GEAR REVIEWS
TETON Sports Deer Hunter 35 Sleeping Bag: A Great Sleeping Bag for Your Backpacking Trip
Perhaps it is deer season and you are looking to be close to that area you’ve scouted to harvest that trophy buck this year. You’ll need something to keep you warm and toasty all night. You might be in the market for a sleeping bag like the TETON Sports Deer Hunter 35 Sleeping Bag.
Review
Perhaps the best way to take an in-depth look at a sleeping bag is to go through the major points that you would consider when purchasing a sleeping bag and discuss the important things in that area and give where this particular bag fits in. Then to wrap things up we’ll take a look at some other features that might not fit in elsewhere, but deserve to be mentioned.
Packaging
With all the warmth, size and comfort you knew that something had to come up. This bag is not going to be the choice for any ultralight backpackers. When you realize that this one has 10 pounds of SuperLoft Hollow fiber fill inside and remember that while durable canvas has some weight to it, you won’t be surprised, when you see that this sleeping bag tips the scales at 17.5 pounds.
You have to keep in mind, though, this wasn’t designed to be light as a feather, it was built to be used and to keep you warm on those cold nights. In a very similar vein when rolled down this sleeping bag still takes up some space. Its pack size is 38 x 11.5 x 11.5 inches. The sleeping bag does come with a duffel bag and some heavy-duty straps with buckles to help get this piece of gear rolled and ready to stow when you aren’t looking to use it.
Design and Durability
Teton Sports, a small outdoors gear producer situated in Utah, are well known for the production of sleeping bags. They have adopted the strategy of offering an awesome measure of versatility in their sleeping bags. These sleeping bags are made ready with a huge assortment of sizes with different external shell and inside lining choices. This has enabled them to provide a full range of sleeping bags over various temperature ratings and utilization.
There are two main styles of sleeping bags. The first is the mummy style that is well loved by backpackers. These bags are cut closer to the body, which normally means there is less extra air space to warm up. This tends to lead to these sleeping bags being smaller, lighter and generally warmer. The other style is the basic rectangle.
The sleeping bag is a set width the whole way down, from the top, to the foot box. While this does add more material, many people find this option better for comfort as it lets you move in your sleeping bag, should you decide to change positions in the middle of the night. This bag from TETON is a rectangular style bag.
The primary feature of this sleeping bag is the intense, external shell made of high caliber canvas. The canvas shell withstands overwhelming use and is likewise water resistant. The outside has a helpful, zippered pocket that is extraordinary for keeping your wallet, keys or other belongings close-by.
The stuff sack has three moves up pressure straps and a canvas sack for fast and simple storage and packing. The inner flannel lining is extremely soft and is loaded down with Super Loft Elite insulation so as to make it warm. The inside additionally has a Velcro pocket for securing your valuables.
Warmth
All sleeping bags will have some warmth rating. To make it easier for the consumer, most companies don’t just rely on things like saying it has this much of a certain type of insulation. Instead, they normally will give a certain temperature that this bag should be able to keep you warm down to. As a word of caution, this isn’t a guarantee that you will be warm at that given temperature.
You’ll want to think about your own sleeping habits. If you tend to be warm while you sleep, this temperature should be in the ballpark for you. On the other hand, if you find yourself reaching for more blankets every night you may want to bump the given temperature up from 5 to 10 degrees.
While most sub-freezing, sleeping bags that you will find are mummy bags, the Sports Deer Hunter 35 Sleeping bag, comes in at an impressive -35 degrees Fahrenheit for its rating. That does negative thirty-five, it is designed to keep you warm in the worst cold nights you like to be out in the woods in. While this does make it a fantastic choice to keep you warm on a winter night, it may have the downside of not doing as well as an all year sleeping bag.
One problem that many rectangular style sleeping bags tend to run into is that with a wide-open top there is nothing to stop the warm air from escaping. That big gap on the top might be able to stay closed if you hold it closed, but then you either become limited on how well you are going to be able to sleep or will drift off, let go and find yourself waking up to quite the chill in the middle of the night. This bag, sports adjustable shoulder baffles to combat this problem. They are designed to keep the drafts out and the warm air inside.
