I don't see how a proper hang would keep the bears away from the backpacker while a canister won't. One typically does their hang a distance from camp and one typically places their bear can a distance from camp as well. When you are done with your food in both cases of course. On the other hand, the canister could potentially protect your food in case of a camp visit by an aggressive bear before the food is stowed while the typical hang bag would just make it easier for the bear to carry the food away.