Our Favorite Backpacking Stoves for 2010
The best backpacking stove for you depends on your specific needs. Do you want something ultra-lightweight for use on extended treks? Do you need a stove that is a reliable performer at altitude or under extreme weather conditions? Do you prefer a stove that runs on canister or liquid fuel, or perhaps one that can burn a variety of fuel types? Or maybe you simply want an economical stove that is reliable and easy to use for basic family backpacking.
We’ve taken a close look at all the major backpacking stoves on the market, from long-time favorites to new models for 2009 and 2010, and picked out what we consider to be the best in each of four categories: ultralight, all-in-one, canister fuel, and liquid fuel.
We also choose a “best overall backpacking stove” in each of three price categories: under $60, $60-$120, and over $120.
Overall best economy-priced stove: Snow Peak LiteMax. Our first impression: amazing and ingenious. Admittedly just barely in the economy category with a list price of $59.95.
Snow Peak LiteMax Stove
Overall best medium-priced stove: MSR Whisperlite Internationale. Certainly one of the best liquid-fuel stoves ever made. Still a bargain at $89.95.
MSR Whisperlite Internationale
Overall best premium stove: MSR Reactor. A hard choice, but going with the Reactor all-in-one system at least means we don’t have to choose between the other obvious top contenders, the MSR XGK EX and and Optimus Nova. The MSR Reactor stove system lists at $159.95.
MSR Reactor Stove System
Ultralight Stoves
To qualify for the ultralight category a stove must weigh less than 6 ounces.
Top Honors: Snow Peak LiteMax Stove
Many longtime fans of the MSR Pocket Rocket have been surprised to discover that they like the Snow Peak LiteMax even more. It’s lighter, smaller, and burns hotter than anything else available in the ultralight stove category. Snow Peak’s latest stove is so compact it practically hides in the palm of your hand, yet with the GigaPower fuel canister attached the LiteMax delivers an amazing 11,000+ BTUs. Give this 1.9-ounce powerhouse a try and you too may be converted.
Fuel type: Snow Peak GigaPower canisters
Boil time: 5.5 minutes
Weight: 1.9 ounces
Learn more about the Snow Peak LiteMax Stove from $59.95
Tried and True: Snow Peak GigaPower Stove
The GigaPower stove from Snow Peak is only a wee bit heavier than the LiteMax, and offers push button auto ignition. (A manual ignition model is also available). With the added ounce-and-a-half comes a bit more stability, while offering a higher output than most of its competitors. Snow Peak has really moved into the lead in this category, and the GigaPower represents a fantastic bit of stove engineering priced under $50.
Fuel type: Snow Peak GigaPower canisters
Boil time: About 4 minutes
Weight: 3.75 ounces
Learn more about the Snow Peak GigaPower Stove with Piezo from $49.95.
Still a Favorite: MSR Pocket Rocket Stove
Aptly named, the tiny MSR Pocket Rocket delivers a high-powered flame, making it a favorite of backpackers seeking to minimize weight and volume without sacrificing performance. Priced under $50 it’s an ideal choice for casual backpackers who don’t expect to test their stove’s abilities at extreme altitudes or conditions.
Fuel type: MSR Iso-Pro liquid fuel
Boil time: 4 minutes
Weight: 3 ounces
Learn more about the MSR Pocket Rocket Stove from $39.95.
The Contender: Optimus Crux Canister Stove
Minimalism in stove design, the Optimus Crux is designed to fold around the fuel canister when stowed, taking up barely more room than the canister itself. Yet for its size this stove still delivers strong performance.
Fuel type: Liquid propane canisters
Boil time: Not stated
Weight: 3.3 ounces
Learn more about the Optimus Crux Stove from $49.95
All-in-One Stoves
All-in-one backpacking stoves combine the stove and pot for boiling water in a single compact unit.
Top Honors: MSR Reactor Stove System.
