The Best Backpacking Pots For 2024

Hailey Abbott By, Hailey Abbott
Updated
Best Backpacking Pots
Best Backpacking Pots

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: MSR Alpine Pot

This durable and space-saving pot is designed for those who love outdoor adventures and need reliable cookware. Made from high-quality stainless steel, it ensures long-lasting use and great-tasting food. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: Lixada Pot

The Lixada Pot is an essential tool for nature exploration, designed for outdoor enthusiasts who require lightweight and durable cookware. Made from 99.9% pure titanium, this pot is corrosion-resistant, easy to clean, and perfect for camping, backpacking, and hiking. Read Review

3. Best Durable: MyLifeUNIT Pot

Crafted from premium aluminium alloy, this pot boasts impressive durability and efficient heat conduction. With a large capacity and lightweight design, it’s perfect for camping, hiking, and picnics, ensuring delicious meals in any setting. Read Review

4. Best Efficient: Lixada Titanium Pot

The Lixada Titanium Pot is a top-tier choice for backpackers and adventurers. Its efficient heating and user-friendly features make it an excellent addition to any outdoor gear collection. Read Review

5. Best Versatile: Fire Maple Pot

The Fire Maple Pot offers exceptional quality and versatility for outdoor enthusiasts. It has a compact, portable design, making it ideal for camping and bushcraft survival. Read Review

Choosing the right pot for your backpacking adventures can make all the difference between a gruelling meal prep and a gourmet campfire feast. While the days of lugging around heavy, bulky cookware are long gone, today’s backpacking pots are designed to balance weight, durability, and functionality. From compact titanium sets that weigh almost nothing to versatile pots that double as frying pans, the market is brimming with options for every kind of trail enthusiast.

At Kris Van Assche, we’ve scoured the backcountry and reviewed a wide range of cookware to bring you the top choices for 2024. Whether you’re a minimalist hiker or a backcountry gourmet, our curated list of the best backpacking pots will ensure you have the right gear to elevate your outdoor cooking experience. 

Our team had to focus on researching for 18 hours to get such results for readers. As a result, we think the best backpacking pots is MSR Alpine Pot. Its compact design makes it easy to store in a backpack or suitcase, which is ideal for camping trips or travel. We also show the other fantastic alternatives with a complete guide which is worth your consideration below.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 MSR Alpine Pot
Our Score:
9.8
MSR

The MSR Alpine Pot is a top choice for those who need a versatile and reliable cooking companion. Its compact design makes it easy to store in a backpack or suitcase, which is ideal for camping trips or travel. The hinged handle is a standout feature, taking up less space than traditional pot handles while providing a secure grip.

Constructed from durable stainless steel, the pot is built to withstand heavy use, ensuring it will last through many outdoor excursions. Additionally, the pot’s secure handle flips over the fitted lid, locking it in place and ensuring your gear remains safely stored when not in use. Although the pot's stainless steel construction may make it slightly heavier than other options, its durability and functionality outweigh the minimal extra weight.

This pot is perfect for scouts, new campers, and budget-conscious travellers who need reliable and durable cookware. The compact design and easy-to-use features make it an excellent choice for anyone who loves outdoor adventures and wants to invest in quality camping equipment.

TOP Choice #2 Lixada Pot
Our Score:
9.7
Lixada

The Lixada Pot comes with its ultra-lightweight and durable titanium construction, making it an excellent choice for adventurers. Titanium is known for its strength and resistance to corrosion, ensuring this pot will last even under heavy use and extreme temperatures. The recessed cup lid design helps retain heat and minimize water leakage, making it efficient for cooking and brewing.

The foldable handle adds to its convenience, allowing it to be easily stored in a compact size. It even comes with a carry bag for hassle-free transportation. This multifunctional pot can be used as a cooking pot, tea cup, or coffee cup, maintaining the natural flavour of beverages and food. The only downside is that the handle can get hot, so you need to use it carefully.

This pot is suited for those who value high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials and need a versatile pot that can also serve as a cup for hot beverages. It is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who prioritize minimizing their gear weight without compromising on functionality and durability.

TOP Choice #3 MyLifeUNIT Pot
Our Score:
9.6
MyLifeUNIT

The MyLifeUNIT Pot, made from a thick 0.0394-inch aluminium sheet, offers 25% more durability than standard camping pots. Its large 5-quart  capacity is ideal for serving groups of 4-6, making it a staple for outdoor activities. Despite its robust build, it remains incredibly lightweight at just 1.55 pounds, which is 66% lighter than cast iron alternatives, enhancing portability.

