Pepper Spray vs. Bear Spray (Which is Better?)

Camping in bear country?

It's essential that you take extra steps to stay safe from bear attacks.

This includes a way to stop an aggressive bear that is charging you, without causing it permanent harm.

Of course, there's a tool made for the job: bear spray.

But if you already own pepper spray, it's natural to wonder whether it will work just as well. After all, these two are pretty similar products.

The short answer is no. There are some key differences that make these sprays unsuitable to use interchangeably.

Let's get straight to it!

Bear Spray vs. Pepper Spray (What is the difference?)

Both use the same active ingredient, capsaicin and related capsaicinoids. The difference is in the concentration and in how the spray is delivered.

Bear spray is meant as a deterrent for bears. Pepper spray is meant to deter humans.

According to the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, the capsaicinoid content of bear spray is typically 2%, while in pepper spray it's around 1.33%. Bear spray is also built to shoot farther and cover a wider area.

Bear spray should never be used on people.

Pepper Spray: Essential Facts

• Designed as a self-defense tool against humans
• Has a range of about 10 feet, depending on the type
• Comes in a variety of sizes, from 0.5 to 16 ounces
• Compactly designed to fit a pocket
• Can be handled with one hand
• Legal in most places, but rules on size, strength and purchase vary by state
• Not strong enough to rely on against a bear

Bear Spray: Essential Facts

• Designed to stop an aggressive or charging bear
• Most cans reach 20 to 30 feet or more
• Should hold at least 7.9 ounces
• The size of a spray can
• Sprays a wide cloud, not a narrow stream
• Registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Should never be used on people

Okay, so we've covered the most important facts to know about each of these sprays.

But they do appear quite similar in many ways, so let's talk about each feature to see how they compare and contrast.

Capsaicin Levels

Both of these sprays use the same main ingredient, an oil extracted from hot peppers called oleoresin capsicum (OC).

If you've ever rubbed your eyes after handling hot peppers… well, let's just say you were blinded by tears for a good while.

The compounds that make your eyes sting are capsaicin and its related capsaicinoids.

The spiciness of peppers is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU).

To give you a rough idea of the numbers, here's how many SHUs certain peppers have:

• Jalapeno – 2,500-8,000
• Tabasco Pepper – 30,000-50,000
• Ghost Pepper – 800,000-1,000,000

You'll often see SHU figures in the millions on pepper spray and bear spray packaging. They aren't a reliable way to compare products, because brands measure and advertise them differently.

The number that matters is the percentage of capsaicinoids, which we cover below.

Spraying Distance/Pressure

Both of these products are pressurized, but their spraying distance is different.

Pepper Sprays: With pepper sprays, you need to be a little closer.

Many pepper sprays have a spray distance of around 10 feet, but those numbers go up and down depending on the model.

There are several different types of pepper sprays out there, all with different purposes.

A stream type of pepper spray can reach farther, but it's a poor choice indoors, as you can easily inhale it or get splashed.

Pepper Gel: Pepper gel is more accurate, can travel farther and has a lower chance of wind blowback.

But it requires more precision when aiming.

Pepper Foam: Finally, we have pepper foam. This type has a shorter spraying distance than the other two.

But at short range it's precise, clings to the attacker and has little blowback.

Bear Spray: Bear spray is made to shoot farther than pepper spray and cover a wider area. The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee says most bear sprays reach 20 to 30 feet, and some cans list more. Check the label on yours.

A bear deterrent comes out as a wide cloud, more like a fog than a stream.

That's the point. You aren't trying to hit the bear's eyes. You're putting a cloud between you and a bear charging at you, so it runs into it.

In such a dangerous situation, there's no time for careful aiming.

The Concentration of Oleoresin Capsicum

You might see both of these products advertised with OC concentrations ranging from 5 to 10 percent or more.

But these numbers are more confusing than useful.

That's because it's not the volume of oleoresin capsicum that matters, but its potency.

And that depends on the percentage of capsaicinoids, which are the active ingredients in it.

In pepper spray, the capsaicinoid content varies a lot from product to product and often isn't stated clearly on the packaging.

Bear spray is different. It's registered with the EPA, and the label states the capsaicinoid content, which is typically between 1% and 2%.

So in reality, you want to look at the capsaicinoid percentage, not the OC percentage.

Legality

Pepper spray is legal to own in most of the United States, but states and cities set their own rules.

These can cover the size of the can, the strength, who can buy it, and where it can be sold.

Laws change, so check the current rules for your state before you buy or carry pepper spray.

And while it's generally legal to own and carry, pepper spray should only be used for self-defense.

If you use it on a person, you may have to show you were facing an imminent threat.

Bear spray, on the other hand, is not sold as a self-defense weapon. It's registered as a pesticide.

And as such, it's regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The National Park Service advises buying EPA-approved bear spray, which it calls the only kind that's effective enough to stop an aggressive bear.

Bear spray is legal to buy and carry in most places, but some parks and jurisdictions restrict it, and airlines don't allow it in luggage. Check the rules for where you're going.

Using bear spray on a person, other than in real self-defense, can get you into serious legal trouble.

