Top 8 Best Backpacking Mess Kits 2023 – Buying Guide

Outdoor activities are tiring and all you want after a long hike is to fuel yourself up. When on camping, we like to have food that can be quickly prepared. Outdoor living can be stressful if you do not have a proper backpack meal kit.

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Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The backpacking mess kit with utensils that cook your food evenly and are easy to clean will be your timesaver. You can have a look at the best backpacking mess kits reviewed in this article to save your shopping time.

Top Picks of 2023

1. MalloMe Mess Kit –Best Mess Kit for Backpacking

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Features

  • Weight: 1.17 pounds
  • Size: 6.6 x 6.3 x 3.8 inches
  • Lightweight and easy to store collapsible design
  • 10-piece set
  • Durable anodized aluminum construction
  • BPA-free wooden spatula and soup spoon
  • Non-stick anodized aluminum pot (1-liter)
  • Recipe eBook
  • One person serving
Pros
  • Durable and sturdy construction
  • Lightweight and easy storage
  • Easy to clean
  • Great price
  • Free eBook
Cons
  • Cannot be placed on direct flameLids have no locking mechanism

2. MSR Quick 2 System Mess Kit

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Features

  • Weight: 1.76 pounds
  • Size: 7.7 x 7.7 x 4.8 inches
  • Corrosion-resistant and durable anodized aluminum construction
  • 8-piece set
  • Serves two people
  • Polypropylene dish plates
  • Hard anodized aluminum pot
  • Two insulated mugs
  • Lightweight, compact and easy cleaning

Have a camping friend along? This lightweight mess kit will serve you in the best way. It includes a non-stick hard-anodized aluminum pot (1.5L), a hard-anodized aluminum pot (2.5L), a strainer lid, 2 insulated mugs, 2 dishes, and a pot handle. All these pieces can fit into one large pot for easy storage. The large-sized pot can be used to boil water and the small-sized can be used for making sauces and simmers. The anodized aluminum construction makes the kit durable preventing rust formation.

Pros
  • Easy to clean, dishwasher safe and microwave
  • safe
  • Available in seven colors
  • Lightweight and compact
  • Waterproof SnapBoxes
  • Budget-friendly
Cons
  • Low-quality storage strap The plastic spork can break

3. Light My Fire Ultralight Mess Kit

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Features

  • Weight: 3.04 ounces
  • Size: 7.6 x 7.6 x 2.4 inches
  • BPA-free polypropylene fabrication
  • Waterproof and tight locked SnapBoxes
  • 8-piece set
  • Serves 1 person
  • Strainer and cutting board combination
  • Harness to hold the utensils together

This one-person versatile set has all that a hiker needs. The 8-piece set includes two SnapBoxes, a bowl, a plate, a cup, a spork, a strainer, and a harness. This ultralight mess kit comes in different colors to choose from and is microwave safe. The SnapBoxes have tight locks and are waterproof so you do not need to worry about food spillage while traveling.

Pros
  • Easy to clean, dishwasher safe and microwave safe
  • Available in seven colors
  • Lightweight and compact
  • Waterproof SnapBoxes
  • Budget-friendly
Cons
  • Low-quality storage strap
  • The plastic spork can break

4. Bulin Mess Kit –Best Camping Mess Kit

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Features

  • Weight: 3.31 pounds
  • Sturdy and durable aluminum construction
  • Collapsible design
  • 13-piece set
  • Serves 2-4 people
  • Corrosion-resistant and heat-resistant
  • Easy cleaning of non-stick utensils

This durable 13-piece mess kit comes in a compressed package. The anodized aluminum pots cook your food faster and provide even heating. It is corrosion-resistant and heat-resistant. This 4 person mess kit includes two cooking pots with lids, one frying pan, four BPA-free bowls, two BPA-free plates, one kettle, one BPA-free spoon, one ladle, and one cleaning sponge. This collapsible kit is easy to carry and saves space. The non-stick kit is easily washable making your camping trip easy. Any camping group would love to have this best camping mess kit.

