History

Bear-Aware Bear Resistant Panniers are made by Fab-it Manufacturing Incorporated. Fab-it is a family owned Precision Sheet Metal Fabrication company located in Sun Valley, California. Fab-it has been in operation since 1974 serving all types of industries from commercial to aerospace applications.

Development

As an escape from work, we travel to the Sierra's to pack into the backcountry on horseback. It was on one of those trips that the need for proper food storage was made crystal clear. That's right, we lost all of our five day supply of food on the first night!! It didn't take long before we had designed and fabricated our first version of what is now the Bear-Aware Bear Resistant Pannier.

Construction

Our panniers are made from .090 thick 5052 H32 Aluminum. The box is a three piece construction formed in a 90 ton press brake and welded together. The lid is one piece that sits in a recess and is locked into place with quarter turn spring loaded fasteners.

Testing

Our Bear-Aware Panniers have been tested and approved for use in the Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and Inyo National Forest. The Sierra Interagency Black Bear Working Group preformed a series of tests which ultimately resulted in the approval rating. The testing process involved a visual inspection, animal testing and finally a field service period.

If you have questions or would like to know more, please contact
Jeff Berns at jmberns@bear-aware.comor by phone 800-568-8990