A larger pot and more rugged, weather-proof design set the MSR Reactor Stove apart. This powerful stove features a match-free push-button ignition system, 1.7 liter pot with locking heat exchanger for wind protection, and an internal pressure regulator for consistent performance in hot or cold conditions. It’s more expensive than most, but user love it.
Fuel type: MSR IsoPro canisters
Boil time: Less than 3 minutes
Weight: 21 ounces with pot
Learn more about the MSR Reactor Stove System from $159.95
More for Less: Jetboil Flash Personal Cooking System.
The Jetboil Flash received Backcountry Magazine’s 2010 Editor’s Choice Award for its outstanding design and performance. When stowed everything fits inside the 1 liter cooking vessel. The burner is easy to set up, lights with the click of a button, and delivers boiling water in less than two minutes. It’s a stable, safe, easy-to-use setup that will boil a small pot of water faster than almost anything else on the market. Not ideal for groups but perfect for one or two users.
Fuel type: Isobutane canisters
Boil time: Less than 3 minutes
Weight: 14 ounces with pot
Learn more about the Jetboil Flash Cooking System from $99.95
The Contender: Primus EtaExpress Stove
Like the Jetboil Flash this is a powerful all-in-one setup that is lightweight and boils water super fast. It’s a little more versatile than the Flash, with a pot lid that doubles as a frying pan and also the ability to accept other pots and pans. For many user the Primus EtaPower systems have a higher quality feel than Jetboil stoves, and certainly the overall design standards are high. For groups of 4 or more move up to the Primus EtaPower EF Trail stove with its 1.7-liter pot.
Fuel type: Isobutane canisters
Boil time:3.25 minutes
Weight: 14.6 ounces with pot
Learn more about the Primus EtaExpress Stove from $95.00
Liquid and Multifuel Stoves
The top-rated stoves in this category are all veteran performers that have been favorites for a number of years. It’s hard to improve on great design.
Top honors: MSR Whisperlite Internationale Stove
The MSR Whisperlite has been a favorite in this category for years, and still is hard to beat. It’s the best-selling liquid fuel stove because of its combination of reliability, portability and ease of use. Multifuel burning capacity make it a favorite of international travelers. Unless you are doing a direct comparison with the Dragonfly you may never know the difference, and the MSR Whisperlite delivers practically identical performance in a lighter package and for about $40 less.
Fuel type: Almost any liquid fuel
Boil time: Under 4 minutes
Weight: 14 ounces
Learn more about the MSR Whisperlite Internationale Stove from $89.95
Unless you prefer: MSR Dragonfly Backpacking Stove
For liquid fuel purists and those loyal to the MSR brand, it’s a tough choice between the Whisperlite and the Dragonfly. Both are versatile and dependable multi-fuel stoves that are likely to serve you well for years. What’s the difference? The MSR Dragonfly is just tad larger, heavier and more stable, and some users find that it performs better in cold conditions than the Whisperlite. But the main advantage of the Dragonfly is its dual control valve system that lets you dial in just the amount of heat you want. No other stove can do the low simmer better than the Dragonfly.
Fuel type: Almost any liquid fuel
Boil time: Under 4 minutes
Weight: 11.5 ounces
Learn more about the MSR Dragonfly Backpacking Stove from $129.95
When you need more: Optimus Nova+ Multi-Fuel Stove
The Optimus Nova has acquired a loyal following since its initial release in 2001. Many feel it is the stove of choice for winter camping and expeditions at high altitude. It also travels well, delivering superior performance with a range of liquid fuel types. Some find the Optimus Nova a bit more rugged and durable than its MSR competitors. The latest edition, the Optimus Nova+, provides a great blend of power, stability, and superb flame control. A great choice if you want a single-burner stove for car camping too.
