Assuming different brands have different levels of reliability, any tried and true brands you know of? "Mama Fisher's Homemade Environmentally Safe Bear Repellant" might not be the best choice when Yogi sees me building a fire.

What brand is better? Also, what's the shelf life for a can of spray? Thanks.

Note: this is an hypothetical discussion, so..

The UDAP brand always comes to mind. After a handful of years, maybe shoot off the old stuff, get new.

Thanks for the nudge. I just ordered 3 cans of Sabre pepper spray from Amazon, after being encouraged to do so by my CCW instructor.
Only concerned about 2-legged varmints.