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One of the big 3 of backpacking gear choices (backpack, tent or shelter, and sleeping bag), the backpacking backpack you choose will have a profound impact on your comfort during the hiking day. Your pack will also be one of the more expensive items you’ll purchase, and to get the best pack within your budget a little research will be needed as there are a myriad of packs out there on the market.

In this guide, we’ll look at the best backpacking packs currently on the market based upon anticipated pack weight and packing category (ultralight, lightweight, heavy weight) along with some budget options as well. For the purposes of this guide, we’ll focus on performance, availability, reasonable price, and reasonable longevity for the intended purpose.
Best Ultralight Backpacking Backpacks
If you’re a weekend or overnight backpacker and / or manage to keep your total pack weight at around 25lbs or less, more ultralight backpacking packs under 2lbs may be worth a look. That said, if you do plan on going over this weight from time to time, and prefer a quiver of one, the next section in this article may be more appropriate to evaluate.
For ultralight loads and a mainstream option, look no further than the REI Co-op Flash Air 50 (just under 2lbs, $300). This pack keeps things simple with a feature set and a storage configuration that works, and has the advantage of being offered in both men's and women's versions. The Superior Wilderness Designs SL 40L UltraGrid (50L total, ~23 ounces, $300) is another option if you're looking for a framed pack (this pack is using dual tubular aluminum stays) that has load lifters and good storage, although the hipbelt pockets are something you'll have to add on (a bit like a car without cupholders). That said, you can even remove the stays from this pack if it's still not light enough for you to get this under 20 ounces.

Frameless packs save weight, but are best for niche scenarios and the lightest (and generally short) backpacking trips.
The Zpacks Nero Ultra 38L (38L total space, 10 ounces, $250) offers an ultralight option for the lightest of ultralight packers, but in typical Zpacks style still has organization and features you need in a pack of this nature. The Super Nero Ultra 50L boosts the space up to 50L total, with a pack weight of just 12 ounces at $270. Both of these packs are suggested for 20lbs or less of total pack weight.
Another option is the MLD (Mountain Laurel Designs) Burn. This pack weighs in just over a pound and retails for $325 with 38L of storage. Featuring the tried and true combination of roll top main compartment, outside pocket, side pockets, and hipbelt pockets, the Burn is a nice option for ultralight overnights or beyond, so long as you are indeed focusing on the “ultra” of ultralight.
Note that if you’re moving toward going ultralight, your backpack is the last thing you should upgrade. There is no point in exceeding the comfort limits of a pack just to achieve a target weight number on a spreadsheet. Comfort is more important and it’s better to have a slightly heavier, but more comfortable backpack when loaded.
Summary: Best Ultralight Backpacking Backpacks
REI Co-op Flash Air 50
SWD SL 40L UltraGrid
Zpacks Nero Ultra 38
Zpacks Super Nero Ultra 50
MLD Burn
Best Lightweight & Long Distance Backpacks
This is the bread and butter category of backpacking packs if you’re focused on lightweight backpacking, planning longer trips where saving weight is a priority, or if you're planning on thru-hiking a long trail. These are the packs that are just right most of the time, just fine (if a little under-loaded) for an overnight, and can be pushed for longer trips – although they may not be the most comfortable for hauling heavy loads the first few days out and until some of that consumable weight is reduced.

In this category and if your pack weight will be under 35-40lbs two packs from ULA Equipment have been a favorite choice of both mine and the backpacking community for years. My pick is the ULA Circuit (total volume 68L, 38.5 ounces, $300) that I’ve used on overnights up to 10 day trips and everything in between, although it’s definitely pushing it for trips over a week for me (whether you’d want to grab a pack from the next section in this article is a personal call).
If you’ll be packing a little heavier, trend towards longer trips, and / or like more space the ULA Catalyst (75L total, 44.4 ounces, $320) will make more sense. To save a little weight and for a more waterproof pack Ultra versions of both of these packs are available. These two packs feature my favorite storage configuration for the trail (as previously described): large roll top main compartment, large outside back pocket, side pockets, and hipbelt pockets. In either case, you simply cannot go wrong with these two venerable ULA packs if you’ll be carrying less than 40lbs fully loaded (I’ve had 50lbs in the Circuit, not suggested but the pack was no worse for wear). And as a quick note if you're looking for a great kid's pack look no further than the ULA Spark.

