#337 in Sports & Outdoors
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Reddit mentions of MSR PocketRocket Ultralight Backpacking, Camping, and Travel Stove, PR 2: Ultra Compact
Sentiment score: 7
Reddit mentions: 9
We found 9 Reddit mentions of MSR PocketRocket Ultralight Backpacking, Camping, and Travel Stove, PR 2: Ultra Compact. Here are the top ones.
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- Ultralight (2.6 oz) and compact (2x2x3 in) folding canister stove for minimalist adventures, backpacking, hiking, trekking, camping, and global travel
- Boils one liter of water in just 3.5 minutes and flame easily adjusts from a simmer to a rolling boil for gourmet cooking in the outdoors
- Fueled by high-performance isobutane-propane fuel canister (not included); self-sealing threaded canister fuel is available in most countries
- Easy to setup and operate—no priming, preheating, or pressurizing is required; serrated pot-supports accommodate a wide range of pot sizes and styles
- Lightweight protective case included; stove weighs 2.6 oz (4.2 oz with case), measures 4.8x4.8x3.6 inches open, collapses to 2x2x3 inches
Features:
Specs:
| Color | Silver |
| Height | 7.25 Inches |
| Length | 5 Inches |
| Number of items | 1 |
| Size | - |
| Weight | 0.16 Pounds |
| Width | 4 Inches |
REI's Backpacking Tips for Beginners is a good place to start.
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-beginners.html
You'll notice the first section is "Find an Experienced Partner". While this sub and others can give you a lot of advice, it's not a substitute for a partner who knows what they're doing. That doesn't mean you can't just go out and "wing it"... if you do, don't bite off more than you can chew. Better to take a few shorter overnights just to get used to things before heading out into the backcountry and having an epic. And I think you need a permits for Yos/Mammoth, so better look into that.
The REI list discusses shared gear and personal gear. Most likely an experienced partner is going to already own a tent, stove, cookware... but if it's just two of you with no gear, you'll have to pick up both shared and personal gear. How you want to split the cost is up to you.
The checklists are nice... but before you go out and buy everything on the list, make sure you will actually need them. Start with the basics; tent, bag, pad, pack, headlamp, FAK, maps & compass, stove, pot, utensils, shoes and clothing... and then go from there.
Here's the REI backpacking checklist:
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-checklist.html
It's comprehensive, but remember you don't need everything on the list. It's pretty common for a beginner to go out and spend way too much money, and then start leaving stuff home as they find they don't need it on the trail.
REI is a great place to spend (a lot of) money. They've got very nice gear, and a great return policy if the gear doesn't work for you... but you'll pay full retail if you just walk in and buy the gear. With a membership, all full price items return 10% to you at the end of the year so it's not too bad, and they have seasonal 20% off coupons which do help. It's a good place to pick up a pack since they can help getting you one that fits, which goes a long way to a comfortable hike. Ditto with shoes, and you can try out mattress pads and see what's comfortable for you.
You can buy other things elsewhere like Amazon... but it's recommended that you go to a gear shop to try on packs (and buy it there to support the store).
Here are a few recommendations:
Pack - Gregory and Osprey are often recommended. For a beginner, 50L-60L is a good size. Don't get a 70L pack, you'll just end up bringing more gear than you need. Try the pack on, load it up with weights, and make sure it fits and carries well. Sometimes the REI packs will fit you better than others... if that's the case get the REI (and save a few bucks).
Tent - Huge range of products here. The Lynx is a decent starter tent for the cost. It'll probably last a few years, and by then hopefully you'll have more money and more experience and get something you like better.
Sleeping bag - If you can afford a down bag, that's great, they're lighter and pack smaller than synthetic bags. The Kelty Cosmic 20 is a good bag for the price.
Pad - Look at the basic inflatables (keep in mind the R-value if you're thinking of going later in the season) like the Thermarest ProLite. Some stick with foam pads like the Thermarest Z Lite pad to save money. Try them out and see what you like.
Stove - The MSR PocketRocket is ol' reliable. Lot of people have them, but the new MSR PocketRocket 2 is more compact and lighter. There are some cheap (< $15) stoves on Amazon, the Etekcity and BRS 3000T... people have been using them but they're small and more suited to people who are just boiling water for dehydrated meals rather than those who actually cook.
Cookset - Don't spend money on a 12 piece cookset...they're cool, but at some point you'll probably figure out you only need a shared pot and a mug for each person. And maybe a small fry pan. Depends on what you want to eat out there. Anodized aluminum is light and sturdy, but more expensive than other options. Titanium is super light, but doesn't disperse heat well so it's great for boiling water, but not so much for cooking non-liquid meals. Stainless steel is heavy but will last many years.
Spork - so many sporks out there... long handled spoons work better for getting food from the bottom of a packet.
Headlamp - Get a decent headlamp. Black Diamond Spot is a nice one, Petzl makes some nice ones as well.
Good luck!
It's currently cheaper on Amazon https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N5O7551/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Water System:
-Sawyer Micro Squeeze w/ adaptor for back flushing
($45.40 on Amazon )
-2L Evernew Water Bag
($15.82 on Amazon )
-2 1L Smart Water Bottles ($5)
Cook Set:
-Toaks Titanium 900 ml pot
( $60.81 on Amazon )
-Light My Fire Spork
( $3.56 on Amazon )
Or, you could use a long handled spork to reach into dehydrated meal bags, e.g. Boundless Voyage, Toaks, Snow Peak, etc (More Expensive)
A cheap disposable option is a Dairy Queen large spoon if you don’t require a fork.
