Articles (2020)

Overview

The Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) Magma jacket is an excellent value with a Gore Dryloft shell, well-constructed hood, and adjustability features that make it exceptionally storm resistant. It is warm, comfortable, and well constructed, but not oversized as some belay jackets in our review suite are. It has Primaloft One insulation and a removable, insulated hood. With plenty of other features such as four pockets, adjustable drawcords, zipper storm flaps and soft and warm pockets and collar, the Magma has quickly become a favorite of mine.

In Brief

• Gore Dryloft shell is exceptionally storm resistant
• Primaloft One insulation lofts to 1.1 inches single layer
• Removable, insulated hood
• Good fit, long sleeves
• Soft, cozy handwarmer pockets
• Plenty of storage with an external chest and internal storage pocket
• Not cut to fit over shells as a belay jacket

Specifications

• Garment Style	Full zip, high-loft, synthetic hooded jacket with removable hood
• Fabric Description	Gore Dryloft
• Insulation Description	5.0 oz/yd2 (170 g/m2) Primaloft One throughout
• Other Features	Two zippered, insulated hand-warmer pockets. One zippered inside security pocket. One zippered chest pocket. Also features an insulated and removable hood.
• Weight	1 lb 15.0 oz (877 g) as measured, size men’s L; 1 lb 9.5 oz (722 g) size men’s M manufacturer specification
• Loft	1.1 in (2.8 cm) single layer loft
• Model Year	2004
• MSRP	$168.00 US ($205 Canadian) Manufacturer’s suggested retail price

Warmth

The Magma is a solid four-season performer with 5 oz/yd² Primaloft One insulation in the torso and sleeves. I measured 1.1 inches of single layer loft, comparable to all but the highest loft jackets in our review suite. I used the Magma on outings in the Catalina and Rincon Mountain ranges of southern Arizona. With temperatures in the 30s °F I was completely warm even when stationary. After hiking uphill only a few hundred yards I quickly became overheated. For downhill or flat hiking, I stayed comfortably cool as long as I kept the jacket partially unzipped. The Magma has several features for helping to control temperature including two easily operated drawcords – one on the hem, and another at the waist.

Storm resistance

The Gore Dryloft shell makes the Magma an exceptional performer in poor weather. The breathable shell is not listed as waterproof by Gore, but is nearly waterproof based on our hose tests. I performed a simple 10-minute hose test, soaking the shell with the full force of a garden hose. At completion, no discernible water had gotten into the insulation. By comparison, the insulation in other water repellent jackets was noticeably wet after this test. The removable hood on the Magma has a large, stiff brim to keep your face protected, and is easily adjustable. The hood fits over a large-volume climbing helmet (Black Diamond Half Dome), but mobility is slightly restricted. The hood cinches down easily to cover your face when weather deteriorates. The cuffs are half elastic, half Velcro, and can be closed down as tight as you like to keep out the spindrift or cold drafts. The main zipper has an internal storm flap.

Usability

I’ve got long arms, so good fit in the sleeves is one of the first things I look for in a cold weather jacket. The Magma does well here, with nice long sleeves that I can easily withdraw my hands into. Overall fit is good, although the cut is shorter than in some other jackets in this category; it does not cover my rear. The Magma is cut to fit over layers, but is not as roomy as some other pure belay jackets. This is beneficial in non-climbing situations, but might be a problem if you tried to slip it over a shell and other layers at a cold weather belay. Articulation is very good; the jacket does not ride up at all when arms are raised to shoulder height. All external zippers have pull strings for easy adjustment while wearing gloves. As mentioned above, the hood is easily removed with a zipper – a feature that I really like as the majority of my cold weather outings are not in full storm conditions. The hand warmer pockets are lined with a soft thin insulating layer that I found very welcome on several occasions.

Value

The MEC Magma jacket is an excellent value at $168 ($205 Canadian). With a Dryloft shell, the Primaloft top of the line insulation, high quality construction, and a removable insulated hood, it gives you a lot for your hard earned dollars.

Recommendations for Improvement

There is little to complain about with the Magma. My jacket came in a bit above the specified weight, so taking just a few ounces off this jacket to improve its performance to weight ratio would shoot it to the top of the line in high loft insulating jackets.

Overview

The MSR SuperFly canister stove is simple to use and really cranks out the BTUs. Out of the stuff sack, the SuperFly sets up quickly. It features a “Multi-Mount” which allows it to attach to threaded Lindal valves as well as the threadless CampingGaz valves – an important consideration for European travelers. The piezoelectric igniter on our test stove performed poorly; I preferred to ignore it and use matches or a lighter instead. The pot support is very stable, but does not compact as much as other canister stoves we tested, making the SuperFly a tight fit at best in small, lightweight cook pots. The burner control valve, which gives precise flame adjustment, is nice; however, those who travel light will likely scoff at the 5.1-ounce (145 g) weight (4.6 ounce (130 g) without igniter).

Specifications

• Stove ID	MSR SuperFly with optional piezoelectric ignition
• Accessories Included	Stuff sack (0.8 oz/23 g) included, large enough to hold the stove and an average size canister
• Dimensions	4.0 in high x 4.75 in wide (10 x 12 cm), either expanded or collapsed
• Weight	Manufacturer claim, confirmed by Backpacking Light 5.1 oz (145 g). Removing the piezoelectric igniter decreases the weight by 0.5 oz (14g)
• MSRP	$59.95 with piezoelectric igniter, $49.95 without

Usable Features

Compactness – For a canister stove, the MSR SuperFly is comparatively large. It does not nest in most small pots. It is a tight fit in the Evernew 1.3-liter titanium pot (5.75-inches diameter), but only due to this pot’s wide, short stature. This problem could have been lessened had MSR designed the pot support differently. As it is, the four tined pot support folds like scissors. An improved design, from the viewpoint of compactness, would permit the tines to close like a fan, thus reducing the stove’s maximum collapsed width to 3.75-inches and allowing it to nest in smaller pots. Exacerbating the problem, the stove support tines are pointed and could easily puncture a light silnylon stuff sack (and other soft gear packed next to it), making the heavier MSR stuff sack the necessary alternative.

Weight – At 5.1 ounces, the MSR SuperFly with piezoelectric igniter is far from a featherweight. The piezoelectric igniter is unreliable; purchasing the stove without the igniter saves 0.5 ounces and a few dollars. A contributor to the weight is the very feature that gives this stove its niche in the canister stove market: the large, high-BTU burner. Without this feature, the SuperFly would be nearly identical to other canister stoves. The steel pot support tines and a few other components could be replaced with lighter titanium components, and the aluminum base is larger than needed, particularly around the burner control valve.

Ignition – MSR offers the SuperFly with a piezoelectric igniter, which was the model tested. The igniter attaches to the stove above the valve and can be removed simply by unscrewing the brass burner pedestal from the aluminum valve base. The igniter fits as a washer between the two. I found ignition much easier with a lighter or match since the piezoelectric igniter performed poorly.

Flame Control – The flame controller flips out to keep fingers away from the flame. The end is 2 inches diagonally from the edge of the burner. The brass construction of the valve is very smooth.

Pot Support – Like all canister stoves where the stove mechanism sits atop the fuel canister, the MSR SuperFly creates a somewhat precarious cooking arrangement simply because the pot is elevated so much above the ground. However, as far as canister stoves are concerned, the pot support on the SuperFly is ideal for a 1.5-liter or smaller pot. It is also usable, with caution, for pots up to 2 liters.

Options and Upgrades – The piezoelectric igniter can be purchased as an upgrade or replacement for $9.95 and weighs 0.5 ounce. Another option is the Ascent Titanium Hanging Kit, which converts the MSR SuperFly into a hanging cook system suitable for big-wall climbing. This kit works with most 1.5-liter and 2-liter pots, costs $69.95, and adds about 4.4 ounces to your pack. It can also be purchased with the stove for a total price of $109.95, saving $19.95 over ordering these components separately.

Ease of Use

Setup – Setting up the MSR SuperFly is super simple, requiring less than half a minute to go from the stuff sack to cooking (time dependent on user experience and dexterity). Once out of the bag, the SuperFly is tightened onto either a threaded or unthreaded fuel canister. It does not use the canister threads when it attaches; rather it uses its own threaded clamp described by MSR as the “Multi Mount Graber.” After spreading the pot support, you fold out the flame adjuster, and open the valve. Lighting the stove usually takes a single match. Setup takes longer when trying to use the piezoelectric igniter, but is still much faster than setting up many alcohol or white gas stoves.

Lighting – Although theoretically convenient, the piezoelectric igniter added to the SuperFly stove did not function well. It took approximately 20 or more clicks to ignite the stove. Adjustments to the gap between the electrode and burner did not help. On the other hand, one flick of a lighter lit the stove the first time, every time. We recommend against purchasing this stove with a piezoelectric igniter.

Adjustment – Where the MSR SuperFly truly excels is in flame control. Adjusting the flame from barely staying lit to blowtorch intensity was as easy with this backpacking stove as it is with a home gas stove.

Cold Weather Use – The MSR SuperFly is easy to set up, use, and take down while wearing gloves, except for operating the piezoelectric igniter. The igniter has a small plastic button on its right side that is covered on the top by a small metal heat shield. The heat shield catches on gloves making actuating the button more difficult.

Cooking Performance

Capacity – The easily adjustable flame intensity combined with its ability to deliver high BTUs makes it capable of handling a variety of cooking tasks, for one person or several. I tested the SuperFly on solo and family trips and found no situation this stove could not handle. Turning the BTUs down made cooking for one easy with a 0.9-liter pot. I cooked meals in a 1.3-liter pot and cooked for four using a 2-liter pot. As with other canister stoves, care must be exercised to ensure that the canister base is stable, especially when using larger pots.

Versatility – The SuperFly can be precisely adjusted to handle any culinary task with its easy to adjust burner control. We tested this stove’s cooking ability boiling water, frying eggs, and simmering stew. With any of these tasks, the SuperFly preformed like a home stove, limited only by the abilities of the person wearing the chef’s hat.

Wind Effects – Like many canister stoves, the SuperFly lacks a much-needed shield from wind. The four pot support tines are mostly solid in profile view, which partially protects two to three quarters of the burner, depending on wind direction, while leaving one or two burner quarters directly exposed to inbound wind. The SuperFly sputtered and flickered, but did not go out, when hit with high wind gusts. During windy weather, there was a significant decrease in cooking efficiency as we also observed in our lab tests (see below).

Heating Efficiency

The MSR SuperFly has the second fastest boil time with full flame under optimal conditions of the stoves we tested, but is among the worst for fuel efficiency. Reducing the flame to a moderate level increases the fuel efficiency but, compared to other stoves in our test at moderate flame, the SuperFly is still among the least fuel-efficient. The time required for the SuperFly to boil water with a moderate flame in optimal conditions increases to the point that it is comparable to other smaller, lighter canister stoves under the same conditions decreasing the niche this high output stove fills.

