Most of the time, having nice gear is about being more comfortable. But when the weather really turns rough, having the right tools can be a matter of safety. To suss out the best winter camping gear, we spent many long nights out backpacking, skiing, and climbing in northern New Mexico, often at elevations above 11,000 feet, usually when the weather was at its worst. These are the pieces we trusted most to keep us safe, warm, and happy when the mercury dropped.

The North Face Inferno Double Sleeping Bag ($1,000)

The North Face’s new technical double sleeping bag is the brainchild of mountaineering’s first couple, Hilaree O’Neill and Jim Morrison, and it’s a hit for all adventure buddies who like to cuddle. At first blush, $1,000 sounds like a lot for an 800-fill, ­15-degree sleeping bag. But consider the cost and weight of two comparable single bags (about 4.5 pounds to the Inferno’s three). In addition to money, you’ll save space and weight. The Inferno Double comes in at just over three pounds, which is about 1.5 pounds less than two similar individual bags together. Another benefit: sharing a bag with your partner means twice the body heat. Our testers remained comfortable far below the temperature rating of 15 degrees.

Klymit Everglow Light Tube Lantern (from $20)

This inflatable light comes in three sizes, the smallest of which weighs 1.9 ounces and packs down to the size of a pear. Inside the inflatable tube, white LEDs put out 160 lumens of soft, diffuse light that add functional ambiance to your tent, camp kitchen, or car. All three sizes have a small carabiner loop for hanging; the two larger ones also have internal magnets so you can connect them to your tailgate. They need to be hooked up to an independent power source (no batteries), but connect easily to the same USB-compatible bank you might carry to recharge your phone or navigation device.

Leatherman Curl Multitool ($80)

Fans of Leatherman’s Wave lineup will recognize that iconic tool’s influence in the new Curl. The svelte, 7.5-ounce device hides 15 tools, including pliers, scissors, a bit driver, and a blade you can open with one hand. The Curl is roughly half the size of a standard wallet, making it both streamlined enough for everyday carry (there’s also a built-in pocket clip) and utilitarian enough for any camp chore.

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˛Ń±đ˛Ô’s Labyrinth Loop Omni-Heat Infinity Insulated Hooded Jacket ($180)

This is your next cold-weather jacket. Columbia’s ˛Ń±đ˛Ô’s Labyrinth Loop Omni-Heat Infinity Insulated Hooded Jacket comes with recycled synthetic down insulation and a pop of gold thermal-reflective lining to keep you toasty on cold hikes. The insulation squishes down for easy packing without losing any loft, and it even stays warm if it gets wet.

GSI Pinnacle Pro Stove ($200)

If you’ve shopped for a two-burner car-camping stove at any point in the last 60 years, you know they’re all pretty similar. The Pinnacle Pro is a notable departure. Folding legs and a grate that collapses flat against the burners mean the Pinnacle Pro takes up less than half the space of other double burners. Its stainless-steel construction is sturdier and more rust-resistant than oft-used coated steels. All this while still including twin 11,000-BTU burners, piezo ignition, and a reliable simmer.

High Camp Flasks Firelight 750 Flask ($125)

The Firelight is the perfect way to carry a beverage in the backcountry. The vacuum-insulated stainless-steel flask will keep your hot drinks hot and your cold drinks from turning into blocks of ice. Meanwhile, two magnetic tumblers slide over to the top and bottom, providing a clever and sophisticated way for you and your traveling partner to share libations. At 750 milliliters, it’s big enough for a bottle of your favorite red or enough coffee to get you through a frigid morning.

Exo Mtn Gear K3 4800 Pack ($650)

Skip the heavy, oversize expedition pack. ·ˇłć´Ç’s K3 series is the smoothest modular pack and frame arrangement we’ve seen yet. A system of buckles allow you to pull the bag away from the frame for securing heavy items close to your back, or to detach the pack body and swap in a smaller for shorter trips. A waterproof hydration-bladder pocket protects sensitive down gear from spills, while the massive horseshoe zipper on the back panel makes access to everything a breeze.

Nemo Kunai 3P Tent ($700)

If you’re looking for one tent to do it all, you’d be hard-pressed to find something better than the updated Kunai. Convertible construction allows you to transition three of the Kunai’s four sides from alpine double-walled warmth to breezy midsummer mesh with the tug of a zipper. Other thoughtful design pieces like reinforced seams and an aggressively tapered profile on all sides mean the Kunai can shed snow, resist gale-force winds, and still leave you warm and dry.

Nocs Zoom Tube Monocular and Inspector Microscope ($75 and $35)

At 270 grams, this 8x monocular is a no-brainer to throw in your pocket for long-distance gazing. Its rubberized housing is ridged to improve grip and dissipate impact from inadvertent drops. Attach the Inspector Microscope for 32x magnification, which will allow you to see basal facets in your snow pit. Nocs even offers an attachment to connect the Zoom Tube and Microscope with your smartphone, so you can turn the camera into a macro lens.

