A backpacking stove is one of the best things you can bring on trips into the wilderness. We can help you find the right stove for your needs, whether you like to boil water and let it sit or cook gourmet meals in the woods.
We’ve tried more than 40 of the best backpacking stoves in Nepal’s high mountains, Mt. Hood’s cold ridges, and a lot of other places. With our knowledge and experience, we created this list of our most favourite stoves of 2024.
SOTO Amicus Cookset Combo
The tiny stove comes with ultralight backpacking stove under 2 lbs and pots are both included in the SOTO Amicus Stove Cookset Combo, which is super affordable. The Amicus stove has great controls for the simmer, four locked legs that safely hold the pot, and a recessed burner that works better when the wind is blowing.
Although the cookware in this set is pretty basic, it’s the best backpacking stove for thru-hikers. That the pot is big enough to hold a lot of water at once and that the deep lid can be used as a cup on its own is great.
Jetboil Flash
Integrated stoves aren’t the lightest choice for backpacking, but they’re the fastest and easiest to use. When it comes to this type of stove, the Jetboil Flash is one of the most reliable and inexpensive choices. Since the Flash doesn’t have a simmer control, it’s best only used to quickly boil water. But for dehydrated food and morning coffee, that’s all a backpacker needs.
Integrated stove systems are easy to use, which makes them great for people who are just starting out. There is no need to find and buy different cooking tools, and the burner can be turned on with the touch of a button.
If you like hiking and want a stove with heat control, the Jetboil MiniMo below is a great option. It has an integrated stove system that makes it easy to use. It costs more than the Flash, but because you can control the heat, you can be more creative with your food.
Jetboil MiniMo
The Jetboil MiniMo is a full cooking system that works well and is easy to use in the backcountry. A strong handle, a push-button igniter, great simmer control, and a thick shape that makes eating out of it are just a few of the useful features of the MiniMo.
The MiniMo is a little heavier and costs a little more than some ultralight stove/pot combinations, but it is great for the outdoors because it is fast, easy to use, and stable. The Jetboil MicroMo is the same stove, but the pot is thinner and a little smaller to make it lighter. The Jetboil Flash is better and costs less, but it doesn’t have a simmer control.
Solo Stove Lite
Solo Stove Lite is an inverted downgas gasifier stove with two walls that uses natural convection. All we can say is that the Solo Stove works really well. Both above and below, the fire is fed by air intake slots in the stove’s bottom. With no need for a windscreen and no risk of scorching the ground beneath your stove, the end effect is a hot and less smokey burn.
Though it weighs just 9 oz, this stove helps because it eliminates the need to carry fuel. Upgrade to a fully nested cooking system and more room in your bag by combining the Solo Stove and Pot 900. 1-2 persons can comfortably fit inside the Solo Lite. Upgrade to the Solo Titan for groups of 2-4 persons.
Snow Peak LiteMax
The Snow Peak LiteMax is an extremely small, strong, lightweight, and portable canister stove. To minimize weight, titanium was used in the construction of the LiteMax. Its very collapsible folding design, which makes it simple to store in any cookpot, is its key strength.
In addition, it boasts quick boiling times, excellent simmer control, and a respectable performance in the wind (but integrated canister stoves perform better in windy environments overall).
Primus Essential Trail Stove
The Primus Essential Trail Stove is one of the easiest to use and least expensive stoves on our list, making it ideal for novices and those on a tight budget. The broad burner offers stability and consistent heat distribution, and the simmer control has a good range for precise cooking.
Smaller folding stoves are our preference; this one can be challenging to fit inside little cookpots that include a fuel canister. That’s a small complaint, though, as the Essential Stove’s straightforward design makes it an excellent option for those on a tight budget.
MSR WhisperLite
Due to its lightweight, compact size, and low cost, the MSR WhisperLite is a widely used liquid fuel stove. In comparison to many other loud liquid fuel stoves, it is also far quieter. With proper maintenance, it may be easily operated and has a long lifespan. To maintain your stove operating at peak performance, pick up the WhisperLite service kit.
For those who choose to use fuels other than white gas, WhisperLite International and WhisperLite Universal are available in white gas, kerosene, unleaded gas, and isobutane-propane, respectively.
SOTO Windmaster
As its name suggests, the SOTO Windmaster is an extremely effective burner that works wonders in windy environments. In comparison to many other stoves we’ve used, this strong small stove boils water rapidly and is remarkably quieter.
As there is very little open space between the burner head and the pot and the recessed burner has a lip surrounding it, the Windmaster operates better in windy circumstances than conventional stoves. In less-than-ideal circumstances, this implies there is less space for wind to impede your flame, leading to a quicker and more effective boil.
We hope you have discovered your next outdoor cooking system after reading our guide to the best ultralight backpacking stove. We believe that we have found the greatest and most effective stoves available for basic food preparation and heating water.
In short, for the best fuel economy, boil time, and weather resistance, we advise putting together a backpacking stove with built-in igniter, which entails combining a heat exchanger pot with a pressure-regulated, cupped-head burner. Cheers to trekking, camping, and a healthy appetite!
