If you’re in a rush, the best backpacking cookware set of today is the GSI Outdoors Halulite Microdualist 2-Person Cookset.
Cooking can sure seem daunting when you’re camping. When you’re backpacking, it can seem even worse.
When you’re limited to picking what fits on your back, how are you supposed to carry everything you need to cook a decent meal? There’s no way you can bring your whole kitchen with you, so you’ve got to improvise.
Luckily, there’s a ton of cookware available that’s engineered to take up as little space (and weight) as possible. On top of that, these sets still function as well as your home’s kitchen cookware.
If you’ve ever wanted to go beyond the trail mix and MRE’s when backpacking, try one of these backpacking cookware sets:
- GSI Outdoors Halulite Microdualist 2-Person Cookset (Best Overall)
- MSR PocketRocket Stove Kit (Best Premium Backpacking Cookware)
- Winterial Camping Cookware and Pot Set (Best Ultralight Backpacking Cookware)
- MSR Alpine 2-Pot Set (Best Stainless Steel Backpacking Cookware)
- Wuudi Outdoor Camping Pots and Pans Set (Best Budget Backpacking Set)
- GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper 4 Person Camping Cook Set (Best Four Person Backpacking Set)
Best Backpacking Cookware: Our Top Choices
GSI Outdoors – Halulite Microdualist 2-Person Cookset
Materials: Aluminum | Weight (lbs): 1.04 | Dimensions: 5.9 x 5.6 x 5.5 inches | Includes: 1.4L pot; strainer lid; two 14 fl. oz. bowls; two 14 fl. oz. mugs with insulated sleeves and sip-it lids; 2 folding spoons; welded storage sack/sink
This set from GSI Outdoors is a stellar choice for backpacking thanks to its pack-ability.
Their two-person set includes a 1.4L halulite pot with a lid that doubles as a strainer, 2 bowls with sleeves and sippable lids, 2 sporks, and a carrying bag. Needless to say, it’s got everything you need.
This cookware set will not weigh you down or take all your space. It only weighs a little over one pound!
With the bowls that double as mugs and stackability of the set, this is an excellent space saver.
If you’re concerned about space, these bivy-style tents are great for lightweight backpackers.
Pros:
- This entire set efficiently nests inside of the pot for painless storage and packing.
- The pot handle locks to keep everything inside, without falling out.
- The bowls double as mugs (with sleeves and sippable lids), reducing the number of items you need.
- The pot is made out of a proprietary alloy called halulite, which conducts heat better than titanium for faster and more even cooking.
- This comes with a welded stuff sack for quick carrying or to use as a bag to wash your dishes in.
Cons:
- This pot shouldn’t be used on stoves.
- The utensils in this set aren’t the best, so it might be worthwhile to grab your own.
Best for: two people who want a simple set that can pack up in seconds.
MSR PocketRocket Stove Kit
Weight (lbs): 1.6125 | Materials: Aluminum | Dimensions: 14 x 15.9 cm | Includes: 2L pot, 2 ultralight Insulated Mugs, 2 Bowls, and 2 folding sporks
The MSR PocketRocket Stove Kit is the perfect compliment to your MSR PocketRocket stove!
While this backpacking cookware DOES NOT come with the stove included, it has everything that two people would need for an entire backpacking trip.
The 2 liter pot is made with anodized aluminum, includes a strainer lid, and a pot handle.
The nested cookset tucks in nicely allowing space for your MSR stove.
Pros:
- Full blown cookset and pot for two people
- Everything nests perfectly, including MSR PocketRocket stove (sold seperately)
- Weighs only 1.6 lbs, making this perfect for backpacking
- 3-year limited warranty
Cons:
- A bit more expensive than the comparable GSI Outdoors cookware
Best for: those looking for a premium backpacking cookware kit for 2 people
MSR – Alpine 2-Pot Set
Weight (lbs): 1.6 | Materials: Stainless Steel | Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.5 inches | Includes: 2L pot; 1.5L pot; frypan lid; pot gripper; storage sack
This stainless steel cookware set will last you for years, thanks to its durable, metal construction. Inside, you’ll get a 1.5L pot, a 2L pot, a lid that doubles as a plate, a removable pot handle, and a stuff sack.
Although made of stainless steel, this metal is lightweight. Don’t worry about this set dragging you down.