The manufacturers of this bag also understand that if done poorly seems can help material get bunched into certain areas and lead to cold spots. There are very few things that can be more annoying than getting comfortable and mostly warm to then discover a cold spot that will cause you to need to readjust.
Size
This is where this sleeping bag truly has room to shine. Sometimes if you are taller you may have trouble finding a sleeping bag that is long enough to keep you warm that you can stretch out in. This one is a full 90 inches long, making it longer than a twin mattress. If that isn’t enough length to stretch out in you may need to look at having a sleeping bag made custom for you.
It is also 39 inches across, which is a mere 1 inch narrower than that twin mattress. With all that room, you shouldn’t be constricted as you might feel in a mummy bag. You should be able to move about until you find that position that is right for you. And when it comes time to sleep being warm is an important factor, but to get that good restful night’s sleep you are also going to need to be able to find a comfortable position.
Materials
Warm is a wonderful thing, but you also need to consider how this will feel as you move about in it. While many manufacturers are going for synthetic materials to make a sleeping bag light, this one goes more for the comfort approach. The outer shell is crafted from a canvas. This means that you have both a waterproof material wrapped around you and also have an outer shell that is durable enough to deal with years of being well used.
The inner layer of this bag is made from brushed flannel. This gives it the warm and cozy feeling of a set of luxury sheets that you might find in that cabin getaway out in the woods. The combination showcases that this bag is both rugged enough to be taken out on any trip, but comfortable enough to make you feel like you are back at home.
Color Options
Normally a sleeping bag doesn’t give much if any choice when it comes down to the colors. Very few people walk into a store and say ‘I really want to get a green sleeping bag’. It tends to be much more important to get one that will keep you warm and be comfortable to sleep in.
But if a bag can check those marks and still manage to give you the option to select a color, all the better. While there aren’t great gobs of choices to be had as far as color goes here, you are able to select if you want yours to be a brown or a black model.
Special Features
This sleeping bag has some very nice added features that help it stand out from the crowd even more than the core features that we have already covered. First off, let’s take a look at the top of the sleeping bag. While it might not be odd to see a mummy bag with a hood, this sleeping bag, sports a half circle hood, designed to keep your head up off of the ground, your sleeping pad, or if you are so lucky your cot. This means a more comfortable neck position instead of having your head bent down all night.
Of course, this means that you can’t simply flip the sleeping bag over if you want the zipper to be on the other side. Not many sleeping bags on the market offer the choice of which side the zipper should fall on. Most will just leave it on the right since the majority of people are right handed. Some companies will put the zipper right on the front and while this is simpler for a person with either hand dominance to use, it is also less convenient for both.
This sleeping bag has the option of ordering it with a right handed zipper or a left handed zipper. Another reason to look at getting both a right and left handed zipper may be that the company shows in some of their material that they can be zipped together to form an extra wide sleeping bag for two people to share.
Another perk of having a definite front side of your sleeping bag is storage options. This bag, sports a pair of storage pockets right on the sleeping bag itself. The first is on the outside of the shell and sports a zipper to keep important items such as your keys close at hand and safe. This gives you that added piece of mind of knowing right where you need to look for things. The second pocket is sewn right into the interior lining (with matching fabric).
This is a great place to stow something like a flashlight that you want to have quickly accessible if you need to get to it in the middle of the night. It is also a simple place to store a cell phone if you use it to listen to music or like to check it right before drifting off to sleep. Since cold weather can help to drain batteries faster, this pocket gives the added bonus of keeping whatever you store in it a touch warmer, which may mean a little bit more battery life on the coldest nights.
Value for Money and Guarantee
At approximately $140, the TETON Sports Deer Hunter 35 sleeping bags are decently priced no matter how you look at it and differ depending on the rating and size. One of the easiest ways to see if a product you are considering is a level of quality is to check if the company is willing to stand behind it with any sort of a warranty all of their products to include this sleeping bag. It can be summed up by saying that if you are the original owner and there is a defect in the sleeping bag they will fix or replace it. Like most warranties, this doesn’t cover wear and tear or misuse. Also, please note that while there are ways to wash a sleeping bag if it becomes really dirty, doing so will most likely void its warranty. It is best to check out all the conditions on the company’s website.
