Food is an important part of a backpacking trip. Without food, people will not have any energy to move or hike for a lot of miles. It is important for people to be able to cook their foods while in a backpacking adventure. A good backpacking cookware set will allow a person to cook foods rather easily while in the outdoors. There are lots of cookware and materials to choose from. This is one of the reasons why I highly recommend the cookware down below. They are lightweight, compact and very durable. One thing I know is that you are likely to be delighted with your order for the reason that I did a lot of research and know the backpacking cookware sets below very well.
Best Backpacking Cookware – Quick Chart
| Backpacking Cookware | Weight | Material | Capacity | Compact |
| 1. Flash Personal Cooking System | 0.82 lbs | Aluminium | 1L | Yes |
| 2. MSR WindBurner Personal Stove System | 1 lb | Aluminum | 1L | Yes |
| 3. Stanley Base Camp Cook Set For Four | 5 lb. 6 oz | 18/8 Stainless Steel | 3.5 L | Yes |
| 4. Stansport 360 Stainless Steel Mess Kit | 1.2 lbs | High-quality stainless steel | 3 Cups | Yes |
| 5. Wild Peak Titanium Lightweight Pot and Pan | 13.6 oz | Titanium | 40.5 oz | Yes |
| 6. MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit Backpacking Gear | 1.6 lbs | FDA APPROVED Non-Toxic Anodized Aluminum | 2L | Yes |
| 7. Winterial Camping Cookware and Pot | 1.5 lbs | Light aluminum oxide | 2 Quarts | Yes |
| 8. GSI Outdoors – Halulite Microdualist | 1 lbs | Halulite | 1.4 liter pot | Yes |
| 9. GSI Outdoors – Bugaboo Base Camper | 2 lbs | Non-Stick Coated Aluminum, Nylon 6-6, Silicone | 5 quarts | Yes |
| 10. Coleman 5-Piece Aluminum Mess Kit | 1 lbs | Aluminum | 16 oz | Yes |
| 11. Docooler Outdoor Camping Hiking Cookware | 2.5 lbs | Stainless steel | 1.5L | Yes |
| 12. REDCAMP Camping Cookware Mess Kit | 3.3 lbs | Anodized aluminum camping cookware set | 3 Cups | Yes |
| 13. Snow Peak 3 Piece Titanium Cookset | 3.2 oz | Titanium | 26 oz | Yes |
| 14. BeGrit Camping Cookware Mess Kit | 1.6 lbs | 410 stainless steel | 3 cups | Yes |
| 15. Coleman Stainless Steel Mess Kit | 1.4 lbs | Stainless steel | 2 quarts | Yes |
How To Choose A Backpacking Cookware Set
Types Of Backpacking Cookware Sets
Tableware
Most cookware sold for backpacking purposes can be used as a tableware as well. The pots can be used as bowls and the frying pans can be used as plates. People often just use the cookware for tableware purposes so that they do not have to carry a lot of items. They can shed some backpack weight and free up more space on their backpacks.
Cookware
Cookware sets are meant to cook stuff. This is the normal cookware that you will see. They will have handles, made out of metal, and very durable. They resemble most of the cookware we see at home but in a miniature size. The pots will be smaller and the frying pans as well.
Kettles / Water Boiler
There are a lot of kettles for backpacking purposes. There are tea kettles, cup shape kettles, pot kettles and so on. The popular ones are the gas stove + pot combo where you attach a cylindrical shape pot on a backpacking gas stove. This combination will allow users to cook food or heat water.
Mess Kits
There are different kinds of mess kits. There are mess kits with items that consist only of cookware, there mess kits that consist only plastic tableware, and there are mess kits that have a combination of both. These are often very affordable and come with multiple items.
Choosing The Backpacking Cookware Set Material
Hard-Anodized Aluminum
Hard anodized aluminum cookware sets are very popular since this material is very inexpensive. There are a lot of cookware sets and mess kits made out of this material. They are often coated with a nonstick coating like Teflon or Ceramic coating.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is one of the best materials for cookware sets for backpacking. This material is rust resistant, corrosion resistant, very durable and heats up rather well. They do not get squished while in a backpack and the stainless steel cookware can be used as a tableware as well.
Titanium
Titanium has the same benefits as stainless steel. This is very safe, non-toxic, and durable material. The only drawback is that this is very expensive. So you will often see cookware made out of this material to be very thin. They feel flimsy also. Most companies are trying to lower the price of their cookware by using less titanium on their cookware.
Health Concerns You Need To Consider
Teflon Non-Stick Coatings
Teflon nonstick coatings are very popular but they have received a few scandalous reviews as of late. There is a chemical or substance called PFOA that is not safe that was being used in conjunction with Teflon before. Most of the Teflon coatings now do not have this substance but some still do. So always make sure that the non-stick coating you have is PFOA free.