Another and newer pack to check out in this category is the Durston Kakwa 55 (around 60L total, about 31 ounces, $200-$260). This pack can be either had in the more affordable UltraGrid fabric option or Ultra 200X. Either way you get a pack with impressive organization at reasonable prices, and a pack that’s quite light but still can carry up to 45lbs.
A note on Ultra: while many manufacturers have begun using Ultra (100X / 200X / 400X) fabrics for packs, durability has been mixed on the original fabric and the jury is still out on newer, further reinforced X versions. That said an Ultra pack will get you a completely waterproof pack (except seams unless taped).
UltraGrid however, is a heavier denier nylon with a UHMWPE gridstop and a PU coating on the inside. This coating is rated at a 1500mm hydrostatic head – that’s as waterproof as some tents on the market. Fabrics similar to UltraGrid have proven themselves over the years. They will become more water-resistant in time, but these fabrics have held up very well to the trail – on or off trail for that matter – and have handled abrasion situations very well in my experience. Long story short, it is hard to beat a good gridstop fabric for packs.

Gridstop may not be the most waterproof, but I have gridstop packs with a decade+ of usage that are still quite water resistant and there are other ways to keep your backpacking gear dry. This would include using a pack liner or a large dry bag or two…or alternatively a trash compactor bag would be suggested in regards to pack waterproofing. Gridstops aren’t as trendy as laminates, but I fully expect 10 years or more of use out of packs made with these gridstop ~200+ denier nylon fabrics and there is a lot to be said for that.
Back to backpacks, for the lightest of the light, the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L (60L total storage, about 22 ounces, $400) is worth consideration – this pack is rated to carry 40lbs via a carbon fiber frame system with integrated back ventilation and as a bonus is also available in a women's specific version. The pack uses a lighter Ultra 100X to save weight – so this pack will be better for users that are willing to be a little careful with their gear in order to save the weight.
Summary: Best Lightweight & Long Distance Backpacks
ULA Circuit
ULA Catalyst
ULA Spark (for kids)
Durston Kakwa 55
Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60 & Women's
Best Load Hauler Backpacking Packs
Weight (of the pack itself...or weight carried within it for that matter) can quickly spiral out of control in this category, with some manufacturers offering packs here that can weigh well over 5lbs. In this category we have a few main venerable larger players, with one example being the Gregory Baltoro and the Gregory Deva series, in particular the Baltoro 75 liter (~80 ounces, $360) and the Baltoro 85 Pro (around 88 ounces, $400), with the women’s version being offered in the Deva 70 backpack (about 75 ounces, $360) as well as the larger Deva 80 Pro pack (~84 ounces, $400).
If you’re looking for a cushy mainstream get-it-done pack to haul large loads that can be on your doorstep a few days from now, the Baltoro and Deva packs have been a go-to for many years and are rated to carry up to 70lbs. Saving weight for the pack itself is not however a strong point here.

If you’ll be hauling a heavy load (long trips, lots of food and water, or extras like packrafts or camera gear) but still have a lightweight approach like me, you may need to look at smaller companies to fill this niche. Leaders in this category include the Superior Wilderness Designs Wolverine 95L (a 70L is also offered) pack as well as their 95L Big Wild pack (no large outside back pocket), also offered in a 70L version.
While color is usually not my primary concern when selecting a pack, these two SWD packs for better or worse are only made in Ultra 400X fabric which only comes in white or black – which I’d have to say, would be towards my last 2 choices when it comes to something like a pack or tent color. That said, these packs are rated to carry up over 50lbs for around $400 and will come in around 40 ounces for the pack itself, plus or minus depending on options. Be sure to check out their available add-ons if you want something like a hydration port or hipbelt pockets.