Pros
  • Durable aluminum construction

  • Compact design

  • Corrosion-resistant and heat-resistant
Cons
  • Handles turn hot
  • Heavyweight

5. Bisgear Backpacking Mess Kit Lightweight

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Features

  • Weight: 1.6 pounds
  • Durable anodized aluminum construction
  • Non-stick pot and pan make it easy to clean
  • All the objects can be stored in a mesh bag to carry easily
  • 16-piece set
  • Serves 1-2 people

This 16-piece lightweight mess kit includes a mini stove, an anodized aluminum non-stick pot, a non-stick frying pan, a pan cover, two BFA-free bowls, a BPA-free soup spoon, a ladle, a cleaning sponge, a carabiner, a stainless steel spork, a spoon, a knife, and a nylon bag. The non-stick aluminum pot and frying pan are easy to clean. You can store all the objects in a mesh bag to save your space and carry it easily. It is suitable for 1-2 people. This durable mesh kit for camping will make your picnic enjoyable.

Pros
  • Durable aluminum construction
  • Lightweight and compact design
  • Non-stick makes cleaning easy
  • Simple setting process
  • Pots heat the food evenly
Cons
  • Handles are of low quality

6. GSI Outdoor Mess Kit for Camping

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Features

  • Weight: 1.85 pounds
  • Size: 8.2 x 8.2 x 5.4 inches
  • A non-stick anodized aluminum pot that is durable and easy to clean
  • 11-piece set
  • Serves 2 people

This 11-piece camping cookware mess kit is perfect for two people. It includes a pot, a frying pan, a strainer lid, two insulated mugs, two bowls, two sip-through lids, a pot handle, and a stuff sack. This aluminum made kit fits into the waterproof sack for easy storage. The non-stick coating improves heat distribution. It is easy to clean.

Pros
  • Durable aluminum construction
  • Non-stick makes cleaning easy
  • Pots heat the food evenly
  • Foldable design
Cons
  • Highly expensive
  • Difficult to fit in nylon bag as it does not have
  • any hanging option

7. Coleman Mess Kit for Camping

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Features

  • Weight: 11.2 ounces
  • Size: 3.2 x 9.3 x 8.1 inches
  • High-quality aluminum construction
  • 5-piece set
  • Serves 1
  • Lightweight and easy storage

This 5-piece aluminum mess kit contains a pot with lid, a frying pan, a plate, and a cup. This small and study kit can be easily nested together. This kit is highly affordable and easy to carry and clean.

Pros
  • Durable aluminum construction
  • Lightweight and easy storage
  • Cleans easily
Cons
  • Smaller than advertised
  • Not too compact storage

8. REDCAMP Mess Kit

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Features

  • Weight: 1 pound
  • Size: 5.1 x 5.1 x 6.3 inches
  • 9-piece set
  • Serves 1 person
  • Anodized aluminum construction
  • Lightweight and easy storage

This lightweight mess kit does not add weight to your backpack and perfectly nests together for compact storage. It includes an anodized aluminum pot, a frying pan, two bowls, a survival bracelet, a tool card, a stainless steel spoon, a sponge, and a mesh bag. The anodized aluminum pot and pan are easy to clean. The storage bag helps you to hang it in your backpack or keep it inside. It is the best mess kit for boy scouts.

Pros
  • Durable aluminum construction
  • Lightweight and easy storage
  • Cleans easily
Cons
  • Spot in your backpack Handles turns hot

Conclusion

You will come across various mess kit brands and types in the market. The best out of them are listed in this article to make your selection easier. You need to look which suits you the best keeping in mind the main features. A lightweight and durable mess kit that is compact and easy to clean will add convenience to your camping trip. Invest wisely so that you do not need to replace your kit within a short time.

The Best Backpacking Mess Kits –Buyer’s Guide

You might be thinking about how to find the best backpacking mess kit. This guide has the answer to your question as it contains the features you need to look in a meal kit while deciding.