Fuel type: Any liquid fuel
Boil time: 4+ minutes
Weight: 15.3 ounces
Learn more about the Optimus Nova+ Stove from $149.95
The expedition alternative: MSR XGK EX Stove
The other choice for expedition stoves and winner in the worst name category is the MSR XGK EX. It will burn anything from jet fuel to diesel, holds a large pot well and includes MSR’s self-cleaning “shaker jet” needle for removing soot from the base of the burner. The MSR wind screen and heat reflector are superior to the Optimus Nova.
Fuel type: Any liquid fuel
Boil time: 3.5 minutes (kerosene) to 5 minutes (white gas)
Weight: 13.2 ounces
Learn more about the MSR XGK EX stove from $149.95
Canister Fuel Stoves
Note: some of the top canister stoves fall into the ultralight or all-in-one categories; only ones that do not are considered here.
Top Honors: MSR WindPro Canister Fuel Stove
The MSR WindPro is a favorite of many seasoned backpackers, and may just be the stove that will convince you to switch from white gas to isobutane fuel canisters. As its name suggests the MSR WindPro is specifically designed to perform well under very windy conditions, such as are often encountered at high elevations. It always lights easily with no priming, and delivers a flame that burns as hot as white gas but may be more easily adjustable. With its wide burner, windscreen and heat reflector the WindPro outperforms most of its competitors while remaining the lightest remote-canister backpacking stove available.
Fuel type: Isobutane canisters
Boil time: 4.75 mins.
Weight: 6.8 ounces
Learn more about the MSR WindPro Stove from $89.95
The contender: Brunton Raptor Foldable Canister Stove
The Brunton Raptor foldable canister stove is a super-compact 5-ounce butane stove with plenty of power. The Brunton Raptor stove integrates an electric Piezo ignition onto a burner that cranks out 11,000 BTUs on a sturdy steel platform.
Fuel type: Isobutane canisters
Boil time: Four minutes
Weight: 5 ounces
Learn more about the Brunton Raptor Foldable Canister Stove from $60
Sierra Designs has been making and improving its Meteor Light tents for two decades, and the latest version of the two-person Sierra Designs Meteor Light 2 sets a new standard. It’s lighter and more spacious, with a reconfigured pole structure using a hub-based design. Two side doors provide easy entry from both sides, with vestibule space for extra gear storage.
The Osprey Stratos 40 Backpack straddles the line between a backpacking pack and a daypack. This do-it-all mid-size has an AirCore suspension that can handle 30 pound loads. Different load configurations are easy thanks to a smart array of side pockets, compression straps, and a floating top pocket. 
Osprey’s lightest multi-day pack, the Talon 44 meets the demands of ultra-light backpackers, adventure racers and climbers. Despite its light weight the Talon 44 crams in plenty features, including a torso adjustable, reinforced suspension, AirScape padded backpanel, and a smart array of useful pockets. 
The Osprey Women’s Ariel 75 offers great versatility and surprisingly large capacity for a lightweight women’s backpack, making it a great choice for climbers and backpackers who want to go light on multi-day trips. With a 40 pound capacity, the suspension and harness of the Ariel 75 are solid. The AirScape suspension system consists of peripheral AL rods, an internal HDPE framesheet and single aluminum stay. The ventilated foam and mesh backpanelcovering provides superb contact yet still allows air to circulate. 
The Osprey Exos 58 internal frame backpack received top ultralight honors from Backpacker Magazine in their 2009 Gear Guide. Other ultralight backpacks lack a supportive suspension system, which can cause you to loose more energy than you save over the long haul. The Osprey Exos 58 provides with a supportive, ventilated suspension system in an ultralight package. 
The GoLite Men’s Quest is a lightweight but fully featured all-season backpack. This exceptionally comfortable pack is ideal for multi-day backpackers and through-hikers. The GoLite Quest has a moldable framesheet with two adjustable aluminum stays for terrific support. The shaped back panel and compression-molded hip belt wings contour to the back and hips, ensuring a comfortable load no matter what you’re carrying. 