Backpacking Stove: GSI Glacier Camp Stove ($30)

There’s nothing quite like a hot meal at the end of a long day on the trail, which is why most backpackers carry a compact camp stove. Feature-rich models can cost upwards of $150, but our budget option here is the GSI Glacier Camp Stove, which retails for just $30. And it does the trick: With the Glacier, you get a rugged build with a strong cooking platform and reasonable boil time of 2 minutes for half a liter. Weighing 5.9 ounces, the GSI is reasonably light, although upping your budget to the $50 MSR PocketRocket 2 will save you more than 3 ounces. 

Keep in mind that the GSI doesn’t come with a pot for cooking food or boiling water, so you’ll need to purchase one separately. We like the MSR Alpine Stowaway Pot as a nice budget option, or you can always check your thrift store for something relatively lightweight. On the other hand, it’s worth considering an all-in-one starter set like the Soto Amicus Stove Cookset Combo. For $45, the Soto includes a canister stove (similar to the GSI Glacier) and two pots (1L and 0.5L in capacity), which is a really great deal and offers a nice level of convenience for those just starting out.