Canister Design

Given that it's a personal self-defense tool, pepper spray is packed in small canisters that you can easily keep in your pocket and take out in an emergency.

And while they do come in different sizes, many are about the size of a tube of mascara.

Bear spray cans are much larger. The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee recommends a can with at least 7.9 ounces of product.

A bigger can generally gives you more spray time, which matters if a bear keeps coming or there's more than one.

When you're choosing, Grand Teton National Park suggests a spray that lasts at least 6 seconds and reaches 25 feet or more.

Uses

Both of these sprays should only be used to protect yourself in the case of imminent danger.

Bear Spray:

As the name suggests, bear spray is made to stop bears.

You should never use it against humans.

Bear spray is designed and registered for use on bears. People do carry it as a deterrent against other aggressive wildlife, but check the product label to see what it's intended for.

Pepper Spray:

As for pepper spray, it's a tool for protecting yourself against other people.

Pepper spray was designed with humans in mind.

Don't rely on it against a bear. The National Park Service says personal protection sprays aren't strong enough to affect a bear's senses.

How to Use These Sprays?

You should get familiar with the way these sprays work, so that you can use them properly if you ever need to.

Otherwise, you could end up spraying yourself instead.

Both should be kept where you can reach them instantly. Pepper spray can go in a pocket. Bear spray belongs in a belt or chest holster, never in your backpack.

Here is the National Park Service's guidance for using bear spray:

• Use it when an aggressive, charging bear is within about 60 feet of you.
• Point the canister at a slight downward angle and fire toward the bear.
• Spray a cloud between you and the bear, and be ready to spray again or empty the can.
• Strong wind affects the distance and direction of the spray, so be upwind if you can.

Practice removing the safety clip and drawing the can before your trip, so you aren't learning in the moment.

For pepper spray, follow the instructions on the product you own, since range and spray pattern differ a lot between types.

When Should You Use Bear Spray?

Both of these sprays are meant to be used only to defend yourself when you're in danger of physical harm.

This doesn't mean you should start spraying as soon as you see a bear walking in the distance.

First, it won't do anything, as the bear is out of range. And second, it might only draw more attention to you.

Use bear spray only on a bear that is charging or attacking, once it's within range.

Bear spray is not a repellent. Don't spray it on your tent, your gear or yourself. The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee warns that pre-sprayed objects may actually attract bears.

The same principle goes for pepper spray. Using it when you aren't in real danger can get you into legal trouble.

How does bear spray work?

As we've already covered, both pepper spray and bear spray use oil extracted from hot peppers.

This oil contains the compounds that give us that burning sensation on our tongues when we eat something spicy.

And when you rub your eyes after cutting a hot pepper, they sting.

That's because oleoresin capsicum irritates and inflames the mucous membranes in your eyes.

When inhaled, it does the same to the respiratory system.

It causes difficulty breathing, swelling of the nasal passages, and coughing.

The same effects apply to a bear that runs into a cloud of bear spray.

These effects are temporary, and they give you time to leave the area. Move away calmly and don't run.

FAQs

Is using bear spray on a human legal?

You shouldn't use bear spray on humans.

It's made and registered for use on bears, and it can cause serious injury to a person.

Using it on someone can lead to criminal charges. Laws vary by state, so if this is a real concern for you, check your local law.

Can you use pepper spray as bear spray?

No. Don't rely on pepper spray against a bear.

The National Park Service says personal protection and law enforcement sprays aren't strong enough to affect a bear's senses. In bear country, carry EPA-registered bear spray.

What happens if you spray a human with bear spray?

The effects of bear spray are similar to those of pepper spray: irritated eyes, nose and lungs.

But the intensity can be much stronger.

If you're accidentally exposed, move to fresh air, follow the first aid instructions on the can, and get medical help if symptoms are severe or don't ease.

Are pepper spray and bear spray the same?

Both of these sprays use the same active ingredients and work in a similar manner.

But pepper spray is designed for use against humans, while bear spray is designed to stop a charging bear.

The difference lies in the concentration, the range and the way the spray is delivered.

Which is better bear spray or pepper spray?

This depends on why you need it. For self-defense against people, pepper spray is your tool.

For bears, bear spray is irreplaceable. You should never use either spray for any other purpose.

Will bear spray work on mountain lions?

Bear spray is designed and registered for bears, but it's commonly carried as a deterrent against other large animals too.

We cover this in more detail in our guide to bear spray and mountain lions.

How much does the bear spray cost?

Prices vary by brand and can size, but most bear sprays cost roughly $40 to $60 per can.

To Sum Things Up

As you can see, these two sprays share the same active ingredient and both exist to stop an attacker.

But there are some key differences that prevent you from using them interchangeably.

Bear spray is stronger, shoots farther and covers a wider area, and it's made for bears.

Pepper spray is made for people, and it isn't strong enough to rely on in a bear attack.

So what to do? Carry the right one for the situation. In bear country, that means EPA-registered bear spray, on a holster, where you can reach it.

Sources

• National Park Service: Bear Spray and Firearms
• Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee: Bear Spray
• Grand Teton National Park: Carry Bear Spray
• National Institute of Justice: Oleoresin Capsicum potency report