Last Updated on 29 September 2023 by Cycloscope
Uncover the best camping stoves for bikpacking and cycle touring
Explore a range of lightweight, multifuel stoves, wood burners, spirit/alcohol, canisters, and DIY stoves for your outdoor adventures. Discover the top options for efficient cooking and easy portability on your next cycling excursion.
Welcome to the world of bikepacking and outdoor cooking!
If you’re an adventurous cyclist who loves exploring new destinations on two wheels while enjoying delicious meals on the go, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll delve into the realm of the best bikepacking stoves and discover some of the top options available for your culinary needs during your cycle touring adventures.
As an experienced wild camper and seasoned bikepacker myself, I understand the importance of having a reliable and efficient stove that can withstand the rigors of long-distance cycling.
Over the years, I’ve embarked on numerous bikepacking trips, traversing diverse landscapes and encountering various weather conditions. From remote mountain ranges to sprawling deserts, I’ve relied on my trusty stove to fuel my culinary escapades and keep me nourished on the road.
Whether you prefer the versatility of multi-fuel stoves, the silence of spirit burners, the convenience of canister stoves, the rustic charm of wood-burning stoves, or the backup reliability of solid fuel stoves, we’ll explore each category and highlight some top contenders within each type.
From their features and performance to their weight and portability, we’ll cover all the essential aspects to help you make an informed decision when choosing the perfect stove for your bikepacking adventures.
So, whether you’re embarking on a cross-country cycling expedition, venturing into the heart of nature for an overnight camping trip, or simply seeking a compact stove for your weekend bike tours, join me as we unravel the world of bikepacking stoves and find the ideal cooking companion for your pedal-powered journeys.
Let’s ignite the flames of culinary exploration and satisfy our taste buds while immersing ourselves in the awe-inspiring landscapes that await us. Grab your pot and cutlery and let’s go!
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11 Best Bikepacking Stoves
divided by category
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3 Multifuel
bikepacking stoves
Multifuel stoves are among the most popular stoves for cycle touring as you can burn both unleaded gasoline and diesel on them, which is easily available across the globe. The downside is that they have a lot of small parts that can break on a rough cycle tour, so you must make sure to bring spare parts.
They are also generally large, heavy, loud, and smelly.
MSR WhisperLite Universal Backpacking
A favorite among the best multi-fuel bikepacking stoves, this one can run on unleaded gasoline, white gas, kerosene, and isobutane-propane canisters.
The stove, pump, and canister mount weigh 388 grams and have dimensions of 15cm x 15cm x 12cm making it a great option to take on any cycling tour. It is easy to swap fuel type and easy to clean with the Shaker Jets™ self-cleaner system.
Optimum Svea Stove
This is the perfect bikepacking stove for anyone heading to higher altitudes for its impressive performance in thin air. It is a top performer in any weather conditions which makes it a reliable stove to bring on longer cycling tours that touch into different seasons.
It runs on white gas, is super lightweight at only 130.4 grams, and packs up at as little as 10cm x 10cm x 13cm.
Primus Omnifuel stove
Primus Omnifuel excels as a reliable stove to bring on any international cycling tour which runs on a variety of fuels like white gas, diesel, kerosene, canister gas, and aviation fuel. It comes with a multitool with a foldable windshield and a heat reflector.
The downside is that it is on the heavier side compared to other options on this list with its 450 grams. Its dimensions are 14cm x 9cm x 6.5cm.
2 Best
Spirit Burner Stoves
for bike touring
Spirit burners burn different types of spirits with alcohol levels above 70%, which is also easily accessible in large parts of the world.
Besides, they are silent compared to other stoves, making them a popular option among bikepackers.
The drawback is that in some countries you can not get hold of spirits and it burns poorly in cold temperatures.
Trangia Triangle stove
One of the most loved stoves for bike camping is the Trangia Triangle stove.
It is a lightweight version of the much heavier Classical Trangia stove and basically consists of three stainless steel walls covering the Trangia fuel canister and a steel support ring.
At only 115 grams, its dimensions are also attractive at 14cm x 10cm x 1cm. The stove burns alcohol and the higher percentage the better (preferably 90%+).
ATiAP Alcohol Stove
This is a budget-friendly spirit burner option and only weighs 77 grams making it a good choice for international bikepackers looking for a small and lightweight alternative on a budget.