Hipbelt pockets offer convenience and storage for smaller items you'd like to keep immediately at hand.
A few other packs stand out here: Nunatak makes extraordinary gear and offers their Plateau Pack (around 40 ounces, $350) with an up to 75L capacity and capable of carrying 50+ lbs. This pack is more custom built and you’ll have to see if things like hydration ports or hipbelt pockets can be added. Be it Superior Wilderness Designs or Nunatak or even Seek Outside which we'll talk about to follow, plan in advance and buckle up for some wait times.

Seek Outside offers a couple packs worth checking out – although Seek Outside seems to lean towards the lightweight backcountry hunting crowd at times, some of their products can be used for lightweight backpacking like the 79L Divide 4800 2.0 ($505, 55 ounces). However, Seek Outside takes no custom requests so if you want something like a hydration port, you’re out of luck unless you want to start cutting and sewing yourself. The largest pack they offer with a hydration port is currently the Gila 3500 2.0 ($485, 51 ounces). The Gila isn't all that large of a pack (for a load hauler pack) with a 57 liter pack bag, but you can use the top strap and bottom straps to carry items on the outside and the pack features Seek Outside's load hauling frame.
Seek Outside’s frames are very uniquely rated for pretty much whatever weight you can physically carry, so if you’re looking to grab a single pack that can handle just about whatever you can throw at it in regards to pack weight, these are the packs that would be up to the task.
Summary: Best Load Hauler Backpacking Packs
Gregory Baltoro
Gregory Deva
SWD Big Wild 95
SWD Wolverine 95
Nunatak Plateau Pack
Seek Outside Divide 4800 2.0
Seek Outside Gila 3500 2.0
Best Budget Backpacking Packs
If you want to keep it under $200 (at least before shipping and tax) – which I would very much consider a budget range for a backpacking pack – the previously mentioned Durston Kakwa 55 in UltraGrid offers quite a bit of value in this category as long as you’re packing somewhat lightweight, with the REI Co-op Flash 55 (about 55 liters, just under 3lbs, $200) offering another option that’s worth ample consideration. The REI Co-op Flash has the bonus of being offered in both a men’s and women’s version and in my experience, this line has demonstrated good value and very acceptable performance. Another interesting sub-$200 option can be found in the Osprey Rook 65 backpack (men's) and the Osprey Renn 65L (women's). Designed to carry up to 40lbs, these packs offer 65 liters of space, basic features, and can be had for about $190 while weighing in just under 4lbs.

A pack from the REI Co-op Flash series.
It is also worth checking out the REI Co-op Outlet from time to time, as you can often find many packs or last year’s model that will be perfectly serviceable at a discount here. For a budget load hauler pack, this can be tough since these are typically the larger and more feature-packed (expensive) options. The aforementioned REI Co-op Outlet is a good place to start your search. That said the Kelty Asher 85 is also worth consideration – as you’d expect it’s an 85 liter pack that weighs in close to 6 pounds, but can carry a heavy load and retails for just under $200 full price.
With use but not abuse, I’ve found that a quality lightweight backpacking pack can last quite some time – a decade or so – of frequent use. For me they can be pushed beyond that on trips but they will be showing some wear and tear. A backpack is critical for comfort on the trail however, so with that 10 year mark in mind that I get out of quality packs, I’m not afraid to spend up a bit if it translates to durability and additional comfort on the trail.
Summary: Best Budget Backpacking Packs
Durston Kakwa UltraGrid
REI Co-op Flash 55
Osprey Rook 65
Osprey Renn 65
REI Co-op Outlet Packs
Kelty Asher 85
My Approach to Backpacking Packs and in Conclusion
If you like to keep your gear simple and want one pack to do it all, there are a few ways to go about your approach. You can pick a pack rated for the heaviest load you’ll ever carry, and while it may be a bit much for shorter trips it will work. Or you could go for a pack rated for the typical load you’ll carry, but your shoulders may be complaining at the start of longer trips. This can be done if you’re only rarely expecting to take these kinds of trips and saving the cash is more important than comfort (not my choice).

