Roughing it doesn’t mean you want to eat raw food with your bare hands. One of the best parts of your adventures is meshing unique and gorgeous environments with the essential comforts of home. Like cooking a good meal under the clear sky.
It’s hard to create that experience without the right gear. You may love aluminum, stainless steel, or titanium utilities but, man, it can add serious weight to your backpack! When out and about, you want equipment that doesn’t pack unnecessary poundage.
Quite the chore, but nothing outside the realm of possibility. It’s simply a matter of making all the right choices for choosing the best backpacking cookware.
Table of Contents
You Want Cookware That Fits Your Style
If you’re hiking distances before camp set-up or going straight to your site and then journeying out, you want cookware that’s versatile, light, and portable. Sure, you can have help carrying gear, giving you the opportunity for more variety and volume in cookware. But you still want the best backpacking cookware that doesn’t weigh you down.
How you travel will be helpful in the final decision. Camping by car, going raw with only necessary tools in your backpack, traveling via RV, each allows different cookware solutions.
Now that we’ve got that out the way, let’s get to work on finding the best backpacking cookware.
Best of the Best
Let’s get straight to it. Our picks for the three top backpacking cookware you can get for your dollar, and your adventures await!
Best Fully Packed Cookware Set: Odoland Camping Cookware Mess Kit
Odoland 29pcs Camping Cookware Mess Kit, Non-Stick Lightweight Pots Pan Kettle, Collapsible Water Container and Bucket, Stainless Steel Cups Plates Forks Knives Spoons for Outdoor Backpacking Picnic
$52.79 in stock
Features
- The Best Money You Ever Spent - The 29pcs camping cookware mess kit comes with 1 L pot, 1 M pot, 1 fry pan, 1 1.1L kettle, 1 2.6 gal collapsible container, 1 12L collapsible bucket, 4 x 230ml stainless steel cups with silicone protectors, 4 18cm stainless steel plates, 4 sets of dinner cutleries (4 forks, 4 knives, 4 spoons with 4 storage bags), 2 cleaning cloth and 1 carrying bag. This one-stop shopping camp cookware set is great for group camping cooking, emergency survival gear equipment.
- Perfect For 4 And More People - The camping pots have 2.4L and 1.9L capacity, the fry pan is of 8.7'' diameter and the kettle is 1.1L. Come with collapsible water container (2.6 gal/10L) and collapsible bucket (12L), it's perfect for storing water for cleaning dishes, sanitation & hand-washing stations, drinking or for storing your other favorite beverages. They will be great not just for boiling water but meal prep too. It's fully equipped and made to be used by 4 and more people.
- High Quality Pots And Pan - Both the camping pots, fry pan and kettle are made from anodized aluminum which is non-toxic and lightweight. Coated with a non-stick for easier use and clean up. Each piece has handles which are foldable and thermally isolated so you don’t burn your hand.
- Extra Stainless Steel Dinner Cutleries - You also receive several accessories - 4 sets of dinner cutleries and 2 cleaning cloth. The dinner cutleries are made from 304 stainless steel which is completely safe to use. All the forks knives spoons are foldable and can be easily packed into the cloth bags for simple storages. The cleaning cloth is safe to use on the coated surface and allows you fast and easy clean-up after you're done.
- All-In-1 Small Package - All pieces of this camping supplies nest great, and everything is stacked together and packed into a nylon mesh bag. Total weight is just 5.1lbs, and the package size measures 8.7x8.7x6.5 inches. You should definitely consider this camping cooking set for both rv road trip as well as traditional camping.
This one’s for the folks sitting around the campfire and the RV. The set comes with 29 pieces and weighs around five pounds. You get two pots, a kettle, pan, steel cutlery, multi-use plates, a collapsible bucket, and a collapsible 10 liter non-toxic, safe water container. The manufacturer even tosses in a couple of cleaning cloths.
This is one-stop camping. The pots and pans use anodized aluminum alloy. They’re lightweight and non-toxic. Each piece of cookware has foldable handles that won’t burn your hands thanks to thermal isolation. All the cookware’s non-stick application ensures easy cleanup.