Zippo HeatBank 9s Plus Rechargeable Hand Warmer ($60)

Zippo’s granola-bar-size HeatBank provides emergency warmth and also stores power, with twin USB ports for recharging a headlamp and a phone simultaneously. When we got caught in unexpected cold, we were grateful for the heat source.

Helly Hansen Verglas Polar Down Jacket ($450)

Through frigid summits and overnights, the Verglas’s ­800-fill goose down and­ ­box-wall ­construction kept our testers warm. Breathable synthetic insulation in areas like the hood and chest pocket holds up better to moisture. (women’s XS–XL / men’s S–XXL)

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SlingFin Arctic 6 Dome Tent ($2,750)

It may be pricey, but the Arctic 6 is a unique alpine tent with a stove port. It’s ideal for base, with clever features like a removable floor and reach-through vents.

Klymit Drift Camp Pillow ($35 and up)

The Drift is our favorite backcountry frill. Just flip the durable polyester-ripstop shell to reveal soft cotton-jersey fabric covering supportive memory foam.

Somewear Satellite Communicator ($350)

This four-ounce GPS tracker provides lightweight peace of mind. An update extends battery life to more than ten days and adds custom check-in intervals and app tracking.

Petzl Iko Core Headlamp ($90)

The most ­notable feature of this 500-lumen, 2.8- ounce light is the new barely-there semi-rigid plastic band. A rear housing takes either the included rechargeable battery or AAAs and perfectly balances seven LEDs up front.Ěý

Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe SI Mat ($230)

At four inches thick and 5.8 pounds, Sea to Summit’s new 6.5 ­R-value pad may be hefty, but it almost feels like a bed. A high-flow valve makes setup and takedown easy.

The North Face Eco Trail Down 0 Sleeping Bag ($139 and up)

A reasonably priced full-featured winter bag is hard to find, and this one is entirely recycled. A J-shaped zip makes for quick venting, and extra width is good for active sleepers.

Winnerwell Fastfold Titanium Stove ($499)

This wood-burning stove packs down to the size of an avalanche shovel and weighs just over four pounds. No more stuffing feet into frozen boots.

Marmot WarmCube Featherless Hoodie ($500)

Marmot’s clustered polyester insulation mimics 700-fill down but won’t wet out, while baffles isolate the fill, eliminating cold spots.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Prism Pack ($395)

For a 43.5-liter hauler that weighs in under two pounds, this Dyneema pack is durable and impressively kitted out: it boasts an ice-ax loop, A-frame ski carry, an external crampon pocket, and a removable lid.

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Outdoor Research Tundra Aerogel Camp Booties ($89)

Aerogel’s unique ability to insulate under pressure makes the material perfect for the soles of these booties—and the slippers themselves perfect for padding around the cabin.

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Gerber Compleat Utensil Set ($30)

At 2.3 ounces, Gerber’s isn’t the lightest camp cutlery you’ll find. But with everything from the standard fork and spoon to a veggie peeler and tongs, it might be the most comprehensive.

Marmot West Rib Parka ($600)

The innovative West Rib has a layer of synthetic insulation, which is shingled over down-stuffed, cube-shaped baffles. There’s no better jacket for cold, wet belays.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear NorthRim 4400 Pack ($450)

One of the toughest packs we’ve used, the NorthRim has Dyneema for extra burliness. It held up through granite chimneys and countless crampon stabs.

Mountain Hardwear Outpost 2 Tent ($600)

Want expedition-grade strength without expedition-grade weight? The Outpost hung tough in a storm, and there are mesh doors and vents for shoulder-season use.

Pelican 2765 Headlamp ($45)

Pelican’s compact lamp uses three directional LEDs: one for focused long-distance illumination, and two that create a diffuse, down-facing beam for trail visibility.

Black Diamond Solano Mitts ($400)

Even in early-spring snow and rain, the Sola­nos’ goat-leather shells and Gore-Tex inserts ensured that our hands remained dry. PrimaLoft Gold and built-in heaters kept things toasty.

Big Agnes Insulated Axl Trail Boss Sleeping Pad ($200 and up)

Big Agnes claims this pad is its warmest and toughest. A week in Wyoming’s high country bore that out. It’s made with Prima-Loft Silver wrapped by the same material used for airplane emergency slides.

Zenbivy Light Bed Sleeping Bag ($419)

The ten-degree, 800-fill down quilt uses plastic hooks to attach to a bottom sheet, which has a sleeve to keep your pad in place as you doze.

