User Review: MSR PocketRocket

I also own an MSR Whisperlite and several alcohol stoves, but this is now the only one I take backpacking.

It's durable - almost 6 years, a few boilovers and not one problem.

It's fast and efficient. It heats enough water for a dinner or a beverage in just a few minutes. Its pinpoint flame is great for heating small, one-person pots (no flame is wasted up the sides of the pot).

This stove is REALLY easy on the fuel! I always overestimate how much I'll need for a trip. I typically use about 2oz. for a week in the wilderness, and when I take it out for a long weekend, I can't tell that my 8oz. can has been used. (I'm going to start buying 4oz. cans.)

The flame is easily adjustable from a tiny, silent lick of blue flame to a 6" roaring brazing torch. I find that this stove performs best when the flame is about 1.5" tall. Sure it takes a little longer than at full-blast, but it doesn't waste fuel.

As far as wind screens go... I use myself, some trees/rocks (if available), or a makeshift "wall" of Nalgene bottles. No problems yet, even in a strong bora! If you need to heat a big pot, prop it up on 3 rocks over the stove (so the stove isn't bearing the weight.

This is the gold standard stove for hardcore, no frills mountainfolk for many reasons. It's ridiculously light, durable, simple to use, HOT, efficient... Its design hasn't changed in a long time. How often do Primus or Coleman change designs with similar stoves?...