Heating efficiency worsened considerably under windy conditions without a windscreen and improved when a windscreen was added as was the case for all the stoves tested (except the Jetboil which has built in compensation against wind effects).

The SuperFly performed poorly in cold conditions as compared to the other stoves in out test suite.

See Lightweight Canister Stoves Test Report for more detailed results of our heating efficiency tests on this stove, and all the canister stoves in our review suite.

Table 1. Summary of boil time and fuel consumption data for the MSR SuperFly stove

Test	Optimal Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Optimal Conditions Moderate Flame 1 quart water	Optimal Conditions Full Flame 1/2 quart water	Cold Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Windy Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Wind + Wind screen Full Flame 1 quart water
SuperFly Boil Time (min:sec)	3:21	5:09	2:15	7:51	61 degrees*	5:36
Average Boil Time for all stoves tested (min:sec)	3:33	4:51	2:18	7:35	87 degrees**	5:12
SuperFly Fuel Consumption (g)	18.1	12.5	9.4	13.5	39.3	22.7
Average Fuel Consumption for all stoves tested (g)	16.1	11.7	8.1	11.5	30.0	18.6
SuperFly: water boiled per 4 oz/113 g fuel canister (qt)	6.2	9.0	6.0	8.4	–	5.0
Average Water Boiled per 4-ounce fuel canister for all stoves tested (qt)	7.3	9.8	7.1	9.4	–	6.2
	Optimal conditions are 70 °F air and water, no wind. Cold conditions were simulated by putting the stoves and canisters in a freezer overnight at 10 °F, then boiling 40 °F water. Windy conditions were simulated with a box fan providing a 12 mph wind; water and air temperatures were 70 °F. * Degrees Fahrenheit water temperature was raised after 10 minutes; water did not reach a boil. ** Average amount water temperature was raised after 10 minutes. Of the eight stoves tested with 1 quart of water, only one stove reached boiling within 10 minutes.

Durability

MSR built the SuperFly to take the abuse dished out in the backcountry. This stove has a sturdy feel from the pot support to the burner control valve. The clamp that connects the stove to the canister forms a sturdy union between the two. During our testing the MSR SuperFly held up well, bouncing around in packs and getting knocked over in camp. Its construction resists dings and dents well.

The MSR owner’s manual does not mention maintenance. This is probably because the clean burning nature of canister fuels nearly eliminates the need for maintenance.

Value

The MSR SuperFly with igniter is reasonably priced at $59.95, but a better deal at $49.95 without the unreliable piezoelectric igniter. The stove has a high heat output, is durable, and is versatile, but also heavier than many canister stoves. The SuperFly is the only stove we reviewed that will attach to the threadless CampingGaz canisters, which is an important consideration when traveling in Europe.

Recommendations for Improvement

The piezoelectric igniter does not work well enough to warrant its additional weight, minimal as it may be. It is likely that the culprit is the large burner area that dissipates the gas, preventing enough gas to buildup for ignition. We recommend omitting the igniter altogether, if an appropriate solution cannot be found. In addition, MSR could alter the pot support design to facilitate greater collapsibility. If the pot supports were able to fold like a fan, rather than like a pair of scissors, the stove would fit in a greater number of small, lightweight pots. Finally, MSR could reduce the weight by replacing some of the steel and brass hardware with titanium, a change that will undoubtedly raise the price.

Overview

This stove is a little flame-thrower. Its phenomenal 16,400 BTU/hr output is 50% greater than most 3-ounce stoves. The power output on full throttle is spectacular. The stove boiled water faster than any of the others tested. It was the only stove besides the Jetboil to bring water to a boil in windy conditions without a windscreen. It is lightweight, well priced, and simple.

Specifications

• Stove ID	Coleman Exponent F1 Ultralight Butane Stove
• Accessories Included	Small stuff sack
• Dimensions	Height 3.2 in (8 cm); expanded width 3.6 in (9 cm); folded width 3.1 in (8 cm); folded thickness and burner diameter 1.5 in (4 cm); pot support radius 4.6 in (12 cm)
• Weight	Manufacturer specification is 2.7 oz (77 g); Backpacking Light measured weight is 2.7 oz (76 g) plus 0.4 oz (12 g) stuff sack
• MSRP	$39.99 US

Usable Features

The Coleman Ultralight is small, light, and simple. The stove folds down to 1.5 inches thick with the three pot-support arms swinging around to flatten against each other. This makes it easy to pack.

The stove is simple, with a functional no-fuss design. It does not have a piezoelectric ignition but is easy to light with a match or lighter, even with a pot sitting on top.

The stove is very light but rugged with solid steel construction.

The valve has a wire handle that, although not as long as on some stoves, is adequate and easy to reach. The Coleman has an effective and simple simmer control all the way from full-on roaring to delicate simmer. The flame pattern is even. At a minimum simmer the flame is the diameter of the center burner ring (1.5 inches). At full throttle the flame will spread right across a 10-inch diameter frying pan and be licking up the sides of any smaller pot.

The stove has no particular features for protecting the burner head from wind, however its very powerful flame partly compensates for this in windy conditions. It was the only stove besides the Jetboil to bring water to a boil in direct wind without a windscreen.

The pot supports are adequate; they support 2-liter pots and larger frying pans adequately. The serrations on the supports appear to increase friction between pot and stove. The stove is quite stable for this type of canister-mounted stove; when placed on sloping ground pots will usually slide before they topple.

Ease of Use

The Coleman Ultralight is simple to use. Partly unscrew the burner, spin the pot supports into position, tighten the burner, thread the stove onto the gas canister, open the valve, and light with a lighter. This stove is straightforward to use in cold conditions. I had no problem setting it up and lighting it even with mitts on.

Cooking Performance

Like most canister stoves the F1 Ultralight is easy to use for cooking. Simmering adjustment is simple and instant.

Balancing a large frying pan takes some care on the small pot supports. The relatively small flame area can lead to hot spots in the middle of the pan. The manufacturer claims an impressive maximum power output of 16,400 BTU/hr. The stove is great for melting snow or producing hot water in a hurry. However, for fuel efficiency the flame needs to be turned well down to prevent flames spilling up the sides of the pot.

The only occasion I found the Coleman F1 struggling was while melting snow and boiling 2 liters of water at around 15 °F in breezy conditions. The practical limit for using most canister stoves is 15 °F – which is why many folks use white gas stoves in these conditions! Even with the canister insulated from snow on a foam mat and using a homemade windshield around the burner head, the stove took a long time to bring water to a boil. With the long burn time, ice formed on the canister and the heat output dropped significantly. Eventually, and quite impressively, the stove did boil 2 liters of water.

The stove lights easily even in windy conditions. I did not experience the wind blowing the flame out during field-testing.

Making your own burner head windscreen for this stove is a little difficult. (Editor’s note: manufacturers recommend against putting a windscreen around the canister since the canister may overheat and explode.) A windscreen made from oven tray aluminum foil as described here is a little difficult to sit on the arms below the burner head. At full flame the heat is so intense that it will melt the aluminum if it is touching the flame at any point. I found it necessary to throttle back the stove when using a windscreen.

Heating Efficiency

This was the most powerful of the stoves tested. It boiled water faster than any of the other stoves in optimal and windy conditions, both with a windscreen and without. For fuel efficiency it was one of the better stoves, but even with a windscreen it was not as efficient as the Jetboil.

As expected, reducing the flame improved the efficiency markedly. In windy conditions, a windscreen improved both efficiency and reduced boil times.

See Lightweight Canister Stoves Test Report for more detailed results of our heating efficiency tests on this stove, and all the canister stoves in our review suite.

Table 1. Summary of boil time and fuel consumption data for the Coleman F1 Ultralight

Test	Optimal Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Optimal Conditions Moderate Flame 1 quart water	Optimal Conditions Full Flame 1/2 quart water	Cold Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Windy Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Wind + Wind screen Full Flame 1 quart water
F1 Ultralight Boil Time (min:sec)	3:14	3:29	2:00	6:19	129 degrees*	4:10
Average Boil Time for all stoves tested (min:sec)	3:33	4:51	2:18	7:35	88 degrees**	5:12
F1 Ultralight Fuel Consumption (g)	14.5	10.4	7.9	11.3	28.6	16.7
Average Fuel Consumption for all stoves tested (g)	16.1	11.7	8.1	11.5	30.0	18.6
F1 Ultralight: Water Boiled Per 4-ounce Fuel Canister (qt)	7.8	10.9	7.2	10.0	4.0	6.8
Average Water Boiled per 4-ounce fuel canister for all stoves tested (qt)	7.3	9.8	7.1	9.4	–	6.2
	Optimal conditions are 70 °F air and water, no wind. Cold conditions were simulated by putting the stoves and canisters in a freezer overnight at 10 °F, then boiling 40 °F water. Windy conditions were simulated with a box fan providing a 12 mph wind; water and air temperatures were 70 °F. * Degrees Fahrenheit water temperature was raised after 10 minutes. The Coleman F1 Ultralight reached the boiling temperature for the test altitude. ** Average amount water temperature was raised after 10 minutes. Of the eight stoves tested with 1 quart of water, only one stove (the F1 Ultralight) reached boiling within 10 minutes.

Durability

No maintenance is suggested in the instructions supplied. The stove is light and yet seems to be durable. No damage has occurred despite some rough handling during testing. The valve has become a little stiff with extended use.

Value

This is a top-performing stove at a reasonable price. Its heat output is spectacular and the stove is easy to use.

Tips and Tricks

When lighting, it pays to only open the valve a fraction at first. If turned on full it tends to blow out the flame and when it does light it can singe the hair off your hands.

Overview

In over a year of extensive field use I’ve found the Crux a reliable performer, even in difficult conditions. It is the only stove in its class that has a wide burner head. Other canister stoves with a similar size burner head are almost double the weight. The wide, even flame distribution (with no hot spot) and excellent flame control make the Crux a top pick when cooking with large pots or for difficult cooking tasks like simmering food or grilling backcountry pancakes. The Crux has a unique folding ball-joint design and stows to an incredibly compact size – compact enough to nestle into the bottom cavity of an 8-ounce fuel canister. The Crux is the fastest and easiest to set up stove I’ve used. I can completely deploy the stove (less screwing to the canister) in 3 seconds while wearing gloves. At 12,000 BTU/hr the Crux did quite well in our boil time and fuel efficiency tests under optimal (calm) conditions, but was only average in our laboratory wind tests. I’ve found that a well-designed, full circumference windscreen, significantly improves the Crux’s performance in windy field conditions and narrows the performance gap. The Crux is significantly less fuel-efficient than the Jetboil.

