The Ultimate Guide to MSR Fuel

Aug 7, 2024

You’re psyched. You just bought an MSR® camp stove—the undisputed gold standard for everything from expeditions and extended road trips to casual backpacks and a weekend of family camping. In that process, you likely considered what type of fuel you wanted your new stove to use: liquid fuel or canister fuel. Now that you’ve made that primary choice, you may find yourself wondering a host of questions, like how to find compatible fuel away from home and make the most of your stove or stove system. Thus, we’ve put together a soup-to-nuts compendium of the most common questions we receive about MSR fuel to keep you going no matter where you are. What is MSR IsoPro™ Fuel? MSR IsoPro fuel is the magic sauce inside our fuel canisters. IsoPro is…

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Canister Stoves vs. Liquid Fuel Backpacking Stoves – Which is Right for You?

Jun 6, 2024

The question of canister stoves vs. liquid fuel stoves, each with pros and cons, mostly comes down to the trips you’re planning and your personal preference. Canister stoves have significant advantages in some situations and newer, more efficient designs have made the performance differences less distinct than they once were. Liquid fuel stoves remain the leaders on long trips, winter conditions and travel where canisters might not be available. They are also an excellent choice for emergency preparedness kits thanks to their exceptional field maintainability, legendary durability and in some cases, multi-fuel compatibility. Let’s take a closer look at canister stoves vs. liquid fuel backpacking stoves to help you determine which is right for you. Canister Stoves vs. Liquid Fuel Backpacking Stoves—Specs to Consider Depending on what’s most important to…

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Unexpected Hero: My PocketRocket Stove in a Rescue

May 22, 2024

A few weeks ago, I went on an overnight backpacking trip to Sespe Wilderness in Los Padres National Forest. It was a trip that I had been planning for a while. My uncle was visiting from Taiwan to the US for the first time in his life, and I wanted to plan a memorable trip to the outdoors. Along with my roommate, the three of us had planned for this trip the last few months. As an avid backpacker, I had been on a few trips this year and decided to bring my MSR PocketRocket stove as I’ve always done. It’s so small, convenient, and packs a punch so I figured it would be an excellent addition to my kit. Since purchasing it in the winter last year, it’s the…

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How to Pack a Backpack

Apr 23, 2024

Correctly packing a backpacking pack is one of those skills you don’t know is a skill until you’re walking down the trail with something jamming painfully into the small of your pack. Then you need to treat some water and realize your filter is at the bottom of the bag. Suddenly it starts to rain and where did you put that dang pack cover? A little mindfulness when packing will go miles in keeping you happy and comfortable on the trail. Fortunately, once you have the info it’s easy to do. Read on to become a packing ninja. Or check out this short overview video if you prefer moving pictures to text: If you are just starting out with backpacking, you should also take some time to become familiar with…

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How to Choose the Best Backpacking Tent

Apr 10, 2024

All your outdoor gear is important; that’s why honing a perfect kit tuned to your adventure style is what it’s all about. However, the value of a good backpacking tent can’t be overstated in the unpredictable—and sometimes unforgiving—backcountry. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current backpacking tent or are picking out your first, choosing the best tent for your needs is a big decision. There are a lot of factors, features and technology that go into each tent, all with the intention and purpose to best suit a specific range of conditions. Below, we break down the critical aspects of backpacking shelters to help you make an informed decision. Step 1: Be Honest with Yourself The question of choosing the best backpacking tent means choosing the right tent–for YOU. Think…

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Gear Up for Adventure: A Beginner’s Guide To Bikepacking

Mar 20, 2024

Bike touring has been around as long as bikes have. Bikepacking, on the other hand, is relatively new—at least by definition. Discerning the difference between the two might seem a bit esoteric at first; they both share some fundamental similarities of taking your bike on multiday adventures, but backpacking is generally accepted to be the more adventurous, self-reliant type of fun, made possible by the latest, minimalist gear that can all be fit on just the bike itself, without racks or trailers. “Bikepacking consists essentially of riding considerable distances and crossing vast expanses of wilderness in full autonomy on gravel roads, dirt tracks, and trails with a strong emphasis on minimalism,” says Pierre Bouchard, who may well be one of the best authorities on the subject. Along with his partner…

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