Besides, there aren’t many pieces, since MSR’s lid conveniently doubles as a plate.
Pros:
- Stainless steel is very durable and is made to last a long time.
- The included lid fits both pots and also doubles as a plate, so you have to keep up with fewer pieces.
- Every piece in this backpacking cookware set nests quickly within the 2L pot.
- The stuff sack is big enough for you to throw other tools.
- The stainless steel construction adds versatility to your cooking options – coffee, tea, quinoa, ramen, and more.
Cons:
- Cooking with stainless steel is not the easiest since some things might stick.
Best for: people who want a long-lasting cookware set that cooks everything.
Wuudi – Outdoor Camping Pots and Pans Set
Weight (lbs): 0.52 | Materials: Aluminum | Dimensions: 8.74 x 6.06 x 4.96 inches | Includes: Camping bowl, camping pot
The Wuudi Outdoor Camping Pots and Pans Set is a simple and affordable set that any backpacker can find space for. It only comes with two pots (that double as bowls), so there isn’t much weight.
While it is only a two-piece set, the two pieces fit together in a way that leaves you plenty of room to store things inside. As an added bonus, these bowls also have measuring marks inside, so you know just how much liquid to add!
Pros:
- Instead of a removable handle that’s shared by two pots and pans, these bowls each have their own handle that folds down for easy storing.
- These bowls fit together to create a canister of sorts that allows you to store smaller items (utensils, seasonings, etc.) inside of them.
- The measuring marks on the inside tell you how much water you’ve added.
- The aluminum alloy construction heats quickly and doesn’t add much volume to your pack.
- These bowls weigh less than a pound combined, which is a super lightweight.
Cons:
- The handles are plastic, and therefore shouldn’t be put under the direct flame.
- This is not a complete cookware set, so it doesn’t come with lids, plates, cups, or utensils.
Best for: campers who only need pots and pans, but want a super light cookware set.
Winterial – Camping Cookware and Pot Set
Weight (lbs): 3.62 | Materials: Aluminum | Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.8 inches | Includes: 3L pot; 2L pot; 2 lids; frypan; 4 plates; 4 bowls; 4 mugs w/ sip-it lids; pot gripper
This is a rugged cookware set that’ll last more miles than you’d ever expect. It comes with a 2-quart pot, a 1-quart frying pan, a 1-quart tea kettle, lids, a serving ladle, a serving spoon, a cleaning sponge, and a carrying bag.
Even with 10 different pieces, this entire cookware set weighs only 1.5 pounds. That’s thanks to its impressive design, which packs up like Russian dolls. Every piece nests together efficiently for easy packing.
Not to mention, the included carrying bag keeps everything coordinated for quick retrieval.
Pros:
- This 10 piece set has everything you need to cook delicious meals that’ll leave you stuffed.
- It only weighs 1.5 pounds, making it perfect for backpacking.
- While many camping cookware sets have one handle that’s shared between multiple pots and pans, this set gives each their own handle.
- The included tea kettle makes fixing warm beverages that much easier.
- All 10 pieces in this set nest snuggly together and fit within the included carrying bag.
- The non-stick Teflon coating is thick and will allow quick clean-up for years.
Cons:
- The handles have a plastic coating, so try to keep them away from a direct flame.
Best for: this set is an excellent choice for all campers. If you can’t decide, pick this one.
GSI Outdoors – Pinnacle Camper 4 Person Camping Cook Set
Weight (lbs): 1.5 | Materials: Aluminum oxide | Dimensions: 6.75 x 6.75 x 3.5 inches | Includes: 2 Qt. Large Pot and Lid, 1 Qt. Frying Pan, 1 Qt. Tea Kettle and Lid, Serving Ladle, 2 Personal Bowls, Serving Spoon / Spatula, Cleaning Sponge, Cutting Board
The GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper 4 Person Camping Cook Set is the cookware set to use when you’re adventuring with several people. This set includes the whole kit and kaboodle. You’ll get a 3L & 2L pot, a frying pan, 2 lids, a folding handle, 4 mugs, 4 plates, 4 bowls with sleeves, and a stuff sack that doubles as a washbasin.
That’s pretty much everything you’d need to whip up a nice meal for four people around the campfire.
