Best Backpacking Cooking Gear for 2022 | Ultralight Guide

What is the Best Backpacking Cooking Gear for 2019?

Eating a hot, flavorful meal at the end of a long hiking day can easily be one of the highlights of backpacking. You’re tired, maybe a little cold, probably a little damp, and you’ve worked up a hearty appetite. You want to make sure you have a reliable cooking setup to turn to so that your meal prep can be quick and efficient.

This article will introduce you to some of the best backpacking cooking gear on the market and make your hunt for the ideal setup a little easier.

How do we Choose the Best Backpacking Cooking Gear?

Some things like durability and ease of use will be universal in their importance. Other things like size, weight and number of pieces will depend more on the type of backpacking you’re doing and how many people are in your party.

A backpacking cooking kit typically includes a stove, some kind of spork, and at least one pot. Then, depending on your backpacking style, you may add an extra pot or separate bowls for eating out of.

Ultralight backpackers typically travel with one titanium pot, a lightweight stove and a titanium spoon. At the opposite end of the spectrum, a group of 3 people who can share the weight of the kit and maybe aren’t walking as far, could carry a set of 2 larger pots made of a heavier but cheaper material like anodized aluminum, and some extra plates and cups. My partner and I typically fall in the middle to lower end of this spectrum, traveling with a tiny stove, 2 sporks and 2 small, lightweight pots that we also use as cups and bowls to eat out of.

So, size, weight, and material are probably the main factors that will influence your choice.

• Size is deceptive when it comes to camping pots. 700ml – 1L is perfect for 1 person and anything over 1L in volume is unnecessary unless you’re traveling in a group of more than 2.
• Weight is very important when you’re hiking. It’s far better to save weight with your gear and be able to carry more food!
• Material really depends on your budget. Titanium is the best but also the most expensive. Stainless steel is durable and reliable but usually too heavy. Anodized aluminum is the least durable option but often the most affordable.

Really good quality sets of backpacking cookware don’t include stoves so if you’re looking for quality, you’re better off buying them separately. Alternatively, if you’re on a budget, there are some really affordable stove and pot sets available, just don’t expect them to last as long. Let’s take a look at the list below, roughly ordered according to weight.

Best Backpacking Cooking Gear for 2019

– Best Backpacking Pots

– Best Backpacking Stoves

– Best Pot and Stove Kit

Best Backpacking Pots:

1. Vargo Bot – 700

The Vargo Bot is a top of the line, titanium pot with a 700ml capacity. It is designed for the minimalist hikers who want an 1-pot-fits-all solution to their cooking needs. It is incredibly lightweight, weighing just 4.8 Oz. The watertight screw top lid makes it a versatile pot option that can also be used to soak food while hiking, or double as a water bottle when you need to carry a little extra. It is the ideal size for one person and will be the only pot you ever need as an ultra-light solo hiker.

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2. Evernew Titanium Non-stick Pot and Pan

This Evernew titanium Pot and Pan set is unique in that it also has a silicon ceramic non-stick coating making it a very versatile. The frying pan doubles as a lid and both pot and pan have silicon coated handles that fold away. It is almost as light as a pure titanium pot, weighing just 9.8 Oz, and the large 1.9L pot volume makes it ideal for groups of 2 or solo hikers with a big appetite. Evernew is a top brand of titanium pots so this pot is guaranteed to be durable and very good quality.

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3. Snow Peak Titanium Multi Compact Cook Set

Snow Peak is another top of line brand of titanium pots, and this pot and pan set lives up to its reputation. The set consists of 2 pots with 500ml and 800ml capacities and lids that also double as frying pans or plates (though frying is not ideal given that titanium is not non-stick). Both lids and pots have long, folding titanium handles and the smaller pot fits inside the larger pot for convenient packing. These are easily some of the best camping pots on the market for backpackers who are prioritizing lightweight hiking.

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4. Primus LiTech

The Primus LiTech pot is made of hard anodized aluminium with a non-stick coating. The lid can be used as a frying pan and both pot and pan have folding, silicon coated handles. The non-stick surface of this pot makes it a very versatile option for cooking, but you’ll need to be very careful to only use plastic utensils and not scratch the surface. The 1L volume is ideal for 2 people on the trail, though the frying pan is perhaps a little for anything more than an egg or 2.

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5. MSR Alpine 2 Pot Set

The MSR Alpine is a great option. MSR is another top of the line brand so you can be sure that the quality of these pots will be on-par with, or better than, the competition. Their stainless steel construction has got to be the most durable option out there, so if you’re looking for some pots to last you a lifetime, your search is over. Stainless steel is usually a little heavy for backpacking, but MSR have ingeniously kept the weight down on this 2 pot set by making the handle removable so it and the lid can be shared by both pots. The 1.2L and 2L pots are large so you could easily get away with just taking one with you, but it’s nice to have the option of more volume if some buddies happen to join you for an adventure.

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Pros	Cons
Lightweight for stainless steel. Large volume pots are versatile. Stainless steel is tough and durable.	Not non-stick.

6. Sea to Summit Alpha Pot Set 2.0

Made of coated aluminium, this Sea to Summit pot set has the potential to be a long lasting choice for your backpacking kitchen provided you’re careful with the coatings. The lids don’t double as frying pans, but they have slots for straining which is very handy when cooking pasta. The 1.2L and 2.7L volumes are larger than most people would need combined, but as with the MSR set above, you don’t have to take both with you and it’s nice to have the option. Weighing in at just over 1 Lbs. this is a lightweight set of very good quality pots.

