When you’re heading out on a backpacking trip, choosing the right gear can make or break your experience—especially when it comes to cooking. Whether you’re brewing your morning coffee or making a hot meal after a long day of hiking, you want a stove that’s reliable, lightweight, and efficient. In this guide, we’ll compare three top contenders for the best camping stove for backpacking: the Fire-Maple “Fixed Star 1”, MSR PocketRocket 2, and Jetboil Flash.
Each of these stoves has its strengths, but they differ in terms of weight, dimensions, fuel types, and boiling times. Let’s break it down!
Fire-Maple “Fixed Star 1” Backpacking and Camping Stove System
Key Stats:
- Weight: 1.06 lbs (480 g)
- Product Dimensions: 5.39″ x 4.8″ x 8.58″
- Fuel Type: Isobutane
- Boiling Time: 3 minutes per 1 liter of water
The Fire-Maple “Fixed Star 1” is a solid option if you’re looking for a balance between performance and affordability. With 2,476 ratings and a solid 4.5-star average, this stove has earned a reputation for being a reliable companion in the wilderness.
Weight and Portability:
At 1.06 pounds, the Fixed Star 1 isn’t the lightest stove on this list, but it’s still light enough to comfortably carry on most backpacking trips. Its weight includes the pot and lid, making it a complete cooking system rather than just a burner. It’s not ultralight, but for those who prioritize convenience and don’t mind carrying a bit more weight, this stove packs in plenty of value.
Design and Dimensions:
The Fixed Star 1 has a compact design but isn’t the smallest stove around. Measuring roughly 5.4″ by 8.6″, it’s a bit bulkier than some of the other stoves in its category. However, the integrated pot and heat exchanger mean you don’t have to worry about carrying extra cookware, making up for its slightly larger size.
Fuel and Boiling Time:
This stove uses standard isobutane canisters, which are widely available and convenient. One of the Fixed Star 1’s highlights is its efficient heat exchanger, which allows it to boil 1 liter of water in about 3 minutes. While not the absolute fastest, it’s definitely competitive—perfect for getting a hot meal going quickly after a day on the trail.
Seasonal Performance:
Winter: The Fire-Maple “Fixed Star 1” struggles a bit in freezing temperatures. Like many stoves that use isobutane, the fuel canisters can depressurize in cold weather, reducing the efficiency and performance. It may take longer to boil water or get the stove started in sub-zero conditions. While it’s possible to keep the fuel canisters warm in your sleeping bag or coat pocket, this stove isn’t the best for extreme winter backpacking.
Summer: In warmer weather, the Fire-Maple shines. Its integrated design and relatively quick boil time make it a solid choice for summer trips. You won’t need to worry about fuel canister performance, and its weight, while not ultralight, is perfectly manageable in warm, dry conditions.
Rainy Conditions: The Fixed Star 1 is reasonably effective in damp conditions, thanks to its integrated windscreen, which helps protect the flame. However, if it’s pouring rain, you may need to find some shelter to get the stove going.
Best Season:
Best for Summer and Fall: It performs optimally in mild to warm weather but struggles in cold or extreme winter conditions.
MSR PocketRocket 2 Ultralight Backpacking Stove
Key Stats:
- Weight: 0.16 lbs (73 g)
- Product Dimensions: 1.3″ x 1.3″ x 3.2″
- Fuel Type: Isobutane-propane
- Boiling Time: 3.5 minutes per 1 liter of water
For backpackers who want to keep their gear as light as possible, the MSR PocketRocket 2 is a go-to stove. This little powerhouse has earned a stellar 4.7-star rating from 744 users, and it’s easy to see why—it’s tiny, ultralight, and highly efficient.
Weight and Portability:
Weighing in at just 0.16 lbs (73 grams), the PocketRocket 2 is the lightest stove on this list by far. Its featherweight design makes it an excellent choice for ultralight backpackers or anyone looking to shave off a few ounces from their pack. Since it doesn’t include an integrated pot, you’ll need to bring your own cookware, but this offers the flexibility to choose exactly what works for you.
Design and Dimensions:
Despite its small size—just over 3 inches long when folded—the PocketRocket 2 packs a punch. It’s compact and can fit into the tiniest of gear bags, but don’t let its size fool you. This stove is capable of handling a variety of pots and pans, and its precision flame control allows you to simmer or boil with ease.
Fuel and Boiling Time:
The PocketRocket 2 uses isobutane-propane fuel canisters, which are versatile and widely available. It boils 1 liter of water in about 3.5 minutes, which is fast enough for most backpacking needs. While it’s slightly slower than the Fire-Maple, it’s still incredibly efficient given its ultralight form factor.
Seasonal Performance:
- Winter: The MSR PocketRocket 2, like many stoves using isobutane-propane fuel, has limitations in colder temperatures. However, the addition of propane in the fuel mix gives it a slight edge over pure isobutane stoves. While it’s still not the best performer in sub-zero weather, it can handle mild winter conditions with some prep (like keeping the fuel canister warm).
- Summer: In hot weather, this stove is an ultralight hiker’s dream. Its tiny weight and compact design mean you’ll barely notice it in your pack, and the fuel performs efficiently in warm temperatures. Since it’s so small, it’s easy to pull out for a quick meal or coffee on the go, even during a day hike.