Specifications

• Stove ID	Brunton Optimus Crux Foldable Canister Stove
• Accessories Included	Neoprene case that fits on the bottom of 8 oz fuel canister
• Dimensions	Expanded, 3.0 in high, pot support diameter 4.4 in (7.6 x 1.2 cm); collapsed, 2.9 x 2.2 x 1.3 in (7.4 x 5.6 x 3.3 cm)
• Weight	Backpacking Light measurement: stove 3.1 oz (87 g), case 0.9 oz (27 g), canister support 0.7 oz (21 g)
• MSRP	$75.00 US

Usable Features

Three things set the Brunton Crux apart from other stoves in its class.

First is its large diameter burner head. Other canister stoves with a similar size burner head are almost double the weight. The wide, even flame distribution and excellent flame control make the Crux a top pick for a 3-ounce stove capable of supporting large pots and difficult cooking tasks like simmering food or grilling backcountry pancakes. The Crux is equally adept at basic boiling; posting good boil times at the moderate flame levels typically used in the field.

Second, the Crux stows small, very small. Using its storage case the stove folds nearly flat and nestles into the bottom cavity of an 8-ounce fuel canister. I can put the Crux and a 4-ounce fuel canister into my 0.6-liter Snow Peak Mug. Or I can put the stove, a 4-ounce fuel canister, windscreen, two plastic bowls, and a lighter in my 1.3-liter Evernew Pot and still close the lid!

Third, with its unique folding ball-joint design the Crux is the fastest and easiest to setup stove I’ve used. I can completely deploy the stove (less screwing to the canister) in 3 seconds while wearing gloves.

I like the lack of a piezoelectric ignition. I’d rather save the weight and frustration and use a lighter. I have yet to find a piezoelectric ignition that works reliably in cold weather. The Crux is easy to light with a match or lighter, even with a pot sitting on top.

The valve has a long wire handle that is easy to reach, keeping your hands well away from the stove’s burner. The Crux has great flame control all the way from full-on roaring to delicate simmer. The flame pattern is exceptionally wide for a 3-ounce stove. Even at lower output levels the flame spreads out on wider pots.

The pot supports are adequate and support larger (2-liter) pots and frying pans with reasonable, if not perfect, stability. The serrations on the pot supports provide a bit of grip to sliding pots. As with all canister stoves in its class, stove and pot stability are not design highlights. Most of us have learned with experience to set up the stove and pot combination with care. The hinged ball-joint on the Crux has a slight amount of play that others have cited as “unstable.” I disagree. The play is minor and in no way effects pot stability. I haven’t dumped a pot from this stove in over a year of use.

The Crux also comes with a 0.7-ounce folding canister support (see lead photo). It works best on an 8-ounce fuel canister but will work with a 4-ounce canister. I find that I got enough stability from a bare canister bottom and did not use the canister support in the field.

Ease of Use

The Crux is the fastest to set up and the easiest to use of any stove I’ve owned. I can unfold the stove, extend the pot supports, and deploy the valve control wire in 3 seconds, while wearing gloves! All that is left is to screw the stove onto a canister. The valve control wire is long, easy to use with gloves and gives precise flame control. Stowing the stove is just as fast and easy. Other stoves I own, like the Snow Peak GigaPower and Coleman F1 Ultralight, take longer to set up and stow.

Cooking Performance

With its wide burner head, wide flame spread and good flame control, the Crux can do every backcountry-cooking chore from melting snow to grilling pancakes. The wide flame doesn’t concentrate heat in one spot like small burner canister stoves. Even at lower output levels the flame spreads out well on larger pots.

A windscreen of my own design (more wind resistant than the one used in the reported stove tests) improved the Crux’s field performance. With this full-circumference windscreen, I had little problem with reduced boil times and fuel efficiency even in strong wind.

Heating Efficiency

In our lab tests of stove boil time and fuel consumption (Table 1), the Crux performed well under optimal conditions (calm), but was only average in our wind tests. With the “windbreak” used in our lab wind tests (a piece of aluminum sheet surrounding the stove on three sides), the Crux suffered from apparent turbulence within the windscreen, which resulted in a significant loss of heating efficiency.

In typical field use (moderate flame and full windscreen) I found the Crux to be a fast boiling and fuel-efficient stove. In these conditions, it is almost as fuel efficient as the top performing Coleman F1 Ultralight. My field results differ from the lab test results, in most part, due to a more efficient windscreen of my own design. This windscreen improves the Crux’s performance in windy conditions. While one of the more fuel-efficient stoves with a tight fitting windscreen, the Crux was not as efficient as the Jetboil. See Homemade Canister Stove Windscreen and FAQs about Canister Stoves and Fuels for tips on construction and safe use of a windscreen with canister stoves.

See Lightweight Canister Stoves Test Report for more detailed results of our heating efficiency tests on this stove, and all the canister stoves in our review suite.

Table 1. Summary of boil time and fuel consumption data for the Brunton Crux

Test	Optimal Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Optimal Conditions Moderate Flame 1 quart water	Optimal Conditions Full Flame 1/2 quart water	Cold Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Windy Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Wind + Windscreen Full Flame 1 quart water
Crux: Boil Time (min:sec)	3:44	4:31	2:20	7:50	123 degrees*	6:40
Average Boil Time for all stoves tested (min:sec)	3:33	4:51	2:18	7:35	87 degrees**	5:12
Crux: Fuel Consumption (g)	13.9	10.9	7.5	11.5	27.8	18.4
Average Fuel Consumption for all stoves tested (g)	16.1	11.7	8.1	11.5	30.0	18.6
Crux: Water Boiled per 4 ounce fuel canister (qt)	8.1	10.4	7.5	9.8	–	6.1
Average Water Boiled per 4 ounce fuel canister for all stoves tested (qt)	7.3	9.8	7.1	9.4	–	6.2
	Optimal conditions are 70 °F air and water, no wind. Cold conditions were simulated by putting the stoves and canisters in a freezer overnight at 10 °F, then boiling 40 °F water. Windy conditions were simulated with a box fan providing a 12 mph wind; water and air temperatures were 70 °F. * Degrees Fahrenheit water temperature was raised after 10 minutes; water did not reach a boil. ** Average amount water temperature was raised after 10 minutes. Of the eight stoves tested with 1 quart of water, only one stove reached boiling within 10 minutes.

Durability

No maintenance is suggested in the instructions supplied. The Crux has proved durable with no adjustments or service needed. After a year of use, it works as well today as it did out of the box. Some have questioned the durability and stability of the folding ball-joint, but in over a year of heavy field use, I’ve had no problems with it or any pot stability issues.

Value

While a top performer, the Crux is priced higher than many stoves with similar weight and BTU output. On the other hand it is the only large burner stove in its weight class, and it packs to a very small size. It is also the easiest and fastest stove to deploy and use. Using a well-designed windscreen and a moderate flame I found it to be fast boiling and one of the most fuel-efficient stoves I have used.

Tips and Tricks

Like most canister stoves, the Crux is most fuel-efficient at a moderate flame level. Unless you have fuel to spare and need the fastest boil times, use it at medium flame. Even at medium flame, due to its wide burner, you’ll get a good flame spread. Though it weighs almost an ounce, it’s tempting to use the neoprene storage pouch for its space savings and convenience. It also keeps some of the stove’s sharper edges from poking into your delicate ultralight gear. Skip the canister support.

Recommendations For Improvement

The Crux was a standout in every category we evaluated, except for heating efficiency, which is what bumped it to third place in our reviews (behind the Coleman F1 Ultralight and Jetboil). Its burner design appears to be a two-edged sword; on the one hand it provides great flame spread, but on the other hand it makes the stove more susceptible to wind. Thus my recommendation is to find a way to make the Crux more wind resistant, while retaining its superb features and cooking performance.

Overview

Weighing only 3.4 ounces (96 g), the Primus Micron is a mini-canister stove with some excellent features and good performance. It is one of the best performers among the stoves we tested in calm conditions, but requires shielding from wind for good performance in windy conditions. The stove comes standard with a piezoelectric igniter that is operated by a lever rather than a push button. I like its ergonomics, but the igniter usually requires several flicks to light the stove. The pot supports are sturdy and cleverly designed so the stove collapses down to a very small size. Flame control is by a short knob that is easy to reach and turn. The Micron’s flame adjustment occurs within one-third of a turn, but the control is precise. There is not much flame spread, so the stove produces a hot spot about 2 inches in diameter. In my field cooking tests, the Micron was up to every task I subjected it to, from melting snow to boiling water, cooking noodles, frying burgers, and cooking pancakes with a low constant flame. In lab tests the Micron turned in good boil times and fuel efficiency numbers under optimal conditions, but it stumbled in windy conditions. The Micron is especially sensitive to wind and loses a lot of efficiency without a windscreen. With proper wind protection, the Micron is an overall good performer and value.

Specifications

• Stove ID	Primus Micron with standard piezoelectric ignition
• Accessories Included	Small stuff sack
• Dimensions	Expanded, 3.5 in high x 5 in wide (9 x 13 cm); collapsed, 2.5 in high x 2.8 in wide x 2.3 in thick (6 x 7 x 6 cm)
• Weight	Manufacturer claimed 3.3 oz (96 g); Backpacking Light measured 3.4 oz (96 g)
• MSRP	$52.95 US

Usable Features

Compactness – The three pot supports on the Micron are cleverly designed so they fold down to a very compact shape and size. The collapsed stove easily slides into the 3-inch by 4-inch stuff sack provided, and can be packed into a small cook pot. It is one of the most compact canister stoves available.

Weight – At 3.4 ounces including a piezoelectric igniter, the Micron is very lightweight.

Ignition – The Micron’s “Easy Trigger” lighting system effectively integrates the piezoelectric igniter into the stove. Rather than a button to push, there is a lever that you push down.

Flame Control – The flame adjuster is a short (1.3 inches long) knob. I found it easy to turn with fingers reaching upward which kept my hand below and away from the burner. The Micron’s steel mesh burner is claimed to “spread the flame broadly for balanced heat distribution,” however I found that the flame goes straight up and spreads after it hits the bottom of the pot.

Pot Support – The Micron has a very clever design for the pot supports to collapse when not in use and to lock solidly into place for cooking. When open, the three pot supports angle downward towards the center resulting in only the outer one or two barbs contacting the pot. Nevertheless, a 2-liter pot “stuck” to this stove, and would not slide off even when I intentionally tilted the stove 30° or bumped it hard.

Options – None, the stove comes standard with a piezoelectric igniter and a stuff sack.

Ease of Use

Setup – Easy. Simply thread a fuel canister onto the stove, open the valve, and flick the piezoelectric igniter – 15 seconds max.

Lighting – The “Easy Trigger” piezoelectric igniter is ergonomically well designed. In warm, calm weather it is easy to light the stove with one to three flicks of the igniter. In a 12 mph wind, the stove required four to five flicks to light, but it did light. However, in cold conditions the stove was more reluctant to light; I counted 16 flicks at 47 °F.