Now that we’ve looked at each component of the sleeping bag, why not consider it as a whole? The first thing is to remember that this sleeping bag is aimed more at campers and hunters than backpackers and thru-hikers. It is very squarely aimed at being a cold weather sleeping bag. With that in mind, it is designed to be a sleeping bag that should be able to keep you warm on trips for years to come.
Speaking of warm, you might have to unzip the bag from the bottom to vent a little bit if it isn’t overly cold. Luckily the zippers can be done and undone from either the top or the bottom, so you have the option of sticking your foot out in the middle of the night to help cool off.
This bag might not be the choice if you are looking for a single sleeping bag to use all year round, but if you need that dedicated cold winter bag, this rises up to the top of the list. It is nice to see a classic rectangular bag that has been able to borrow features that are more commonly associated with mummy bags, like the hood on the top of the bag and should baffle, but still stick to the classic styling.
One thing to be careful of was brought up by a reviewer. A sleeping bag does not provide any warmth on its own. It is only an insulated sleeve that keeps the warmth that you produce. Your body warms the air and the sleeping bag keeps that pocket of warm air near you so you are nice and comfortable to sleep. With all the space available in this bag, a smaller person may have a hard time staying warm on a cold night.
Pros:
- Has large size for great comfort
- The flannel fabric is great
- Excellent quality
- Highly durable
- Inbuilt compression straps
- Outside material is waterproof
Cons:
- Price
Some reviewers have mentioned that the zippers could be a bit more forgiving. There are various reports of the zippers getting stuck while zipping and unzipping. Also, it should be noted that the zipper is only along the side, not at the bottom of the footbox. While this means that you don’t have to worry about drafts through the zipper at the bottom of your feet, it also means that you won’t be able to unzip this and use it like a blanket either.
GEAR REVIEWS
The Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bag: The Most Important Outdoor Gear For Adventurers
The difference between backpacking and hiking is that the former implies you will spend at least a night in the wilderness. As a result, backpacking can be quite different from hiking, especially when you consider the duration you will be spending outdoors and the kind of gear you will need to take with you.
However, whether hiking or backpacking, a rough night spent in the wilderness could ruin your entire experience. Since a sleeping bag is crucial for most of these trips, looking for one that suits you will go a long way in ensuring you have a memorable expedition.
The best sleeping bag should cover you in a cocoon of comfort and warmth, enabling your whole body to recover, so it’s ready for the next day’s expedition. But selecting the right gear can be a little cumbersome.
That is why we are going to show you the Western Mountaineering Cypress Gore WindStopper -30 Degree Sleeping Bag so you will have to search no more! This semi rectangular sleeping bag is so comfortable and warm, that you can literally sleep in really frigid temperatures and still stay toasty inside! Let us dive into all of the information about this summer time sleeping bag!
Review
Packaging
Your sleeping bag will come compressed in the package that is just a little bigger than 6 x 14 x 22 inches. The package weight should be about 7 pounds and include the sleeping bag as well as the stuff sack so you can compress your bag down to a size that lets you tote it around.
Durability and Design
This sleeping bag is designed to be semi rectangular, very warm, and cozy. It is designed with a storm flap, draft tubes that keep cold air out, and is weather resistant with the Gore Wind-Stopper. It is also highly durable, has a left side zipper, and will last you for many years of outdoor adventures! This sleeping bag has proven to be great for summer use, but it can be used on warm winter nights as well.
It has a temperature rating of 25 degrees F, so it will work down past freezing temperatures. It may get too warm for you if the temperature outside is too warm, but it gives you the ability to vent the sleeping bag so you do not feel too warm or get sweaty. This bag is made to give you the perfect sleeping experience no matter where you are sleeping. If you feel the need for more padding, you can put a sleeping pad inside of it with ease.
Shell and GWS
The shell of the Cypress GWS is excellent and adds to the amazing features of this bag. This component is extremely water resistant and highly breathable as well, given its weight-to-performance ratio. The GORE-TEX WindStopper shell offered by Western Mountaineering makes the sleeping bag ideal for use in humid areas as this feature is water repellent. Good breathability, is essential in a cold weather sleeping bag as the build-up of perspiration will compromise the down’s lofting power during your extended trips.
