Review: MSR Pocketrocket Stove Kit
By Camping Expert
Nicole O
MSR Pocketrocket Stove Kit
$109.95
$119.95
8% off
7 photos
The Curated Take
4.5/5
The MSR Pocketrocket Stove Kit is excellent for backpackers prioritizing lightweight gear and fuel efficiency. It's ultralight and compact, and boils water in just over three minutes, making it ideal for backcountry meals that require boiling water. The kit includes a simple, well-designed pot and utensils. Despite its small cooking surface area, it's perfect for simple meals, though not as suitable for larger groups. Known for its durability and ease of use, this stove offers a comprehensive solution for outdoor cooking.
Ideal for
- Inexpensive, but still remains lightweight
- Fast boil time (one liter of water in under four minutes)
- Included foldable sporks are a great utensil to carry in the backcountry
Not ideal for
- The full kit might be overkill in some scenarios
- Overtightening the stove to a propane container may break it
Fuel Efficiency
While propane fuel canisters aren't majorly expensive, no one wants to be spending more than they need to. That's why another bonus of the MSR Pocket Rocket stove kit is...Read more
Cooking Surface
The pot that comes in the MSR Pocket Rocket stove kit is really simple, well designed, and ultralight. It does not have a ton of cooking surface area for stir...Read more
Boil Time Rating
The MSR Pocket Rocket 2 stove boils a cup of water in just over three minutes, which is plenty quickly! A lot of commonly eaten backpacking food such as dehydrated...Read more
Cooking Power
The MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Stove has all of the cooking power you would want from an ultralight backpacking stove. Like I mentioned earlier, it boils a cup of water...Read more
Durability
So, I personally have used my MSR Pocket Rocket 2 stove at least a hundred times, if not more, and it still looks and acts like it were brand new....Read more
Portability
This stove is considered the holy grail of backpacking stoves since it folds up into such a tiny and compact size. It also only weighs two and a half ounces!...Read more
Ease of Use
The MSR Pocket Rocket stove kit is very easy to use, which is part of why it's recommended for everyone from experienced trekkers to absolute beginners. All you have to...Read more
Versatility
While definitely a nice and useful stove for backpacking, it doesn't really shine as a holy grail stove for car camping since it's so small, and it's not useful for...Read more
Expert Reviews of the MSR Pocketrocket Stove Kit
Nicole O This stove and mess kit combo is a fantastic buy for someone looking to get a lightweight meal kit for backpacking without breaking the bank. The Pocket Rocket stove is considered one of the best on the market for being a lightweight (3 ounces) and inexpensive stove for backpacking trips. The mess kit isn't the absolute lightest gear on the market, but it's inexpensive, compacts down easily, and is useful for making some delicious meals in the backcountry. I've used Pocket Rocket stoves for years in the backcountry and have personally never had any issues. They're durable, lightweight, and boil water plenty quickly.
Product Specs
Size | One size |
Age Group | Adult |
Assembled Dimensions | 5.5 x 6 in |
Best Use | Backpacking |
Fuel | Isobutane-propane |
Fuel Type | Canister |
Review Ratings
Fuel Efficiency
5/5
Nicole O gave 5 of 5 stars. While propane fuel canisters aren't majorly expensive, no one wants to be spending more than they need to. That's why another bonus of the MSR Pocket Rocket stove kit is that the stove is very fuel efficient! It locks on easily and didn't have any leaks, so small amounts of fuel can last ages if used properly.
Cooking Surface
4/5
Nicole O gave 4 of 5 stars. The pot that comes in the MSR Pocket Rocket stove kit is really simple, well designed, and ultralight. It does not have a ton of cooking surface area for stir frying or pan frying, since the good majority of backpacking meals will only require simple boiling of water. If you're trying to make some gourmet meals out there, you're going to want to carry a pan too!
Boil Time Rating
5/5
Nicole O gave 5 of 5 stars. The MSR Pocket Rocket 2 stove boils a cup of water in just over three minutes, which is plenty quickly! A lot of commonly eaten backpacking food such as dehydrated meals, ramen, or dehydrated refried beans only require a cup or two of water to boil, so this means you'll be eating dinner very quickly!
Cooking Power
5/5
Nicole O gave 5 of 5 stars. The MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Stove has all of the cooking power you would want from an ultralight backpacking stove. Like I mentioned earlier, it boils a cup of water in just over three minutes, and the good majority of backpacking meals only require about a cup of water to be boiled. It burns for about an hour with the average fuel can.
Durability
4/5
Nicole O gave 4 of 5 stars. So, I personally have used my MSR Pocket Rocket 2 stove at least a hundred times, if not more, and it still looks and acts like it were brand new. Same thing with the pot, utensils, and cups. So I think it's a solidly durable and reliable product. The only reason I took a star off was because I have heard from friends that over tightening your stove to its fuel can ruin the threading.
Portability
5/5
Nicole O gave 5 of 5 stars. This stove is considered the holy grail of backpacking stoves since it folds up into such a tiny and compact size. It also only weighs two and a half ounces! The folding utensils that cover the kit are also very light and portable, which is appreciated on backpacking trips. Everything nests inside of each other, which makes pushing and storage so easy with this kit.
Ease of Use
5/5
Nicole O gave 5 of 5 stars. The MSR Pocket Rocket stove kit is very easy to use, which is part of why it's recommended for everyone from experienced trekkers to absolute beginners. All you have to do to get your stove cooking is screw a propane fuel canister to the bottom, turn it on a low heat, and light it!
Versatility
3/5
Nicole O gave 3 of 5 stars. While definitely a nice and useful stove for backpacking, it doesn't really shine as a holy grail stove for car camping since it's so small, and it's not useful for bigger groups. Plus it only had enough cookware for two people at a time. So again, lovely set for the backcountry, but not the best for the front country.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Nicole O I stubbornly tried to cold soak for the first half of my thru-hike. Not even to save weight necessarily, but more so with the goal of simplicity and not making a dish. However, once it got cold out, and I had eaten who knows how many jars of peanut butter, I broke down and bought a stove. My first warm meal at night on trail was a delightful experience I'll always remember.
Why did you choose this product?
Nicole O I chose this product because MSR Pocket Rocket stoves are considered the gold standard for backpacking stoves. They're ultralight, compact, reliable, and last forever. I wanted a stove that was lightweight and easy to use. I specifically chose the kit since it came with utensils and a pot that are also very light. This was an easy decision, versus having to get a whole cookset piece mailed together.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Nicole O I think it's a great deal for the money. The MSR Pocket Rocket stove kit generally runs for $119. The Jetboil MicroMo cook system runs for the same price and only includes a pot and stove---you'd still have to find utensils and bowls on your own. So I think it is really a competitively priced piece of gear.
What do you love about this product?
Nicole O I love the simplicity of only having to make one purchase to get a whole setup for cooking in the backcountry (and front country too). It's lightweight, reliable, easy to use, and inexpensive, considering you get a whole two person kit with it. It also boils water quickly and efficiently, so it doesn't waste any fuel.