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We’ve always been fascinated by ski patrollers. They get first tracks on powder days, chuck bombs for a living, and, crucially, decide when to pull ropes and open a new section of a mountain. But we wanted to know what they actually do on a day-to-day basis. So we called up Mike Thurber—friend of şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř, sometimes gear reviewer, and soon-to-be second-year ski patroller at Taos Ski Valley—to hear about a typical day on the mountain.

As a rookie, it’s all new and interesting work, but by far the best days at the office are during storm cycles. The snow safety team looks at forecasts during the afternoon each day and decides when the crew should show up the following morning. Normally, we’re on first chair at 8 a.m., but if there’s significant snowfall, we’re awake at 4 a.m. so we can get to the mountain and be ready to go by 5:45.

On avalanche control mornings, the patrol gathers in the base area and very well might be loading the chairlift in a blizzard by the light of headlamps. We have two chairs to ride to patrol HQ, where we convene to get our weather briefing and plan the day. In general, each patroller is assigned to a specific route, with a designated route leader, and we generally head out in teams of two or three. As a rookie, your best bet is to work your ass off at all times and then make puppy-dog eyes at one of the route leaders and hope they let you go out on route with them.

The next part of the day is every bit as fun as it sounds, but it’s also the most dangerous. Basically, through a combination of high-powered explosives and ski cuts, we spend two or three hours moving around the mountain trying to trigger any potential avalanches before we allow the public on the hill. This clearly includes any of the terrain a skier might access, but also all the potential avalanche start zones above skier terrain. It’s a huge project, and it can be stressful knowing how many people are jonesing for those first turns of the day, but it pays to move pretty deliberately here as mistakes are just not an option.

Anyone who doesn’t go out on control starts running through prep for the rest of the day. That could mean clearing snow from stairs at the top patrol shack or checking the medical gear. Once control work is done, we get the green light to start housekeeping chores on the hill—setting up signs, putting up ropes for closures, opening new terrain. At Taos, first chair is at 9 a.m.

Work changes a bit once we have people on the hill. It’s often the case that we don’t open the whole mountain at once, so when we’ve taken care of the frontside, part of the patrol goes back out on other control routes that are a little farther afield while the rest of the crew prepares for a busy day. That means responding to emergencies, keeping an eye on ropes and signage, continuing work on opening the rest of the mountain, and any other general maintenance. The day goes by pretty fast—it’s easy to get caught up with patient care and side projects only to find yourself at 3 p.m. without having eaten.

We start closing hike-to terrain around midafternoon. By 3:30, most of the patrol staff meets at the top shack for sweep. Our final chair of the day is at 4 p.m. Once the last chair clears and the lifties head down, the dispatcher cranks up some music and we start sweeping the mountain. We make sure no guests are left on the hill and that things are tidy for the groomer crews. Depending on what we find, this can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or more.

If you’re working as dispatcher for the afternoon, sweep is a pretty incredible way to end the day. You work on closing down HQ while the rest of the team sweeps the mountain. Once everybody’s down, you lock the door and head out. You’re literally the only skier on the mountain, and the New Mexico sunsets are unparalleled, period. It’s magical.

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If you’re determined to camp in winter, you’re going to need some sturdy gear

Black Diamond GlideLite 147 Skis ($469)

Don’t try using these for downhilling. The GlideLites have bindings that work with most winter hiking boots, combining the convenience of snowshoeing with the efficiency of cross-country planks.

Sierra Designs Mountain Guide Tarp ($350)

Redesigned for 2018, this shelter has ample room to sleep four and hold all their gear. Guy lines self-equalize to maintain tension and keep the tarp erect.

Klymit Insulated V Ultralite SL Sleeping Pad ($120)

Weighing in at just under a pound, this pad has a high 4.4 R-value (a measure of insulation), and Klymit’s V-shaped baffles offer enough structure for you to sleep on your side without bottoming out.

The North Face Immaculator Parka ($349)

Testers loved the Immaculator for frosty belays in the Tetons. The double zipper, high collar, and oversize baffles stuffed with 800-fill goose down make it near perfect for extended outings in the most frigid weather.

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MSR WindBurner Duo Stove ($180)

A longtime favorite, the redesigned WindBurner is lower to the ground for improved stability and can hold up to 1.8 liters of water—plenty for morning coffee for two.

Mystery Ranch Terraframe 80 Pack ($450)

For hauling big loads deep into the backcountry, there’s no better option than the Terraframe 80. Compression straps connect the body to the frame, so we could stuff our heaviest, most awkward items right up against our backs for easy carrying.

Therm-a-Rest Polar Ranger Sleeping Bag ($700)

The Polar Ranger is expensive, but the splurge is worth it. Rated at minus 20 degrees, it saved our bacon when we were marooned in our tent during a 48-hour whiteout. The zippered arm openings let us tackle small chores without leaving our 800-fill hydrophobic cocoon.