Adjustment – The flame adjuster has four and a quarter turns, but only the first third of a turn is effective. Within that small range the stove adjusts from a slow simmer to full throttle, with no rebound or need to make subsequent adjustments.

Cold Weather Use – It is easy to attach a fuel canister and operate the flame control knob and piezoelectric igniter lever with heavy gloves on.

Cooking Performance

I took the Micron on June backpacking trips in the Colorado Mountains and camped on the alpine tundra surrounded by snowdrifts. Temperatures were in the high 40’s °F when I cooked my dinner and in the high 20’s °F when I cooked breakfast.

Capacity – The Micron can be used to cook for a group nearly as easily as it can be used to cook for one. The pot supports have sharp barbs that hold a larger pot well although it is important to center the pot on the supports and use a pot clamp to hold the pot while stirring, otherwise a large pot is a bit top heavy and unstable.

Versatility – The Primus Micron melts snow and boils water with ease. Assisted by its precise flame control, it can also be used to cook more exotic dishes like macaroni and cheese with hamburger, or pancakes. To cook pancakes, it is necessary to use a low flame, keep the fry pan balanced on the stove, and hold the handle while flipping the ‘cakes.

Because of its small burner, the Micron produces a distinct hot spot about 2 inches wide in the middle of a cook pot or fry pan. This is not a problem for boiling water, but it makes frying more of a challenge. A very low flame is required for any delicate cooking (like making a sauce, sautéing vegetables, or frying pancakes) to avoid burning.

Wind Effects – Primus claims that the Micron has a “wind resistant burner,” but I found it to be just the opposite. The Micron is especially susceptible to direct wind compared to the other stoves in our review suite, both in lab tests and field tests. The wind simply blows the flame away. Its performance in wind is boosted by a windscreen. Under breezy conditions I cooked using a windscreen that surrounded about three-quarters of the stove. The bottom of the windscreen was set on three rocks to raise it off the ground about 2-3 inches. I frequently felt the canister with my hand to make sure it was not overheating. (See our companion articles FAQs About Canister Stoves and Fuels and Homemade Canister Stove Windscreen for tips on safe use of windscreens with canister stoves.)

Heating Efficiency

The Micron boils water quickly in calm conditions, but boil times increase significantly in direct wind. It had one of the fastest boil times recorded in the Backpacking Light lab tests under optimal conditions: 3 minutes 25 seconds to boil 1 quart of water at full throttle. It was also one of the most fuel-efficient stoves in our tests; only 13.2 grams of fuel were required to boil 1 quart of water at full throttle and 10.8 grams using a moderate flame. These numbers place it among the top four stoves for optimal conditions. However, the Micron did not perform well in a 12 mph wind without a windscreen. In direct wind, it heated 1 quart of water only 46 °F in 10 minutes. When protected with a windscreen, the Micron boiled water in 5 minutes 06 seconds, only about a minute longer than the best performing stoves.

See Lightweight Canister Stoves Test Report for more detailed results of our heating efficiency tests on this stove, and all the canister stoves in our review suite.

Table 1. Summary of boil time and fuel consumption data for the Primus Micron

Test	Optimal Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Optimal Conditions Moderate Flame 1 quart water	Optimal Conditions Full Flame 1/2 quart water	Cold Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Windy Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Wind + Windscreen Full Flame 1 quart water
Micron Boil Time (min:sec)	3:25	4:11	2:07	8:37	46 degrees*	5:06
Average Boil Time for all stoves tested (min:sec)	3:33	4:51	2:18	7:35	87 degrees**	5:12
Micron Fuel Consumption (g)	13.2	10.8	7.3	11.2	28.4	15.3
Average Fuel Consumption for all stoves tested (g)	16.1	11.7	8.1	11.5	30.0	18.6
Micron: Water Boiled per 4-ounce fuel canister (qt)	8.6	10.5	7.7	10.1	–	7.4
Average Water Boiled per 4-ounce fuel canister for all stoves tested (qt)	7.3	9.8	7.1	9.4	–	6.2
	Optimal conditions are 70 °F air and water, no wind. Cold conditions were simulated by putting the stoves and canisters in a freezer overnight at 10 °F, then boiling 40 °F water. Windy conditions were simulated with a box fan providing a 12 mph wind; water and air temperatures were 70 °F. * Degrees Fahrenheit water temperature was raised after 10 minutes; water did not reach a boil. ** Average amount water temperature was raised after 10 minutes. Of the eight stoves tested with 1 quart of water, only one stove reached boiling within 10 minutes.

Durability

This stove is ruggedly built and collapses to a very small size that can easily be inserted into its small stuff sack or a small cook pot. No maintenance is required, but it is important to keep the stove’s canister connection clean to avoid clogging the jet.

Value

The Micron is a good value at $53: it has a compact and rugged design, it comes with a piezoelectric lighter, it is light weight, is designed ergonomically, and has excellent fuel efficiency.

Tips and Tricks

Because of its poor performance in wind, I recommend using some type of wind protection with the Micron. See our companion articles FAQs About Canister Stoves and Fuels and Homemade Canister Stove Windscreen for tips on safe use of windscreens with canister stoves.

Recommendations for Improvement

The piezoelectric igniter could use some refinement; it often requires many flicks to light the stove.

Overview

The Snow Peak GigaPower mini-canister stove is available in four configurations (with or without titanium components, and with or without auto-ignition) to meet most users’ preferences. It collapses to a very compact size. The stove has four pot supports (rather than the usual three) that fold out to provide a stable, flat, grippy surface. Lighting the stove with the piezoelectric igniter on the auto-start model often requires several tries, and the igniter is cumbersome to operate with gloved hands. Although the burner provides good flame spread, it requires several re-adjustments to get the stove to the desired flame level. The GigaPower performs quite well under calm conditions, but I found it very sensitive to wind. Using a windscreen improved its performance, but there was still impairment by apparent turbulence within the windscreen used in laboratory testing. I found the stove quite capable of melting snow, cooking a complex meal, and frying pancakes. However, the stove’s flame creep required several adjustments of the controller to obtain a constant flame. Overall, the GigaPower is a good value and a capable performer if used with wind protection.

Specifications

• Stove ID	Snow Peak GigaPower Stove, Titanium, Auto, GST-100A
• Accessories Included	Plastic case
• Dimensions	Expanded, 4.1 in wide x 2.6 in high (10 x 7 cm); collapsed, 2.6 wide x 3.1 high (7 x 8 cm)
• Weight	Manufacturer claimed weight 3.0 oz (85g); Backpacking Light measured weight 3.1 oz (87g)
• MSRP	$74.95 US

Usable Features

Compactness – The four pot supports fold together and the long flame controller wing folds up to collapse the stove into a tiny volume that slips into a provided 2 x 1.2 x 3.5 inch plastic case. I rate this stove as very compact.

Weight – Titanium components reduce the weight of this stove by 0.75 ounce over the equivalent non-titanium stove. This weight savings more than offsets the weight of the piezoelectric igniter. However, the plastic storage case weighs 0.8 ounces.

Ignition – The piezoelectric igniter is a horizontal push button type.

Flame Control – The stove’s flame controller is a long (2.2 inches) wing that places your hand well away from the burner. The burner is dome-shaped with flames emerging from the side and curving upward. The flame spreads evenly across the bottom of the pot.

Pot Support – The four pot supports are sturdy and lock into place with the weight of the pot. They create a 3-inch square area of support, and each arm has a 1-inch length of contact with the bottom of the pot. The serrations are fairly smooth. I was able to tilt the stove 30° or give it a solid bump without the pot sliding off.

Options – The stove is available with and without titanium components and with or without a piezoelectric igniter (four models). The manual stove (GS-100) weighs 3.25 ounces and costs $39.95, the auto ignition stove (GS-100S) weighs 3.75 ounces and costs $49.95, the titanium manual stove (GST-100) weighs 2.5 ounces and costs $64.95, and the titanium auto ignition stove (GST-100A) weighs 3 ounces and costs $74.95.

Ease of Use

Setup – Very easy. Simply extend the pot supports, screw on a fuel canister, and light the burner. A gripe: the flame controller wing must be opened one-quarter turn for it to collapse and fit into the plastic storage case. The next time I attach a fuel canister, I invariably forget to close the valve, and a rush of gas reminds me to do so.

Lighting – Under cool conditions it requires several tries with the piezoelectric igniter to light the stove, and sometimes I have to resort to using a match. When it’s warm one flick usually does it.

Adjustment – The flame adjuster has two full turns lock to lock, but all of the adjustment is in the first quarter-turn. Within this short range the stove adjusts from a low simmer to full throttle. The flame adjuster has significant rebound, meaning it partially bounces back when you release it. It also has a problem with flame creep, requiring several re-adjustments before the flame level is constant.

Cold Weather Use – Wearing winter gloves, I find it easy to attach the stove to a canister, but a shield on the piezoelectric igniter button makes it hard to push with a gloved finger.

Cooking Performance

I took the Snow Peak GigaPower on backpacking trips in the Colorado Mountains in early June and camped on the alpine tundra surrounded by snowdrifts. Temperatures were in the high 40s °F when I cooked dinner and in the high 20s °F when I cooked breakfast.

Capacity – The GigaPower is small but capable. It can readily cook for one or a group of four. The stove will easily handle a 2-liter pot (or larger) but the pot must be carefully centered on the stove for stability.

Versatility – The stove had plenty of BTU’s to melt snow for water. I cooked spaghetti for dinner using two pots, one for cooking the noodles and one for rehydrating the sauce. The stove accomplished all tasks just fine, although the flame adjuster required some fiddling to maintain a low flame for simmering. I cooked pancakes for breakfast, which required a low constant flame. Again, it took several adjustments to maintain the desired flame level.

Wind Effects – The GigaPower is particularly sensitive to wind, which blows the flames away from the pot. I was able to light the stove in wind, but its efficiency was greatly reduced. Without a windscreen I would have had a difficult time doing any cooking at all.

Heating Efficiency

In the Backpacking Light lab tests, the GigaPower stove had the lowest performance in direct wind, warming 1 quart of water only 27 °F in 10 minutes. Even with a windscreen, the stove’s performance was impaired somewhat, apparently due to turbulence, with a boil time 3.5 minutes longer than the best performing stove. My observations in the field agree with these results. In contrast, under optimal conditions, the GigaPower had a fast boil time (4 minutes 19 seconds) and was among the four best stoves for fuel efficiency.

See Lightweight Canister Stoves Test Report for more detailed results of our heating efficiency tests on this stove, and all the canister stoves in our review suite.