Insulation
The Western Mountaineering Cypress LZ Gore WindStopper Sleeping Bag is amazingly wide, with more girth and insulation compared to other bags, in its rating. Even though the Cypress GWS isn’t a mummy bag, it’s capable if keeping you warm at thirty degrees Fahrenheit.
With an average loft of eleven, this bag will engulf your body with a wall of the best thermal protection. The bag consists of 850+ fill power premium goose down. The Cypress Gore Wind-Stopper is an excellent way to cover yourself in a warm goose down as each of them is filled with almost fifty ounces of it.
In addition to its excellent fit, the Cypress GWS Sleeping Bag is made of a down collar that runs on the upper side of the chest to prevent heat from escaping during the night. Additionally, this product has a full zipper which is significant for venting in warm weather. The down filled draft tube is also important as it helps prevent side drafts.
A goose down is the most compressible and the lightest insulator available, giving a bag a surprisingly high warmth-to-weight ratio. In that case, a 30o down bag would weigh less compared to a synthetic sleeping bag of the same rating. Down insulation is important for hikers or backpackers who are looking to pack more efficiently.
Manufacturer Recommendations
- Do not store a wet bag. Always ensure the sleeping bag is dry before you can store it
- For goose down options, never store them in a stuff sack. Store them in large bags, such as the laundry bags. The synthetic options are quite forgiving and can be stored, at least for some time, inside the stuff sack
- If you have to wash your bag, make sure you utilize a front-load machine, with some cold water and soap.
- Never dry clean a bag, especially those filled with goose down.
Value for the Money
The value of thus sleeping bag is one that is hard to bear. One of the greatest reasons why most backpackers would go for quality down sleeping bags is that these products have a long lifespan, and the Cypress GWS is not an exception. Compared to the synthetic products, these models can be easily stuffed and unstuffed without damaging their insulation. If you can acquire a quality sleeping bag that can handle the on- and off-trail adventures, you’ll be able to save a lot of money in the long term.
At about $1,130, the Cypress GWS sleeping bag is quite worth the investment. In addition to that, if this bag is able to withstand abuse, and can sustain being used for an extended period without losing its efficiency, then it’s worth the investment. Given its features, the Cypress GWS can be used for all backpacking adventures, as well as periodic ski tours and mountaineering expeditions. These aspects are what make it a go-to option whenever you are in need of something that can serve you efficiently while in the wilderness.
Cypress LZ GWS utilizes down from free-range mother geese. With its features, you can use this bag to climb mountains and camp in areas you’ve always dreamed of. As the wind blows through the night and the cold is almost freezing your bones, you can zip yourself in the Cypress GWS for warmth. As mentioned, the bag is packed with 850+ fill power down to create a loft of about 11” so you are able to sleep soundly, dreaming of accomplishing your tour objects come the next day.
The Gore WindStopper shell fabric offers the weather resistance you desire in extreme temperatures and weather. Who would have imagined that all the warmth of this sleeping bag can weigh in at about 7 pounds?
The Cypress GWS comes with outstanding features that make it suitable for your outdoor needs. These include an insulated draft tube on the inside of the zipper combined with a storm flap covering on the outside, a three-dimensional draft collar (insulated), a GWS outer shell material, and a second zipper that allows the bag to open entirely around the foot. Other features of the Cypress GWS are as follows:
- Full down collar
- 64/39” foot/shoulder girth
- Insulated external hood ruff
- 5 ¼” V-block side baffle
This sleeping bag compresses down to a smaller size in a compression sack. This is an important aspect for backpackers looking to save some space on their pack. If you are a mountaineering enthusiast, you are aware that the size of the sleeping bag is directly proportional to the size and weight of the backpack you carry, since it takes almost fifty percent of the space in the pack.
The GORE-TEX WindStopper fabric, the soft, lightweight, and lofty materials of the Cypress GWS make this product quite attractive and a suitable place to sleep in. If you prefer comfort over anything else, then this is the right product for you. It offers the softest and most comfortable touch compared to most sleeping bags within the same ratings.