Dakine Diablo Mittens ($200)

The Diablo’s Gore-Tex shell and leather palm withstood whatever abuse we threw its way during a wet six-day traverse in the Cascades. Switching between the removable down mitt and liner glove let us dial in the level of insulation for the task at hand.

Coast FL75R Rechargeable Headlamp ($105)

What really sets this headlamp apart is the ability to easily widen or tighten the beam by twisting the front bezel. The 530 lumens provide plenty of illumination for night hiking.

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What’s the best backpacking stove? To answer this question, I tested 29 stove models from six different brands, interested only inĚýthoseĚýthat I’d be happy to carry for an extended outing in the backcountry and run on either white gas or isobutane canisters—stoves that 90 percent of the backcountry-going public would be interested in.

My favorite from that pool was the stove set. It’s reasonably priced, simmers well, boils quickly, and comes with everything I needed to cook in the backcountry. Other stoves in thisĚýtest make more sense for people who are on a budget, backpack alone, or plan to go on remote expeditions, and I’ve written about several of those options below. But for a general-purpose camp stove, the Primetech is tough to beat.

Our Favorite Backpacking Stove

Primus Primetech (From $130)

I hesitate to write “one and done,” “far and away the best stove I tested,” “runaway winner,” and so on, but that’s kinda how I feel about the . The Primetech is an isobutane stove using a remote canister system and comes in two sizes: one that weighs 487 grams and comes with a large 2.3-liter integrated pot, and one that weighs 287 grams, comes with a 1.3-liter pot, and is perfect for two campers.

The Primetech runs on single-use isobutane canisters, which you’ve probably seen in your local outdoor store. A burner attaches to the isobutane canister via a six-inch hose, whereas with pedestal-style and integrated stoves, generally the burner attaches directly over the canister. ( is the best-known integrated-style stove; for a more detailed explanation of stove and fuel options, see the section at the end of this article.)

As fortune would have it, the Primetech was the last stove I tested and by far the most impressive. For $130, it comes with a burner, integrated windscreen, lid, handle, a simple pot, and a pot with an integrated heat exchanger. (Heat exchangers are fins attached to the bottom of the pot that help distribute heat more evenly.) That’s everything most backpackers will need and then some.

The Primetech wasn’t an outright winner in many of the categories tested—the , at 56 grams, was much lighter, and the Ěýwas much cheaper at $20—but it was often second best, and when the Primetech lost to stoves in one category, it typically flattened them in others. The Primetech was the quietest stove tested, and its simmer function was second only to the GSI Halulite Minimalist, which took more than a minute longer to boil water. Its mechanism for adjusting how far above the burner the pot sits was the nicest to operate and made it easier to avoid burning rice, a perennial challenge with camp stoves. Its boil time for a half-liter of water was also second fastest at 1:50, only 15 seconds behind the category-winning Jetboil MilliJoule, and that stove doesn’t really simmer. Plus, while we didn’t test any of these stoves in true winter conditions, the Primetech should perform well in cold temps: The remote canister system can be inverted for improved efficiency, and it has a regulator, which helps maintain optimal fuel pressure. Both features are helpful in cold weather.

Of course, this stove does have its downsides. While isobutane canisters are becoming increasingly popular worldwide, they’re still hard to come by in some destinations. (Usually, a bit of internet research before traveling will reveal where to find them.) And while isobutane stoves are generally adequate for winter use, they’re not quite as good as liquid fuel or white gas stoves. Finally, the Primetech lacks a piezoelectric, or push-button, ignition. These buttons are convenient but finicky and always need to be backstopped with a reliable lighter or matches. As such, I didn’t give that feature much weight in this review.

In short, this stove does everything exceptionally well, includes everything you need, and comes in a great little package.

Best Stove for the Budget-Conscious Weekend Warrior

Jetboil MightyMo ($50)

For a simple, inexpensive, and easy-to-set-up stove, it’s tough to beat the . At 197 grams with the fuel canister included and retailing for $50, the MightyMo hits a sweet spot in the budget-friendly pedestal stove category. It will work well as a stove for two people, and it was quick and reliable to operate in my tests.

That said, many of the pedestal stoves I tested would be good bets for anyone looking to optimize for simplicity and keep costs low. Keep an eye out for the , , and the Ěýor from Snow Peak. There aren’t huge differences between any of these stoves. They’re similarly priced, weigh within about 20 grams of each other, and posted boil times that varied by only about 30 seconds for a half-liter of water. The one exception is the , which at $20 was the least expensive stove reviewed, but at 194 grams without a pot or fuel, it was the heaviest of the pedestal stoves. Still, I liked the MightyMo’s combination of price, weight, and quick 2:15 boil time.

