As Lori points out, if you hike enough in certain areas it pays back quickly.

For example I backpack on the Olympic Coast in the ONP quite often. Out there canisters are required due to raccoons. For me every time I go it was a $3 "donation" to rent a Garcia canister that was too big. So we bought a Bear Vault Solo that is perfect for overnighters to 2 nighters. It is paid for many times over.

Same with the 2 Ursacks I have - At less than $50 each they were paid off years ago.

One thing that canisters and Ursacks offer is ease of use - which is priceless when tired at night. No thinking. You go stash it and go to bed.

Hanging food in a tree is about as much fun for me as getting my teeth cleaned. Seriously! So every time when I am done in 30 seconds with my food I think how my time is worth something, even in the wilderness.