The Best Backpacking Stove , From Our Hands-On Tests

Good Value

MSR PocketRocket 2

Well Overall

JetBoil Stash

Smallest

Soto Amicus

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Whether it ’ s cause your morning coffee or cooking a warm evening meal , a backpacking stove is an crucial piece of your backcountry kitchen . To figure out which model leave the serious performance and the smooth user experience , I acquired in brand-new canister stove from MSR , GSI , Primus , Soto , Snow Peak , and JetBoil . They make up then lay through a series of controlled run before point out onOutdoor Life’ s annual backpacking gear try out trip to the Goat Rocks Wilderness to cost try out in tandem by experienced backpackers . Here live the best backpacking stove , based on those control tests and field experiences .

• Best Overall :
• Best Value :
• Better for Bad Weather :
• Lightest :
• Little :

How We Try the Best Backpacking Stoves

Field Testing

Backpacking stoves be include inOutdoor Life’ s second annual backpacking gear run , which need place along a 40-mile department of the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington State ’ s Goat Rock Wilderness .

Each day , testers were assign a fresh stove to expend while making their dawn coffee , and cooking up the well backpacking food . The squad included thru-hikers , ultralight enthusiasts , and traditional backpackers . We took notes on our experiences , which make up then pick up in schematic test sheet at the goal of the trip .

Control Testing

In addition to collecting field bill from a range of testers , which live both objective and subjective in nature , I too ran a series of controlled test on the backpacking stove we looked at . I weighed each stove , without its carrying case or add-ons like piezo barge . I measured the dimension of the pot defend to better understand how stable a mass would exist when perched on top , and how big of a pot each backpacking stove could support .

Eventually , I measured how long it would take each stove to boil a half liter of water , at sea level , and how much relative fuel was use by each stove , in a controlled , windless environment ( my garage ) . I then brought out one of the good camping fans , reverse it to a medium setting and set it about 2.5 base back from the stoves . The tip that was arrive at the stoves was not utmost , but it was detectable and cause the canister stoves to sputter . Canister stove equal not suitable for extreme-wind circumstance , so rather than cooking in high tip , I would recommend plant up a windshield or moving on down the trail before stopping to cook .Outdoor Lifehas design to lead a head-to-head of canister stove design specifically for intense tip at a later date .

Control Testing Results

Below are the results of my controlled tests of the better backpacking stove .

The following reviews leave more item about our testers ’ study experience .

Best Backpacking Stoves : Reviews & Recommendations

Well Overall :

Pros

• Amazing fuel efficiency
• All-in-one bundle
• Stove is real lightweight

Cons

• Expensive
• Come with pot is on the heavy side

Key Features

• Price :
  $ 150
• Weight :
  2.1 ounce ( merely the stove ) ; 7.1 ounces ( as a system )
• No push-button ignitor

Test Results

• Time Boil Test in Windless Conditions :
  3 second , 14 seconds
• Fuel Expend to Boil in Windless Conditions :
  0.20 ounces
• Timed Boil Test in Moderate Wind :
  4 minutes , 25 moment
• Fuel Used to Boil in Moderate Wind :
  0.25 ounces

JetBoil is know for its great performance in windy consideration , but still in my controlled setting — a windless garage — the Stash boast the competitor out of the water for fuel efficiency when use with the included pot . It used so much less fuel than early backpacking stoves in this run — roughly half as much — that you could easily get away with purchase a smaller fuel canister rather than a larger one . That more than do up for the weight differential of mate a unlike backpacking stove with an ultralight titanium lot . Over enough trip it ’ ll do up the price differential also .

Testers cost all impress by how easy the JetBoil Stash be to use . “ I enjoy the ridge on the bottom of the pot which grooves into the stove so it doesn ’ t slip off , ” said Sven “ Magic ” Anderson . “ Super secure , easy to set up , ” reported Diana Helmuth , who described this as the backpacking stove system she bid she had get when she started backpacking . “ Felt intuitive to plow on and off. ” Magic as well noted that “ A little fuel canister attaches to the lid ( inside ) along with the stove and lighter , which reach for a tight and compact cook system . Having Parkinson ’ sec disease , I actually appreciated that . ”

Serious Value :

Pros

• Use slightly less fuel than other backpacking stove
• Works well in the wind
• Lightweight
• Small

Cons

• A little finicky to close the stove weapon down

Key Features

• Price :
  $ 50
• Weight :
  3.7 ounce ( with case ) ; 2.6 ounces ( without case )
• No push-button ignitor ( Deluxe model do have one )

Run Results

• Timed Boil Test in Windless Conditions :
  3 moment , 32 second
• Fuel Use to Boil in Windless Circumstance :
  0.30 ounces
• Timed Boil Test in Moderate Wind :
  5 minutes , 36 seconds
• Fuel Used to Boil in Moderate Wind :
  0.40 ounce

Respective of our testers hold used both the first generation and the second genesis of the MSR PocketRocket in the past , and at the end of testing however believed that this be the serious backpacking stove out there . The second gen MSR PocketRocket excels in every class : It ’ s easy to plow on and off , easy to adjust the height of the flame . It ’ s light , the second lightest stove we seem at . It had a nice , broad base to defend the pot . It ’ s good deal affordable . And it somehow used somewhat less fuel to boil a half liter of water than every other backpacking stove we appear at except the JetBoil .

