Outdoor Gear Roundup: Backcountry Kitchen

Day six. John Muir Wilderness. Hungry. Tired. But my back's not sore 'cause my kitchen's light.

Primus's EtaPackLite is the newest iteration in a bulkier line. The stove and its gas cartridge fit into the pot, but small doesn't mean weak: The adjustable flame boils a liter in three minutes and runs at 13,500 Btus per hour. A stuff sack is included. 21 oz., $115. 

The Solo Pack, made by Fozzils, comes with a dish, plate, cup, and spoon that start out flatter than a crepe. They fold and snap into 3-D shapes to hold food or drink. Though configuring them may take some initial fumbling, it's worth the effort to have bisphenol-A-free plastic dishes that pack perfectly flat and, all told, weigh less than a plastic file folder. 4.1 oz., $15.  

 

Yes, you can bring a Kitchen Sink. Available at REI, Sea to Summit's 5-, 10-, and 20-liter versions, made of nylon and stainless-steel cable, provide a convenient, freestanding way to wash dishes at a safe distance from rivers and streams. They come with carrying handles and their own storage case. 3 oz., $17; 4.4 oz., $20; 6.4 oz., $23.

Sea to Summit's AlphaLite cutlery set includes an aluminum knife, fork, and spoon made featherweight in part because they're pocked with rounded hexagonal holes that let them double as tightening tools. A tiny carabiner holds everything together. 1.3 oz., $15.

--Avital Binshtock