PROS:
- Temperature rating down to -30 degrees F
- 50 oz of down filling
- Weather resistant, Has Gore Windstopper
- Adjustable Collar
- Warm and well insulated, includes storm flap
- 5 inches of loft
CONS:
- Very pricey, over $1,000
- Only comes in one color
- Gets too warm around 50 degrees F
When it comes to choosing a backpacking equipment such as a sleeping bag, there are numerous aspects you will need to consider to ensure you make the right choice. This guide provides some essential pointers that will help you to make an informed decision as far as selecting a sleeping bag is concerned.
Make sure you choose a bag that has the features that will enable you to survive the outdoor conditions. One of the best options that would suit you during cold weather camping and backpacking is the Western Mountaineering Cypress LZ GWS Sleeping Bag.
Nobody enjoys doing chores. Unfortunately, even when you’re out in the wild these necessities can be unavoidable. Cooking, cleaning, heating, washing… these are simply requirements if you want to stay at all hygienic during your outdoor expeditions. Our best advice is to simply get them over with as quickly as possible.
The more efficient you are about these activities the faster they’ll be done and the quicker you can get on to enjoying fishing, hiking, hunting or other adventures. The easiest way to speed these things up is to utilize the right equipment and we think we’ve found a real wonder on the market. The Jetboil Flash adds a whole new level of convenience to outdoor water heating & cooking.
So much so that we’ve decided to provide you with a full write up of its features and how it could be used to make your next outdoor trip even more fun by minimizing your ‘chores’ time. So without further ado, let’s jump straight into discussing the features of The Flash Personal Cooking System in this Jetboil Stove review
Review
In less than two minutes the Jetboil Flash can help you prepare a hot drink or an instant hot meal. This is the ideal choice for anyone who is in need of efficient cooking/boiling energy. The Jetboil Flash is well-organized, lightweight and fast.
High fuel efficiency, and all-in-one package, means that you do not need additional cookware. Here are the specifications that make the Jetboil Flash Personal Cooking System special.
Packaging
The very first consideration to make when shopping for an outdoor cookware is packaging. The Jetboil Flash Personal is one of the lightest, weighing in at 0.88 pounds when removed out of the box. The weight along with the system’s dimensions (7.09 by 4.09 by 4.09 inches) makes the stove the ideal choice for backpackers. The cookware will fit comfortably in your backpack.
Apart from the weight and dimensions, the major benefit of the Jetboil Flash Personal cookware is simplicity. Basically, it contains fewer parts: 1 liter of the FluxRing cooking cup, adjustable burner, and fuel canister. The fuel canister and stainless steel burner stow suitably inside the cup. This makes backpacking remarkably easy.
Design & Durability
The cooking system’s construction is undoubtedly higher end with the burner being made of stainless steel and the cooking cup of aluminum. Both these metals are known for their durability, which is an incredibly important factor when assessing outdoors products. You want to know that a bit of rough and tumble won’t break your brand new stove, and we’re fairly confident you can be sure of the stove’s durability.
The cookware seems to be a cooperation of a well-made cooking cup and an unrivaled ignition system. Out of the box, you will observe at first glance the cute packaging. Each piece fits in the cup for easy transport. This simply signifies how resourceful and versatile the design is when compared to other backpacking stoves in the market.
The multipurpose plastic cover found at the bottom of The Flash Personal Cooking System’s cooking cup is very useful for the minimalist outdoor packer. You’ll find that it has three uses (that we can think of), namely use as a measuring cup, a small bowl, and as a protective cover on the bottom of the cooking cup to keep your hands from being burnt by the heat while you enjoy whatever is inside.
The cooking system has a clever tripod for added efficiency. The tripod is specifically engineered to be used on rugged terrain and accommodates the little stove perfectly. We think the idea has a fair bit of merit, and anyone who has spilt hot water on themselves before, is sure to agree. The tripod doesn’t add any inconvenience to your transportation needs either as it folds up and fits with the rest of the system into the cooking cup.
The cooking cup of The Flash Personal cookware not only includes something useful at its base (the plastic cover), but also at its top. Built into the neoprene upper lining of the cup is a wonderful little heat indication window. This window will slowly turn orange as the interior contents of the cup heats up, which is a highly resourceful feature when boil water.
