The right stove makes life on the trail better. From ultralight canisters to four-season and multifuel options, we’ve found and tested the best backpacking stoves.
Hey there! If you’re planning a backpacking trip.one of the essential items to pack is a reliable stove. A great Backpacking Stove should be able to withstand the rigors .The outdoors while providing efficient and easy-to-use cooking capabilities. But with so many types and brands on the market, it can be tough to decide which one is right for you.
We spend a lot of time camped out in the backcountry. so we understand how important it is to have a reliable, long-lasting stove. From full-blown thru-hikes on the PCT or AT to lightweight overnights in the Rocky Mountains and staff camp trips. we logged a lot of time preparing meals outside and testing stoves.
The primary factors we looked at were weight, packed size, boil time, and simmer abilities. Secondarily, we considered fuel efficiency, performance in wind and cold, and additional stove features.
While there isn’t a single backpacking stove that’s best for everyone out there. we’ve organized this guide into categories to help you find the best stove for you. The majority of stoves we tested were canister stoves. While these stoves aren’t the only option on the market, they do have lots of perks, which we’ll explain in detail below.
Below you’ll find our best picks for budget, wind performance, and more, as well as the best options in the following categories.
Canister
Most backpacking stoves burn pressurized gas—usually a blend of isobutane and propane—from a canister. Standard canister stoves, like the MSR PocketRocket, are incredibly compact and lightweight.
Three or four foldable metal arms sit atop a threaded mechanism that connects to the fuel canister. The stove screws directly onto the fuel canister with a valve to control the amount of fuel that flows through, and the metal arms unfold to create a platform to set a cooking pot.
Isobutane-propane fuel blends combine the superior cold-weather performance of propane with the higher energy density of isobutane, resulting in a reasonably lightweight fuel that performs well across a range of conditions.
Integrated Canister
Same fuel, different setup as a traditional canister stove. The integrated canister stove screws onto the fuel canister same as a conventional setup, but the cooking pot connects to the burner with a built-in windscreen.
These setups are more fuel-efficient and heat food and water more quickly than traditional canister stoves, but they’re also bulky and weigh more. They have a tall profile that can make them somewhat unstable, though most come with a platform to stabilize the fuel canister, and the integrated setup eliminates the risk of knocking the pot off the burner.
Remote Canister
In a traditional or integrated canister stove, the fuel canister forms the base of the stove setup, with the stove screwing in directly atop the canister and the pot resting above the burner. In a remote configuration, the burner sits on the ground and a flexible hose connects it to the fuel line. These stoves are much lower-profile than either of the alternatives and are the most stable setup.
Some remote setups also allow you to invert the canister, increasing fuel efficiency in cold conditions. Because of their stability, they’re ideal for large groups. You can set a large pot of food or water on a remote canister stove without it feeling like a precarious balancing act. They are heavier than traditional canister stoves.
The Best Backpacking Stoves of 2023
- Best Overall Backpacking Stove: MSR PocketRocket Deluxe
- Best Budget Backpacking Stove: GSI Outdoors Glacier
- Best Liquid Fuel Backpacking Stove: MSR WhisperLite Universal
- Best Backpacking Stove for Cold/Wind: MSR WindPro II
- Most Compact Backpacking Stove System: Jetboil Flash
- Best Wood Backpacking Stove: Solo Stove Lite
- Best Alcohol Backpacking Stove: Solo Stove Alcohol Burner
Best Overall Backpacking Stove
MSR PocketRocket Deluxe
Specs
- Weight 2.9 oz.
- Fuel Type Canister
- Burn Time 60 min. per 8 oz. of IsoPro fuel
- Time to reach boil 3 minutes, 23 seconds (all boil times listed in this article are for 1 L of water)
Pros
- Very fast boil time
- Effective simmer capabilities
Cons
- Reports of Piezo Igniter failure
Mary Murphy
The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe ($85) is similar to the MSR PocketRocket 2 but with a few improvements and extra features.
The Deluxe model is an ultralight stove with stainless steel folding pot legs, a fast boiling time, and a compact design. The Deluxe is just a few grams heavier than the PocketRocket 2. But unlike the 2, the Deluxe has a built-in pressure regulator (like in the MSR WindBurner), a broader burner with wind protection, and a piezo igniter.
During testing, we found the pressure regulator did equate to more consistent boil and simmer capabilities and helped reduce the impact of cold and wind on stove performance. It also boiled faster than all but one other stove on this list.
Plus, the simmer capabilities of this stove are great. The slightly wider burner makes a difference, and when cooking dishes like oatmeal or mac and cheese, we didn’t experience any burning or sticking on the bottom of the pot.
Simply put, this stove is the best due to its combination of light weight, consistent performance, boil time, and price.
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GSI Outdoors Glacier Stove
Specs
- Weight 5.8 oz.
- Fuel type Canister
- Burn time N/A
- Time to reach boil 5 minutes, 30 seconds
Pros
- Affordable
- Large, powerful burner
- Good simmer abilities
Cons
- Not the fastest boil time
- On the heavier side
Mary Murphy
The GSI Outdoors Glacier ($30) has a lot going for it, not just the amazing price. The canister stove can support virtually any size pot or pan (great for those who frequently camp and cook in groups), and the wider burner spreads heat out evenly.
The burner also has an impressive output of 11,000 BTUs, putting the power of a traditional camp stove in canister stove form. Given the output, we were hoping this stove would have a slightly faster boil time. That said, it held up in windy conditions, and the boil time stayed roughly the same.
The stove also has clearly marked +/- simmer controls. We loved using this stove to pan-fry, sauté, and even rehydrate and cook some beans. Everything in the pan was nice and evenly cooked.
Our only con? The wide and sturdy pot support design doesn’t fold, so — with a 5-inch diameter — it’s not the most compact. However, it can still be packed/stashed into a larger pot. And for the quality of the stove, it’s still a great deal
