Originally Posted by cyccommute

I wouldn't say that a 2 bag system is all that great for convenience. From the standpoint of actually getting into the bags to get out things you might need on the road like rain coats, snacks, extra clothes, etc., 2 bags means that you have to do a lot of digging or very careful packing in the morning. With 4 bags, I put cooking stuff and food up front while I put clothes in the back. If I have to get snacks, those are on top in the front bag while the rain coat and extra clothes are in the back. There's a lot less digging to find what I need.

I live and camp in Colorado, by the way, and I've never found the need for any kind of bear canister. A bit of parachute cord is enough to hoist the food bags off the ground as well as keeping a very clean, bear resistant camp.