The website for olympic national park says canister only but the friend who had an ursack got a verbal OK and brought it. I had one of those garcia containers, borrowed. While it doesn't compact with use, you can pack other stuff into it as space becomes available. No fan at all of the weight/bulk though. Another friend had a ratsack, we had no hope that velcro closure would keep raccoons out.

From what I can gather, Ursacks are often allowed places where canisters are required, but there is no explicit rule against Ursacks. I've never had a problem when I've asked, but I've often had to explain what an ursack is.

More generally, it seems that bear canister approval is a slow and bureaucratic process, and that individual enforcement comes down to the ranger on site.

Usually it isn't an exclusive list, more of an inclusive list. I mean they list what is allowable and it need to be on the list. For example for Yosemite: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/containers.htm
What is odd is Bearikade is on that but only the Weekender and up? I wonder why not the Scout?

Similar list for Olympics https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvis...-canisters.htm except note at the bottom Ursack is specifically banned.

Bear Resistant Canisters - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation "

• Non-rigid containers or sacks are not considered bear resistant canisters under the regulation."

Damn, and the one major park we'll visit is Olympic.... harder to carry a big round plastic thing on a bike...

All of the places I have toured where canisters are required in the back country have bear lockers in the regular and hiker biker sites. They also typically don't allow dispersed camping for bike tourists so their canister requirements are a complete non issue for bike tourists. Just use the bear lockers.

I'd be surprised if Olympic didn't have bear lockers at all of the sites.

We like going on overnight walks to get away if possible. I've made up front racks where we put 35L Sealline backpacks (that can carry more than 35L) that we use as handle bar bags.