What truly impresses is considering the hefty price for the Odoland Camping Cookware Mess Kit, you still get a world of value.
Pros
- Large collection suited for bigger outings
- Anodized aluminum alloy engineering
- Foldable handles with thermal isolation
- Stainless steel cutlery
Cons
- Pricey
- Heavy, not for foot travelers
Best Solo Set-Up: MSR Trail Mini Duo
MSR Trail Mini Duo Camping Cook Set
$47.97 in stock
Features
- Ultra-compact design can hold an MSR PocketRocket 2 and an 8 oz fuel canister (both sold separately), creating a complete set that saves space
- Ultralight weighing just 10.2 oz (289 g)
- Strong, hard-anodized aluminum pot, and polypropylene strainer lid and bowl keeps the weight down
- Pot includes an insulated grip allowing it to serve as an eating and drinking vessel
- Includes 1.2L pot, 28 oz bowl, lid with straining ports, ultralight mini pot lifter, and stuff sack
The MSR Mini Duo has to be one of the lightest sets we’ve seen. It’s perfect for the lone adventurer who prefers peace to companionship. The set is one small pot, a cup, a clear lid with straining ports, a compact stove with one canister of eight-ounce fuel, a pot lifter, and a stuff sack. The whole kit fits nicely in the included mesh sack.
This is not the set for the serious cooker. You’ll make an egg easy but the bacon is going to need careful watching. With hard-anodized aluminum construction, the collection is as efficient as it gets. It has a nesting design for easy storage and weighs just 10 ounces. With the insulated grip, you can prepare a hot drink or noodles and take it straight from the pot.
Pros
- Polypropylene and anodized aluminum manufacturing
- Pot lid doubles as a strainer
- Nesting capability
- Perfect when space is premium
Cons
- The straining lid isn’t tight
- Products are known to ship missing components
Best Cookery Set: Primus PrimeTech Pot Set
Features
- A PrimeTech pot with a heat exchanger and non-stick coating.
- Quick cooking time and low fuel consumption.
- A natural anodized aluminum pot.
- Optimized for all of our stoves.
- Comes with a storage bag.
Designed for efficiency, the Primus PrimeTech is practical, sophisticated, and high performing. The Primus pot boasts heat exchanging fins that enhance efficiency by increasing heat transfer rates.
This heating exchange minimizes boiling time and conserves simmering fuel. The pots and pans are Teflon and ceramic coated, giving them the ability to maintain sturdier temps longer.
If you’re looking for overall value from budget to performance, this is a contender for outdoor adventures.
Pros
- Heating Efficiency
- Pot boils water and roasts pine nuts equally well
- Wide base for easy balance
- Built-in wind guard
- Stove is quiet
Cons
- At 31.9 ounces, this isn’t as lightweight as other products
Best of the Rest
Our top picks are for those who wanted to get straight to the top dogs. What follows are more options for choosing the best backpacking cookware. Each was selected from categories of aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel. We also narrowed each category to Best Pot, Best Pan, and Best Cookware Set.
When it comes to our backcountry pots, we want evenly-heated surfaces and the ability to boil water in less time with less fuel (if you’re using fuel). (We know the rugged amongst us wouldn’t dare use less than a match and hand-chopped wood!) Look for colanders and pressure relief holes in lids and folding handles for easier transport of the best backpacking pot.
Best Ready-to-Go: EVERNEW Titanium Pasta Pot
EVERNEW Titanium Pasta Pot, Medium
Features
- Dimensions: 4.65" x 4.36".
- Capacity: 1L.
- Wt: 4.1 oz.
- Country Of Origin : Japan
The EVERNEW Titanium Pasta Pot is a medium-sized solution with the manufacturer boasting this is gear for the minimalist. It’s ideal for rehydrating foods, though the design isn’t ideal for frying or cooking complex dishes. It’s manufactured from titanium, making it a weight saver.
