MSR Pocket Rocket Backpacking Stove

Comments about MSR Pocket Rocket Backpacking Stove:

I switched to this stove from a jetboil. I like how it is a lot more comact of a system and lighter weight. It does take some getting use to, as the cook pot doesnt just screw on the the stove, so I really have to check to make sure it is balenced well, but I love it

Comments about MSR Pocket Rocket Backpacking Stove:

Have this stove as well as the universal stand. I have used it at 12000 ft.+ and down to sea level. Never had a problem. I usually cook both breakfast and dinner on the trail, and it has never failed, even in strong winds. You can vary the flame but not well in strong winds. If the stove is unstable get the stand, it makes a big difference, especially in leveling the stove. My kit when I travel alone is the Halulite Ketalist and I usually bring the frying pan from the Pinnacle Camper. The stove isn't stable with a larger than 8" frying pan. When I hike with my daughters, I bring the Pinnacle dualist and the ketalist. My 16yr. old wants to borrow the stove (think swipe), I told her to buy her own. I have to hide it in order to keep it. Yea, its that good, now where the heck is my new sleeping pad?

Comments about MSR Pocket Rocket Backpacking Stove:

I have owned this stove for about 3 years and have been nothing but pleased with it. On my many backpacking trips I eat 1 hot meal a day and it's a mountain house meal so it consists of boiling water. With that being said for weight and speed of boiling water it is the perfect stove for me. If your a gourmet chef this probably isn't the stove for you.

Comments about MSR Pocket Rocket Backpacking Stove:

Pocket Rocket only: It works great, the wind screens work as intended, but I haven't used it yet in very gusty weather. Bought the click piezo lighter to go along with it, another nice piece to pair with it. The control valve works well and finely tunes and controls the fuel being used up. Creates a pretty good flame, but sadly it burns pretty loud, but works great to let you know when it is cooking or not.

Cooking set-up: The only instabilities with this come from the pot or cup on top. The arms offer a fairly wide base for its size to set your pot on. Worked great to make some coffee in a one cup percolator car camping last memorial holiday. Most of the instabilities came from the percolator really. Used on flat surfaces only but the 8oz canister provided a nice balanced cooking set-up. The store didn't have the fuel accessory stands so I can't comment yet on how that works. But overall great purchase, and I would upgrade to a whisperlite only for the option to refuel empty fuel bottles. Find a cook pot you can store your fuel can(s) in and the space savings in your pack add up!!

Comments about MSR Pocket Rocket Backpacking Stove:

I used this stove while thru-hiking the AT and I loved this stove. It is simple to use and I never had to clean or fix it while hiking for 5 months straight. This is the stove that many thru-hikers switched to or used from the beginning. The only con I could think of about this stove is that it could be slightly lighter by 1/2 ounce like the MicroRocket but you would end up losing some stability and pay $20 more.

Comments about MSR Pocket Rocket Backpacking Stove:

I bought my MSR Pocket Rocket almost three years ago. I should of written my review then, but it's better late, than never.

I have used the Pocket Rocket on numerous backpacking trips throughout the years, and I haven't had any complaints. It's very light, takes up only a tiny spot in my backpack, durable and reliable. I trust the MSR Pocket Rocket to work every time I go backpacking, and that is a lot. I run an outdoor group in Oregon, and I am in the woods often. The Pocket Rocket is quick and easy to use, it folds out with little effort. Simply attach it to a fuel canister, turn the adjustable setting, light, and set cooking pot or pan on top. I use a GSI Soloist cooking system and it is quite stable.

I have used it on cold snow camping trips as well, and it worked great. I've used it to melt snow, and had no proplems. The temperature is easy to adjust, and it boils a full liter of water in just over two minutes on high. When you are out backpacking and wanting food in a hurry, it comes in handy.

Comments about MSR Pocket Rocket Backpacking Stove:

Great stove for backpacking. Very light weight and packable. Easy to light in cold weather.

Comments about MSR Pocket Rocket Backpacking Stove:

I duck hunt with my sons. Having a warm lunch and hot cocoa during the day really adds to our enjoyment of the day. This little stove was just the thing. It was light to carry in, easy to set up and start. It quickly heated our food and drink and added some warmth and good cheer to a cold and overcast day. Just a little unstable on the cooking surface but I think this is driven by the small and lightweight design of the stove.

Comments about MSR Pocket Rocket Backpacking Stove:

I use this to boil water or reheat food. I've tried it now in various cold conditions and run a few tests, always with 800 ml/27oz of water in a SnowPeak Titanium solo cookset. Water started at backpack temps, not freezing.
Test 1: sheltered, elevation 4200ft (1300m), ambient temp 5C/40F. Boil time: ten minutes
Test 2: gusts of wind, elevation 3200ft (1000m), ambient temp -5C/23F, boil time 45 minutes.
Test 3: semi-sheltered, elevation 2000ft 600m, ambient temp 8C/46F, boil time 12 minutes.

Pros: extremely compact, lightweight, and dead easy to light. Just turn on the gas and hit it with a flame. It flutters in wind but hasn't blown out. I have found it stable using the above Snowpeak pot, but you obviously want to put it on a flat surface.
Cons: in the real world it doesn't meet the specs set out on the description here, but if you are realistic about how and where you use it, you can work around that.
I like it and would recommend it but something like an MSR International, which I also have, has more grunt in really cold conditions trade off is wieght and mess/hassle). This is great for making tea or soup on a lightweight expedition in temps 0C or above, especially if you can shelter it from wind effectively.

Comments about MSR Pocket Rocket Backpacking Stove:

The stove is light and works well. It's also at a great price compared to everything else in it's class. I suppose the only problem is that it is very loud which can take you out of the nature experience a little bit.