Two final reservations: While you can probably make it work, none of the stoves in this category are great for cold-weather camping. Nor are they great for more than about two people—with all pedestal stoves, things start getting unstable when you use a big pot.

Best Stove for International or Lengthy Expeditions

MSR WhisperLite Universal ($140)

For certain trips, you want a stove that you can count on no matter where you find yourself, one that you can repair after anything shy of an elephant stampede, and one that will burn pretty much whatever you put in it, including tap water from Flint.

The was the first stove I owned and is arguably the most popular backpacking stove in existence. I still have the same WhisperLite I bought in college in 2001, and I’ve used it in Alaska, the desert Southwest, and Peru, and I plan to take it bikepacking in Nepal this fall. If you expect to travel to remote locations, this is the stove to buy.

The WhisperLite makes sense for remote travel for two primary reasons: its ability to run on diverse fuels, and its reparability. Otherwise excellent stoves like the Primetech are limited to burning isobutane canisters, which may be harder to find. Using isobutane, the WhisperLite boiled water slower than the Primetech (3:01 versus 1:50 for a half-liter), but the difference is that it can boil water using almost anything—isobutane, white gas, and kerosene all work well. I’ve never had trouble finding fuel for the WhisperLite, even in villages in the Peruvian Andes. Similarly, if something breaks on the Primetech, you’re likely out of luck. MSR, however, Ěýthat’s the size of a pack of gum and comes with enough spare parts to virtually rebuild the WhisperLite.

The biggest downside of going with a multifuel stove like the WhisperLite is that they all come with learning curves, particularly when substituting fuels. There’s a lot more to break or clog on a multifuel system. As a result, these stoves require more maintenance, which naturally requires knowing how to take these stoves apart and clean them, as well as understanding that they operate differently when using different fuels. On isobutane, for example, the WhisperLite burns for a full minute after you turnĚýit off. And when using white gas or other liquid fuels, there’s a priming period to get the stove running, usually about 60 seconds. That means it’s not a perfect choice if efficiency is a major priority.

In the multifuel category, the ($140) was better at adjusting simmering temperatures, and while it was substantially louder than the WhisperLite, it is still an excellent stove. But in the many hundreds of days I’ve spent using the WhisperLite, I’ve never run into a problem I couldn’t fix in 15 minutes, and its flexibility and reliability are enough to keep it in my pack. And while it hasn’t been trampled by elephants, myĚýWhisperLite was actually stomped into the mud by an errant group of backcountry cattle a few years back, which is pretty close. It’s still going strong.

Best Stove for Minimalists

GSI Halulite Minimalist ($75)

There are people—I’m not one of them—who get upset that they even have to carry a stove in the first place, people for whom cooking is at best an inconvenient necessity and whose packs are probably home-built from single-ply toilet paper. You know the type. If you’re in this category, or if you just want a warm cup of coffee and water for instant oatmeal in the morning, or if you’re among the many backpackers who prioritize size and simplicity, I recommend the aptly namedĚý, a 236-gram pedestal stove (pot included) that runs on isobutane and retails for $75.

The Halulite Minimalist is simple and small. Everything is well designed, from the removable pot koozie to the silicone pot grabber, which reminds me of the rubber finger monsters I had as a kid. It comes in the most compact package of the complete stove kits I testedĚýand is impressively light. The 3:35 half-liter boil time wasn’t the fastest of the test, but if all you’re doing is heating water for coffee, an extra 30 seconds isn’t a big deal. And if you decide to do some real cooking, it also simmered surprisingly well.

If the Halulite seems too bare-bones, take a look at Jetboil’s closest competitor, the , an integrated stove that’s about 130 grams heavier and much more expensive at $135, but it has a pot that is better suited to couplesĚýand boils water faster.

Best Stove to Keep in Your Car

Camp Chef Stryker 200 ($100)

Aside from its clean design, the Ěýis the only isobutane canister stove I’ve seen that can be converted for use with the standard one-pound propane canisters that are ubiquitous at sporting goods stores across the country. As a backpacking stove, it’s relatively light (523 grams with the integrated pot) and small enough to fit in a pack. But its ability to run two kinds of popular fuel would make a lot of sense as a backup car camping stove. If you’re looking for a really simple stove that works reasonably well for both backpacking and car camping, this is it.

What About a Stove for Winter?

I didn’t do enough real-world cold-weather testing to make strong recommendations in this category. But from personal experience and some educated guessing, I’d suggest the MSR WhisperLite Universal or a similar liquid fuel stove, or a remote canister stove such as the Jetboil MilliJoule or the Primus Primetech system.

Liquid fuel stoves get the nod for two reasons. First, I’ve found them to be slightly more reliable than canister stoves when the temps really drop. Second, if you’re going through lots of fuel, as you might on an extended winter expedition, it’s simply more efficient to pack a gallon of white gas than it is to pack dozens of fuel canisters. That said, there are some pretty good cold-weather fuel mixes available for canister stoves, and the ability to invert the canister with a remote system increases efficiency. Both are sensible choices.