Table 1. Summary of boil time and fuel consumption data for the Snow Peak GigaPower

Test	Optimal Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Optimal Conditions Moderate Flame 1 quart water	Optimal Conditions Full Flame 1/2 quart water	Cold Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Windy Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Wind + Wind screen Full Flame 1 quart water
GigaPower Boil Time (min:sec)	4:19	4:55	2:35	8:55	27 degrees*	7:43
Average Boil Time for all stoves tested (min:sec)	3:33	4:51	2:18	7:35	88 degrees**	5:12
GigaPower Fuel Consumption (g)	12.4	10.7	7.3	12.0	24.9	19.3
Average Fuel Consumption for all stoves tested (g)	16.1	11.7	8.1	11.5	30.0	18.6
GigaPower: Water Boiled Per 4-ounce Fuel Canister (qt)	9.1	10.6	7.7	9.4	–	5.9
Average Water Boiled per 4-ounce fuel canister for all stoves tested (qt)	7.3	9.8	7.1	9.4	–	6.2
	Optimal conditions are 70 °F air and water, no wind. Cold conditions were simulated by putting the stoves and canisters in a freezer overnight at 10 °F, then boiling 40 °F water. Windy conditions were simulated with a box fan providing a 12 mph wind; water and air temperatures were 70 °F. * Degrees Fahrenheit water temperature was raised after 10 minutes; water did not reach a boil. ** Average amount water temperature was raised after 10 minutes. Of the eight stoves tested with 1 quart of water, only one stove reached boiling within 10 minutes.

Durability

The GigaPower is sufficiently rugged and durable to withstand normal backpacking use. No maintenance was required, but it is very important to keep the fuel canister connection clean to avoid clogging the jet.

Value

The GigaPower is available in four configurations to meet most everyone’s preferences. The titanium manual stove weighs only 2.5 ounces, which is the lightweight champ in the group of stoves reviewed. The basic non-titanium manual stove costs only $39.95. The GigaPower is lightweight, fuel efficient, compact, and durable. However, its lack of precise flame control and sensitivity to wind are serious drawbacks. Compared to the performance of other stoves we reviewed, the GigaPower is only a fair value, although with good wind protection, its value increases to “good.”

Tips and Tricks

It is important to provide wind protection to obtain good performance and fuel economy from this stove. Read our companion article FAQs About Canister Stoves and Fuels regarding the safe use of a windscreen with a canister stove. Also, we are not fans of piezoelectric ignition for cold weather; they never seem to work when you need them most. Snowpeak might consider the cost and weight savings from skipping the piezoelectric ignition.

Recommendations for Improvement

I detected a significant amount of rebound and flame creep in the flame adjustor. A flame adjustment mechanism that provides more precise control of the burner would be a welcome change. Also, the stove’s dome-shaped burner provides good flame spread, but it also seems to make the stove more sensitive to wind. Some re-configuration may be in order to improve wind resistance. I would also like to see the GigaPower redesigned so that the stove can be stowed with the valve closed.

Overview

Editor’s Note: Author and Backpacking Light Staff Editor Blake Morstad was killed in an avalanche on New Years Day, 2005. We are pleased to present this review, written by Blake before he died. For more information about Blake Morstad, please view the Blake Morstad Memorial at BackpackingLight.com.

The Primus TechnoTrail has a fast boil time and widely spaced pot supports that provide a stable platform for larger pots, making it a good two-person stove. It has an ergonomic flame control knob and our test sample included the optional piezoelectric igniter for easy starting. On the down side, it weighs almost twice as much (6.7 ounces, 190 grams) as the mini-canister stoves we tested, folds down into a bulkier package, and is on the high end for fuel consumption of the stoves in our review suite.

Specifications

• Stove ID	Primus TechnoTrail with optional piezoelectric ignition
• Accessories Included	Stuff sack
• Dimensions	Collapsed, 3 x 2.75 x 2.5 in (8 x 7 x 6.4 cm); expanded, 3.25 x 4 x 4.5 in (8 x 10 x 11cm)
• Weight	Manufacturer claimed 6.4 oz (180 g) with optional piezoelectric igniter, Backpacking Light measured 6.7 oz (191 g)
• MSRP	$39.95 with piezoelectric ignition, $34 without

Usable Features

Compactness – Although the stove’s pot supports rotate around the burner head to one side and nest together in a folded down position, the stove remains bulky. A die-cast support for the piezoelectric igniter is immovable and adds to the stove’s bulky storage size.

Weight – This stove is on the heavy side compared to others in its category. A stainless steel valve body accounts for most of the weight of the stove, contrasting with other stoves using lighter weight aluminum and titanium for the valve body. The piezoelectric igniter adds 1.8 ounces to the stove’s total weight because of the addition of the die-cast support. The photo shows the valve body and other parts of the stove.

Ignition – A piezoelectric igniter lights this stove effortlessly.

Flame Control – A large ergonomic knob is easy to turn and is positioned so your fingers do not get burned. The pot supports hold the pot about 0.75 inches above the burner, which allows a wider flame spread. The burner head has ports directed to spread the flame to the cooking surface. As a result, this stove is able to accommodate a 6-inch diameter pot. However, because of a wide flame spread, a 2-inch diameter cool spot is created under the pot. While this is common for canister stoves, the size of this cool spot is larger than for other stoves.

Pot Support – The pot supports spread from the burner head 2.5 inches and easily support a cookpot. Small perforations on the stabilizers provide a measure of grip to secure pots. While the stove provides a stable pot platform, some movement was detected where the stove mates to the canister.

Ease of Use

Setup – It takes approximately 20 seconds to completely set up the stove, including rotating up the pot supports, swiveling them around the burner head into a locked position, opening the flame controller, and then lighting the stove with the piezoelectric igniter. Disassembly proved to be just as fast, which included unlocking the pot supports by pushing a metal tab and folding the supports away. Some practice is required for a fast setup time since the pot supports need to be moved in a certain order or they tend to bind.

Lighting – Every time the piezoelectric igniter button was pushed, a solid arc was produced at the burner head. The igniter button is easy to operate. A well-placed thumb helps to steady the stove while pushing the button.

Adjustment – The large flame-control knob is clearly labeled with large plus and minus symbols. The knob allows precise flame control.

Cold Weather Use – The flame-control knob and pot support tab are of sufficient size to be operated with winter gloves.

Options – The only option available for the TechnoTrail is the piezoelectric igniter, which adds $5.95 to the base stove price and 1.8 ounces to the weight.

Cooking Performance

Capacity – Due to its wide flame spread, the TechnoTrail is well suited for a two-person cookpot (1.5 liters or larger), providing heat to the edges of the pot. When a one-person cookpot (0.9 liter or less) is used, a significant amount of heat escapes around the pot bottom and is wasted.

Versatility – With superb flame control, this stove is well suited to simmering, frying, and baking tasks. As mentioned, the wide flame spread creates good heating at the edge of the pot; however, a large cool spot in the center creates a noticeable temperature difference. This is a factor to keep in mind when preparing food that is not stirred, such as when baking.

Wind Effects – Because of the distance the supports hold the pot from the burner head, wind can affect the performance of the TechnoTrail more than some of the other canister stoves we tested where the pot is closer to the burner head. The pot supports provide some measure of wind protection near the burner. Lighting the stove under breezy conditions was not a problem as the piezoelectric igniter was unaffected.

Heating Efficiency

The TechnoTrail has a boil time comparable to other canister stoves we tested, lagging others by only a few seconds under optimal conditions. However, this stove trailed others in fuel consumption, which may be attributed to the wide flame spread and the burner head to pot separation. While the TechnoTrail is able to output enough heat for fast boils, it does not do this as efficiently as the other stoves.

See Lightweight Canister Stoves Test Report for more detailed results of our heating efficiency tests on this stove, and all the canister stoves in our review suite.

Table 1. Summary of boil time and fuel consumption data for the Primus TechnoTrail

Test	Optimal Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Optimal Conditions Moderate Flame 1 quart water	Optimal Conditions Full Flame 1/2 quart water	Cold Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Windy Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Wind + Wind screen Full Flame 1 quart water
TechnoTrail Boil Time (min:sec)	3:34	5:10	2:18	7:25	52 degrees*	5:16
Average Boil Time for all stoves tested (min:sec)	3:33	4:51	2:18	7:35	88 degrees**	5:12
TechnoTrail Fuel Consumption (g)	19.2	11.9	9.6	12.9	38.7	22.9
Average Fuel Consumption for all stoves tested (g)	16.1	11.7	8.1	11.5	30.0	18.6
TechnoTrail: Water Boiled Per 4-ounce Fuel Canister (qt)	5.9	9.5	5.9	8.8	–	4.9
Average Water Boiled per 4-ounce fuel canister for all stoves tested (qt)	7.3	9.8	7.1	9.4	–	6.2
	Optimal conditions are 70 °F air and water, no wind. Cold conditions were simulated by putting the stoves and canisters in a freezer overnight at 10 °F, then boiling 40 °F water. Windy conditions were simulated with a box fan providing a 12 mph wind; water and air temperatures were 70 °F. * Degrees Fahrenheit water temperature was raised after 10 minutes; water did not reach a boil. ** Average amount water temperature was raised after 10 minutes. Of the eight stoves tested with 1 quart of water, only one stove reached boiling within 10 minutes.

Durability

The TechnoTrail has a beefed up design compared to other canister stoves, for greater durability. A die-cast housing protects the stove’s valve and piezoelectric igniter. The pot supports are sufficiently thick to withstand a reasonable amount of bending. The three pot supports nest together, which is a durable storage method. The manufacturer cautions that the O-ring at the canister interface needs to be inspected and replaced if needed to ensure a leak-proof fit.

Value

While it has a fast boil time, this stove consumes more fuel than many of the other stoves we tested. Also, this stove is a heavyweight at 6.7 ounces, weighing about twice as much as the mini-canister stoves we reviewed. It folds up and compacts nicely for a larger burner stove with wider pot supports. With its ease of use, good durability, and fast setup, the TechnoTrail is a decent value for its relatively low price of $39.95 with piezoelectric ignition ($34 without) making it a good buy for two-person cooking.

Recommendations for Improvement

It seems that the piezoelectric die-cast housing could be redesigned allowing for a more compact enclosure. The stainless steel used for the valve body could be replaced with a lighter material or trimmed down in size to shave off a few grams. Also, I noticed that the valve body to canister interface has some play. A tight mate here would add to the overall stability of the TechnoTrail.

Overview

The MSR PocketRocket is a simple, lightweight, and inexpensive stove. It puts out a tight flame that boils water and melts snow quickly, and its Windclip Windshield feature helps it perform well in light wind. The PocketRocket is one of the better performers in our review sample in windy conditions, especially with an external windscreen. Its relatively small flame pattern keeps it from being among the best for frying or baking. A pop out wire flame adjuster precisely adjusts from torch to simmer. The stove body has a stout construction of steel and aluminum, but pot supports are relatively flexible and don’t stand up to abuse. Its low price of $39.95, strong performance, and light weight (3.1 ounces/87grams) make the PocketRocket a favorite for those on a budget.