Testers who were new to the MSR PocketRocket 2 clamber at first with the wraparound arms , as you essentially fold them in the opposite instruction from what you expect . “ It took me a instant or two to figure out how the stove folded/unfolded into such a compact form , ” remark OL editor-in-chief Alex Robinson . “ But once I understood the design it be super easy to deploy . ”

One note here cost that the version of the MSR PocketRocket 2 we try did not own a push-button ignitor . The proceeds with push-button igniters is that they ever expose . You act even need to carry at least match if not a barge with you . Devote that , my spirit equal that you should save the weight and the expense and run for a backpacking stove that doesn ’ t trouble with the piezo igniter . Even so , if you enjoy the convenience of the push-button igniter , then you can purchase the of the stove for $ 35 more and another 0.3 ounce and as well pick up better tip resistance and a pressure regulator in the process .

Well for Bad Weather :

Pros

• Fast boiling stove I ’ ve expend
• Excellent performance in windy conditions
• Very fuel efficient

Cons

• Real fuel efficient
• Heavy

Key Feature

• Cost :
  $ 190
• Capacity
  1 liter
• Does not include a piezo igniter

Test Results

• Boil Time in Windless Conditions :
  2 minutes , 11 seconds
• Boil Time in 10 mph Wind :
  2 minute , 40 seconds
• Fuel Utilize in Windy Conditions :
  0.3 ounce
• Weight :
  16.6 ounces ( measured ) , 15.3 ounces ( manufacturer spec )

The poor performance of the majority of backpacking stoves in even moderate winds point to a serious vulnerability that many backpackers live already acquainted with : in bad weather , you ’ ll be lucky if you can still warm up your water , allow only boil it . To observe out which stove live the best for bad weather , I set the three leading all-in-one stove systems through a test involving a 10 mph wind .

In terms of raw performance , the MSR Windburner blew the competition out of the water , and it wasn ’ t still close . It boiled water in under three minutes , twice as fast as the JetBoil Flash and five time as tight as the Primus Lite+ . If you regularly face challenging environment , then the Windburner is the stove you require . It also used somewhat less fuel than the JetBoil Flash .

Read Future :Backpacking Stove Head to Head to Head : JetBoil Flash , MSR Windburner , and Primus Lite+

Unlike the JetBoil Flash , the MSR Windburner is simply designed to boil water , so if you hold early culinary ambitions , this might not be the right stove for you .

Light :

Pros

• Lightest backpacking stove in this test
• Little pack size

Cons

• Loud

Key Feature

• Cost :
  $ 50
• Weight :
  2.6 ounces ( with case ) ; 2.35 ounce ( without case )
• No push-button ignitor

Run Results

• Timed Boil Test in Windless Conditions :
  4 minutes , 44 moment
• Fuel Used to Boil in Windless Conditions :
  0.35 ounces
• Timed Boil Test in Moderate Wind :
  6 instant , 5 minute
• Fuel Used to Boil in Moderate Wind :
  0.50 ounces

Testers appreciated the humble size and light weight of the GSI Pinnacle . It was especially famed that even though this live the light backpacking stove by several tenths of an ounce in this test , it used 0.35 ounces of fuel to boil a half a liter of water , comparable to everything else in this test . This cost sure to go straight to the top of ultralight backpackers list , base on this alone . That doesn ’ t mean , however , that it wasn ’ t without issues .

Magic , who is boost with Parkinson ’ sec , convey some frustration with the stove arms on the GSI Pinnacle . “ They were too loose and it was more difficult than it demand to be to get all the arms up , ” he report . “ I had a difficult time lighting the stove and I see it difficult to shape temperature because it was always hot. ” While other testers cause not cover any issues with the setup , Helmuth make notice that this stove be considerably loud than others that we looked at . “ I have to raise my voice to address to the someone future to me , ” she report .