Pros
- Ultralight-weight
- Material stronger than aluminum or steel
- Corrosion-resistant
- Can be used as a multi-purpose bowl or mug
- Cools quickly
Cons
- Heats unevenly
- Not available for slow cooking or frying
- Expensive
Best Boiler: GSI Outdoors Halulite Boiler
GSI Outdoors - Halulite Boiler, The Perfect Packable Pot
Features
- Coming in at only 8.6 ounces, the Halulite Boiler is lightweight and compact for easy transporting; Available in 1.1 liter and 1.8 liter; Fits fuel cartridge (110 or 230 grams) and stove inside (sold separately)
- Large capacity and highly packable, cooking at camp has never been easier; Folding handle locks into place when it's time to pack up and go
- The hard anodized aluminum surface conducts heat better than titanium and resists scratches like no other; Tough in any terrain, it can hold up to the abuse of extended trips
- Our proprietary alloy, halulite, conducts heat more efficiently and evenly than titanium; Save space and money when you leave that extra fuel at home
- Molded-in graduations give you consistent measurements every time; Fuel, stove and pot all “nest” inside the stuff sack for convenient carrying
Aluminum backpack pots deftly balance lightweight capacity and low cost. The GSI Outdoors Halulite Boiler retains heat and cooks evenly, making it a good choice for group meals and complex cooking. The hard anodized structure promises durability and corrosion-resistance, useful traits when you’re packing wet.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Less expensive than titanium
- Heats evenly
- Hard anodized
- Corrosion-resistant
Cons
- Takes longer to cool
Best Stainless Steel Pot: MSR Stowaway Pot
MSR Alpine Stainless Steel Stowaway Camping Pot
Features
- Made from stainless steel. Hinged handle makes camp cooking convenient and flips up to lock lid down for storage. Capacity: 54.1 oz., weighs 19.5 oz..
Stainless steel backpacking cookware is known as the backcountry’s workhorses. They’re used by guides, outdoor organizations, and scout groups. We’re talking about adventurers who put their gear to work.
Pros
- Durable and high quality
- Comes in several sizes
- Lasts forever
- Excellent choice for the budget-minded
Cons
- Subject to hot spots like titanium
- Not as light as titanium
Best Backpacking Pan
Pans on the journey will be used to cook the most important parts of your meal, usually the protein, the meat, baby!
Choosing a pan is based mostly on what you cook. You want a multipurpose solution that maintains a lightweight and concise pack load. Perhaps you’re not just searing or frying meat, maybe you do a little backcountry bread or lose your inner chef on cinnamon rolls. Let these preferences guide your choice.
Best Non-Stick: Sea to Summit Alpha Frying Pan
Sea to Summit Alpha Lightweight Camping Fry Pan, 8-Inch
Features
- Lightweight, hard-anodized aluminum alloy frying pan ideal for backpacking and camping
- Advanced PFOA-free, non-stick finish provides superior heat distribution for even cooking with camp stoves
- Ergonomic flip-up handle with safety lock folds underneath the pan when not in use for compact storage
- Textured base for stability with camping stoves; nests with Sea to Summit Alpha Pots for transport
- 8-inch diameter weighs 8.6oz, 10-inch diameter weighs 11.8oz
Manufactured from aluminum alloy, the Sea to Summit Alpha Frying Pan is compact and lightweight and gets high marks for always getting the job done well. There are two sizes and the largest tops out at a mere 11.8 ounces. The pans have non-stick, heat-dispersing liners. That’s good news as backpacking pans, and their usually thin construction tend to get scorched. You may find a lighter choice, but balancing out the advantages, the Sea to Summit stands out.
Pros
- Durable and high quality
- Abrasion-resistant, PFOA-free, non-stick coating
- Solid heat distribution
- Ergonomic handle with safety lock
- Better camp stove stability with textured base
- Effortless and secure operation
- Nets with manufacturer’s other cookware
Cons
- Should only be used on backpack stoves
Best Fryer: GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Steel Frypan
Features
- FEAST IN THE FOREST: The Glacier Stainless 8" Frypan has a stainless steel exterior that surrounds its aluminum core for amazingly quick heating and unbelievable durability. Just what any rugged camper needs!
- STICK TO COOKING: The durable, laser-etched, non-stick surface provides excellent food release and easy cleanup.
