How to Choose Camping Cookware

Designed for an adventure-seeking twosome, the MSR Alpinist 2 System cookset combines light weight and strength with the capacity to melt snow and boil water.
Imported.
View all MSR CooksetsBest Use | Backpacking |
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Dimensions | 7.75 x 4.75 inches |
Cookware Material | Aluminum |
Material(s) | Aluminum/polypropylene/stainless steel/HDPE |
Nonstick Surface | No |
Includes | 2.4L pot w/ strainer lid; 2 dishes; 2 mugs w/ sip-it lids; pot gripper |
Weight | 1 lb. 7.3 oz. |
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I've owned this system for 4-5 years (cant remember how long, like a marriage if you are having fun) and it has been great. It has also got my wife and I out of situation when we moved house and our belongings hadn't all arrived so not just used for camping, backpacking. The insulated cups work great, sometimes a little to great when you are in rush and what ever you are drinking feels hotter than the surface of the sun. However they also work pretty well for keeping you beer/wine/gin cold at the end of the day. Basically outdoors and indoors this system is great. The only bad thing is that lids for cups could do with being a little tighter in the cups.
I've taken this on a quite a few backpacking trips so far. I've been very pleased with it so far. I am amazed at how evenly the pot distributes heat, and how non-stick the surface has been. For how thin the metal is, I'm am happy to say it hasn't warped or dented. In fact, my previous cookware was much thicker (and heavier) and it warped pretty drastically after only a few uses. This pot has surpassed that set with flying colors. The plates aren't special, except that they stack nicely into the pot. The cups on the other hand are fantastic. The shape, although odd, fits perfectly into you hands. They are sturdy, made of metal and wrapped in plastic/rubber the insulates at least enough to not burn your hands with hot coffee. The lids work well, but because of the odd shape tend to fall into the cup if your not careful putting it on. I would buy the cups by themselves. They are that good.
Picked this up cooking kit up prior to last season and got to take it out on several trips, including a couple of multi-day backpacking trips, a canoe overnight and some car camping. It has held up great. The ability to collapse the mugs and pans together helps maximize space, but it also allows you to leave behind whatever you don't need for a specific trip. If you ditch one of the mugs it will usually fit a Pocket Rocket stove and a small gas canister inside the pot with room for a few more small items. Haven't had any problems with heat distortion, scratches or dents. Everything has held up great.
Basically, a great cook kit design. The pot is the perfect size; the plate/bowls work well, and the mugs are multi-purpose. However, the mug LIDS contract or expand significantly depending on the temperature of the liquid. The lids are designed to fit just inside the lip of the mug. They do NOT snap in place. With COLD liquids, the mug lids are so loose, they rattle and easily fall off when the mug is tilted. With HOT liquids, the lids quickly expand and are "snug" - but are not tight enough to guarantee not coming off when the mug tilted.
MSR Alpinist 2 has made a awesome replacement for my prior MSR Blacklight set. I have used it 6-8 times now and it makes for such a convenient kit. Coffee for two or soup cups, high rimmed plates for easy around the campfire meals, and easy clean-up with the non-stick finish. The cups keep beverages hot and insulate even better when the lids are snapped on. The measurement markings are easy to read when you need just the right amount of fluids for cooking. The new handle attachments are great for keeping things locked down during storage and give you a little more to grab then the clamp style previously used. Lids have built in strainer and with my XGK stove I can boil water pretty darn quick. I will always use MSR for my Camp Kitchen needs. Thanks.
11 years ago I acquired a WhisperLite and brought it in a month trip to Patagonia. I also brought a small old pot that I'd been using for several years with butane stoves. The result is a hole in the bottom of the pot after a week. I used silver tape to fix it. It was fun but I decided I need a good pot for the next time, my choice was MSR Alpinist 2 because I thought it was a good idea to have a complete system with everything I would need. It's light and compact and you can store complementary cooking itens inside it.
I purchased this product 3 months ago and used it twice so far. It is a very compact and a light system which is what I was looking for. The quality of the pieces are well made, the cups are a good individual size than expected. I've been very impressed with the product. The handle has a little play, which concerned me initially but it doesn't seem to effect function.
We shopped around a lot for a camp cook set. The Alpinist 2 was just right for us, and a great value considering the quality. We wanted something light and durable that would last for years and so far this kit has not let us down.
I bought this set for when I backpack with my son. We love it, its big enough to cook a meal for both of us and compact enough to not take up a ton of room. They clean up really easy also.
We have used out set numerous times now nd it never ceases to amaze me how light and compact it is, and how beyond packing a knife and some spoons we need nothing else on camping trips.