You could probably tell that the cup is ready without this window when you are boiling water as the device tends to make a small bubbling sound and let off some steam. Where the heat indication window really shines is when you are cooking up a delicious rehydrated mini meal. Just sit back and relax and wait for the little window to turn orange to let you know your food is hot and ready to be consumed.
The Flash Personal Cooking System is ready to go in any weather thanks to the elemental resistance screen. The system not only runs off hot jet fuel, but protects its flame from wind and rain by utilizing a barrier around its flame area. This is great because when it is cold and rainy what can often help to brighten your mood the most is a nice cup of hot cocoa or coffee – this stove makes that possible.
Ease of Use & Efficiency
To use the stove, you have to link the canister to the clever tripod. There is an ignition button, which you have to push to turn on the stove once you have switched on the gas flow. The igniter has actually simplified your work. Then add water to the 1 liter cup and have it fixed to the stainless steel burner. The one liter capacity will allow you to prepare two cups of hot coffee or cocoa in two minutes.
Basically, the one liter capacity is sufficient, but you are strongly urged to boil less amount of water at a time to circumvent accidents. The reputation of the Jetboil Flash Personal cookware is attributed to its boil time. In actual fact, the boil time is the main reason why most outdoorsmen like the cooking system. Impressively, the stove boils one liter of water in two minutes under normal conditions, and four minutes in extreme conditions.
Storage after Use
To ensure the durability of the cookware, you have to store it correctly after every use. Once you are done cooking, turn the control valve off so as to put out the flame. Then go ahead and separate the cup from the base of the stainless steel burner. Have the stabilizer removed from the fuel canister. At that point, unbolt fuel container from the burner base.
Make sure you replace the plastic fuel cap. For easy storage, position the stabilizer in the bottom of the cup, followed by the burner base, and eventually the fuel canister. Place the lid to secure the items inside the cup. Never forget to disconnect the fuel cartridge once you are done cooking. To ensure the cup is not damaged, you are advised to wash it by hand.
Unique Features
Jetboil FluxRing Technology: The burner is handily connected to the cooking cup by use of FluxRing tech. This ensures there is minimal or no heat loss during boiling or cooking, thus better boil times.
Built-in Windscreen: Unlike traditional camping stoves that are known not to function properly in windy conditions, the Jetboil Flash Personal has a built-in windscreen that allows it to perform exceptionally in windy climate.
A Resourceful Neoprene Lining: The cooking cup is enclosed by a neoprene lining that maintains the warmth of drinks and food for the considerable time duration. The lining also incorporates a color changing window that always signals when food or drinks are hot.
Quick Ignition Ability: The quick ignition ability of The Flash Personal Cooking System makes it ideal for big families who will have multiple users handling it. There is an auto-start filament built into the system which enables the jet flame to be created without the use of matches. Anyone who has ever forgotten to pack matches for their trip will know that this is a big help.
Value for Money & Guarantee
The Jetboil Flash Personal Cookware is worth your every dollar. The price is reasonable when you consider its amazing features and performance, especially its boil time. At approx. $100, you get a fully functioning stove that prevails both in normal and windy conditions. Some individuals may consider it to be an expensive unit; but camping and hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the price.
There are compatible accessories and products that are sold separately, including: 1.5L cooking pot, 1.8L spare cup, 1L tall spare cup, and an 8-inch FluxRing fry pan. There is a manufacturer’s warranty for the cooking system in case it does not perform as expected under normal use. However, the warranty does not cover damages due to improper use, accidents, negligence, poor maintenance, and normal wear and tear.
The Jetboil Flash Personal is the best backpacking canister stove system that addresses the shortcomings of traditional cooking systems. The most defining feature of the Jetboil Flash Personal is the fact that it is an integrated stove system. As aforementioned, it combines a fuel cartridge with an effective built-in windscreen, stabilizer, stainless steel burner and a FluxRing cooking cup.
As far as the Flash Personal cooking system is concerned, every part has its unique purpose and contributes to the general performance of the stove. The FluxRing heat exchanger makes sure that the flame is uniformly distributed at the base of the cup so as to maximize fuel efficiency. The creative temperature indicator alerts you when food or drink is hot and cooked, saving fuel.