That said, it takes longer to cook up water and food than other cycle tour stoves and it is very small, so you must be careful not to tip it over or use too big a pot.
2 Great
Canister Stoves
for bicycle touring
Canister stoves are popular on shorter, domestic cycling tours. However, you can not fly with butane or butane pressured canister, so it is not ideal for international trips unless you research up front that you can get hold of it at your destination.
MSR Reactor 1.0L Stove System
This is an excellent canister stove for cycle tourism as it is windproof which makes it possible to cook in all weather conditions. Besides, you can store both the stove and canister inside the pot making it compact and easy to pack.
The pot of 1 liter is perfect for 1-2 people and comes with a strainer lid so you easily can pour water out of noodles etc. It weighs 416 grams with dimensions of 12cm x 15.5cm and is very silent.
MSR PocketRocket 2
By far among the most budget-friendly and lightweight bikepacker stoves for cooking is the MSR PocketRocket 2, much more lightweight than its predecessor making it even more attractive among those who want to go minimalistic.
It neatly packs up to 8cm x 4cm x 3cm in a lightweight box making it easy to store in your pack. The weight is 73 grams. Though small, it holds larger pots well as long as the canister stands steady, due to its folding pot support.
2 Wood-burning stoves for bike camping
Wood-burning stoves are a good option when cycling to remote areas where other fuels are not available.
The downside is that it is crucial to have dry, hot weather or you will struggle to light up the wood and it takes time.
There are also fire hazards in summer and many areas prohibit fires, so make sure you check up on regulations before you go. Usually, wood-burning stoves are also a bit more on the heavy side compared to other alternatives.
BioLite CampStove 2
As far as wood-burning stoves for bikepacking go, this is by far the most versatile.
As you burn wood, it generates energy and you can charge your phone in the USB outlet – a full battery charges a phone entirely.
A smart led dashboard also helps you control the flames with 4 fan strengths. The stove has a shield protecting the flames from the wind.
However, is on the heavier side, just the stove weight 907 grams. Besides, this package includes a kettle pot, coffee press, grill, and flex light which together turn out to be 2.37 kilos.
Solo Stove Lite
This is one of the most popular wood-burner stoves among bikepackers. It is a lot more lightweight compared to other wood burners at only 250 grams.
The design featuring a double wall assures less smoke and the airflow allows it to be efficient. Yet, it takes longer to warm up water on a wood burner than on most other stoves and there is no flame control allowing you to “turn it down” when cooking your bikepacking food.
It comes with a lightweight pot where you can store the stove saving you space in the pack. The pot packs down to 11cm x 12cm so you can easily fit it in your pack.
The Best Solid Fuel Stove
for cycle touring
Solid fuel stoves are the least popular option but work well as a reserve stove when everything else fails. It is lightweight and typically fuels on briquette tablets or gel tubes. The drawback is that they have no flame control and heating goes slow.
Esbit Pocket stove
This is a great budget-friendly bikepacking stove that makes many cyclers’ emergency kits. Due to being super lightweight at only 92 grams, it does not add much weight to your pack and it fuels on fire briquettes which also are lightweight.
The reason this stove usually is not the main stove for bikepackers is that it takes a long time to heat water, thus it is not ideal for cooking food on.
But if your regular stove breaks down, you will be thankful to dig out the Esbit Pocket Stove and cook up some easy, dehydrated meals until you can fix your equipment.
FAQ about bike touring stoves
What type of stove is best for bikepacking?
Multi-fuel stoves are the most popular among bikepackers as it is easy to find different kinds of fuel also internationally and in remote villages. However, spirit burners are a lot quieter and do not smell as bad, and alcohol is usually available in most countries.
Are Trangia stoves worth it?
Trangia stoves are lightweight and surprisingly durable. As they are spirit-burning stoves, it is also mostly easy to find alcohol for them.
What is the easiest bikepacking stove to use?
Canister stoves are the easiest to use as you just have to pop or screw on the canister to the stove, they also usually come with easy to use flame control making it easy to cook food without burning it.
What is the difference between a camping and bikepacking stove?
Camping stoves are usually larger and steadier. They might hold enough space for two pots and they are often a lot heavier and bulkier than bikepacking stoves. The latter needs to pack up tight and is preferably a lot more lightweight making it easier to fit into the pack.