How We Tested the Best Backpacking Stove

When selecting stoves to test, I picked brands that are readily available at most outdoor stores in the United States or are carried by reputable online retailers. I decided to skip stoves from small brands that are found only online. I made this decision in order to select for long-term reliability, and many upstart stove companies just haven’t been around long enough to have a track record. In addition, I decided to avoid so-called alternative-fuel stoves, such as those that burn alcohol, pellets, or wood, since those products fit niche markets. Once I had a list of companies, I requested as many models as possible and went to town. In total, I included 29 stoves in the test.

I have a fair amount of personal experience with many of the stoves in the test. I’ve been working in guiding and outdoor education since 2000 and, until recently, spent somewhere between 60 and 150 days a year in the backcountry in environments from winter trips to Alaska to summers in the desert. Based on that experience, I decided to evaluate stoves using the following criteria.

Boil Time: This is a good metric for comparing stoves within a single manufacturer’s lineup, but there’s not really a universal standard for testing, so it may not be a helpful number when comparing Jetboil to Primus, for example. Also, read the advertised boil time carefully. Some stoves list a time to boil a half-liter of water and some a full liter.

Weight: I used a digital kitchen scale to weigh each stove. The lightest stove in the testĚýweighed 56 grams but didn’t come with a pot and accessories. Where possible, I’ve included weights for entire stove systems.

BTUs: This emerged as an almost meaningless metric. For example, the GSI Glacier Camp claims an 11,000 BTU output but needed 3:36 to boil a half-liter of water. The Jetboil MiniMo, however, claims a 6,000 BTU output but boiled the same amount of water in 2:14. I couldn’t directly measure BTUs, but my best guess is that each stove’s design—and whether it used a heat exchanger, in particular—had a big effect on real-world thermal efficiency.

Repairability: In addition to my observations about stove reliability—in general, the stoves I’ve written about here didn’t break on me—I looked at whether maintenance kits were available and found them for multifuel stoves from MSR and Primus.

Price: Notably, the most expensive stoves I tested were often not my favorites. When comparing two similar stoves, I gave the nod to the less expensive option but weighted stove performance over price.

Loudness: Most of these stoves operate at a similar decibel level, though there were a few outliers. To test loudness, I downloaded a free app to my phone that let me measure noise output, held it a couple inches away from the burner, and noted a five-second average of the noise produced with the stove going at full tilt.

A note on piezoelectric ignition systems: They’re convenient but susceptible to failure and must always be backed up with a lighter or matches. As such, I consider them convenient amenities but not a serious selling point.

Fuel Types

Backpacking stoves fall into two categories: liquid fuel stoves and isobutane/canister stoves. In North America, liquid fuel mostly means white gas. That’s what you’ll find in the green gallon Coleman cans in any sporting goods store or small-town mercantile in the country. In other parts of the world, liquid fuel can mean unleaded gasoline, kerosene, diesel, or jet fuel. I didn’t include alcohol or solid-fuel stoves in this test.

As should be obvious, both fuel types are highly combustible, and there’s some risk in using any backpacking stove. In my experience, that risk is manageable, but it’s worth understanding the potential problem areas.

I’ve never seen an out-of-control fuel burn with isobutane, but it could happen if the O-ring at the mating point between the fuel and stove fails. Counterintuitively, a more likely type of injury is from frostbite. As you screw the canister into the stove, it’s not uncommon for a small burst of gas to escape. If that fuel comes into contact with bare skin in significant quantities, mild or superficial cold injuries are possible, especially in otherwise cold temps. This is due to the rapid evaporation rates of the isobutane/propane mix. File this under “rare but possible.”

With liquid fuel stoves, the likelihood of a serious burn is much higher. I’ve seen careless users spill fuel all over the stove and fuel cylinder when attaching the pump, subsequently engulfing their entire stove (and part of their kitchen) in flames. I’ve also seen folks use too much fuel to prime their stove, creating flare-ups that reached two feet above the burner level. The first time this happened to me, I was cooking just inside my tent and nearly burned my shelter and the rest of my gear to the ground. Both problems are easy to avoid with a little practice—with any stove, canister or liquid fuel, commit to practicing before you go camping. You’ll figure out potential weak points and limitations, and you’ll be much faster when you go to use it in the backcountry.