The adjustable burner is enclosed by an inbuilt windscreen so as to reduce heat loss and at the same time improve fuel efficiency. You really do not need a match to ignite the stove, since the push button electric igniter is enough to start a flame. This makes the Flash Personal System a very reliable choice for emergency situations other than regular outdoor adventures.
Pros:
- Stabilizing tripod base for added convenience & safety
- Plastic cover acts as a measuring cup, small bowl & heat protector
- Interactive cooking window indicates when food is hot & ready
- Fabric cozy provides helpful handle and attractive exterior
- The overall construction is high quality with durable materials
- Resistive barrier allows the stove to be used in any weather conditions
- Auto-start filament for matchless immediate ignition included
Cons:
- 32-ounce capacity only provides enough room for 1 or 2 people rehydrated meal preparations.
- Relying on the supply of isobutene and propane gas (unable to run off renewable energy)
- Does not work well in high altitudes and very cold climates.
A decent Jetboil stove is a worthwhile investment that can take hours off your outdoor ‘chores’ time over the course of years. The Flash Personal Cooking System is one of our favorite choices because of its clever design and easy portability. If you’re looking to create quick and easy meals or simply boil water for purification, then it’s a great option.
Are you an avid camper, hiker, fisher or general outdoors enjoyer? If so, then you’ve probably already discovered the amazing benefits of having a decent campfire. An outdoor stove takes that one step further and provides you with not only warmth and light, but a convenient fireplace to cook/boil water over as well. Add to that functionality the USB charging ports built into BioLite Wood stoves and you’ve got the best thing since portable tents.These smart stoves are absolutely amazing. As such, we’ve decided to write a full BioLite stove review on our favorite one: The BioLite Wood Burning Campstove. We’ll cover the good, the bad and the ugly about this little stove in this review. So if you’ve been looking for a camp stove in general or at this one in particular, then be sure to read this review. We’ll start with the specifications.
Review
Packaging
This unit will be shipped to you in a 5 by 5 by 8.3 inch box that weighs 2.9 pounds. The unit itself is lightweight and compact, weighing in at 2.1 pounds. This means that you should have no trouble fitting it in a backpack in case you need to carry it with you on a hike. Plus, it definitely won’t weigh you down.
The stove consists of two main components: the stove itself and the power module (where the USB port, fan and internal battery are located). The power module can be placed inside the stove when not in use, reducing its size considerably to be the same as a 1-liter Nalgene water bottle. It also has a grill top for balancing your pots when placed on top the stove. It also comes with a nylon stuff sack that you can place it in after unboxing for proper storage.
Design and Durability
The BioLite Wood Burning Camp stove is a sturdy piece of equipment built to make outdoor fire use easy. Its technology features are some of the best in the outdoor stove industry, including both a USB charging port and fans to help fires burn hotter. That it runs off biomass as well makes this stove particularly attractive due to emergency and environmental benefits.
The stove’s frame is mostly made up of aluminium. This metal is known for being both strong and lightweight, which is a great combination for any portable item. Although still too heavy to carry on extremely long hikes, we certainly think it’d earn an easy spot in the car or boat transport as well as short backpack trips.
The creators of the stove have made it a good size in terms of dimensions, not adding more than needed but not leaving anything crucial out either. You might want to test carry an item of similar weight and dimensions to ascertain whether this stove is right for you.
Overall the shape and outer design of this stove are well thought through. They complement its inner, smart technology design well, by making it functional. We appreciate that they’ve kept it relatively small so as to make it easier to transport. There are a few other feature worth mentioning though, so here’s our take on the main features to be aware of if you’re thinking about buying this stove.
Unique Features
This stove comes with some rather unique features that give it an edge over the competition.
Thermoelectric Generator: This BioLite Campstove allows its owners to personally generate electricity from nothing more than burning wood. This means that you can choose to take a variety of USB chargeable items with you when visiting the great outdoors and charge them as you cook or boil food/water. This thermo-electric generator is perfect for those who want to enjoy the great outdoors while remaining contact-able.
