The Best Stoves for Hiking

Brunton Vesta

Extremely lightweight and simple to use, Brunton's Vesta backpacking stove ($91.45 as of 2010) is a great option for backpackers. Weighing 8.5 ounces, the Vesta will set 1 liter of water to boiling in less than 3 minutes. A 6-inch pot base provides stability and a precise simmer control keeps trail chefs in control. At woodsmonkey.com, a reviewer lauded the Vesta for its stability and space economization and recommended it to anyone looking for "a butane stove that's a great performer, lightweight and provides a stable platform."

Jetboil Flash Cooking System

Jetboil's Flash cooking system ($99.95 as of 2010) is a great all-in-one system. Combining a backpacking stove with a cooking vessel in a 1-pound package, the Flash is hugely convenient. It's essentially a mug with a stove attached to the bottom. Just screw the fuel canister to the undercarriage, adjust the simmer control, press the igniter button and you'll have 2 cups of boiling water in under 2 minutes. A user review on rei.com called it "a perfect cooking system," noting its speed and ease of use.

MSR XGK-EX

At just over a pound in weight, the rugged, durable MSR XGK-EX ($195.99 as of 2010) is a great choice for cooking in extreme conditions. Easy to maintain and clean in the field, the XGK-EX runs on a variety of liquid fuels from white gas to diesel and can boil a liter of water in under 3 minutes. Often compared to a jet engine for its power and the sound it makes, the XGK-EX is lauded for its toughness and snow-melting prowess. Gear reviews on outdoorreview.com have called it "a workhorse," "a tank," and "a timeless product."