The best stove for backpacking in cold, windy conditions

For use in cold, windy conditions we prefer the Jetboil MiniMo Stove. This is our go-to stove when backpacking in treacherous Patagonian weather. (shop now)

• Price: $165
• Weight: 14 oz
• Boil Time 1L: 4 min 30 sec
• BTUs: 6000
• Ignitor: Piezoelectric
• Pressure Regulator: yes
• Water boiled per 100g fuel: 12L
• Wind Tolerance: Moderate
• Pros: Performs in wind and cold. Fuel efficient. Koozie.
• Cons: Heavy. Expensive.

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Features

The Jetboil MiniMo is the best fully integrated stove system for use in challenging weather. This is thanks to its pressure regulator, wind blocking/heat containing FluxRing, and overall excellent fuel economy.

Fully-integrated backpacking stoves are always bulkier and heavier than standalones or hybrids, which is why we only use them when necessary. That said, MiniMo does a good job of minimizing this downside. Everything packs down into the pot and the whole system weighs 13 oz. However, that is about twice as heavy as Stash or WindMaster plus a pot.

The Jetboil pressure regulator is a critical benefit in that it allows the stove to perform in cold temperatures when others would falter and reduce heat output. The same is true when using a nearly empty canister. Pressure regulators are of huge benefit to stoves, and well worth a bit of extra weight and cost. Jetboil claims MiniMo can perform in temps down to 20, though we wouldn’t recommend pushing it.

MiniMo has a 4.5 minute boil time, which is a bit slower than average, but boil time matters very little to us. We can wait an extra 30-60 seconds. What matters more is the excellent fuel economy. MiniMo boils 12 liters on one 100g canister, which ties Stash and smashes Pocket Rocket and WindMaster by a significant margin.

With MiniMo, you’re getting a conveniently short and wide 1L sized cook pot. It can even store a 230g fuel canister! It is wide and excellent for cooking and eating out of. However, if you will always be cooking solo and mostly not eating out of the pot, it might make sense to instead choose it’s slightly smaller sibling, the Jetboil MicroMo backpacking stove. MicroMo weighs two ounces less and has a narrower, 0.8L sized pot.

Verdict

The Jetboil MiniMo Stove is the best blend of effectiveness in cold/wind, weight/bulk minimization, and fuel economy. It is too heavy to be considered a daily driver, but a great specialist to add to your quiver for foul weather.

Compare this to more great options in our guide to stoves for backpacking.