You’ll get approximately 60 minutes of talk time on regular smart phones from 20 minutes of charging time on a strong fire. We’d recommend turning off your electronic devices now and again anyway to enjoy the outdoors more, but in general this is a fantastic concept. The best part about it is that the thermo-electric generator technology works off principles and airflow, meaning it’s usable for as many times as you want or have wood for. No running out of battery charge ever again!
Burn Increasing Fan: The internal fan and gas jets built into the BioLite Campstove is ideal for outdoors people who want to get their fires up and running quickly (and don’t we all?). Having appropriate kindling or dry wood certainly helps, but isn’t a necessity with this cool stove’s design.
The HI/LO set-able fans push air into your fire which improves the combustion system. You’ll get a hotter, more efficient flame, much faster, and some find the air circulation helps with smoke control as well. If you intend to get started on making your fires late in the evening, this is a perfect choice for you.
Biomass Fuel System: The BioLite Campstove takes renewable energy to a whole new level. The system not only runs off renewable biomass like twigs and sticks found while out and about, but also takes that renewable energy and turns into electrical energy to charge your devices with! We love that it’s not reliant on coals or petroleum. It’s a much more environmentally friendly approach to fire starting and we give it a big thumbs up for that.
NOTE: This stove would be useful in emergency situations because it is not reliant on petroleum or electricity to start. You can charge your electronic devices from it, despite power line outages using just biomass (twigs and wood) from your surrounding gardens. Stay on the grid!
User Friendly Interface: The big, ON button, and easily discernible USB charging port on the BioLite Campstove, are just a couple of the user friendly features of the design. When looking for a smart camp stove you ideally want something that anyone can use. This system makes it easy to start fires by storing a little charge to fan your initial fire starting with.
That means even beginner fire starters should be able to get the flames going in this stove. For those who have tried fire starting themselves, you’ll know it’s not always as easy as it looks, especially if your wood is damp. That’s why the user friendly fans and gas jets to help start this stove’s fires are so great.
Value for Money and Guarantee
Once you consider how much you will actually be saving in terms of purchasing fuel for a gas powered stove, the decision to get the BioLite Campstove becomes easy. Furthermore, you also don’t need to buy any extra emergency battery packs in case your phone dies on you.
The unit costs approx. $130 on Amazon. It is currently not available on the BioLite website, so people looking for this unit will have to purchase it on Amazon. Once you add up the specifications, it is easy to tell that getting the BioLite Campstove will provide you with great value for your money.
We would definitely recommend this BioLite Wood Burning Campstove to anyone looking for a high quality piece of fire making and cooking outdoor equipment. Do, however, ensure that you are aware of the size and weight of the item prior to purchase. To get it to your outdoor spot you’ll have to transport it!
In addition, we’d also recommend taking a couple of small fire-starting cubes and some waterproof matches with you when you head out. This will make the fire-starting process even easier, though the design of the camp stove makes that pretty easy already.
A final note is to choose pots and pans to use with this system that are metal, no more than 10 inches in diameter, and no more than 8 pounds in weight. Other than that, this stove is ready to go. You’ll find it adds a whole new level of cool to your outdoor experience and makes cooking/boiling food/water so much easier. When it comes to camp stoves it can be worth digging a little deeper in your pocket to get a great multifunctional product, that will go the distance with you.
PROS:
- Compatible with most common USB devices
- Can generate better flames than average stoves because of its fans and gas jets
- Easy to use scalloped upper design supplies a sturdy surface for pots and pans
- Cool to the touch safety conscious honeycomb exterior
- Aluminium frame is lightweight and strong
- Smart technology runs completely on biomass fuel which is renewable and readily available
CONS:
- Slightly heavy
- Somewhat bulky
(Some may find that carrying a portable camp stove around is too inconvenient when they know they can just find sticks and build a fire on the ground at their destination site).
A pros and cons list is good to ensure that you get an unbiased review, and we hope that you agree with us that the pros more than make up for the cons. This is based on our educated opinion, and we are confident in recommending this stove as one of the most highly efficient, easy-to-use and useful outdoor stoves around. If you take it to the great outdoors for off-grid living, you will not be disappointed.
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