Ceramic Non-Stick Coatings
Ceramic non-stick coatings offer the same benefits as Teflon. The cookware becomes a lot easier to cook with and it becomes easier to clean as well since the food particles just fall off the cookware. Ceramic coatings are a little bit more expensive though but this coating is very safe.
BPA-Free
Plastics with BPA have been known to cause sickness and can even cause people to die. Make sure that the item that you are using is BPA free and non-toxic. You are going to be using the plastic for food related activities after all.
Other Considerations You Should Think About
Weight
The weight of the cookware matters. In backpacking, weight is almost everything. We can carry more items if they are very light in weight. We enjoy the outdoors and the backpacking trip more if we carry lightweight items. Luckily for us, we have lots to choose from when it comes to cookware. There are plenty of very innovative items out there that we can bring to the outdoors.
Compact
The cookware must be compact or the pack size must be small. We have a limited backpack space also. We cannot put a whole lot of items in our pack. It is best that the cookware is compact and space saving. Compact, and nested designed cookware are also very organized or very orderly. They are not all over the backpack. They all stay in one place and can be taken out easily. We don’t need to put effort digging through our pack to find a piece of cookware. They are usually all combined together into one piece.
Multi Purpose
The outdoor cookware must be multipurpose. It is a lot better if the cookware can be used as a frying pan, pot, water boiler, tea kettle and so on. The more useful the cookware, the better. We can cook different types of recipes and outdoor dishes with a multipurpose cookware. But usually, we just want the cookware to cook a simple recipe.
Complete Set
It is always nice to have a complete set of cookware. A simple mess kit that has tableware, utensils, cookware, and so on. A complete set means that someone already took the time to plan and organize the mess kit for us. The set already includes a lot of the things we need to cook and enjoy eating our foods.
Durable
There are a lot of materials and cookware that are very flimsy. They are not durable at all. We should always look for something durable that will last for many years to come. We don’t really want the cookware to break down in the middle of the wilderness too. If the cookware breaks apart then we have no way of cooking our foods. So it is best that the cookware is also very durable.
Best Backpacking Cookware Sets
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1. Flash Personal Cooking System
Weight: 0.82 Pounds
Material: Aluminum
Capacity: 1L
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: Personal cooking system the ultimate camping stove for preparing coffee, soup, or dehydrated meals on the trail, start heating instantly with the convenient, reliable pushbutton igniter, and verify that the water’s ready with the thermo chromatic color-change heat indicator
Short Review: This backpacking cookware set not only will perform pretty well, but the effectiveness and characteristics of this item are exceptional. This build is very dependable in the outdoors and the entire system pack lights, sets up quick, and achieve rapid boils in minutes. This features a FluxRing technology makes it possible to heat a conveniently-shaped vessel with extremely high efficiency. This is a very ingenious cookware. You have a stove, windshield, and cookware in a set. There is more fuel efficiency because there is less wind and cold air stealing the heat of the flame. They fit well together and very balance. The balance is amazing especially when compared to traditional stove and cooking gear. This is very lightweight and compact.
2. MSR WindBurner Personal Stove System
Material: Aluminum
Capacity: 1L
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: compact and very well designed, MSR WindBurner accessory pots, MSR WindBurner Skillet, hanging kit and coffee press
Short Review: I have tried, and analyzed this mess kit for backpacking. This features 100% primary air combustion, enclosed design & internal pressure regulator work together to make stove virtually impervious to outside conditions. This also features radiant burner and heat exchanger deliver faster boil times and more fuel efficiency. Comes with a secure-locking pot and personal eat-and-drink mug with cozy. For backpacking, most people would get a multipurpose item that can act as a cookware that is lightweight and compact at the same time. I am listing this because this is pretty good and works well. This is a pretty good item for hiking, camping and backpacking. One of the best cooking system available right now.
3. Stanley Base Camp Cook Set For Four
Weight: 5 lb. 6 oz
Material: 18/8 Stainless Steel
Capacity: 3.5 L
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: Manufactured using 18/8 stainless steel this cooking set is strong, scratch proof and rustproof, this comes fully loaded with 21 different pieces that can cook meals for small or large groups without taking up too much space
Short Review: You certainly will like this cookware for the outdoors given that it is amazing. Stanley creates amazing items for the outdoors. I have a couple of their cookwares in my arsenal. This is meant for lots of people. It includes cookware and tableware for four people. It is a little bit heavy but very light if you consider that this is good for 4 or more people. I think it is impressive that we do not have to think about replacing this item for an exceptionally long time mainly because it is extremely durable. This cookware and tableware set should last for a long time and I love the way this looks. Ideal item to have for camping that works very well.