You could also pick a pack for overnights, another for most trips in the middle, and an even larger pack for load hauling and the longest excursions. For me, I like two packs: one do it all (from the lightweight and long distance category) and another load hauler for extended trips with extra gear. One advantage of this route (multiple packs) is that it spreads the wear out a bit and your packs will last longer.
For more information on how to choose a backpacking backpack, size, materials, and pack features and considerations, see our guide on How to Choose the Best Backpacking and Hiking Backpack. For a large selection of various backpacking packs that you can sort and filter by capacity and more, see this page at REI Co-op. For Related reading on the "big 3" see our articles, Best Backpacking Tents by Application and Budget as well as How to Choose the Best Backpacking Sleeping Bag.

After setting up the tent on a recent trip and after a long day, I heard an unwelcome sound the moment I laid my head on the pillow – the sound of air leaking from the previously trusty pillow I’d been packing along on trips for years. Luckily, this trip was quite warm for the mountains – lows in the high 40s plus having a double walled tent along meant I had a down jacket that I wasn’t wearing at night, and could roll up in a stuff sack to get me through the trip.
However, for more normal temps when you’re wearing that jacket and any extra clothing in your sleeping bag at night, you'll have slim pickings for a makeshift pillow and a backpacking pillow is (for most of us) needed to get us through the night in comfort. With the pillow I had been using having been discontinued, this opened things up and I decided to give another solution a try as a replacement – the Fillo Elite from NEMO.

NEMO Fillo Elite attached to an Exped Synmat UL7
The NEMO Fillo Elite Backpacking Pillow
The NEMO Fillo Elite is a compact backpacking pillow – measuring 15x11x3 inches and packing to – as described by the manufacturer – the size of a lemon (although in practice, I just throw it in with my sleeping bag). The pillow is listed at 3 ounces, and weighed in at 2.9 ounces on my scale. The pillow features a baffled internal air bladder that you inflate by mouth with a twist lock valve, and then a fabric cover over that with a thin layer of PrimaLoft insulation for comfort and a little warmth. The pillow also packs right into its own stuff sack integrated into the pillow. If you’d like a similar design but with a little more room, the Fillo Elite Luxury Version of this pillow is the same size in width and height but is 21” long compared to the 15” of the normal Elite. You can keep moving up the chain as well if you need to – and if weight is of no concern all the way to the Fillo King Pillow.
Immediately what I liked about the Fillo Elite was its light weight and compactness. What I immediately didn’t like was that there is no way to attach this pillow to your sleeping pad. Although you could use this inside of your sleeping bag hood – I use a hoodless Zpacks Sleeping Bag so this is not possible. With a pillow simply on top of my sleeping pad, I am chasing it around all night and this leads to interrupted sleep no matter how comfortable the pillow itself actually is.
Oddly, NEMO includes a sewn-in loop on only one side of the pillow, presumably for hanging the pillow in storage. If a loop on the opposite side was included attaching the pillow would be easy, but no such luck. However, on the side opposite of the sewn in loop is a tag, which is sewn back upon itself to form something I could use – and by attaching a separately sourced small piece of cordage (something like a shoe lace is perfect, cut down), tying this into a small loop, then tucking the knot back into the NEMO label I was able to create loops on both sides. This way, I can attach the pillow to my pad using this system that weighs very little, but works very well.

Filling the pillow is via a twist lock valve: twist to the left, pull outwards, and this opens the valve to inflate or deflate. This is a little tricky, as the valve will immediately release all the air you just blew up the pillow with before you can close it unless you use two hands and twist it closed while inflating. Despite not being a flat valve, it does stay out of the way on your pad and in use. However, I definitely prefer flat valves that are one-way and don’t let air escape as you’re inflating. It makes the inflation process and fine tuning the inflation level much easier.
Additionally, I’ve found that many pump sacks like the Exped Schnozzel are cross compatible with other manufacturer’s flat valves, and this is the best way to inflate anything be it a sleeping pad or pillow – so that your warm moisture laden breath isn’t being used to inflate. No such luck with the NEMO, so be sure to leave it unstuffed and with the valve open in storage. That said, even after using the pillow on a 5 day trip I noticed no moisture build up in the inner air chamber and inflation does become easier with practice, however it is definitely an inconvenience when, once the air inside the pillow begins to cool and becomes denser after inflation and you’ve probably already fallen asleep and the pillow needs a top off, that air begins to escape as soon as you open the valve. One way valves make things much easier.
Once inflated however, the NEMO Fillo Elite does offer comfort. As a side sleeper I found the height of the pillow adequate and the normal, non-luxury version seen here to be ample as far as size is concerned. The internal air bladder is baffled, slightly stretchy, and cradles your head to some extent (in fact, I think the smaller pillow will do better here). The cover and the thin insulation layer just add to this and give it more of a pillow feel, and add some warmth against your face. While the comfort wasn’t off the charts – it is sufficient for a good night of sleep and at 2.9 ounces, it’s hard to complain, but if you like a pillow with extra height and don’t have anything to put on top of the NEMO, look elsewhere.
Noise can be an issue with the Fillo Elite – when moving around the noise the pillow makes against your ear reminded me of being downstairs when someone is walking around on a creaky wood floor upstairs. For some this may be an issue, however in my case it didn’t interfere with getting a good night of rest. When new or after some use, you can remove the inner air chamber and wash the outer cover. Just make sure you do so by pushing the valve in instead of trying to pull the air chamber out.