- ADVENTURE READY: Weighing only 17.9 ounces, the Glacier Stainless Frypan also includes a SureLock folding handle that locks in place while cooking and folds in when you are on the go.
- SAFE FROM SCRATCHES: Resists scratching and abrasions from all types of utensils. Cooking outdoors has never been easier.
- IT'S ALL ABOUT THE OUTDOORS: In 1985 three siblings combined their love for the outdoors and set out to create GSI Outdoors. Now, three decades later GSI continues to bring quality cookware to outdoor lovers everywhere.
To start, the GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Steel Frypan uses a non-stick laser lined etching to keep your food from sticking to the surface. This one is a balance of stainless steel and aluminum. That’s a stainless steel interior and a clad aluminum core. So in some ways, you’re getting the benefits of both, including thorough cooking and fewer occurrences of bending, as well as quick heating and durability. The pan is a little hefty at close to 1.5 pounds.
Pros
- Perfect for coal and campfires
- Rust-proof finish
- Durable and high quality
- Abrasion-resistant, PFOA-free, non-stick coating
- SureLock folding handle
- Lightweight at 17.9 ounces
Cons
- Pricey
- Can be difficult to clean
Best Lightweight: EVERNEW Titanium Non-Stick Frying Pan
EVERNEW Titanium Non-Stick Fry Pan
Features
| Part Number | ECA441/2/3 |
We’d dare say EVERNEW can’t help itself. They continue to produce strong yet light titanium cookware. This Non-Stick Frying Pan weighs an impressive 4.23 ounces. (If you go with the smallest size.) The cookware has silicone-covered handles. The coating is silicon-ceramic non-stick that prevents messy cooking and easy cleanup. This compound takes advantage of a non-Teflon, organic element that ensures you’re not scraping and scrubbing to clean the surface.
Pros
- Ultralight, durable titanium frying pan
- Easy backcountry cooking and cleaning
- Insulated silicone handles
- PFOA free
Cons
- Not designed for rugged conditions
- Non-stick coating easy to scratch
- Expensive and hard to find in stores
Best Backpacking Sets
Backpacking sets can include everything from pots to dishware and utensils. They open up the greatest possibility of being able to prepare full meals quickly and easily. Of course, the larger the set, the more you’ll have to carry. And, of course, the greater the cost.
Budget really isn’t a concern with sets. There are backpacking sets that will meet any budget. It’s simply a matter of what you want to do with the set. The lone traveler can probably make do with a pot, pan, cup, and bowl. The camper will want options with all the works.
Here are some hot contenders for the type of sets you can get.
Best Mess Kit: Stansport Stainless Steel Mess Kit
Stansport Stainless Steel Mess Kit Copper Bottom (360)
Features
- SAFE TO USE DINNERWARE: This metal mess kit includes 1 boiling pot with lid, 1 frying pan with locking handle, and 1 stainless steel plate. They're all made of rugged, high-quality stainless steel with copper bottoms for uniform heat distribution.
- PERFECT TRAVEL COOKWARE: This 3-piece set nests together and packs into its own included nylon mesh cover. Individually sized for any outdoor adventure like hiking, camping, or tailgating, this kit fits in your backpack, bag, or survival gear.
- SLEEK AND STYLISH: You can never go wrong with the beauty and durability of stainless steel, and this kit is sure to make the pots and pans in your kitchen jealous!
- COMPACT MAGIC: Look no further boys and girls, this steel mess kit sets compactly together so there is no need for a surplus of dinnerware when you're traveling or on-the-go. It makes it easier than ever to cook a full meal and quickly clean it up.
- USE WITH OTHER COOKING ACCESSORIES: This lightweight cooking equipment pairs perfectly with other cooking supplies such as pots, pans, dishes, plates, bowls, utensils. The world is your kitchen with this Mess Kit, which can be used on any stove.
Engineered for uniform heat distribution, the Stansport Mess Kit has copper bottoms and a rugged design. It includes a frying pan with a stainless steel plate and a boiling pot with a lid. The items all nest for easy and compact transport.