4. Stansport 360 Stainless Steel Mess Kit
Weight: 1.2 lbs
Material: High-quality stainless steel
Capacity: 3 Cups
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: 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, this steel mess kit sets compactly together so there is no need for a surplus of dinnerware
Short Review: One of the greatest things I have ever tried is this cookware for backpacking. I got very interested in this mainly because this has lots of positive consumer reviews. If you look at this very closely, you will see clearly that this is an exceptionally resilient item. Made out of stainless steel which is my favorite material. Lightweight and compact. Lightweight items like this one allow us to save energy. This just makes cooking in the outdoors a lot easier and this is very versatile as well. This item is extremely low-priced while having a great deal of capabilities. The data we get from the many positive customer feedback from this is the best info that we can obtain in relation to obtaining this or not.
5. Wild Peak Titanium Lightweight Pot and Pan
Weight: 13.6 oz
Material: Titanium
Capacity: 40.5 oz
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: Titanium construction for super strong ultralight multi-functionality, tasteless, odorless, does not corrode or rust, is non-allergenic, cook two items at once with the benefits of double boiler cooking
Short Review: You should check out this cookware for backpacking for the reason that it might be the item that you are shopping for. I love titanium but a lot of titanium cookware are often very flimsy or fragile. I was very surprised that this is very durable and very well made. I still highly recommend this item even though I have tried plenty of comparable items. The weight of this is very light which means this does not take much energy to carry. This is a pretty good item for to have for camping and backpacking. This is one of the greatest and I know that you will agree with me when you test it.
| Check Out My Other Reviews – backpacking beds – backpacking blankets – backpacking tarps – backpacking water containers – backpacking sleeping pads |
6. MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit Backpacking Gear
Weight: 1.6 lbs
Material: FDA APPROVED Non-Toxic Anodized Aluminum
Capacity: 2L
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: Entire 10 piece mess kit collapse into small bundle for easy control and storage, highest quality anodized aluminum camping cookset conducts heat quickly, lightweight, compact, and mobile design
Short Review: This backpacking cookware set can be one of the very best things that you have ever ordered. This is the standard backpacking mess kit design. Nested, compact and durable. I am very certain that this item that I highly recommend is extremely durable. Mess kits that are very fragile will only provide frustration and waste of time to the person who bought them. The amazing compact and space saving construction is great for us who need a lot of backpack space. One of the best items to have for backpacking purposes which is why I highly recommend this. This item came from an extremely popular company which is the reason why I know that you will really like this.
7. Winterial Camping Cookware and Pot
Weight: 1.5 lbs
Material: Light aluminum oxide
Capacity: 2 Quarts
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: Lightweight camping cookware set is the perfect addition to any survival gear equipment list, camping pot set are stored together and are extremely portable in their convenient carry bag, open fire cookware pot, frying pan and tea kettle are made of solid and light aluminum oxide
Short Review: The way I see it is that this outdoor cookware is a very good deal. This is similar to the previous one that I mentioned. However, this one has a kettle. For some reason, a lot of people are looking for a kettle. You can just boil water with a pot but people want a kettle for some reason. So this set has a kettle and this is very affordable as well. This is very good. Easy to carry because of the compact design. This is a pretty good item for camping and backpacking plus this is very multipurpose as well. I really like this item simply because it can cook foods while in the outdoors while remaining to be incredibly budget friendly.
8. GSI Outdoors – Halulite Microdualist
Weight: 1 lbs
Material: Halulite
Capacity: 1.4 liter pot
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: Halulite microdualist is the perfect third wheel, pot and lid combo are perfect for stovetop cooking, ultralight design has everything you need for hot meals and warm drinks, handy pot and lid is made from halulite, a proprietary alloy that conducts heat better and more evenly than titanium
Short Review: This outdoor cookware is impressive and I know you will like it. It is simple to see that a number of people love this item due to the compact design, durability and it can help you cook foods while in the outdoors. I wasn’t expecting much from this item when I purchased this however I was very surprised when it worked really well. This is a great tableware/cookware to have for backpacking purposes. Items like this one make cooking in the wilderness a lot easier. I have been making use of this item for some time and I am joyful that I can recommend it.
9. GSI Outdoors – Bugaboo Base Camper
Weight: 2 lbs
Material: Non-Stick Coated Aluminum, Nylon 6-6, Silicone
Capacity: 5 quarts
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: The bugaboo base camper’s included pots and frypan are coated with teflon classic for amazing non-stick performance, set is ingeniously designed to nest into the stuff sack that doubles as a sink for washing, pot and lid combo are perfect for stovetop use
Short Review: I like this cookware for the outdoors a lot. One of the best that I’ve tested and I am positive that you will be impressed by how wonderful this is. Another item from GSI that I would like to recommend. This is amazing and it is worth looking into. Compact design allows people to save space in their backpacks and allows them to carry more stuff. This just makes cooking in a backpacking trip a lot easier and this is very high quality as well. This arrived faster than expected and one of the finest that you can acquire at this time. The positive consumer reviews are a few of the reasons I know why this is among the finest.