The legless design maximizes heat contact, while the non-stick coating ensures easy cleaning and prevents food from sticking. Plus, its scratch-resistant and corrosion-resistant properties make it perfect for rugged outdoor use, maintaining its quality over time. The pot's rapid heating feature, due to hard alumina material, saves energy and speeds up cooking, whether on an open flame, gas stove, or campfire. Available in sleek black, it complements any camping gear aesthetically. Nevertheless, the handle is quite hard to grasp.

It’s perfect for families or groups needing a reliable, lightweight, and durable cooking pot that can handle various outdoor cooking conditions. Whether you're a seasoned camper or a weekend warrior, this pot meets the demands of versatile outdoor cooking.

4 Lixada Titanium Pot
Our Score:
9.4
Lixada

The Lixada Titanium Pot, with a 750ml capacity, is perfect for solo camping, hiking, and backpacking. Its titanium construction ensures the pot is both lightweight and corrosion-resistant, promising years of reliable use without imparting any taste or odour to your food or beverages. Designed for efficient heating, it includes a lid to minimize heat loss, and its round edges simplify cleaning and enhance heating efficiency.

Furthermore, the collapsible handles provide convenience, allowing for compact storage and easy handling. Each component is neatly packed in a mesh storage sack, making it extremely portable and ready to go wherever adventure calls. Nonetheless, its small capacity may not be suitable for group cooking. 

The Lixada Titanium Pot is perfect for thru-hikers, ultralight backpackers, and survival enthusiasts who need a reliable pot for cooking small meals and boiling water on the go. This pot caters to those who embrace the simplicity and efficiency of solo outdoor adventures.

5 Fire Maple Pot
Our Score:
9.2
Fire-Maple

The Fire Maple Pot features food-grade stainless steel for superior strength and stability. The thicker walls enhance durability and heat retention, ensuring reliable performance for years. Its safe handle and lid design includes a lockable lid for easy handling and safe pouring, plus a fixed handle for hanging the pot securely from branches or hooks. Nevertheless, it can get very hot during use, so always use a glove when handling it. This ensures safety and avoids burns.

The robust construction also safeguards the contents, protecting your backpacking stove or other valuables. Notably, the Fire Maple Pot is open-fire safe, making it ideal for outdoor cooking, whether preparing hot meals, coffee, or boiling water. The drip spout doubles as a steam hole, ensuring safe cooking. Additionally, its versatility allows it to be used over a camp stove or open fire, and it even includes a steamer, perfect for steaming food and enhancing your vegetarian recipes.

This Fire Maple Pot is a great choice for those who enjoy outdoor adventures, ensuring you have a dependable pot for cooking meals, boiling water, or making coffee over an open fire. 

6 AceCamp Pot
Our Score:
9.1
AceCamp

The AceCamp Pot is durable with its high-grade aluminium construction, making it perfect for cooking over a campfire. Available in three sizes—small, medium, and large—this pot accommodates various cooking needs. The D-ring handle on the lid adds convenience, allowing you to check your food without using additional tools.

These heavy-duty, durable cooking pots are ideal for camping, backpacking, trekking, and picnics, offering great versatility for outdoor cooking. Additionally, they are perfect for home use and available in sets for daily cooking. The portable design makes it a breeze to carry, ensuring it serves its purpose effectively during travels and campouts. Moreover, it’s an excellent gift option for holidays or birthdays, delighting your loved ones with its practicality.

The AceCamp Pot is ideal for those who enjoy outdoor adventures and home cooking. One minor issue is that the pot may scratch if cleaned with abrasive materials, but using a soft sponge can prevent this and maintain their appearance. This pot is perfect for everyday use, whether for small or large family dinners. 

7 Naturehike Pot
Our Score:
8.9
Naturehike

The Naturehike Pot is a perfect companion for outdoor enthusiasts. Its construction from hard aluminium oxide ensures a non-stick surface, making post-meal cleanups a breeze. Weighing only 1.19 lbs, it's incredibly light, with a compact size of 8.27 inches in diameter and 5.31 inches in height, making it easy to pack and carry.

The 1 mm thick aluminium plate used in its design also offers a superior balance of lightweight and durability, 25% thicker than standard market options. This results in a pot that can withstand the rigours of outdoor use while providing efficient heat conduction for rapid cooking. Its impressive 4L capacity is perfect for serving 4-6 people, making it ideal for group outings and gatherings. The only drawback is that the lid may wobble a bit sometimes.

