Five Camp Stoves Backpackers Love (One Weighs Less Than a Candy Bar)
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Ounce for ounce, few pieces of gear matter as much as your stove. A good one boils water quickly, sips fuel, and doesn’t give up when the wind picks up on an exposed ridge. Here are five that independent testers keep coming back to, from a stove that weighs about an ounce to an all-in-one system.
Everything below comes from independent reviewers, named throughout. We haven’t used or quoted Amazon customer reviews, and we left out prices because they change.
1. SOTO WindMaster
What reviewers like: OutdoorGearLab names it its favorite in the lineup: stable, quick to boil, and impressively wind resistant. GearJunkie found it the clear winner once wind was added to its tests, and Switchback Travel says many backpackers report years of reliability in harsh conditions.
The catch: Switchback Travel says it’s about half an ounce heavier than the MSR PocketRocket 2 and costs more.
Best for: Backpackers who cook in exposed, windy places.
2. MSR PocketRocket 2
What reviewers like: It’s the light, simple choice. Switchback Travel notes it simmers well, and CleverHiker says it performed surprisingly well at boiling despite not being designed for harsh conditions.
The catch: Its flame is more exposed than the WindMaster’s, so wind hurts it more.
Best for: Solo hikers and beginners who want a lightweight canister stove.
3. MSR PocketRocket Deluxe
What reviewers like: GearJunkie says it adds a built-in pressure regulator, a broader burner with wind protection, and a piezo igniter, and that it boiled faster than any other stand-alone stove it tested. That regulator helps it keep a consistent boil and simmer in cold and wind.
The catch: GearJunkie found the WindMaster beat it once wind was added to the test.
Best for: Backpackers who want one stove that boils fast and cooks real food.
Find the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe
4. Jetboil Flash
What reviewers like: CleverHiker says integrated Jetboil systems boil water rapidly and stretch the life of a small fuel canister. Hiking Insights calls it the better fit for hikers who mostly boil water, especially in cold or wind.
The catch: Hiking Insights notes that integrated systems are bulky, and you feel it every time you pack.
Best for: Hikers who mostly boil water for freeze-dried meals and hot drinks.
5. BRS-3000T
What reviewers like: OutdoorGearLab says the tiny stove weighs just 1.4 ounces and costs under $20, the lightest in its test.
The catch: OutdoorGearLab found that at its highest settings, flames shot out in many directions, making it more hazardous than some competitors. Hiking Insights says the cost is stability and wind tolerance.
Best for: Ultralight hikers who only boil small amounts of water and can accept the trade-offs.
Before you buy
- Think about cold and wind. GearJunkie found that a built-in pressure regulator helps keep boil and simmer consistent in cold and wind.
- Check pot stability. Hiking Insights chooses stoves partly on whether they support a real pot without wobbling.
- Fuel is separate. Confirm your stove works with the canister you plan to buy.