Photo Courtesy: MSR (Kennen Harvey)
GI tester Craig Rowe field-tested five of the Best Lightweight Backpacking Stoves of 2014. Here’s a summary of what he found.
Olicamp Kinetic Ultra Titanium Stove
The Olicamp Kinetic Ultra Titanium stove is an ultralight backpacking stove that uses standard screw-on fuel canisters containing isobutane-propane gas mixtures. Don’t let the tiny form factor of the Olicamp Kinetic Ultra Titanium fool you. This compact stove performed similarly to the MSR MicroRocket in all tests, weighs almost an ounce less and is about $20 cheaper. Buy it with confidence, but don’t lose it between the seats. The pot supports were the most narrow among stoves tested at 3.75 inches but the wide burner head disburses flame well. 1.7 oz alone, 3.2 oz. with included plastic case. Retail Price: $43.40. Gear Institute Rating: 87
Find the full report here.
Optimus Vega
The Optimus Vega is a four-season remote canister stove, meaning the canister is attached via a fuel line to the burner, not directly to the mixer tube. The fuel canister can be inverted to send liquid fuel directly to the burner, improving cold weather and low-fuel performance. The Optimus Vega is a rugged, compact and efficient backpacking stove that will appeal to all forms of outdoor enthusiasts, from alpine guides to light-and-fast through hikers. It can replace most compact upright canister stoves in your gear bin. This is one of the canister stove segment’s best entries. 6.3 oz by itself, 8.5 oz. with stuff sack and windscreen. Retail Price: $94.95. Gear Institute Rating: 86
Find the full report here.
MSR MicroRocket
The MSR MicroRocket is an ultralight backcountry stove that uses common isobutane-propane fuel canisters. It comes with a hand-held piezo igniter. The MSR MicroRocket is very well built, offers sturdy support for 2-liter pots and has the fastest average boil time and best wind performance among stoves tested in this category. You can’t go wrong with buying this stove but you can get similar performance for less money with the Olicamp Kinetic Ultra Titanium. 2.6 oz. alone, 4.3 with case and igniter. Retail Price: $59.95. Gear Institute Rating: 85
Find the full report here.
MSR Whisperlite Universal
The MSR Whisperlite Universal is a hybrid backcountry stove that can function as a remote canister stove or a traditional liquid-fuel stove, able to burn unleaded gas, kerosene and white gas as well as standard canister mixes, like isobutane/propane mixes. The MSR Whisperlite Universal is a fast and highly practical stove that is effective in wind, cold and at altitude using canister-based or liquid fuels. It should be at the top of any mountaineer or backpacker’s gear list. 1 lb. 3 oz. with all components and stuff sack. Retail Price: $139. Gear Institute Rating: 84
Find the full report here.
Snow Peak LiteMax Titanium
The Snow Peak LiteMax Titanium is an ultralight backpacking stove that uses canister-based fuels of various mixes containing isobutane, butane and propane. The Snow Peak LiteMax Titanium stove is a fine product that will hold up to the rigors of the trail, cook a couple cups of pasta and generally, perform as needed. There’s nothing overly innovative about its design or performance. 1.9 oz. alone, 2.2 oz. with included stuff sack. Retail Price: $59.95. Gear Institute Rating: 80
Find the full report here.
