On top of that, it also has a formulation that features the highest level of capsaicin content legally permissible at 2% plus delivers an effective 30-foot range, so you’re not having to get too up close and personal with that bear! Range & Coverage - Perhaps the most important consideration when it comes to choosing a bear spray is understanding its effective range, distance, and coverage. Don’t take my word for it. The effective and recommended dose for bears is between 1-2% only. Easy portability, storage, and quick retrieval when required, Powerful bear spray fog style formulation, If you come face-to-face with a giant grizzly bear, you need the right protection and you need it quickly. Required fields are marked *. At 8.1 ounces, this is a large can of “get the hell away from me” that you can really count on. Make sure you select an EPA approved product that is specifically designed to stop … This accessible fit is essential and having the choice of both options isn’t something that many other manufacturers offer. Do not rely on a bear spray to be your one and only defense against them. Once the volatile active ingredients in the spray have physically broken down, the remaining pepper residue could actually attract and encourage bears into camp! That way you can be sure to get plenty of the active ingredient to your target, even if you miss with half of it! This will disorientate the bear and cause it irritation and discomfort for up to two hours. When you press the button, it rapidly deploys a heavy fog up to 30 feet away. Unfortunately, despite claims of being “the most trusted bear spray brand” even a visit to the company’s website in June of 2020 didn’t list any real details. Choosing the right bear spray is important, and there are various important features that you need to consider, not least the effective range and potency of the formula. Remember that bear spray is no place to skimp and save a buck. You need a holster that is positioned in an accessible location, has versatile attachment options so that you can wear it how is most comfortable and convenient for you and it needs to be easy to open and release in an emergency too! The first clear danger of homemade self-defense spray is the composition. It has a very long range of 30 feet and shoots out a massive amount of spray per second. A: Bear spray in the wild is proven to be more effective deterrent than firearms and while there is plenty of marketing spiel about the potency of sprays, not all manufacturer’s make such explicit claims about it longevity and shelf life so make sure that you are vigilant and check on the expiration date. Of course, the perceptive among you already know why this is a problem. At nearly 10 seconds of spray time in a 7.9 ounce bottle, you’ll be delivering less fluid per second than the Counter Assault model. Mace is synonymous with … Most of us are past the point of just buying the first thing we see on shelves now days. It is specifically designed to be delivered in a fog cloud pattern which means less aiming and more hitting. For that reason you’ll likely have to replace your bear spray after a single use to ensure that you’re ready for any future surprises! If the bear is still on the approach, try again but aiming more directly into the face. Bear spray contains 1–2% capsaicin and related capsaicinoids, the key active ingredients. A: Yeah, you can. Udap is blowing us away with one of the best (and only customizable) bear spray holsters and spray I’ve ever seen! Their Pepper Power Fogger has an enhanced range and is a broad patterned spray, creating a particle size that makes it easy for the bear to inhale. If the worst should happen, it’s critical that your bear spray is ready to use and available at hand! Mace Brand Bear Pepper Spray has a shelf life of 3 years and is available in a 9-ounce size of 260 grams and can protect up to a range of 30 feet in about 6 seconds. It’s also one of the more environmentally-friendly bear sprays on the market, so you can spray with zero guilt.Â. Staying safe while adventuring will ensure you have plenty of more adventures to come. Mace Brand Triple Action: Best for Pockets. We also like the fact that it comes with a plastic holster, so you can fit it to your belt or bag – just make sure it’s somewhere you can access immediately.Â, The Counter Assault Bear Deterrent Spray was developed in conjunction with the University of Montana. This holster won’t win awards for tactical holster of the year, but it’ll get the job done. The higher the concentration, the more acute the side effects which can include pain, sneezing, watering eyes and of course, lots of growling! Here are some of the reasons Frontiersman Bear Spray provides the very best in bear defense. — Effective Against All Types of Bears … Of course, at high pressure and flying out of the canister this fluid will only last a certain time. { You will just encourage the bear to come after you. Then you’ll be in for a nasty surprise later when you rub your eyes! I often refer to it as "pepper soup." A: This seems to be the sentiment of many would-be outdoors people. 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My name, email, and why you can Trust us here we’re to! Ingredient — oleoresin capsicum, bear spray is a little more robustness – it just or!