Smallest :

Pros

• Affordable
• Small pack size
• Subdued
• Good performance in windy conditions

Cons

• Doesn ’ t provide as wide a stem for pots as others we wait at
• Feels flimsy

Key Features

• Price :
  $ 50
• Weight :
  3.15 ounces ( with case ) ; 2.80 ounce ( without case )
• Has push-button ignitor

Trial Results

• Time Boil Test in Windless Conditions :
  3 second , 2 instant
• Fuel Used to Boil in Windless Conditions :
  0.35 ounces
• Timed Boil Test in Moderate Wind :
  6 instant , 14 second
• Fuel Utilize to Boil in Moderate Wind :
  0.40 ounce

The Soto Amicus impressed testers with its small packed size . “ It can definitely agree in the lot with a fuel canister , ” notice Patrice “ Steady ” La Vigne . “ This was as well the subdued I tested of all the stoves. ” While its construction felt flimsier to our testers than other backpacking stove we look at , this exist the light stove we try that included a push-button ignitor . Unfortunately , it wasn ’ t as dependable as others we appear at , and during test I remark that even when the push-button ignitor generated a spark , it didn ’ t ever spark a fire on the stove . This isn ’ t a make or pause matter , but it is a short annoying and can lead to fuel loss over time .

The diameter of the mass support was one of the short in our trial , with OL associate editor Ashley Thess mention that the “ branch were finicky and a short short for balance . ”

Take concern when using a newer fuel canister with this stove , as both the Soto Amicus and Soto Windmaster run to leak a surprising total of fuel when screwing on the stove , and yet more when you unscrew it again .

Pros

• Easy to use
• Stable lot surface
• Sturdy figure

Cons

• Larger packed size
• Somewhat dense

Key Features

• Cost :
  $ 50
• Weight :
  4 ounce ( with case ) ; 3.05 ounce ( without case )
• No push-button ignitor

Test Effect

• Time Boil Test in Windless Circumstance :
  3 minutes , 26 second
• Fuel Utilize to Boil in Windless Circumstance :
  0.35 ounce
• Time Boil Test in Moderate Wind :
  5 minute , 4 seconds
• Fuel Employ to Boil in Moderate Wind :
  0.55 ounce

While most of the backpacking stove designs in this test made an exertion to tuck away the stove weapon when not in use , the Primus Express merely accordioned them all together off to the slope . This made this stove exceptionally easy to employ , but result in an left shape . “ It doesn ’ t pack down super small and stay on in an L-shape , which is mildly inconvenient for storehouse , ” tell Firm , with Magic noting that it “ was bulky to carry in the carrying pouch. ” He cease up storing the stove in a knapsack pocket rather than the interior of his pot , because it merely didn ’ t fit .

While early backpacking stove made an try to spread the flame across the base of the pot , the Primus Express dispense with this and simply dash the flame straight up . For the purpose of boiling water ( what we be testing ) , this hold no impact on the amount of fuel being utilize and the Primus Express clocked a respectable boil time for a half liter of water . Precision backcountry chefs , however , may balk at the lack of passion disbursement , however . The direction of the fire mean that the smaller regulator live still easy to employ and not hot to the touch when it came time to grow down the heat .

Pros

• Broad pot support
• Fast boil time

Cons

• A small pricey
• Heavy
• Finicky lay up

Key Features

• Price :
  $ 70
• Weight :
  3.4 ounce ( with type ) ; 3.05 ounces ( without case )
• Has push-button ignitor

Trial Results

• Timed Boil Test in Windless Conditions :
  2 minutes , 36 seconds
• Fuel Used to Boil in Windless Conditions :
  0.35 ounces
• Time Boil Test in Moderate Wind :
  4 minutes , 40 moment
• Fuel Use to Boil in Moderate Wind :
  0.50 ounce

While there were some advantage to the Soto Windmaster , testers base the setup frustrating . Unlike other backpacking stove our testers seek out , the supports for this stove can be removed when you take it down , appropriate for a smaller overall pack size that ’ s easier to fit into your pile . All testers , still , base this pretty frustrating . Thess observe that “ the arms of the stove detach from the stem making it annoying to replace it and fan them out every time . The ends of the arms are too very loose so you have to create sure those are extended as well. ” Magic , who be boost with Parkinson ’ sec , remark like subject , stating , “ I had a hard time setting up this stove . ”

Even so , testers cost impressed with its performance in windy consideration , due in no small portion to how powerful the fire cost : This one boil a half liter of water in a mere two and a half minutes . Despite receive the same fuel leaking result that the Soto Amicus has ( be sure that your flame cost completely extinguished before taking the stove off the canister ) , all but one of the testers tell that the push-button ignitor work for them .

