Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Purchased this product with the intention of using in the Adirondack mountains where bear barrels are required. The reviews seemed positive, however, when I showed up on the first day, the Adirondack Loj had a nice display at the front door of the information center with this barrel and it's larger model torn open by bears (see attached pictures). The "convenient" groove around the lid for a rope makes it very easy for a bear to slip its claws in and remove. In fact, two different people at the info desk and a ranger on the trail said this model was also so thin that bears had been known to chew a hole in the bottom. Despite the fact that my attached pictures say "bears in the Eastern High Peaks" I imagine bears aren't much around the country (except bigger, making it even easier for them to get inside). The point is, this canister is NOT bear-proof. As a result, I had to rent a different, bear-proof container at the lodge, which was fortunate since we heard a bear heading through our campsite to inspect it and claw marks around the area where it had tried to get it out and fool with it. The only reason I can think of for ANY positive reviews on this container at all is those who gave it a positive rating must not have actually had SEEN any bears or had any try to get into it. Also, this is a very wide, fat container that would be awkward anywhere, including on the outside of the pack. The black, thinner models are easier to slide into a backpack and are actually bear-proof. Fortunately, Amazon honored my return...