GEAR REVIEWS
Therm-a-Rest ProLite Mattress: An Affordable Ultra-light Self-Inflating Mattress
Whether you travel with an ultralight tent to camp in designated campsites or you plan to chill under the tree’s shadow, a mattress is a need to have. It’s an obvious assumption that outdoor surfaces are notorious of sharp pebbles and rocks that might hurt your back when lying down. As thus, one needs protective sleeping pads to prevent blisters caused by rocky surfaces. Therm-a-Rest has a ProLite Mattress in response to your desires.
Whenever participating in any outdoor activity such as hiking, particularly the long mileage ones, a light weight, comfort, and durability are paramount. The bottom-line is to have a minimal hiking or backpacking gear as possible to avoid hurting your back and straining your muscles.
Can you imagine a heavy weight of having a camping tent, a mattress, and other indispensable accessories? That could be too inconvenient. Fortunately, Therm-a-Rest ProLite Mattress brings a compact design that is portable enough to fit in many backpacks for your convenience. So, the weight issue is dealt and done with.
But then the ProLite Mattress is designed to keep you warm only in 3 seasons except winter. It is not that sophisticated with its insulation to an extent of overcoming the winter’s harsh outdoor temperatures despite having a warm tent. With this in mind, you will have to purchase an additional sleeping pad or a sleeping bag in order to survive, for example, the snowy surfaces because ProLite is only 1 inch high when fully inflated. It is nonetheless a great value for hikers that are fond of hiking in spring to the early fall when the temperatures are mild.
We have discussed the paramount features of this sleeping mattress below in order to give you a glimpse about its capabilities. These features can also be used as critical factors when evaluating similar products on the market prior to making a purchase.
Review
Packaging
The mattress will be shipped to your location in a 10 by 8 by 10 inch packaging, and it weighs 1.4 pounds. Since it is compact and lightweight, the mattress is sure to fit in your backpack easily, without stressing too much about space considerations or worrying that it will weigh you down when you decide to carry it during your hike.
Design and Durability
With a 50 denier Hex Rip Polyster, a ProLite sleeping mat reassures you durability of all the times. It can survive numerous uses in a variety of surfaces no matter how rough they are. Even if it gets punctured mistakenly, the pad can be patched with ease to keep its inflating features. This advantage is seldom seen in other sleeping mattresses due to their complex baffle designs. The urethane foam, the internal fabric, is also durable.
Weight is commonly an important feature that often trades durability when selecting sleeping mattresses. Many ultralight hikers focus on the weight to check if the product will not compromise their mobility whenever climbing steep mountains or travelling for hundreds of miles. But in most cases, with an ultraweight comes less durability and a compromised warmth in many sleeping pads. Just be vigilant about that.
ProLite sleeping mattress proves the convention somehow untrue for sleeping pads. It is lightweight yet durable and comfortable. The design and the brand have existed for many years, and, as many customers have asserted, durability has not been compromised in spite of the quest to trim excess pounds. The mattress weighs 1 pound and 5 ounces with dimensions 10 X 8 X 10 inches. This light weight can take you places. The pad can fit in your hiking gear, and can also fit in ultralight camping tents.
Unique Features
Some of the ProLite mattresses’ unique features are what sets it apart from others just like it on the market.
Comfort: Unlike its counterparts, the air construction sleeping pads, ProLite mattress offer a notably better comfort when camping on it. It has a flat surface and a self-inflating foam that plays a supporting role of providing comfort. What this means is that you can comfortably rest your body on this sleeping pad, either sleeping by side or against your back, without an adverse feeling of rocks or pebbles. Its self-inflating foam makes sure that it keeps the pad inflated at all times.
Furthermore, the Therm-a-Rest ProLite Sleeping Pad provides no bouncing sensation as is the case with other sleeping pads especially the air construction ones. Many campers have fallen in love with the ProLite’s firm and stable feeling. Moreover, the pad has a grip surface for a fixed position of sleeping.
Warmth: If you tell me about a sleeping mattress that fails to optimize warmth, I’d rather advise you sleep on the ground of your tent. Warmth is critical and paramount, especially when taking into consideration the cold midnights in the wilderness. All you need is a warm sleeping pad that has a high heat retention to avoid unnecessary convective heat loss.
