Best Backpacking Stove: Camping Awards 2024

WINNER – Best Backpacking Camping Stove 2024

Soto WindMaster

£64.95

(photo courtesy of Soto)

Why the Soto WindMaster?

You might not know the name yet, but Soto is a Japanese technical expedition stove and cookware brand, renowned for its leading edge technology.

It’s already making inroads into the UK market, and the WindMaster is its latest stove, which harnesses the brand’s technical knowhow to deliver high levels of performance in a wide range of weather circumstances and temperatures. This is a stove that can stand up to harsh conditions.

In fact, the WindMaster uses Soto’s micro regulator to deliver a consistent output as temperatures drop and has been tested to produce the same impressive burning performance at -5°C as at 20°C. The WindMaster can bring two cups of water to the boil in less than two and a half minutes, even in strong winds.

The shielded piezo igniter means that the stove is easy to light and a concave burner head offers enhanced protection from the wind. The stove comes complete with the Soto 4Flex pot support, which can easily be replaced with the Soto TriFlex, for ultralightweight trips. The stove is designed so the pan sits close to the flame, making it more efficient in windy weather. The increased efficiency means boil time is quicker and longer.

Compact, robust and lightweight (weighing just 87g), the WindMaster is designed for backpacking trips and expeditions all year round.

Our verdict

The FyreLite is Coleman’s lightest stove in its range, weighing just 77g. Despite its compact size, it packs a punch, with a boil time of just three minutes 20 seconds. The three pan supports provide a stable base for small pots and can be folded together inside its lightweight textile carry pouch.

Our verdict

This ultralight and compact stove weighs just 50g and will easily fit in your pocket before attaching to the gas canister. With a built-in wind guard, it will bring a litre of water to the boil in three and a half minutes.