Specifications

• Stove ID	MSR PocketRocket
• Accessories Included	Plastic case
• Dimensions	Height collapsed 4.1 in (10 cm); height expanded 3.4 in (8.5 cm); width collapsed 2.0 in (5 cm); width expanded: 4.2 in (11 cm)
• Weight	Manufacturer claimed 3 oz (86g); Backpacking Light measured 3.1 oz (87g)
• MSRP	$39.95 US

Usable Features

Compactness – The PocketRocket is somewhat bulky compared to the other mini-canister stoves we reviewed; the pot supports rotate toward the stove instead of folding together like some others. It comes with a triangular case that measures 4.5 inches long by 2.2 inches wide which fits into a MSR Titan Kettle but not an MSR Titan mug.

Weight – At 3.1 ounces, the MSR PocketRocket is a lightweight stove. Its simplicity, e.g. pot supports that simply rotate up, helps keep the weight down. It features an aluminum base and steel construction elsewhere.

Ignition – The PocketRocket doesn’t have a piezoelectric ignition option and must be lit with matches or a lighter.

Flame Control – The flame controller has a long pop-out wire adjustment. Flame control is accurate and effective and can be easily adjusted while wearing gloves without getting too close to the flame. The flame is tight and concentrated in an area of approximately 2 inches. The PocketRocket features the integrated “Windclip Windshield,” a tripod metal plate attached to the burner. The Windclip effectively blocks side winds, protecting two-thirds of the burner in light winds and helped the Pocket Rocket boil water faster in wind than many of the stoves we tested.

Pot Support – The pot supports are relatively flexible but are able to support a 2-liter pot with reasonable stability. The supports are grooved and angle slightly toward the center of the stove making it easy to keep smaller pots such as cups or kettles centered on the stove. However, the angled contact points provide only three points of contact on a larger, 2-liter pot. I needed to be very careful with placement of both pot and stove when using larger pots to keep them from slipping.

Ease of Use

Setup – The MSR PocketRocket is a breeze to set up. I was able to have the stove set up and burning in less than 15 seconds. The knurled aluminum base made it easy to attach the stove to a canister even when wearing gloves.

Lighting – The stove lights quickly with a lighter due to its large burner.

Adjustment – Flame control is extremely precise with the flip-out wing adjuster. The PocketRocket easily adjusts from a very high output to barely burning.

Cold Weather Use – The PocketRocket is easy to set up and adjust while wearing bulky winter gloves although the lack of a piezoelectric igniter may require you to take off the gloves to light the stove.

Cooking Performance

Capacity – The PocketRocket performed equally well when using a cup, kettle, or 2-liter pot. It boiled water quickly compared to other canister stoves we tested. However, I had to exercise caution when using a 2-liter pot to make sure it didn’t slip off of the pot supports.

Versatility – This MSR stove functions best as a snow-melter and water-boiler, performing these functions with ease and quickness. Its tight flame pattern is not designed for frying or baking, because it places the heat in one central area of the pot.

Wind Effects – The burner output is only from the top, protecting the flame from wind by blocking off the bottom and sides of the burner. The tight flame hinders the ability of the PocketRocket to fry or bake, but improves stove performance in windy conditions. Even during strong winds (replicated by using a fan turned on high), the Windclip kept two-thirds of the stove burning while the third facing the wind was blown out. The Windclip allows acceptable heating performance without a windscreen, although a windscreen boosts performance. The PocketRocket heated water to a higher temperature without a windscreen than most of the other stoves we tested, but its fuel efficiency in windy conditions was only average.

Heating Efficiency

In our lab tests, the PocketRocket performed better than most other canister stoves in its class. It boiled 1 quart of water in 3 minutes 26 seconds during optimal conditions and warmed 1 quart of water 106 °F after 10 minutes in a direct wind (only one canister stove in our test suite was able to bring 1 quart of water to a boil in the same conditions). It was in the average range for fuel consumption. In my own tests, the PocketRocket boiled 1 cup of water during high wind conditions with no windscreen in 5 minutes 35 seconds.

See Lightweight Canister Stoves Test Report for more detailed results of our heating efficiency tests on this stove, and all the canister stoves in our review suite.

Table 1. Summary of boil time and fuel consumption data for the MSR PocketRocket

Test	Optimal Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Optimal Conditions Moderate Flame 1 quart water	Optimal Conditions Full Flame 1/2 quart water	Cold Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Windy Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Wind + Wind screen Full Flame 1 quart water
PocketRocket Boil Time (min:sec)	3:26	5:32	2:20	7:44	106 degrees*	4:26
Average Boil Time for all stoves tested (min:sec)	3:33	4:51	2:18	7:35	87 degrees**	5:12
PocketRocket Fuel Consumption (g)	15.8	14.2	8.3	12.6	34.1	17.8
Average Fuel Consumption for all stoves tested (g)	16.1	11.7	8.1	11.5	30.0	18.6
PocketRocket: Water Boiled Per 4-ounce Fuel Canister ( qt)	7.2	8.0	6.8	9.0	–	6.3
Average Water Boiled per 4-ounce fuel canister for all stoves tested (qt)	7.3	9.8	7.1	9.4	–	6.2
	Optimal conditions are 70 °F air and water, no wind. Cold conditions were simulated by putting the stoves and canisters in a freezer overnight at 10 °F, then boiling 40 °F water. Windy conditions were simulated with a box fan providing a 12 mph wind; water and air temperatures were 70 °F. * Degrees Fahrenheit water temperature was raised after 10 minutes; water did not reach a boil. ** Average amount water temperature was raised after 10 minutes. Of the eight stoves tested with 1 quart of water, only one stove reached boiling within 10 minutes.

Durability

The simplicity of the PocketRocket contributes to its durability. Its main body is constructed of steel and thick aluminum and is virtually indestructible. However, the pot supports were easily bent when I jammed the stove into my pack one busy morning. Although the supports were easy to bend back, one of the rivets loosened in the process, causing the support to flop around. Later, large pots wobbled slightly on the stove from the loose support. Squeezing the rivets with pliers did not fix the problem. No maintenance was required.

Value

At $39.95, the MSR PocketRocket is a good value. For this price you don’t get titanium or a piezoelectric igniter, but you do get lightness, simplicity, good wind performance, and excellent flame adjustment. More robust pot supports would increase the value of the PocketRocket.

Recommendations for Improvement

The pot supports are the weak point of the MSR PocketRocket. By attaching them at the base of the stove, they are long enough that a full pot can cause them to flex, and they can be bent by slight misuse. Constructing the supports out of a heavier material might help, but the most effective fix would be to move their attachment point to the stove head as is done on some other canister stoves. This would eliminate the leverage that causes them to flex, although it would also eliminate some of the stove’s simplicity. We feel that the increase in durability would be worth the tradeoffs of slightly increased cost or weight.

Overview

The Coleman PowerBoost is very well made and has a highly controllable wide, even flame, which is important for serious cooking in the backcountry. Its piezoelectric ignition is very reliable. At 5.0 ounces (142 g), it is heavier than many lightweight canister stoves. A significant drawback is its high fuel consumption when operated at full flame, but this can be improved significantly by operating the stove at a moderate flame level.

Specifications

• Stove ID	Coleman Exponent F1 PowerBoost with standard piezoelectric ignition
• Accessories Included	Stuff sack
• Dimensions	Collapsed, 3.25 in high x 4.4 in wide (8 x 11 cm); expanded, 3.3 in high x 5.9 in wide (8 x 15 cm)
• Weight	Manufacturer claim 4.5 oz (128 g); Backpacking Light measured 5.0 oz (156 g)
• MSRP	$49.99 US

Usable Features

Compactness – The Coleman PowerBoost is not as compact or sleek when collapsed as many other stoves in this category. It fits into a 1.3-liter Evernew pot, but does not easily fit into smaller pots.

Weight – At 5.0 ounces this stove is heavier than many other lightweight canister stoves. The Coleman PowerBoost has a rugged build and wide burner (2.7 inches), which add to the weight of the stove.

Ignition – The PowerBoost comes standard with piezoelectric ignition.

Flame Control – A folding wire loop flame controller provides precise control from simmer to wide open.

Pot Support – The pot supports are superior to most other lightweight canister stoves I have used. At almost 6 inches across, with over 1.5 inches of contact area on each support, they keep pots well over 2 liters in capacity, fry pans, and small pots such as the Snow Peak 0.6-liter mug stable.

Ease of Use

Setup – High quality workmanship in the canister threads and connection is critical to a long lasting, reliable canister stove, and here the Coleman PowerBoost excels, with brass threads and heavy aluminum canister joints.

Lighting – The Coleman PowerBoost has a piezoelectric ignition that is easily operated with a simple push button below the burner. I found it very reliable and easy to use.

Adjustment – The stove is easily adjustable, with precision heat control.

Cold Weather Use – The stove is easy to set up and use with gloves on. The only exception is the pot supports, which collapse into a stack and are difficult to separate while wearing gloves.

Cooking Performance

I used the Coleman PowerBoost on a series of short trips in spring and early summer in the mountains of southern Arizona. Ambient temperature while cooking ranged from about 30 to 75 °F. The weather was generally good on these trips, with mild winds on a couple of occasions.

Capacity – The pot supports work well with both small and large pots. The smallest pot I used was a 0.9-liter Evernew, and the stove worked fine with this pot. The wide burner makes the stove somewhat less efficient with smaller pots however, due to flame spillage around the circumference of the pot.

Versatility – The wide burner and good flame control make this stove particularly well suited for cooking that requires an even flame, such as frying fish or cooking pancakes. I found the stove much more effective at this type of cooking than other lightweight canister stoves I have used. When I cooked delicate items such as morning biscuits, I had fewer burnt food incidents than usual.

Wind Effects – I had only mildly windy conditions in my field tests, and these were easily handled with an aluminum windscreen. Wind effects on the PowerBoost performance seemed typical for canister stoves under these field conditions. In controlled tests performed by the Backpacking Light staff, the boil time for 1 quart of water increased only 43% under controlled wind conditions, making it fourth best of the nine stoves tested.

Heating Efficiency

Under optimal conditions, the Coleman PowerBoost boiled 1 quart of water in 3 minutes 23 seconds, third best of the nine stoves tested. When boiling only 1 pint of water, which is more typical for one-person use, the stove performed even better, surpassing all but one other stove. When operated at full flame, the PowerBoost has the lowest fuel efficiency of all stoves tested. Although I have no specific data to back this up, I think the wide burner, and consequent wide flame, may contribute to wasted energy when the stove is operated at full flame. Fuel consumption dropped significantly using a medium flame, putting it in the mid range compared to the other stoves in our test suite.

