MSR XGK EX

$130

by Christopher Solomon

After 30-odd years on mountains the world over, this roaring Old Faithful gets updated with a flexible fuel line, retractable legs so it can pack smaller, and stabler pot supports. The flamethrower still won't sauté shallots, but for boiling gallon after gallon of water—even with dirty gasoline straight from a pump in Tibet—this is the most reliable stove we've used. Fuel: white gas, kerosene, unleaded gasoline, diesel. 11 oz; www.msrcorp.com

• The Goods: Hiking
• Women's Essentials: Hiking Gear
• Five Tips: Backpacking

2009 Summer Buyer's Guide Camp Stoves Reviews

Brunton Bantam	$107

2008 Summer Buyer's Guide Camp Stoves Reviews

Optimus Crux Lite	$40
Coleman Exponent Rendezvous	$365
Brunton Lander Dual-Fuel	$100
MSR Reactor	$140

2007 Buyer's Guide Camp Stoves Reviews

Brunton Flex	$75
Coleman InstaStart Fold n Go Two-Burner Stove	$70
MSR Reactor Stove System	$140
Optimus Stella+	$100

2006 Buyer's Guide Camp Stoves Reviews

Jetboil Group Cooking System	$110
MSR XGK EX	$130

2004 Buyer's Guide Camp Stoves Reviews

Jetboil Personal Cooking System Gear of the Year	$80
Coleman Exponent Apex II	$65
Primus Omnifuel	$140
Brunton Optimus Crux	$75
Markill Spider	$65
MSR Windpro	$70

Related Gear Features

• The Rain Wear: EMS Thunderhead Jacket and Pants Away.com
• Cutting-Edge Camping Gear Outside Magazine, October 2009

  The outdoor accoutrements that made the cut for our second annual celebration of the best in design and technology.

• Outdoor Retailer 2005 Outside Online

  The gear world's global Big Tent returns to Salt Lake, and things get dirty. The Gear Guy reports.

• The Star of the Show Outside Online

  The Gear Guy Reports from Outdoor Retailer 2004

• Packing Heat Outside Magazine August 2004

  Four highly mobile gas grills fire up a moveable feast wherever you go

• Jetboil Java Kit Away.com

The Gear Guy on Camp Stoves

• My backpacking gear got swiped from my car. Can you help me find inexpensive but suitable replacements?
• Is the new Backpacker Oven on par with the old standby equipment?
• Are any stoves designed to perform at high altitude?
• Which is easier to travel with: a canister or white-gas stove?
• Can all internally-pressure-regulated stoves tolerate extreme cold and elevation?

The Gear Blog on Camp Stoves

• JetBoil Personal Cooking System