Although it comes with a lot of items, everything nests together for easy packing and storing. Additionally, several articles have dual functions to reduce the number of things you need to pack, making it perfect for backpacking.
Pros:
- This cookware set is big and has everything you need to feed four people.
- The cups, bowls, and plates are color-coordinated, so you can tell if you are missing anything with a quick glance.
- The entire set nests easily within the large pots and leaves a little room to spare for smaller items (like condiments).
- The included stuff sack fits everything properly, while also serving as a washbasin for dirty dishes.
- Several items are built for space-saving: the lids are strainers, and the pot handles come off.
- The pots and pan’s non-stick Teflon coating make clean up easy and quick.
Cons:
- Since this set is for four people, there are a lot of pieces, and it is somewhat expensive compared to other kits on this list.
- The pots and pans are not great with high heat cooking.
Best for: large groups who aren’t worried about pack weight.
Backpacking Cookware Factors to Consider
All of these cooking sets appear rather similar at first glance, so choosing one may seem like a tough task.
To make your job a bit easier, here are factors you need to keep in mind when choosing.
Packability
When you’re backpacking, you want your gear to be as compact as possible.
Some kits have pieces that nest together in compact packaging, while others are designated to stack one on top of another.
Obviously, the former is much more suitable for backpacking than the other. But ultimately, it depends on how large the pieces are and how many of them a kit includes.
Can It Fit a Stove?
Sets that feature an integrated stove are already designed to fit a stove.
But if you own a separately-bought stove, nesting it into your set would save you so much storage space.
When buying a new cooking kit, this is definitely something to keep in mind when choosing.
Types of Backpacking Cookware Sets
Before you choose a cookware set, let’s see first what types of sets are out there.
Pot Sets
Standard pot sets are typically very simple and consist of a few set pieces, usually pots and pans, with lids also doubling as skillets.
They’re versatile yet simple, which is often followed by a relatively affordable price tag.
These sets are designed to be compact and lightweight, so that they don’t weigh you down a bit when you’re on a trail. For that reason, they only include basic necessities for cooking, while you’ll need to pack additional dishes for eating as well.
Mess Kits
Mess kits are more comprehensive, so aside from pots and pans, they typically include dinnerware like plates, bowls, mugs and even cutlery. In other words, you have everything you need to cook and eat.
Even though they contain many pieces, mess kits are typically designed to nest together in a compact kit, thus saving you storage space.
Integrated Stove and Cookware Sets
Finally, this type of cooking kit contains both a stove and cookware, so you’re all set for cooking.
Of course, more components mean the set is typically larger and heavier than other types of cooking kits, but it’s still suitable for backpacking.
While it’s true that you can buy a stove and a cookware set separately, there are definitely advantages to getting this kind of cooking kit instead.
First, kits are typically more affordable than buying them separately, and second, they’re designed to pack compactly, with the stove fitting nicely inside the kit.
Durability
This is an important factor to consider, especially if you’re camping more than once a year.
Obviously, you want the cookware set to last, and that mainly depends on the material used.
Stainless steel is the most durable option out there, but it’s not very light, so that can be a potential downside.
A good alternative is titanium, which is slightly less durable but is very lightweight.
As for the aluminum, it’s the lightest and most affordable option of the three, but won’t last as long as the other two.
Weight
This is yet another characteristic mainly defined by the material it’s made of.
Aluminum and titanium weigh much less than stainless steel.
But the amount of cookware pieces also affects the overall weight of the set.
So a simple, 2-piece cookware set made of steel will weigh less than an 8-piece aluminum cookware kit.
Ease of Use
Obviously, no cooking kit requires a rocket science degree to figure out how to use it. But there are some features that make certain models easier to use than others.
One such feature is an integrated measuring scale on the inside.
When you’re backpacking, every ounce of weight and inch of space matters, so you probably won’t take a measuring cup with you.
Having an integrated measuring scale makes cooking easy. For instance, it allows you to boil just the right amount of water, thus saving you time and fuel.
Handles are another feature that affects how easy a cookware set is to use.
Camping cookware typically features a metal handle because plastic, rubber or silicone can melt on an open fire. But as you know, metal is a good conductor, so the handles will be hot to the touch. For that reason, you’ll need heat-proof gloves to take them off the fire.