ProLite comes with an R-value of 2.4, and temperature usage range of 28 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. With these features, the mattress is sure to keep you cool and warm. But, a word of advice, do a thorough research about the temperature fluctuations of your desired hiking destinations and then act accordingly to pair the mattress with some blankets or sleeping bags for an added warmth.
Self-Inflating : Perhaps or arguably the most attractive feature in this sleeping mattress is its self-inflating feature. Imagine that moment you’re tired from a long distance hike, and then be faced with a non-self-inflating mattress to blow air into. That would be too much of a tedious work. ProLite mattress is self-inflating within the first 10 minutes of unfolding it from your backpack, although it doesn’t self-inflate to the maximum level. You only need a minimal blow to complete the inflation process. Then you’ll be all set up to sleep on your mattress.
It is also compressible in case you want to re-pack it and move to the next destination. But if you remain fixed at a designated campsite, we reckon you store it inflated to avoid the energy exhaustion of having to prepare it daily. ProLite sleeping mat scores high with this feature because majority of sleeping pads needs a tremendous blow to inflate them.
Pack size: With a diagonally-cut foam and a tapered shape, this sleeping mattress is compact and portable. The tapered shape eliminates unnecessary excess space at your legs. As thus, this makes it possible for the pad to be packed small. It comes with varying sizes, which include small, large, and regular.
Furthermore, the pad’s perforated foam construction trims the bulkiness that is seen in its predecessors. Its compressibility feature also plays a great role in its compact packable size. The stuff sack is provided to store the mat.
Versatility: It will be such a pleasure knowing that you can use your sleeping mattress in a wide range of applications or surfaces. Almost in every kind of hiking or backpacking, you can rely on ProLite mattress. Some of its uses include the following:
- Laying it in an ultralight camping tent
- Laying it directly on the ground on any surface when taking a rest during hiking
- Laying it in your car to take a nap
- Use it indoors in your household
Now that you are well-hooked up with the most paramount features of this mattress, let’s unfold more of its technical aspects and many more in the review below. We have also discussed related products that can be paired with this mattress for a complete preparation for your hiking. Some of the accessories may warrant this sleeping pad’s use in the winter season.
Value for Money and Guarantee
The mattress costs around $60 and $173. The prices vary according to the size of the mattress purchased. Additional costs may be incurred if you consider supplementing the sleeping pad with other products for an extra warmth, particularly for winter use. For instance, a compressible pillow from Therm-a-Rest can cost between $12 to $86, a Kelty Cosmic sleeping bag between $150 to $350, and another mattress from Therm-a-Rest between $35 to $115.
Spending such a whopping large sum of money is a good investment for outdoor enthusiasts. These products are durable, so you won’t have to return to the store anytime soon unless if it’s a factory, but that can be fixed by the supplier or the seller.
As you have seen in this review, this self-inflating mattress is a perfect companion for hikers who plan to blaze some hot trails in between spring and fall. And it’s not only hikers who can enjoy the ProLite mattress, anyone who loves the great outdoors, whether its campers, bikers and hunters, can benefit from it.
And why not? It is lightweight, comfortable and warm. One thing to note about its warmth, though, is that during the extremely cold winter months, the mattress needs to be paired with other blankets and a sleeping bag to achieve optimal warmth.
And the fact that it is also compact is a huge plus, meaning that when it is compressed it should fit right in with the rest of your gear without forcing you to leave anything behind. On top of that, you have the durability of the mattress to consider as well. Its 50 denier polyester exterior is tough and can withstand multiple outdoor trips while being soft and comfortable on the body.
Sometimes, manufacturers have to sacrifice one or the other, but this is not the case here. All these features add up to one mattress that we’d recommend to bring with you on your next outdoor adventure.
PROS:
- Self-inflating
- Comfortable
- Durable with a 50 denier polyester
- Affordable
- Best fit in 3 seasons
- Compact design and weighs 1.4 pounds
- Versatile
- Warm
CONS:
- Not suitable for winter hiking unless paired with others
- Only an inch after inflating it – insufficient to use in rocky surfaces
- No baffle system on the perimeter or any lining to prevent you from falling off in the night
Based on our unbiased review of this product, we guarantee that you will not be disappointed with the product now that you know where its strengths and weaknesses lie. You don’t have to sleep on the hard ground next time you need a rest during your hiking or camping trip; you just need this mattress instead to ensure you get adequate rest.
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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