Best Backpacking Stoves reviewed

Looking for the best backpacking stove to cater to all your needs? Check out the pros & cons and browse our picks for the top hiking stoves in 2019.

It is basic knowledge that all food tastes better under the stars. Whether this is due to the connection we feel with the earth or just the fact that hiking all day has left us starving is still up for debate. Nonetheless, what we do know is that food is a major part of any camping trip!

Therefore, when considering purchasing your next stove you will be faced with many options. The most basic considerations you need to keep in mind will be size and weight. Start by asking yourself, “When and where am I going to be using this stove?” The two basic answers are either “backpacking” or “car camping.”

After determining the use you need from the stove you can dive into the differences within the different styles within certain categories. For example, when headed into the backcountry you will want something small, lightweight, and compact that has a sleek design that easily fits in your pack. On the other hand, when car camping you are able to fit a larger, double burner stove into the trunk and onto the picnic table without too much effort. With the ability to carry weight, you will want the convenience of wind blocks, multiple burners that can host large pots and pans, along with coated metal that is easy to clean.

 

Best Backpacking Stoves To Carry

 

 1. MSR Windburner Stove System

 

 


Pros

  • Single pot
  • Lightweight
  • Single-system
  • Works well in windy, snow, and alpine condition
  • Offers slight wind protection (and more than most single-system stoves)
  • Boils 1 liter of water in around 3 minutes

Cons

  • Limited to one pot meal
  • Personal sized

This is our personal favourite, due to the fact that it combines everything I need into one single system: burner, wind blocker, and pot. Lightweight and compact, this is an ideal stove for the backpacker headed into any conditions.

 

2. Jetboil Flash Cooking System

An image of the flash cooking system which is a great stove for boiling waterPros

  • Lightweight and small
  • Single-system
  • Easy to use
  • 1 pound
  • Boils 1 liter of water in under 2 minutes. Best stove for quickly boiling water.

Cons

  • Single burner
  • No wind protection
  • The burner runs extremely hot, which can lead to food burning on the bottom.

Able to boil a liter of water in less than 2 minutes, this is the ideal single-person all-in-one cooking system. Additionally, the stove comes with a “Jetboil Pot Support” which makes the burner easily able to handle any pot or pan, instead of the attachable cup.

 

3. MSR PocketRocket Stove

A shot of the pocket rocket backpacking stove made by MSRPros

  • Extremely lightweight and small
  • Easy to use
  • 3 ounces
  • Boils 1 liter of water in 3:30 minutes

Cons

  • Single burner
  • Still, need to carry a pot and/or pan

The PocketRocket is less a stove and more of a small gadget that connects to the top of your propane tank. You will still need a pot to cook your food in, but this option is ideal for ultra-lightweight backpackers and small pockets.

 

4. MSR WhisperLite Stove

An image of the feature packed WhisperLite Stove. Our pick for the best backpacking stove todayPros

  • Compact
  • 2 ounces
  • Sturdy and dependable
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Windshield included in package

Cons

  • Single burner
  • Still need to carry a pot and/or pan
  • Boils 1 liter of water in under 4 minutes
  • Extremely loud
  • Separate windshield makes it harder to utilize in windy conditions

If you headed to Denali or into the alpine extremes of the Himalayas, this stove will handle the cold conditions with easy. With jet technology that utilizes a white gas, it is unlikely to freeze, suffer complications, and is easier to clean than most gas stoves.

 

5. Jetboil Genesis Base Camp 2 Burner System

A picture of the 2nd stove by Jetboil on our list which has a 2 burner systemPros

  • 2 burners
  • Portable
  • Lightweight for 2 burners
  • Has an optional attachment for the Luna stove, which can be used for water boiling. Leaving you with two cooking stovetops for group dinner prep.

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Still need to carry pots and/or pans

This stove caters to the backpacking chef who wants a double burner that is useful for fancy backcountry meals of simply boiling water while simultaneously heating up dinner. While it is heavier than a simple single-burner stove, it is definitely by far more packable and lighter than any car-camping stove.

 

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