10. Coleman 5-Piece Aluminum Mess Kit
Weight: 1 lbs
Material: Aluminum
Capacity: 16 oz
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: All of the pieces stack and store within the pot, and clean easily, 100 years, and continues to produce high-quality, affordable tents, lanterns, table-top stoves, and more, century later, Coleman’s current catalog features a wide-ranging array of products that make spending time outside a pleasure
Short Review: This cookware for backpacking is among the finest that I have ever tried. The selling price of this is extremely low that it is hard not to notice it. Coleman is a great company when it comes to outdoor items. This does have outstanding features and the price tag is pretty low. The lightweight design is great and this is very versatile. This is a very versatile item to have for the outdoors and this makes hiking a lot easier. One of the greatest items I know of because of the high quality materials that the company used to create this item. If you go through the the positive consumer feedback, then you will comprehend the reasons why lots of people are purchasing this.
| Check Out My Other Reviews – backpacking beds – backpacking knives – camping family tents – hiking waist pack – tsa approved suitcase lock |
11. Docooler Outdoor Camping Hiking Cookware
Weight: 2.5 lbs
Material: Stainless steel
Capacity: 1.5L
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: Capable and worthwhile company, designed to be compact and space saving, item designed for outdoor activities
Short Review: I have been testing lots of backpacking cookware, and this is extraordinary. There are a whole lot of things to think about and one of those things is the design of the item. This is meant for a backpacking trip with a lot of people. If you are going to cook a lot of foods then this is a great choice. This is made out of stainless steel as well. One of my favorite outdoor gear material. This has an incredible design. Nested and very compact. It looks great while having many functional features. The design made this very light which is great for us outdoor enthusiasts. Versatile item that makes camping a lot more fun and a lot easier. This is remarkable and exactly what I hoped it would be.
12. REDCAMP Camping Cookware Mess Kit
Weight: 3.3 lbs
Material: Anodized aluminum camping cookware set
Capacity: 3 Cups
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: Lots of capabilities and very multi-purpose, outdoor friendly and amazing item, works well and very high quality
Short Review: Among the best things I like is this set of outdoor mess kits. I have a couple of REDCAMP items in for my backpacking gear. They are a pretty good company. This is meant for a group of people. It is a little bit heavy but still easy to carry. Compact and nested design makes this ideal for backpacking. The simple fact that this is exceptionally high quality and inexpensive are sufficient reasons for me to recommend this item. There are lots of men and women who are happy when they ordered this for the reason that this is impressive and has exceeded my expectations. A very good item to have if you love to go camping because this makes cooking a lot easier.
13. Snow Peak 3 Piece Titanium Cookset
Weight: 3.2 oz
Material: Titanium
Capacity: 26 oz
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: So easy to clean, outdoor ready item, i find the material to be very easy to clean
Short Review: This outdoor cookware is astounding that I am loving making use of it. I love Snow Peak as well. I have a couple of their titanium cups. They are very high quality just like this cookware set. This is pretty simple to use and this works well. The weight of this is very light which is why this is perfect for the outdoors. The outdoors is a lot more fun if you have a good item like this and this is very useful as well. I really like this cookware set very much and I am so happy I purchased it at an exceptionally low price. The low price is one important thing I love about this item.
14. BeGrit Camping Cookware Mess Kit
Weight: 1.6 lbs
Material: 410 stainless steel
Capacity: 3 cups
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: Great easy to clean item, designed to be easy to clean, multi-purpose and very useful
Short Review: This set of backpacking mess kits is among the best that I definitely love. This has a distinctive design which received a great deal of praises simply because of its usefulness and beauty. You’re going to be happy getting this item simply because this is wonderful. This is made out of lightweight material which makes this ideal for the outdoors. A great item to have if you love the outdoors and this is very durable as well. Comes with cups, pots and plates. Made out of stainless steel and looks absolutely stunning. This has been one of the best items I have bought in a while and it has been a wonderful experience.
15. Coleman Stainless Steel Mess Kit
Weight: 1.4 lbs
Material: Stainless steel
Capacity: 2 quarts
Compact: Yes
Feature Summary: Ingenious design from an amazing company, multi-purpose, functional and lots of capabilities, company is amazing and they construct amazing items
Short Review: If you get hold of this set of outdoor mess kits/cookware, you will be surprised at how incredible this is. Among the finest ways to save is to buy an incredibly budget friendly item such as this. Another set of cookware I would like to recommend that comes from Coleman. This has a pleasant construction, well made and the price is a steal. The design made this very light which is great for us who love the outdoors. If you love backpacking and camping, then this is a great item to have because this makes cooking and preparing foods a lot easier. Never undervalue the sturdiness of any item especially this one. This will last for a long time. This item has numerous positive customer feedback that I know this deserves its spot in my website.