The NEMO Fillo Elite packs extremely small.
Conclusion
When it comes to backpacking pillows, there is no magic solution – more comfort simply means carrying more weight. For each one of us it comes down to a balance, and as far as I’m concerned I like to carry the minimum amount of weight (and however much that might be) to get a good night of sleep in the backcountry, but no more than that. The NEMO Fillo Elite strikes a nice balance; at less than 3 ounces I wouldn’t consider it weighing any pack down, and in fact it just may lighten a lot of packs for those who make the switch. The Fillo Elite is definitely not what I’d describe as luxurious, but it’s (much) better than nothing, and better comfort wise than lighter alternatives as well, for a very small weight penalty. If you’re looking for fast and light, but with a little bit of comfort at night, the NEMO Fillo Elite is certainly worth a look.
The NEMO Fillo Elite retails for $60. You can find it here at REI, at Backcountry.com, and here at Amazon.com.

Now nearly a prerequisite before I head out on any backpacking trip, an ultralight backpacking pillow is an item that will add just a few ounces to your pack but might just be at the top of the list when it comes to a weight to comfort ratio. While the choices on the market are almost endless, Sea to Summit’s Aeros inflatable pillow line has become a popular choice. In this review, we’ll take a look at the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium and Aeros Ultralight backpacking pillows.

Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight (left) and Premium (right) backpacking pillows
Sea to Summit Aeros Pillows: Design & Impressions
Sea to Summit’s Aeros backpacking pillows consist of the Aeros Ultralight and Aeros Premium pillows. Both feature Sea to Summit’s great dual-function inflation and quick deflation valve and a scalloped, anatomical shape. The pillows can be inflated by mouth and I found the valve compatible with the Exped Schnozzle I already have…Sea to Summit also offers an inflation solution and by inflating slightly more than you prefer and then tapping the deflation valve one can easily achieve just the right balance between height and cushion.
The ultralight version as you might expect is the more bare bones model with a more standard fabric outer, while the Premium adds a softer cover with a thin layer of polyester fill between you and the air chamber. The Ultralight is available in a regular (list 2.1 ounces) and large (list 2.5 ounces). The Premium Aeros pillow is listed at 2.8 ounces for the regular, with the large coming in at 3.7 ounces. We tried both models in the large size, mostly for the additional height that’s offered for a side sleeper over the medium. The Ultralight weighed in at an actual 2.65 ounces and the Premium at 4.1. The stuff sacks for each add about 2 tenths of an ounce.
Both pillows have a nice amount of give even when fully inflated (many inflatable pillows can become a rock in this regard) which does help to make the pillow much more comfortable. Both pillows feel comfortable against your face and while the Premium does offer a softer outer fabric in this regard, the polyester fill of the Premium is a really thin layer and doesn’t honestly, offer much additional cushioning in my experience. The baffled shape helps to keep your head in place, and any noise turned out to be a non-issue with either choice.

