LightBackpacking.com

I own four stoves and just saw three more showcased in the August Backpacker Magazine I would love to have.

If I haven’t said it before, I’ll say it now: you can never have too much equipment. Especially if you’re a lightweight gear head. I’m one…and proud of it.
Sure, you can buy just one of each essential item, such as one sleeping bag, one tent, one tent and probably make them do a whole lifetime. But what fun is that?

For me, the process of getting lightweight is nearly as much fun as actually going light (on your trip).A Wing & A Prayer

I recently reviewed the Esbit Wing Stove , which at .3 ounce of titanium is the lightest stove I’ve every seen.

Three new ones for your consideration:

Vargo Triad Titanium Stove

• Weight: 1 ounce
• Fuel: alcohol
• Boil time: 11 minutes
• Upside: small, really sturdy – even with a larger pot.
• Downside: you have to fill it completely with fuel for it to light; 11 minutes is a long boil time. But, hey, what else have you got to do?

Etowah II Stove Kit

• Weight: 5.4 ounces (include squeeze fuel bottle, simmer unit, carrying bag, wind screen and pot supports).
• Fuel: alcohol, charcoal briquets, Esbit fuel tablets
• Boil time: 7 minutes
• Upside: holds a lot of fuel and reportedly burns 30 minutes on one filling.
• Downside: a lot of parts of keeo track of  (see above).

Ultralight Outfitters Beer Can Stove Kit

• Weight: 4.4 ounces, including fuel holder and beer can
• Fuel: Esbit tablets
• Boil time: 10 minutes
• Upside: sturdy and easy to clean
• Downside: you have to buy, then drink the beer from a 24-ounce Foster’s or Labatts (okay maybe the drinking part is not so bad) to get the beer can part of the stove.

Be safe. Be light. Be one with the pack.

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