Number of People

The type of mess kit you choose will depend on the number of people on your camping trip. If you are traveling alone then you require the complete meal kit including a serving place, stove and a cooking pot but if you have a group of 2 or more people then you do not need to carry a stove and cooking pot for each as it will only add burden to your carrying stuff. Instead an water container could be stored

You can share the pot and stove and have your plates and cups. It is better to invest in a large meal kit at once so that you can carry the number of utensils as per your trip requirement and keep the extra home.

What’s in your camping eating kit?

Best Backpacking Mess Kits

The camping eating kits have different items depending on the kit type. The cooking pot, pans, bowls, or plates are available in almost all of the mess kits while some also include a kettle and a stove.

Cleaning Ease

Backpacking is not an easy task so you should choose the cooking utensils that are easy to clean. You cannot waste your time rubbing them off.

Weight and Compactness

Weight matters a lot when you are out on a long camping tour. The hikers go for ultra-light meal kits so that it does not add weight to the backpack. You can leave all the unnecessary things at home and take the multi-purpose kitchen tools only.

Material

The meal-kit you choose should have a material that heats well and lasts longer. You cannot live with the headache of replacing the kit on the damage. The anodized aluminum cookware is durable and does not rust. The steel kits of ultimate strength do not deform when dropped.

Your cooking pot and cooking tools should be heat-resistant. The mess kits are usually made of BPA-free durable plastic. You can choose the material according to your requirement and budget.

Types of Backpacking Mess Kits

There are different types of mess kits available in the market. You can choose the one that suits you as per your requirements.

Minimalist Kits

These mess kits are simple and affordable designed for one person having a small pot, a pan, and maybe a cup.

Cooking Kits

These kits do not come with eating utensils and you have to use the pot lid for eating food.

Eating Kits

As the name says, these mess kits have eating utensils only. They do not include cooking pots and pans.

All Included Kits

These meal kits are designed for camping groups containing all the utensils required for cooking and eating.

FAQs

Best Backpacking Mess Kits

1. Why do you need a mess kit?

You need a mess kit to add convenience to your camping life. You cannot drag your whole kitchen along with you so you need some specific kitchen utensils and tools that can meet your basic requirements. Mess kits are lightweight and compact for easy storage.

2. What does a mess kit have?

A mess kit includes a cooking pot, a pan, bowls, cups, spoons, and a stove.

3. How to clean your mess kit?

The cleaning sponges are available in your kit. You can use them to clean and then rinse off with water. The pots and pans are non-stick so you should avoid scraping them with any metal-based material.

4. What is the best backpacking mess kit?

MalloMe Mess Kit is the best backpacking kit. It is durable, lightweight, easy to clean, and compact.

5. What is the best mess kit for camping?

Bulin mess kit is the best mess kit for camping. It comes in a compressed package and is durable.

6. What is the best budget mess kit?

Light My Fire is the best mess kit for the budget. It is a polypropylene 8-piece set.

7. What is the best kit for two people?

MSR Quick 2 System Mess Kit is perfect for two people. It is lightweight and compact having durable anodized aluminum construction.

8. What is the ultra-light mess kit?

Light My Fire Mess Kit is the lightest kit available on the list weighing only 3.04 ounces.

9. What is the best mess kit for boy scouts?

REDCAMP Mess Kit is best for boy scouts as it is lightweight and compact. The boy scouts constantly travel so this would be convenient for them.

Here are some other interesting models that you might like:

UCO 6-Piece Camping Mess Kit with Bowl, Plate, Camp Cup, and Switch Spork Utensil Set
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Coleman Stainless Steel Mess Kit
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GSI Outdoors - Halulite Microdualist, Integrated Cooking + Eating Solution, 2 Person
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UCO 6-Piece Camping Mess Kit with Bowl, Plate, Camp Cup, and Switch Spork Utensil Set
  • Mess kit for camping, backpacking, scouting,...
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Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API