Pros
- Handy and compact
- Durable and stylish
- Can be used on any stove
- Complete kitchen essential to cook a meal
Cons
- Size not suitable for more than two adventurers
- Copper base may not be reliable
Best Easy-to-Use: Sea to Summit Alpha Pot Cookset
Sea to Summit X-Pot Collapsible Camping Cook Pot, 2.8 Liter - Pacific Blue
Features
- Collapsible cooking pots for camping backpacking, boating, RVs or anywhere space is at a premium
- Innovative food-grade, heat-resistant silicone side walls expand for use and collapse for transit
- Hard anodized 6063-T6 aluminum base conducts heat evenly for water-based outdoor gourmet cooking
- Includes durable translucent strainer lid; nests with other Sea to Summit X-Series cookware
- 2.8-liter size weighs 11.5oz, 8.4-in diameter, 4.7-in height in-use, 1.5-in height when packed
Sea to Summit’s Alpha Pot Cookset is compact, self-contained, user-friendly, and as lightweight as it gets. The set includes a pot with a volumetric, graded scale printed on the side. You get two cups with lids, a pair of flat-bottomed bowls, and insulated sleeves.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Anodized, non-stick aluminum
- Pivot-Lock handle holds the kit together as one compact unit
- Lid doubles as a strainer
Cons
- Should be used only with backpack stoves
Best Set for Two: Snow Peak Multi-Compact Cookset
Snow Peak Multi Compact Cookset - Durable, Lightweight Stacking Pots & Pans - Titanium - 4 Pieces
$78.01 in stock
Features
- Lightweight & Durable Cookware: Snow Peak Titanium Multi Compact Cookset is made of high-quality titanium, making it lightweight and durable for your camping adventures
- Cook Set for Outdoor Cooking: This camping cookware set is designed for two users and includes two stacking pots and frypans with foldable handles
- Ultralight & Compact Camping Equipment: This titanium camping cookware set is the perfect choice for those who want to travel light and compact
- Versatile Cooking Set: This titanium cookware set can be used on multiple cooking surfaces, and the pot lids can be used as lids, plates, and saucepans
- Experience Nature with Snow Peak: For more than 60 years, we’ve been making heirloom-quality gear and apparel to help people slow down, connect with others, and feel close to nature
Snow Peak’s Titanium Multi-Compact Cookset meets the criteria for exceptional service. First, it’s light as all get-out at 11.6 ounces. It’s not for group outings though. This compact set is best for a pair of adventurers.
It’s a plain design, but you’re not trying to impress anybody. You get a pair of stacking pots and two frypans. Imported from Japan, the set’s engineered from complex welds in a multi-step production.
Pros
- Easy to carry, organize, and store with carrying bag
- Two pair of pots and pans allow the preparation of complete meals
- Lightweight
- Durable
Cons
- Handles are not ergonomic easy to grip
And The Winner Is…
MSR Trail Mini Duo
MSR Trail Mini Duo Camping Cook Set
$47.97 in stock
Features
- Ultra-compact design can hold an MSR PocketRocket 2 and an 8 oz fuel canister (both sold separately), creating a complete set that saves space
- Ultralight weighing just 10.2 oz (289 g)
- Strong, hard-anodized aluminum pot, and polypropylene strainer lid and bowl keeps the weight down
- Pot includes an insulated grip allowing it to serve as an eating and drinking vessel
- Includes 1.2L pot, 28 oz bowl, lid with straining ports, ultralight mini pot lifter, and stuff sack
We cannot deny we lean more towards the roughing it part of the adventure. Yes, it can be great to join some friends and share the wondrous sense of life natural environments instill in the hardest urbanite. But there’s something about keeping it small and even smaller that enhances the experience for us.
The MSR Mini Duo, small pot, cup, lid, compact stove, pot lifter, stuff sack, we like how it simplifies hitting the trail. We’re okay with eggs and skipping the bacon. (Though we admit we will take the extra time to watch the bacon (or a nice sausage) to have with our eggs and coffee.)
At 10 ounces and with its nesting capability, we think it fits nicely without burdening our gear. (Our boots are heavier.) The pot lid makes for a fine strainer when we treat ourselves and need to remove the water so we can eat our Ramen with spaghetti sauce. Or, of course, if you’re getting fancy and making real pasta, the strainer comes in handy.