- Rainy Conditions: The PocketRocket 2 isn’t as well protected against wind and rain as the other stoves because it lacks an integrated windscreen. In stormy or damp conditions, you may have to build a wind barrier or seek shelter to maintain a steady flame.
Best Season:
- Best for Summer and Early Fall: Its ultralight design makes it perfect for warm-weather backpacking, though it’s not ideal for high-altitude or winter hikes without careful fuel management.
Jetboil Flash Cooking System
Key Stats:
- Weight: 0.82 lbs (371 g)
- Product Dimensions: 4.1″ x 7.1″
- Fuel Type: Isobutane-propane
- Boiling Time: 100 seconds per 1 liter of water
The Jetboil Flash is all about speed. With a near-perfect 4.8-star rating from 257 reviewers, this stove is designed to get you boiling water faster than any other option on this list. If you value speed and efficiency above all else, this is the best camping stove for backpacking in your kit.
Weight and Portability:
At 0.82 lbs (371 grams), the Jetboil Flash strikes a nice balance between portability and functionality. It’s lighter than the Fire-Maple but heavier than the MSR PocketRocket 2. However, like the Fire-Maple, the Jetboil comes with an integrated cooking pot, which saves you from having to pack additional cookware.
Design and Dimensions:
The Jetboil Flash is designed to be both compact and easy to use. Measuring just over 7 inches tall, it fits comfortably in most backpacks and offers a handy push-button igniter. One unique feature is its color-change heat indicator, which lets you know when your water is ready without having to lift the lid. It’s an efficient, all-in-one system for backpackers who prioritize simplicity.
Fuel and Boiling Time:
If speed is your main concern, the Jetboil Flash is hard to beat. It can boil 1 liter of water in a blistering 100 seconds! This is ideal for fast-moving backpackers who don’t want to waste time waiting for their stove to heat up. It uses isobutane-propane fuel canisters, which are easy to find and offer reliable performance in various weather conditions.
Seasonal Performance:
- Winter: The Jetboil Flash performs relatively well in colder weather, especially compared to the Fire-Maple. While no isobutane-propane stove is perfect for freezing temperatures, Jetboil’s efficiency and enclosed design help retain heat, making it a better choice for winter backpackers. Like the PocketRocket 2, the propane in the fuel mix helps maintain pressure in colder conditions, though you may still need to keep the canister warm to get peak performance.
- Summer: The Jetboil Flash excels in hot weather. Its incredible boil time—just 100 seconds for 1 liter of water—means you can prepare food and drinks quickly without hanging around the stove in the heat. It’s a bit bulkier than the PocketRocket 2 but offers an all-in-one system that’s easy to use for longer summer trips.
- Rainy Conditions: Thanks to the integrated design, the Jetboil Flash holds up very well in damp or rainy conditions. The pot is securely connected to the burner, and the windscreen offers solid protection from the elements. You’re less likely to lose your flame in a breeze or drizzle, making it a great choice for unpredictable weather.
Best Season:
- Best for Spring, Fall, and Mild Winter: The Jetboil Flash is a versatile, all-season performer that can handle everything from rainy spring trips to mild winter outings. It’s not ideal for extreme winter conditions but holds up better than most isobutane stoves.
Best Camping Stove for Backpacking: Seasonal Recommendations
To help you choose the best camping stove for backpacking based on the season, here’s a quick breakdown of which stove performs best in each condition:
- Winter Backpacking:
- Best Choice: Jetboil Flash – While none of these stoves are perfect for extreme cold, the Jetboil Flash offers the best balance of efficiency and performance in colder conditions. The propane blend in the fuel and the integrated design help retain heat better than the other options.
- Summer Backpacking:
- Best Choice: MSR PocketRocket 2 – When the temperature climbs, you’ll want the ultralight convenience of the PocketRocket 2. It’s easy to carry, compact, and performs well in warm weather. Perfect for those who want to travel light in the summer heat.
- Rainy or Wet Conditions:
- Best Choice: Jetboil Flash – The integrated system of the Jetboil Flash, combined with its windscreen and fast boiling time, make it ideal for damp or windy conditions. You can trust it to stay lit even when the weather turns.
- Spring and Fall Backpacking:
- Best Choice: Fire-Maple “Fixed Star 1” – For spring or fall trips where the weather is mild but you still want a solid, reliable cooking system, the Fire-Maple Fixed Star 1 is a great choice. It’s slightly heavier but offers excellent all-in-one convenience for less extreme conditions.
Conclusion
When choosing the best camping stove for backpacking, it’s essential to consider not just the stove’s specs, but also how it performs across different seasons and conditions.
- The Fire-Maple “Fixed Star 1” offers excellent value and is ideal for those seeking a reliable, complete cooking system for mild to warm weather.
- The MSR PocketRocket 2 is the best choice for ultralight summer hiking, though it’s less suited for cold or windy conditions.
- The Jetboil Flash is the most versatile option, excelling in rainy, cold, and variable weather, making it a strong contender for three-season backpacking.
No matter where or when you’re heading out, there’s a stove here that will keep your meals hot and your spirits high.