Pros

• Affordable
• Little packed size

Cons

• Difficult to adjust the regulator without the windshield
• Difficult to put the windscreen on
• Heavy
• Slow boil time
• Performed poorly in windy weather , still with the windshield

Key Feature

• Cost :
  $ 45 ( Windscreen sold separately )
• Weight :
  3.9 ounces ( with case ) ; 3.05 ounce ( without event )
• Has push-button ignitor

Test Result

• Timed Boil Test in Windless Circumstance :
  4 instant , 15 instant
• Fuel Used to Boil in Windless Condition :
  0.35 ounces
• Time Boil Test in Moderate Wind :
  10 moment , 57 seconds
• Fuel Expend to Boil in Moderate Wind :
  0.70 ounces

While testers were impressed with the intense heat that this stove gave off , the intention of this stove left them frustrate . While every early backpacking stove in our trial shot flames upwards , the Snow Peak GigaPower shoots them out the side . While this would be very efficient in send heat out across the alkali of a large cooking lot ( not an issue on this testing trip which seem at one-person backpacking pots ) , it resulted in a few issues for testers . The first be that it made it difficult ( and a short scary ) to reach the regulator , have how close it was to the flames . “ I cost happy I didn ’ t burn down the wood ! ” say one tester . It also induce the handle of our little pots to heat up very quick , so that we needed to use a makeshift pot holder to pick up the water once we live do .

Whether or not testers liked the design of the folding sleeve depended on whether or not they apply the optional windscreen . Steady , who skip that step , equal impress by the “ four arm that well act into property for cooking , and no twisting or turn required to get it to collapse. ” However , she remark that “ you couldn ’ t adapt the flame without the windshield on because the fire cost shooting up and outward. ” Thess , who do use the windscreen , ended up even more disappointed . “ You get to direct a shield over the arm before opening them and coordinating it was real annoying , ” she order . “ Difficult to set up . ”

I tend the moderate wind test on this unit twice and , unfortunately , the windshield cause not appear to ensue in any significant fuel or time savings in those conditions .

How to Take a Backpacking Stove

Backpacking stove are fairly straightforward , as backpacking gear choice go , but there are yet a few considerations you ’ ll want to prevent in mind .

Backpacking Stove Weight

The backpacking canister stoves we try out all weighed around 3 ounce or less . There exist some model , typically designed for utmost cold or extreme wind , that are heavier than this , but for most mass in most weather , your backpacking stove doesn ’ t motive to be particularly hard .

Packed Size of the Best Backpacking Stoves

A stove that is little enough to fit into your cooking pile along with your fuel ( perhaps yet a utensil ) , will cause for a simpler mealtime training . The backpacking stove in this test will all easily set inside of a 1-liter pot or larger , but some may not work good in a 750mL pot or smaller .

Fuel Type for the Best Backpacking Stoves

The huge majority of backpacking stove , and all of the backpacking stove we try out , expend isobutane as their primary fuel source . However , there are some backpacking stove that use white gas , kerosene , or still unleaded gasoline . Know which type of fuel your stove motive and where you can find it ( fuel typically can not exist shipped in the mail ) before making a purchase .

Push-Button Ignitions on the Best Backpacking Stoves

It ’ s get somewhat standard for backpacking stoves to feature push-button ignitions . However , these are all prone to failure , sometimes after only a pair of uses . Always make for a lighter or matches with you into the backcountry .

FAQs

Canister stove , extend in this roundup , are the best for backpacking , due to their abject weight , reliability , and simplicity . While alcohol stoves will always have a home in the backcountry , the risk of starting a firing is simply too great and they are decreasing in popularity over time . Wood-burning stove get be arrive at in popularity in late yr , but their effectiveness depend in large part on the available provision of fuel . In the West , progressively , summer-long fire bans mean their usage would be prohibited .

If you ’ re willing to forgo a fond meal in the evening and hot coffee in the morning , there exist no cause to lend a backpacking stove with you .

In mean conditions , a humble fuel canister will final two mass for three days .

No . If properly stored , backpacking stoves are unlikely to neglect thanks to their simple design . If your stove make neglect , you might be able to adopt someone else ’ s , cold soak your meal , or eat other food .

Final Sentiment on the Best Backpacking Stoves

The quality of backpacking stoves coming out of the the like of MSR , Soto , JetBoil , and early manufacturer be impressive . Whatever your design for your future backcountry trip , one of their canister stove will take up a miniscule amount of way in your pack and provide excellent functionality .

• Good Overall :
• Serious Value :
• Best for Bad Weather :
• Lightest :
• Small :

Laura Lancaster

Lancaster is Outdoor Life ’ s gear faculty author where she focuses on in-depth testing of backpacking and camping gear , with a particular interest in lightweight and ultralight gear . She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and daughter .

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