The Naturehike Pot is tailored for those who love exploring the great outdoors without compromising on their culinary experiences. If you appreciate durable and efficient cooking gear that doesn't weigh you down, this pot is an excellent choice.

What to Look For in a best backpacking pots?

You may know that best backpacking pots is a kind of product many customers are hesitant to pay for. It is not due to its quality but the fact that there are many factors you must consider. Nevertheless, all your worry is not a problem for us. Our knowledgeable staff will help you with the right decision.

Tech-evaluated and high-rated products are available in our list of eligible items. Here are some indispensable things you shouldn’t ignore:

Number Of Pieces

Each camping cookware set will have a unique assortment of different pots and pans. Other useful tools include a spatula or whisks, a cutting board and a colander. You might be better to buy a single set of cookware or cutlery for camping. But if you are looking for more value, it is worth considering sets with plates and utensils. You should also consider the number of people that you are cooking for during these trips. You will probably not need nearly as many pots if it is for just 1-3 people as you would if cooking for larger parties.

Extras

Although this is not a decisive factor, many of the cookware sets we tested included extras such as trivets and strainers, or even a small wooden spoon. These extras can be helpful additions or trash, depending on how you plan to outfit your camp kitchen.

Ease Of Cleaning

A set of nonstick cookware will help you make outdoor cooking more fun. Nonstick cookware is easier to clean with less water, as the food particles stick better. A pot that requires a lot of cleaning products or scrubbing is not the right investment in your camping cookware collection.

Material

Your camping cookware's material will determine how durable, cleanable, and how efficient it can be used over an open flame or camp stove. Cast iron has a great durability and is easy to heat evenly. However, it can be bulky and very heavy. Nonstick and anodized aluminum are lightweight options that make it easy to clean up. You should also be aware of rubber and silicone handles as they can burn easily.

Weight And Size

It is important to decide whether you will be camping in an RV or a set car. You will need something lightweight, small, and compact if you are backpacking solo. You can probably size up for larger, more bulky sets if you are traveling in an RV or car. Cast iron can be used for outdoor adventures, however, it is too heavy to transport by hand.

Camping Type

It is important to take into account the camping type when looking for the right camping cookware. You want camping cookware that can be carried over large distances with a backpack, and is compact enough so you have room for your other camping essentials.
A kit can help you organize your cookware by keeping it all together in one place. However, this may not be necessary for camping where there is a campsite just steps away from the vehicle or within an RV. Car camping can use heavier pots and pans that are similar to those used at home. As long as the saucepans fit on the camp stove's burners. Large sets of camp cookware and full-size cookware can be accommodated in RVs equipped with kitchens.

FAQs

What is the best size backpacking pot?

The best size backpacking pot depends on how many people you plan to cook for. For one or two people, a 1-2 liter pot should be sufficient. For larger groups, a larger pot with a capacity of 3-4 liters is recommended.

What material is best for backpacking pots?

The best material for backpacking pots is generally aluminum or stainless steel. Aluminum is lightweight and conducts heat well, but is not as durable as stainless steel. Stainless steel is heavier but more durable and can hold up to wear and tear better than aluminum.

How do I clean a backpacking pot?

To clean a backpacking pot, start by removing any food particles or debris by scraping with a spoon or brush. Then, fill the pot with warm water and add a few drops of mild dish soap. Let the pot soak for a few minutes and then scrub with a sponge or brush. Rinse the pot with clean water and let it air dry before storing.

What accessories should I bring for backpacking pots?

Depending on the type of meals you plan to cook, you may want to bring a few accessories for your backpacking pot. A lid is essential to prevent spills and keep food warm. A pot lifter is also helpful for removing the pot from a stove or fire. Finally, a pot scrubber or brush is useful for cleaning the pot before and after use.

Our website is constantly updated so that the information you read becomes the latest one. Please visit our website or subscribe to our newsletter list more than normal to catch up with the new best backpacking pots of 2024.

Please feel free to contact us whenever you need support. You’re welcome to get in touch with us!


2 ratings

About Hailey Abbott

Hailey Abbott
Hailey Abbott is an outdoor enthusiast and freelance writer for CampfireHQ. She has a passion for hunting and fishing, which she often enjoys with her family and friends. Hailey also enjoys staying active through sports such as golf, basketball, and softball. Hailey has worked as an editor for several years, providing content that is both accurate and engaging. She has also had the opportunity to interview numerous experts in various fields. This wealth of experience gives her a unique perspective when writing about the outdoors and other topics.

Read Hailey's full bio