See Lightweight Canister Stoves Test Report for more detailed results of our heating efficiency tests on this stove, and all the canister stoves in our review suite.

Table 1. Summary of boil time and fuel consumption data for Coleman F1 PowerBoost

Test	Optimal Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Optimal Conditions Moderate Flame 1 quart water	Optimal Conditions Full Flame 1/2 quart water	Cold Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Windy Conditions Full Flame 1 quart water	Wind + Wind screen Full Flame 1 quart water
F1 PowerBoost Boil Time (min:sec)	3:23	5:51	2:07	7:34	113 degrees*	4:49
Average Boil Time for all stoves tested (min:sec)	3:33	4:51	2:18	7:35	88 degrees**	5:12
F1 PowerBoost Fuel Consumption (g)	21.8	11.8	10.0	12.8	41.0	28.2
Average Fuel Consumption for all stoves tested (g)	16.1	11.7	8.1	11.5	30.0	18.6
PowerBoost: Water Boiled Per 4-ounce Fuel Canister (qt)	5.2	9.6	5.7	8.8	–	4.0
Average Water Boiled per 4-ounce fuel canister for all stoves tested (qt)	7.3	9.8	7.1	9.4	–	6.2
	Optimal conditions are 70 °F air and water, no wind. Cold conditions were simulated by putting the stoves and canisters in a freezer overnight at 10 °F, then boiling 40 °F water. Windy conditions were simulated with a box fan providing a 12 mph wind; water and air temperatures were 70 °F. * Degrees Fahrenheit water temperature was raised after 10 minutes; water did not reach a boil. ** Average amount water temperature was raised after 10 minutes. Of the eight stoves tested with 1 quart of water, only one stove reached boiling within 10 minutes.

Durability

The Coleman PowerBoost is exceptionally well made, with a rugged canister connection. No maintenance was required.

Value

Overall build quality, precise flame control, a high quality ignition system, and cooking versatility are the strengths of this stove. At $49.99 with piezoelectric ignition, it is an excellent value.

Tips and Tricks

As is clear from our tests, the key to effective use of the Coleman PowerBoost is to keep the flame at a moderate level, even when just boiling water. This will nearly double fuel efficiency based on our tests, but also lengthen boil time.

Recommendations for Improvement

Coleman would do well to investigate the fuel efficiency of this stove at full flame. There are several possible root causes for the loss of efficiency at full flame, and I have speculated above that with some pots a full flame may be too wide to be effective. Improved efficiency could make this stove the cook’s choice for a relatively lightweight canister stove.

Overview

The Coleman Xtreme and the MSR SimmerLite do look rather similar, especially when packaged up in the bags provided. They weigh almost exactly the same when equipped with ‘full tanks’ of fuel. However, underneath they are quite different.

MSR SimmerLite

The MSR SimmerLite is an updated version of the classic WhisperLite. The burner weighs 181 grams (6.4 oz) with all three legs and hose installed. The pump weighs 64 grams (2.3 oz), a slight increase from the old version’s 49 grams (1.7 oz). The smallest MSR fuel tank (11 fluid ounce volume) weighs 69 grams (2.4 oz) without a cap; the cap weighs an additional 10 grams (0.4 oz) but can be left at home so is not counted. With the tank filled to the recommended level, total weight is 290 grams (10.2 oz), or 221 grams (7.8 oz) of petrol. A 12-gram (0.4 oz) tool kit with multi-purpose spanner, mineral oil for lubricating the washer on the pump, and a spare O-ring for the tank-to-hose coupling is included. The total weight of all components and a full fuel bottle is about 547 grams (19.3 oz). Additional items that many users will choose to leave behind are a 21-gram (0.7 oz) stuff sack and a multilingual instruction manual.

MSR claims that this stove’s “shaker jet” technology makes cleaning easy. The shaker jet is a heavy object inside the jet which, when the stove is shaken, pokes a wire through the jet to clean out any muck which lodges there. I think this feature implicitly acknowledges that these stoves do get blocked jets. For more serious troubleshooting, the whole stove disassembles with the spanner for field service. The manual’s instructions on this procedure are good, but I recommend a practice run at home before taking it to the mountains. I would strongly recommend that disassembly be done over a large cloth or hat to catch all the bits and keep them clean.

The stove hose is a little short, but well reinforced. The coupling into the tank is long and well secured with a spring clip. If you use a windscreen around the stove, which is recommended, the hose length will not be a problem.

Coleman Xtreme

This is the stove that I use for all my winter ski touring trips. It looks quite similar to the SimmerLite, except for the rather large and heavy gas regulating valve assembly on the end of the hose. The burner weighs 314 grams (11.1 oz). There is no pump. The smallest fuel tank weighs 68 grams (2.4 oz) and holds 170 grams (6.0 oz) of gas, for a total of 238 grams (8.4 oz) for a full fuel bottle. (I consider this amount of gas to be comparable to the 221 grams (7.8 oz) of petrol that the small MSR fuel bottle contains.) The total weight of a full fuel bottle and all components is therefore about 552 grams (19.5 oz), as compared to 547 grams (19.3 oz) for the SimmerLite. It too comes with a little nylon bag (31 grams, 1.1 oz).

No tools or service information were supplied with the stove, although a maintenance kit is available and recommended. The hose is slightly longer than the hose on the SimmerLite.

Initial Impressions

MSR SimmerLite

I must say this stove does have a ‘clean’ appearance, and the burner itself is quite light compared with some of the older models. There is a thin generator tube running around the edge of the burner. From my experience with petrol stoves, I have to say the length of this tube looks like a massive overkill: some petrol stoves have far shorter generator tubes. However, I think the reason for the length is to allow the petrol to be vaporised even when the stove is running at a very low flame. The effectiveness of this is discussed below.

The pump that came with the stove is a newer model than on my other MSR stoves. There have been some small engineering refinements, but the basics are still the same. It should be possible to swap the pumps around between stoves. The manual gives adequate instructions on filling, pumping, and checking for leaks, with an emphasis on safety. The stove includes a flexible windshield, a stove base of the same material, and a nice little kit of spare parts. The windshield is the standard MSR heavy aluminum foil style that is normally wrapped around the fuel tank when traveling. I found its height to be inadequate. The foldable stove base is not durable and is too soft to provide any real additional stability to the stove. Its only useful purposes are to catch spilled fuel or to insulate a surface from the heat of the burner.

Coleman Xtreme

My first impression of this stove was that the valve assembly was rather large: but then, you don’t want the gas connection falling off, do you? The first bit of the hose that protrudes from the burner is rigid: use care to avoid damaging the junction between the hose and burner. The hose is thin compared to the SimmerLite hose and the generator tube is smaller. The stove does not include a windscreen or stove base.

The gas tank is similar in size to a small MSR fuel bottle. People sometimes complain about the weight of the empty gas tanks: at 68 grams (2.4 oz) I am not sure what they are moaning about. A small ‘can opener’ is provided with the stove. This is designed to allow you to puncture the tank after you have emptied it, to allow it to dry in the sun. The empty tank can then be recycled with soft drink cans. Finally, every gas cartridge is supplied with a plastic clip-on lid to protect the outlet valve from dirt or debris. Strangely, Coleman does not provide a cover for the open end of the valve assembly.

Assembly

MSR SimmerLite

Assembly of the MSR SimmerLite is easy. Fill the fuel tank, insert the pump, and give it the recommended twenty strokes. Then, lubricate the end of the hose before inserting it into the connector in the pump. The manual recommends using spit or oil, which seemed a little primitive. Instead, I used a very small amount of silicone O-ring grease that I’d gotten from another stove spare parts kit. Finally, extend the stove’s three folded legs.

Coleman Xtreme

Assembling the Xtreme is extremely simple. Extend the legs, then push the end of the gas cartridge into the valve unit and give it a small clockwise turn. It clicks into place. It took me a couple of tries to get the feel for it, but after that it was easy.

Firing Up

MSR SimmerLite

I fired the stove up for the first time on a slab of rock outdoors. The instructions are fairly clear: you open the valve and let fuel wet the whole burner head – without soaking the surrounds of course. Then you shut the valve and light it up. The burner head is rather cunning, it has a rim around the edge that holds some of the priming fuel. There is also a small cup around the bottom that will collect a small amount of spilt fuel. The flame heats the generator tube quite well. When the priming flame has died down you open the valve on the tank – carefully. You do not need any special priming paste or fuel; the normal fuel does just fine.

The usual priming flare was about 30 centimeters (12 in) high: not the sort of thing you want in a tent, of course. The manual recommends that you preheat the stove with fuel in the generator tube: this ensures you start with hot fuel rather than chilling the generator tube with cold fuel when you open the valve. This is an important point for all liquid fuel stoves, both petrol and kerosene.

Assuming I start with a tank of fuel which is still under pressure from the last time I used the stove, that I have a stable base to put the stove on, that the stove is plugged in to the tank, that everything is to hand and I have had some practice, I find that it takes me about 1 minute 45 seconds to get this stove going. That’s not too bad – kerosene takes much longer. How long does it take you to get all the bits and pieces together before this stage? Well, that’s up to you and your degree of organisation.

Coleman Xtreme

The first time I lit the Xtreme up I simply turned the control valve on gently while holding a lighter next to the burner. It worked just fine. There was no flare up at all, and I routinely light this stove inside my tent. There is a small generator tube at the burner, but it did not seem to need any preheating. Of course, as soon as the flame is alight, the tube gets hot. So if I start from the same state as above, with everything together, it takes me about 2 seconds to get this stove running. It feels much faster, but in the overall scheme of things there is not much to the difference.

Operation: full bore and simmering

I ran two sorts of tests here. The first was at full power to assess the minimum time to boil 1 litre of water; the second was to see how slowly I could heat water to test simmering capability. The first test is all about the big macho advertising claim: “Our stove boils faster than yours.” Frankly, so what? I never run a stove flat out like this, but you can’t have a stove review without this sort of data. As shown in the picture, I set up the stove with a 180-millimeter (7.1 in) diameter stainless steel pot containing 1 litre of water, put my folding windshield around the stove and pot, and put a digital thermometer in the middle of the pot. The top of the pot was covered for some tests; for others I did not bother, as I wanted worst-case results. The temperature of the water was logged every 5 seconds. Once the water was really boiling I turned the stove off and let the water start to cool.

The results for heating 1 litre of water are shown with the SimmerLite in red and the Xtreme in blue. Note that both graphs are nearly linear in the heating stage; both stoves heated water at a constant rate. The slight change in rate near the top is due to evaporation of steam, since this test was done without a lid. The SimmerLite reached a rolling boil from 21 °C in about 4 minutes 45 seconds, while the Xtreme took slightly longer at 5 minutes 15 seconds. These times are longer than the typical manufacturer claims. I had the SimmerLite going as fast as it could, but I did have the Xtreme turned down a fraction from the maximum. This was due to my reluctance to have flames roaring up the sides of the pot. The Xtreme may have had a slightly faster boil time if I had allowed this.