Stove Types

Pedestal Stoves

The simplest, lightest, and least expensive stoves on the market, pedestal stoves feature burners that screw directly onto the top of a fuel canister and start cooking. Popular options include the MSR PocketRocket and Primus Classic Trail. Many heat water quickly and simmer reasonably well. As such, they’re great all-around stoves, but they have drawbacks.Pedestal-style stoves are about the worst choice for winter camping and cold temps—they lose vapor pressure quickly and become quite inefficient. Stoves that allow their fuel sources to be inverted or lie prone do better in cold weather. And because the pot stacks directly on top of the pedestal stove’s burner and fuel canister, this style is not a good option if you need a big pot to cook for groups. Even with an optional plastic base that clips to the canister to improve stability, there’s potential for spillage.

Within the pedestal category are integrated stoves—stove sets that are all in one, where the pot screws directly into the burner and that almost universally include a pot with a built-in heat exchanger. When stowed, the burner and fuel nest inside the pot, which is itself frequently encased in a neoprene insulating sleeve. Prominent examples include the Camp Chef Stryker and most stoves in the Jetboil line.

Remote and Liquid Fuel Stoves

Remote stoves typically refer to canister stoves where the canister attaches to the burner by means of a long hose, as opposed to screwing directly into the canister port. This allows you to invert the canister, dramatically improving efficiency in cold temps. It also brings the stove closer to the ground, generally resulting in improved stability for larger pots. Examples include the Jetboil MilliJoule and GSI Pinnacle 4-Season. Liquid fuel stoves, like the MSR WhisperLite Universal, use a similar setup but burn a variety of fuel sources.

3 Things to Consider Before Buying a Backpacking Stove

No surprise, what you plan to do with your stove will inform what kind of stove to buy. As much as I love my WhisperLite, it’s not my first choice if I’m only going to heat a couple cups of water over the course of a weekend. Conversely, while the GSI Minimalist kit is awesome for quick outings, I wouldn’t take it to Alaska for a few weeks of living on a glacier. Before buying a stove, consider the following three points.

Travel Style:ĚýIf your goal is to hammer out big days, look for simpler, lighter stoves. Canister stoves fit this bill, and the MSR PocketRocket, the Snow Peak LiteMax Titanium, and my choice, the Jetboil MightyMo, are all good options. If you plan on spending a lot of time in camp and want to eat well, consider stoves with a better simmer control and more accessories, such as the Primus Primetech or MSR WindBurner system.

Group Size:ĚýA good rule of thumb is .75 liters of pot capacity per person in a cook group. Most pedestal-style stoves aren’t stable enough for more than a 1.5-liter pot—much bigger and you risk losing your meal or burning yourself. If you’re regularly cooking for large groups, remote canister or liquid fuel stoves are lower to the ground and make big pots safer to use.

Destination:ĚýIsobutane fuel canisters are increasingly easy to find at outdoor stores worldwide, but they’re not a sure bet, even in smaller American towns without an outdoor store or Walmart. That means stocking up on canisters when traveling off the beaten path or taking a stove such as the WhisperLite Universal that can burn different fuel types. Do not fly to rural Kyrgyzstan and expect to find isobutane canisters.

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Survive a night (or two or three) in the snow.

Mammut Trion Light 38 Pack ($160)Ěý

Mammut’s Trion lets you jam in gear for days in the backcountry but is optimized for fast-and-light summit bids. Removable hip pads and top pouch slim things down when ounces count.

MSR Remote 2 Tent ($800)

The Remote 2’s spacious, 33-square-foot interior and cavernous vestibule made waiting out a storm almost pleasant. The burly composite poles held steady in 30-mile-per-hour winds.

Leatherman Rebar Multitool ($60)

With styling reminiscent of Leatherman’s original multi, the Rebar has the tools you need, including saw and can opener, in a slim package.

Eddie Bauer BC Duraweave Alpine Pants ($499)

These pants’ Duraweave-reinforced fabric is the most durable shell we’ve ever tested. Also nice: the single thigh pocket, as simple is always best for fast-and-light alpine missions.

POC DID Glacier Jeremy Jones Edition Sunglasses ($250)

Classic styling and super-comfortable leather side shields make Jeremy Jones’s signature shades easy on the eyes. Zeiss lenses lent clarity on a bluebird traverse in the Cascades.

Jetboil MightyMo Stove ($50)

The MightyMo features an astounding 10,000-BTU burner, and precise controls get it down to a simmer better than any stove we tested.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir All Season SV Pad ($160)

This pad ditches insulation for reflective layers that trap heat without adding extra weight. The Speed Valve opening allows for inflation up to three times faster than with traditional nozzles.

Black Diamond °Â´Çłľ±đ˛Ô’s Stance Belay Parka ($229)

Sure, down is nice, but when you’re really stuck out in the elements, you can’t beat the Stance’s PrimaLoft Silver synthetic insulation for durability and protection.

Klymit KSB 0° Down Sleeping Bag ($250)Ěý

At 3.7 pounds, the 0° Down is heavier than other bags, but flexible baffles add comfort, while three toggles let smaller users shorten the length, reducing heat-sapping dead space.

