Which is best, and what do I look for as far as reach, effectiveness, type or ingredients that are essential?

I would go with the stream type rather than the fog type, myself. I probably wouldn't be paying attention to which way the wind is blowing, and disabling and seasoning myself for the bear would seem to be counterproductive.

IMO.

Sue

I'd check and see what big game hunting guides recommend.

Are you talking about spraying grizzlies?
That's pretty gutsy.

Pete

No, you use this to keep bears from sticking in the frying pan.



(Please pardon me. It's been a very long day :-)

Get the strongest pepper spray you can find and if you need to use it use plenty of it.

Some time ago I was reading an article that suggested that too frequent, and ineffective exposure to pepper spray has allowed some bears to develop a taste for food spiced with pepper spray. Knowing my luck I would get the grizzly that likes his hikers extra spicy. I guess that once I recognized that the bear likes the spray, assuming I lived that long, I could spray another hiker and run.

http://www.outdooreyes.com/bearpepperspray.php3

(I hate just posting a link, but it is late here is and this saves me typing a lot of words)

A comprehensive link with advice:

http://www.yellowstone-bearman.com/b_spray.html

You are going to want to review the whole topic of bear country disciplines, use of bear cannisters for food, ecetera. Here's another link:

http://www.wild-ideas.net/products.html

more good info here:
http://www.absc.usgs.gov/research/brownbears/pepperspray/pepperspray.htm

This is good stuff....

http://www.counterassault.com/