What to Look For in Best Backpacking Cookware
Size & Weight
This is probably the definitive consideration. You may have a party of ten, but you don’t want a huge skillet in your backpack. Lightweight and smaller units mean there’s less effort on the trails (and lower impact on your spine). And if you have a trunk, you can make different choices.
Do remember, larger sets don’t necessarily mean better quality. Nor do higher prices mean better equipment. Plus, many adventurers don’t consider the size of cookware versus the source they’ll use to cook. They get pots too big for their burner or too small for the campfire. Too large and heat won’t cook evenly. Too small, and heat dissipates instead of warming your meals.
You need a full-featured solution that fulfills your cooking needs whether you’re on foot or No rule saysamper.
Capacity
You don’t need giant cookware if you’re out by yourself or if it’s just the two of you. A heftier option’s more feasible if you’re in a group. Some adventurers love the ruggedness of cooking out of cup-sized containers (and even cups!). Others prefer a more conventional approach to their outdoor cooking, like a non-stick pan. Fortunately, outdoor cookware can link up with anyone’s preferences.
Material
Sure, we’ve probably made it pretty clear how choosing a material can impact cooking in the backcountry, but it could still use a further in-depth look. The least expensive material is aluminum, and aluminum certainly does a solid, but it’s not particularly strong compared to alternatives. Aluminum’s far more likely to get damaged. Yet, it’s still considered the best backpacking cookware material as it manages the perfect balance between function and weight.
Confident of its possibilities, the industry strives to improve aluminum cookware. Complaints about aluminum leaving a metallic taste in certain foods led to the implementation of hard anodization. This significantly reduces the aluminum cookware’s impact on taste. It also made the material stronger.
Performance
Not all cookware is equal. You don’t want to waste a lot of time in the wild with your meals. You want a product that’s guaranteed to cook evenly. Your surfaces should be non-stick because you don’t have time to scrub. Heat distribution, storage, no heat side-escaping up the sides, and accessories all come into play.
Durability
Remember, your backpack cookware has to suffer the same terrains and weather conditions that you do. It doesn’t matter if you have a trail mule that can carry the weight of a full set of pots, pans, and lids. Most traditional cookware is not ideal for outdoor life. Emeril’s highly-regarded cook set may look great, but does it have what it takes to survive your adventures is the question.
Heat Distribution
Here’s an interesting Catch-22: Yeah, you can buy the finest aluminum pot. When it comes to lightweight, you can’t do better. But it’s a chore to find an aluminum pot that doesn’t bottom scorch food. This impacts the flavor, fuel use, and how much vigor you need to keep the pot clean. How well your cookware cooks is the most important criteria.
Accessories
You can get by with a pot, lid, cup, and maybe a frying pan. That doesn’t mean you have to. There are bowls, kettles, plates, spoons and forks (sporks?), spatulas, and more. Having a cup can be nice. They’ll provide insulation so that you can drink while your beverage is hot.
There’s no rule that says you have to he-man your adventures and eat with your hands. Depending on the size and weight and functionality (such as nesting), you may be able to fit a nice cooking set in your backpack and have a fine dining experience in the wilderness.
Other Things to Consider
Here are additional ideas to keep in mind when you’re looking for the best backpacking cookware.
- If you use exact measurements, look for cookware with liquid quantity scored in ounces.
- Should you do a lot of boiling water, freeze-dried pouches, or dehydrated meats, you want to consider cookware or cups with pour spouts.
- Typical backpacking meals usually require about two cups of water. Take into account how water displacement and pot size impact each other.
- When purchasing titanium cookware, make sure the lids aren’t steel but titanium.
- Pots should have foldaway handles. Grippers should be attachments as they are easy to forget or lose.
- The cookpots you pick should hold a small- to medium-sized canister and your packed stove if you cook with gas.
- Should you use a windscreen, go with a titanium foil that rolls easily inside the pot for transport.
- Integrated cook systems should include hard-anodized aluminum pots.
- Narrow pots capture less stove heat than wide pots.
