It depends on your area, for the most part. You should consider bear-resistant ratings if you live around the bear country, especially in forested areas around North America, or are just a camping or outdoor enthusiast. These ratings will protect your food from scavenging animals, bears, or otherwise. Bear-resistant coolers are usually hard-shelled coolers or cooler lines with foam insulation designed to be solid enough to withstand any conditions and abuse. They also produce very little excess waste, ensuring economic and environmental consciousness. Certified bear-resistant coolers are usually certified by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC). They provide ratings and strict tests for bear resistance for coolers to be certified by their just as strict standards. You can verify if your cooler line of choice is bear resistant with the IGBC website.