So naturally, longer handles make your job a bit easier. Pots that feature bail handles are even better.
Removable and hinged handles are rather practical for storage. But you want to make sure you can lock the handle in place when using the pot, or else you can accidentally scald yourself with hot liquid.
Value
First and foremost, is a cooking kit worth it?
Well, buying things in a set is often more affordable than buying each piece separately. But that’s not always the case. To figure out if it’s worth your money, you need to take into consideration a few things, like the number of pieces and the material they’re made of.
So for instance, a titanium set might only feature a pot and a pan, while an aluminum set of the same price might contain five or six pieces. But if you take into consideration the price of each material, both sets can be worth your money.
Cleaning Methods Matter
Washing dishes is never fun, but it’s even worse when you have to do it out in the wilderness with a scarce source of water.
So naturally, you should opt for cookware that’s easy to clean. If your cookware is non-stick, you can’t use a harsh abrasive to get rid of the dirt.
But if you have time, it’s otherwise rather easy to clean. You just need to soak it in hot soapy water and let it rest for a while.
Features
Depending on the type, a cookware set can have more or fewer features.
Mess kits, for instance, typically contain most stuff you need for a meal, like bowls, mugs and even cutlery. Having them in a kit means you don’t have to bring them separately.
However, they aren’t always the best quality, which is why you may want to pair your mess kit with better camping utensils.
A carry bag is also handy, as it makes it easier for you to bring the kit along on the trip. Depending on the material, you might also use the bag to pack up dirty dishes in case the situation requires it.
Food to Cook While You Are Backpacking
Packing for backpacking is all about weight, space, and convenience.
You need to fit everything on your back, not just your clothes or food. You also only have so much room, so you want to make sure you use it wisely.
Besides getting a light, compact backpacking cookware set to bring, you also need to put the same consideration into the food you choose to pack.
Planning ahead is an essential step in this process and can save you a lot of time and trouble.
Watch The Weight
To start, heavy, bulky items like canned foods are usually a no-go when you are backpacking unless your trip will be a short one.
When you start packing multiple cans, things will get burdensome, real fast. If you have to pack any canned food, make sure only to pack a couple of tins, and only in emergencies.
Pass On Perishables
Not to mention, perishable foods will only be good for a day or two, so pack those sparingly as well.
Some veggies, like carrots, may last longer without refrigeration. Use your best judgment here, but don’t rely on perishable foods for your entire food supply.
Heating Element
For backpackers, cooking your food means either bringing a backpacking wood burning stove or a gas stove.
The advantages of the wood burning stove, are that you don’t have to bring any fuel and they are considerably lighter. This helps you to watch your backpacking base weight, but can cause problems if there are fire restrictions.
So check your weather conditions, fire restrictions, and go from there. Also keep in mind that gas canisters and wood burning campfires burn at different temperatures, so make sure that your backpacking cookware is up to the type of heating element you will be cooking with.
Then, What Do I Bring?
The main foods you will find yourself packing are light and dry, like pasta or dehydrated foods. Just boil some water, and you have yourself an entire, hearty meal. If that sounds a bit bland for your palette, pack condiments or spices to make these ordinary foods more exciting.
Prepackaged foods, like energy bars, jerky (or veggie jerky for vegans), and trail mix, have the potential to become your best friend when backpacking. They’re great for a quick breakfast, lunch, or snack when you need to keep moving. They’ll also ramp up your metabolism, keeping you warm in cold weather.
Your meal choices open up when you bring along a stove that works in your tent. This’ll allow you to cook pasta, meats, or whatever food you desire.
Our Verdict
As you can see, you have a lot of choices when it comes to backpacking cookware sets. They all have different features, and different sets fit different people. The decision is yours!
At the end of the day, a great cookware set can completely change the way you cook in the great outdoors.
With my experience and research, I found that the best backpacking cookware is the GSI Outdoors Halulite Microdualist 2-Person Cookset. With enough supplies to cook for two people, at an ultralight weight, you can’t get any better than this set.
It includes several pieces of cookware that serve dual functions. That consists of the pot lids (that are strainers) and the carrying bag (that’s a washbasin). This way, you don’t have to pack extra supplies.
If you don’t need to cook for two people, just leave some items at home! This cookware set is very adaptable. That’s why it’s my top pick.