-Optional hot drink mug: GSI Infinity Backpackers Mug
( $11.09 on Amazon )
Stove:
Alcohol Options:
-Trangia or Titanium alcohol stove e.g. Vargo Triad
-Make a DIY beer can or aluminum flashing windscreen (YouTube)
[You need to make sure that the alcohol stove has a snuffer cap if a fire ban is in effect]
[If you use an alcohol stove, you will need a leakproof fuel bottle- check MEC, Litesmith, or use an old fuel stabilizer bottle]
[In Canada, good alcohol fuels are Methyl Hydrate and Captain Phab Marine Stove Fuel]
Gas Stoves:
I don’t use a gas stove, however, here are a few I have heard of that are more affordable.
($59.95 on Amazon )
($20.93 on Amazon )
I know you wanted the rubberized handles, but that limits your options significantly. I'd say apply the rubber yourself with a tool handle dip.
BRS Stove - $16
Snow Peak Trek 900 - $45
Rustoleum Grip Dip $17.50
That leaves a solid $10. You can have them pick you up a canister or two!
I've been using both the BRS Stove and Snow Peak Trek 900 and they both work great. Now, if you have a windy situation, you may need to build a windscreen or get a MSR Pocket Rocket.
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The Osprey Atmos is a more popular backpack than that Volt. Fit is really the most important part of this - so if you have a chance to try either on - that would be ideal.
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These poles are better than the ones you have listed:
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The North Face Venture jacket is more popular / recommended than the Resolve:
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Skip the solar charger. A USB battery pack is way more useful. Solar are just too bulky and low charge for the effort. Get 2 if you really need the power.
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Tent is really small and not a popular/quality brand. How much time will you spend sleeping in this? Every night? Have you ever slept in a 1-person bivy style shelter before? Where will your backpack go at night? I would not recommend this. If you really need to go this cheap (under $100 is SUPER low for a quality ultralight backpacking tent) - then consider Nature Hike brand. They are a knockoff Chineese company that's somewhat good.
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That sleeping bag is garbage. It's super bulky and not very warm. The 32F rating is a straight up lie.
I recommend this bag instead:
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You also need a sleeping pad. Not optional. Check this out:
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100% skip that hammer multitool. WOW is that thing bad. If you need a knife - buy a knife. You do not need a hammer for backpacking.
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The headlamp is great, good choice.
The stove / pot / cook kit is okay. It's a popular budget option. If you could spend a bit more there are better choices. For example:
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Don't forget TP/wipes (and a way to pack them out once used), good wool socks, dry bags / pack cover, food bag, water bottles, map, first aid, toiletries, lighter, duct tape, phone/camera, and other random items. Plus clothes of course - lots of layers!
This might be designed for backpacking, but the flame control is great and the fuels lasts for a brick. It's my go to hiking/camping stove.
https://www.amazon.com/MSR-PocketRocket-Stove-One-Size/dp/B01N5O7551/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1499308812&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Rocket+stove+2
Extra clothes, especially socks. Good wool ones. I keep a pair of insulated winter gloves in my kit. I also like to keep a bunch of these hand warmers as well. Good for putting in pockets or even boots if I find myself or someone else under dressed for the weather. A good, heavy wool blanket is great as well. I keep it laying across my back seat. I have a spare balaclava as well. I wore this one snowmobiling at -5 degrees celcius with nothing else covering my face except goggles and stayed warm so it should be warm enough if you have to walk to a gas station or something.
Road flares are good as well. I have a few of them as well as a few glow sticks and those LED road flares as well.
Something else to consider is if you take medication, store a few days worth in your vehicle if you can.
I keep cash, about $50 in $5 bills.
A have the "premium" BCAA membership. Haven't had to use it yet but there were plenty of times where a free 300km tow would've come in handy and for less than what I pay for Netflix.
I keep a small stove like this one along with a small backpacking pot, some instant coffee, tea bags, and instant soup. Even outside of an emergency, sometimes it's just nice to have something hot. I have a handful of granola bars for the same reason, sometimes you just need a quick snack and worst case, you have something to eat in an emergency. I carry Cliff bars in the summer but I find they get rock solid once the temperature dips so I just keep those Nature Valley bars.
In summer I keep a big insulated bottle of water in my truck and in the winter I just take it in and out every day as I don't know if I'll have an issue with it freezing and wrecking the bottle. Plus this way it gets fresher water in it more often.
I also like to have a small shovel and a hatchet because I live in the boonies and we get downed trees across the roads every now and then.
There's a million other little things that come down to what you personally want but these are the "basics" in my opinion. I've probably missed something glaringly obvious but if I think of it I'll add an edit.
A camping canister stove might work. Something like this.
I have the older version that I use for backpacking and it's basically a single burner that you might have on a stove top.
A setup like this (w the fuel can Pictured) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5O7551/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_JQ0ZAb9WFRMNV
is what I use when hiking. Small and lightweight. I'm not sure if that's something you'd be allowed to have in the field though.