Petzl Gully Ax ($150)

Weighing just shy of ten ounces, the Gully is built with a technical pick and a curved shaft for bomber placements in blue ice. An adjustable handrest makes it a versatile tool.

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Snowy nights require serious weaponry.

Mystery Ranch Pitch 55 Pack

At 55 liters, this is the largest option in Mystery Ranch’s climbing line. It swallowed everything we needed for a long weekend. Bonus points for features like the external crampon pocket and pick guard for ice axes.

Price $250

SOG ReactorĚýMultitool

Inside this Kit Kat–size unit are burly pliers, a stainless-steel blade,Ěýa quarter-inch bit driver, and seven other critical tools to get you through all your camp chores.

Price $64

Primus Winter Gas CanisterĚý

When temps dip south of freezing, most canister stoves lose their mojo. Primus solved this by ­nesting a layer of meshĚýin the body of the Winter to helps boost the interior pressure, making your stove run smoother. The upshot: your morningĚýcoffee, sooner.

Price $11

Patagonia Grade VII ParkaĚý

Bow down to the king of puffies. This 800-fill-down beast handled subzero conditions in Norway with gusto but weighs less than a pound and a half. Laudable features include waterproof laminate on the shoulders and a huge hood.

Price $899

BergansĚýWigloĚýLT4 Tent

Yes, sleeping on ice can be glamorous. At 13.3 pounds, this tent’s heavy, but it makes up for the portliness with a tepee-like dome and cavernous interior that sleeps four.

Price $849

NemoĚýVector Insulated Sleeping PadĚý

Even minimalists who opt to forgo a pad in the summer need protection from the frozen ground in winter. The insulated Vector has a built-in foot pump for easy, fast inflation and internal baffles that provide extra warmth and support.Ěý

Price $200

PetzlĚýRide Ax

Superlight (8.5 ounces) and exceptionally small (17.7 inches long), the Ride is designed to come along on all your steep-snow outings—just in case. The tough, all-steel head bites into hard ice much better than the aluminum you usually get atĚýa price this low.

Price $110

LEDĚýLenserĚýXEO 19RĚýHeadlamp

Sure, 2,000 lumens is overkill for cooking dinner at camp. But you’ll appreciate the power in an emergency. Nice: the battery pack pops off easily, so you can keep it warm and dry (and charged) in your pocket.Ěý

Price $330

Feathered FriendsĚýSnowbuntingĚýEX 900 Sleeping Bag

One of the best winter bags—with its DWR-treated shell, svelte cut, and low weight—is now stuffed with warm, packable, 900-fill down. Ěý

Price $599

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There's no need to put away your camping gear come winter. Just upgrade it. Presenting everything you need to stay warm and have a blast on snowbound nights.

Western Mountaineering Snojack parka

, made from Gore Windstopper, was easily the warmest of the dozen tested. But with quilted stitching along the side panels, we never felt we were trading mobility for coziness. Bonus: the expanded hood creates better peripheral vision.Ěý

Price $775 

Valandre Odin Neo sleeping bag

The new is 10 percent lighter than last year’s but equally capable. With an impressive draft collar, it kept us warm even in the negatives.Ěý

Price $900 

Granite Gear Nimbus Trace Access 85 pack

The is bigger (85 liters!) than ever, but keeps important features like the lightweight yet stiff composite suspension system. Cool feature: the front panel can be peeled away with a rip of Velcro for quick access to extra layers.Ěý

Price $370 

Sea to Summit Comfort Plus sleeping pad

Sure, has Thermolite insulation, durable face fabric, and a double-valve system that inflates in less than a minute. But we’re most excited about the layered cushioning. A bubble of air along the bottom kept us above the snow, while a pressurized chamber let testers fine-tune the softness.Ěý

Price $200 

Ortovox Snow saw

shelter blocks and testing snowpack. Pair with the Kodiak shovel.Ěý

Price $59 

Sierra Designs Convert 3 tent

shines in winter, with its large removable vestibule, which kept gear for three adults dry during a snow storm.

Price $690 

Ortovox Kodiak shovel

For moving lots of snow, nothing quite measures up to the . A large blade, sticky rubber coating on the shaft, and shovel and hoe digging modes made this the ideal tool for making avy test pits.Ěý

Price $89 

Petzl Tikka headlamp

Petzl updated the by making the on-off switch bigger for mitten-friendly use and adding a glow-in-the-dark element, so the tangerine-size light is easy to find at night.

Price $30 

Snow Peak GeoShield stove

The locks into a single-piece unit—windscreen plus stove. But we really like the way the canister connects to the heating element via a hose, so you can optimize gas pressure for subzero temperatures.Ěý

Price $100 

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