In my opinion, the second test is more important: can I simmer a stew? For this, I need the stove turned down as low as possible. I tested for this by turning each stove down as far as I dared. The Xtreme stove turned down to a very low level and remained stable. The SimmerLite was a different matter. According to reports from other users of the SimmerLite, MSR has said you have to get the stove hot and then turn it down slowly. I interpreted this to mean that it was important to make sure the whole generator tube was hot and remained hot. Even so, I found the flame height on the SimmerLite rather unstable: I could hear the burn rate going up and down without intervention from me. I considered trying to adjust it continuously, but decided this was not acceptable. In the field I am usually busy with other things while dinner is cooking. The test arrangement was the same as before except that in this case I put a lid on the pot to limit evaporation.

Again, the SimmerLite is in red while the Xtreme is in blue. The SimmerLite graph starts at a higher temperature. This is because I had to spend some time fiddling with the valve to get as low a burn rate as possible. In the end, however, the flame on the SimmerLite just went out. That’s why the red graph stops where it does: I quickly turned the valve off when I heard the flame go out. For reasons of both safety and cleanliness, you do not want fuel leaking everywhere! I found it very difficult to control the rate of heating with the MSR stove on its lower settings.

The SimmerLite heated at a rate of 39 degrees Celsius in 8 minutes, or 4.9 degrees per minute. The Xtreme heated at a rate of 39 degrees Celsius in 20 minutes or 2.0 degrees per minute. This means the Xtreme could be turned down to less than half the heating rate of the SimmerLite – plus it was very stable in that mode. In summary, the Xtreme is far better at simmering than the SimmerLite.

The Xtreme turns down so well that extrapolating the above graph suggests that in a bit over 30 minutes the temperature would reach about 70 °C and not go any higher! That is, the heat loss from the pot at high temperature would match the input from the stove – this is simmering! The data from the SimmerLite suggest that equilibrium could have been reached around boiling point if the valve had not crept shut and turned the stove off. It will simmer, sort of, but not very easily or reliably.

Operation: stability

I discussed the three-leg design of both stoves above. In addition to stability on the ground, however, it’s also important that the pot be stable on the stove. You wouldn’t want your dinner to go sliding off onto the ground!

There are two standard techniques manufacturers use for preventing a pot from sliding off the stove. To contain pots, the inner ends of the pot supports can be tilted upwards to make a cradle. This does not work if the pot is larger than the pot supports, as mine is. The second technique is to roughen the top surface of the supports. Not so much that they chew into the base of a pot and wreck it: just enough to stop any sliding.

The SimmerLite has both the tilted arms and little bumps on the arms. They are smoothed off without any sharp edges. The Xtreme also has tilted arms and notches along the top, but the notches do not reach to the highest points. You can run your hand over the arms of both stoves without getting any scratches. My stainless steel pot seemed to be stable on both stoves, so there appears to be just enough roughness on each one.

Fuel Consumption

I mentioned in my general review of stoves, Got Gas? Stove Theory and How They Work, that you should expect to use a little more weight of petrol than of gas, and that I normally use about 30 grams (1.1 oz) of gas per day to cook for two people. The fuel consumption data during this trial matched those figures, but are of limited value for any other user. The reason is that everyone uses their stove differently, and cooks different amounts. So all I can say is that both stoves are efficient examples of their class.

While fuel consumption was as expected, it may be worth noting that the cartridges for the Xtreme are rather specialised and may be hard to come by in a small country town. It is a specialised winter stove. But then, while spending six weeks walking in the French Pyrenees in 2002 I was able to find standard screw-thread (EN417) gas cartridges more often than I could find Coleman fuel or white gas. In Nepal you might be hard pressed to find anything other than kerosene. You will need to research resources where you are going before deciding what sort of stove is appropriate.

Maintenance

During the course of this field test I did not have to do any maintenance on either stove. MSR provides tools, and these tools were sufficient to field strip the stove. Coleman did not provide tools, but I have never needed to field strip a gas stove anyway.

Assessment

By now you may have got the impression that I have a slight bias towards the gas stove – towards any gas stove! This is true, and this test has not altered my opinions. Both stoves are good stoves and will give good service. It’s just that I find gas (canister) stoves much easier to use than petrol (white gas) stoves.

Figures in graphs are quoted courtesy of www.bushwalking.org.au/FAQ/.

Roger Caffin is a consultant research scientist. He maintains the aus.bushwalking FAQ and Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs NSW web sites. He is the Editor of the Confederation’s quarterly magazine and a tester at BackpackGearTest.org. Roger started bushwalking at 14 with ex-Army gear. He took up rock climbing and remote exploration walking at University with the girl who later became his wife. Over the last four to five years he and his wife have converted to ultralightweight gear. They prefer long, hard walking and ski-touring trips, from Tasmania to north of Sydney and in Europe. They spend at least two days per week walking or ski touring.

Overview

The Wild Things Belay Jacket combines an Epic shell with over an inch of Primaloft One insulation. The Epic by Nextec shell is highly water-resistant and windproof. After several hours of hiking in sleeting rain and snow, moisture managed to soak through only at the shoulder straps and hip belt of my pack with no noticeable loss of loft or warmth. The two hand warmer pockets and full-length main zipper use water-resistant zippers. Along with a zippered inside security pocket, Wild Things added a 1-liter water bottle pocket to the inside, which keeps drinking water from freezing when the mercury drops. At 1 pound 14.0 ounces (850 g, men’s medium), the Wild Things Belay Jacket may not appear lightweight, but it easily replaces several thinner layers making it the lighter choice in the right conditions. Improving arm articulation (which currently causes the hem to rise 7 inches with arms raised above your head) would bring this jacket to perfection.

In Brief

• Highly breathable Epic shell sheds light rain, sleet, and snow, though it is not waterproof
• Over 1 inch of Primaloft One loft keeps the cold out, resists loss of loft when wet, and dries quickly
• Full weather-resistant two-way main zipper for ventilation
• Generous hood adjusts easily while wearing heavy gloves
• Inside water bottle pocket, large enough to hold a 1-liter bottle, keeps drinking water from freezing
• Two zippered hand warmer pockets and one zippered security pocket help with organization

Specifications

• Garment Style	Full zip, high-loft, synthetic hooded jacket.
• Fabric Description	Epic by Nextec shell with a microfiber liner
• Insulation Description	6.0 oz/yd2 (200 g/m2) Primaloft One throughout
• Other Features	Two zippered, unlined, and insulated hand-warmer pockets. One zippered inside security pocket. One inside water bottle pocket. Also features an insulated hood.
• Weight	1 lb 14.0 oz (850 g) as measured, size men’s M; 1 lb 12.0 oz (794 g) manufacturer specification
• Loft	1.1 in (2.8 cm) single layer loft
• Model Year	2004 (2005 model includes Velcro cuffs and a three-way hood adjustment)
• MSRP	$285.00 Manufacturer’s suggested retail price

Warmth

The Wild Things Belay Jacket is a suitable choice for extreme conditions. The 6.0 oz/yd² Primaloft One insulation provides just over an inch of single layer loft through the torso, arms, and hood. I tested the jacket during a sleeting rain and snow storm, while snowshoeing hard (to test breathability), and combined with a half-bag as part of a sleeping system.

Harsh conditions outside go nearly unnoticed while wearing this jacket. While at rest, the Primaloft One insulation takes me well into the lower 20’s wearing only a base layer underneath. If greater “at rest” warmth is needed, the fit is roomy enough to allow for a thin synthetic fill or thick fleece jacket in addition to a base layer. I quickly overheated in the Belay Jacket at temperatures just below freezing when active. This jacket is definitely more at home in sub-freezing temperatures.

Storm resistance

The Wild Things Belay Jacket is constructed of Epic microfiber fabric to shed bad weather while maintaining a high degree of breathability. While not waterproof, Epic by Nextec is extremely wind proof and water resistant, and lighter and more breathable than PTFE-laminated waterproof breathable fabrics like Gore-Tex. The individual nylon fibers in Epic fabric are silicone encapsulated to create permanent waterproofing of each fiber. This is unlike DWR coatings that wash out with time. Tiny spaces between the fibers provide breathability, and the tight weave and waterproof fibers resist water penetration. This fabric has a nicer feel than most coated, laminated, or impregnated fabrics, more closely resembling an uncoated microfiber.

In use, the Epic shell proved an excellent compromise between breathability and water resistance. Light rain, sleet, and snow shed easily. However, with a water resistance of only 4 lb/in², water penetration occurred wherever my pack’s harness made contact; soaking completely through at the shoulder straps, hip belt, and upper part of the backpanel. Thankfully, Primaloft One retains most of its loft when wet and little loss of warmth was noticed.

Usability

The size medium layers easily over a thick fleece or lightweight insulated jacket on my 5’7″, 155-pound frame. The sleeves are long enough to maintain coverage to the wrist. Torso articulation, while tolerable, is an area in need of improvement. While the hem rises very little (less than 1 inch) with the arms held straight out, nearly 7 inches of rise occurs when raising the arms above the head.

I appreciate the ease with which I can adjust this jacket while wearing gloves. All zippers have extended zipper pulls. The shock cords adjusting the hem and hood are one-hand adjustable with glove friendly hardware. Although the cuffs are non-adjustable elastic, alpine gauntlet style gloves are the logical choice with this jacket and seal the cuffs sufficiently. The full-length water-resistant main zipper provides ventilation by adjusting from both top and bottom.

The two hand warmer pockets are lightly insulated but unlined, and close with YKK water-resistant zippers. The pocket insulation is too thin to keep hands warm in the conditions this jacket was designed for, although they were useful as a brief refuge while I had my gloves off. There are two inside pockets; a small, zippered valuables pocket on the left and an inside “water bottle” pocket on the right (large enough to fit a 1-liter bottle). The water bottle pocket kept my water well above freezing in sub-freezing conditions. I really enjoyed the warmth of a hot water bottle in this pocket. A 1-liter bottle adds more bulk than I like, so I opted for a smaller bottle.

Value

At $285.00, the Wild Things Belay Jacket is at the upper end of the cost spectrum for lightweight high-loft synthetic jackets. However, those of lower cost either have less insulation or lack the Epic shell fabric (or both). The quality construction and features are added consolation.

Recommendations for Improvement

While perhaps too heavy for the ultralight or lightweight backpacker, the lightweight mountaineer will be right at home in the Wild Things Belay Jacket. A few changes could reduce the weight of this jacket, but doing so would reduce features and weather resistance. I would like to see the torso articulation improved by modifying the sleeve construction. Gusseted arms tend to provide greater arm movement without affecting hem rise.