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7. MSR Quick 2 Pot Set

Nearing the 2 Lbs. mark is a little excessive for backpacking cookware but if luxury is what you’re after, the MSR Quick 2 Pot set will provide. It includes anodized aluminium pots with 1.5L and 2.5L volumes, 2 deep dish plates, 2 mugs with lids and a handle that is shared by both pots. All items pack inside each other into one compact package for easy transport, and while 2.5L is unnecessarily huge for a group of 2, it would serve a larger group well.

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8. GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Dualist Camping Cook Set

This GSI Camping Cook Set includes a 1.8L Teflon coated aluminium pot and lid, 2 bowls and mugs with lids and insulated sleeves and 2 folding “foons”. The foons are the weak spot of this kit and likely won’t last very well, but aside from them, this is a surprisingly durable set considering its very affordable price point. The lid of the pot doubles as a strainer making noodle meals a breeze, and the whole lot packs down into a welded bag that doubles as a basin. Weighing around 1 lbs. it’s also a reasonably lightweight set. This cook set is perfect for 2 people on a budget. Add a stove and some gas and you’re ready to go.

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9. Winterial Camping Cookware and Pot Set

This Winterial Cookware set consists of a 2.2 L pot and lid, a 1.1 L frying pan (compatible with the pot lid), and a 1.1 L tea kettle. The tea kettle may or may not be useful depending on how many people are in the group and how far you’re hiking. If there are enough of you to spread the weight of the set, a kettle could be useful for allowing you to boil water when the main cooking pot is still full of food. The Teflon non-stick coating makes cooking and cleaning easy, and though the 1.5 lbs. weight is starting to get up there, it’s certainly not a problem if you’re traveling in a group of 2 or 3. Overall, this is a good quality pot set for a very reasonable price.

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Best Backpacking Stoves:

10. OutSmart Ultralight Titanium Gas Stove

This extremely lightweight OutSmart mini stove is the go-to stove for ultralight hiking. It won’t be as durable as the stoves below and you’ll need to be a little careful with it, but when something’s this light (0.8 Oz.) and tiny (2×1.5”) you make compromises. It easily screws on to standard gas canisters and the flame size can be adjusted with the little leaver, allowing for simmering ability. The main complaint people have over this stove is that the flame can be narrow and focused on the middle of the pot so you’ll end up with a burned spot if you’re not careful.

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11. MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Stove

Easily the most reliable mini stove on the market, provided you’re not looking for something as lightweight as the titanium option above, this is the go-to stove for most backpackers. The MSR Pocket collapses to 2x2x3” when not in use and weighs 2.6 Oz. The stove arms are strong and stable and will cope with relatively large pots while the flame can be adjusted for varying heats and simmering ability. It is easy to use, simply screwing onto a standard propane gas canister, and doesn’t require any priming.

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12. Terra Hiker Camping Gas Stove

This Terra Hiker backpacking stove is a slightly different style from the 2 above, offering more stability but at a higher weight. While you wouldn’t want to leave the above stoves freestanding on uneven ground with a breeze in the air, this stove will safely prevent any falling pots without you needing to hold the handle while it cooks. The downside is the weight, which is significantly heavier at 9.8 Oz., and the size which is more bulky. But if you’re traveling in a group and will be using larger, heavier pots, this is the stove you will want.

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Pot and Stove Kit:

13. G4Free Outdoor Camping Cookware Set

This G4Free set is ideal for beginners to the world of backpacking, being ridiculously affordable but with everything you need for a camp meal minus the gas (and food). The non-stick aluminium pot comes with a smaller pot which doubles as a lid and could be used as a frying pan too. The set also includes a stainless steel folding knife, fork and spoon, a wooden spatula, 3 plastic bowls and a mini stove. The quality won’t be top of the line for this price point and you could probably replace all 4 utensils with one plastic spork, but aside from that, this set seems to have it all figured out.

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14. Odoland Camping Cookware Kit

Similar to the set above, the Odoland is the all-in-one cookware kit that is ideal for beginners hitting the trail who don’t want to fork out their dollars for separate items just yet. Instead of the 3 plastic bowls, this set comes with a stainless steel mug with an insulating sleeve which can be very handy when you don’t appreciate your tea tasting like pasta sauce. It also comes with the pot and lid-that-doubles-as-a-pot combo, 3 folding utensils and a mini stove. This set is very good value for money and if you look after it, there’s no reason why it couldn’t last you as long as a more expensive kit.

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15. Bisgear 12-17 Pcs Camping Cookware

This highly popular Bisgear cookware set is another great option for those who don’t want to have buy their stove separately. It consists of a large aluminium pot and lid, a separate frying pan, 4 stainless steel folding utensils, a wooden spatula, some plastic bowls and a mini stove. The whole set nests inside itself and packs away into a compact package weighing about 1.6 Lbs.

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Bonus Cooking Set:

16. Stanley Base Camp Cook Set for Four

This Stanley Base cook set is going to be too heavy for most backpacking adventures, but if you’re a group of 4 going for a low key hike, this set is the ideal option. Share the weight around and be prepared to cook up a feast at camp. This set comes with a huge 3.5L stainless steel pot and vented lid, frying pan, 4 plates, 4 bowls, 4 sporks, a spatula, a serving spoon and a silicon trivet. It is a good quality set from Stanley that will last a good long time, and it’s versatile, being well suited to weekend camping trips as well as backpacking. You can also leave a few of the extra pieces behind for a lighter weight backpacking experience and still feed everyone easily.

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That concludes this article on the best backpacking cooking gear. I hope you enjoyed the read and are feeling inspired to try your hand at some cooking on the trail. We would love to hear back from you! Comment below with your favorite pick and if you use something not listed let us know and we can add it to our list!

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