Unfortunately, there are no included loops to attach either pillow to your pad using our system detailed here, and with this in mind the Aeros pillows are best for those that like to put their pillow inside the hood of their sleeping bag at night. I typically use a hoodless Zpacks sleeping bag, and thus am a bit out of luck when it comes to the Aeros pillows, and have had a few nights testing them out where I was chasing my pillow all around my tent at night. That said, when utilizing either Aeros pillow inside a hood, the sleeping bag contains the pillows just fine and both are quite comfortable, with the Premium winning here, of course.

For me, while I love everything else about the pillows and the Premium is especially comfortable, without any included way to attach the pillow to my sleeping pad my vote would be with the Ultralight since I’d need to bring along a separate pillow case solution anyway. Unfortunately using a hoodless bag, I've found that on especially cold nights I just can’t get a good seal with a pillow inside.

When it comes to the shape of the Aeros pillows, the scalloped shape just isn’t for me, as it almost felt like my shoulders where pushing the ends of the pillow out of the way throughout the night as I tossed and turned. But again like shoes, personal preference very much applies here and as proof, for my backpacking partner Jen the shape is preferred and the pillow is a winner. In her case and as such, her backcountry pillow of choice is now the Aeros Ultralight.

Both the Aeros Ultralight and Premium pillows pack down to a compact and packable form factor.
Conclusion
Overall the Aeros pillows from Sea to Summit are a solid choice, especially if you prefer to put your pillow inside your sleeping bag hood at night. However, the lack of attachment loops on these pillows prevents one from attaching the pillows to a sleeping pad without modifications. That said, if this is not an issue in your case, the pillows offer a reasonable weight and great packability, while offering decent comfort and a stellar valve system. The Aeros Ultralight retails around $45-$65 with the Premium version coming in at $55-$75 depending on size. You can find both pillows here at Amazon as well as here at REI. For more on backpacking pillows, see our backpacking pillow selection guide.

Now having tested several solar panels over the years that are marketed towards outdoor use and use on the trail – most of these stay stashed in the back of my gear closet, and are more likely to be something I might use during a power outage at home rather than actually depend on out on the trail. For hiking and backpacking purposes most of these panels are too heavy, just don’t perform well enough, or have significant drawbacks like compatibility with one device, while not being compatible with another. Unfortunately, none of these USB solar panels have performed well enough where I’d be completely confident relying on them in the backcountry, and it made more sense to just carry a pre-charged powerbank if additional power would be needed on long backpacking trips. That is until I tested the Solarpad Pro 5W USB Solar Panel from a company called Solarcycle.

A backpacking solar panel is always an interesting weight vs. reward scenario – as the panel itself will of course add weight. But can you leave any spare batteries behind that you might have otherwise taken? If so, that can swing the additional weight carried quite low or maybe even negative. On top of that, you need to figure out if in place of a solar panel, if it would just be lighter to pack a powerbank. Keep in mind however, that you’ll likely need a larger powerbank than you think after typical self-discharge and charging losses, typically about 40% – and this means a heavier powerbank. Thus, you can really split hairs here.
The Solarpad Pro
Initially I held off on the Solarpad Pro – listed at 4.3 ounces, once I add in needed cables and a way to carry the panel the weight would get to be more than I’d really want to add to my pack. However, once I received the panel I found that Solarcycle isn’t quite giving this panel all the credit it deserves – the true weight is 3.4 ounces. I assume that the listed weight includes the carabiners that are also included in the package or perhaps the weight was just transposed. The panel retails for about $50.

Not only is the panel lighter than expected, it’s also quite sturdy and feels more sturdy in hand than something like the Lixada Solar Panel we’ve previously reviewed. The panel has more of a sturdy covering on the front – in the form of a laminated somewhat frosted surface, and the USB output is centered on the back of the panel. Metal grommets, 1 on each corner add a way to attach this to your pack. That’s about it when it comes to the exterior design for the Solarpad Pro, though if it folded – it would be a nice bonus for packing. The manufacturer claims that the panel can output 5 watts, equal to a (standard) phone wall charger for example.

Read our Lixada Solar Panel Review for more on theory when it comes to backpacking solar panels, but with my backcountry electronic usage pattern – plus a pattern on trips where I like to spend some downtime for morning coffee, a lunch break, and preferring to setup camp around late afternoon or early evening rather than finding a spot by way of a headlamp after dark, I always have at least some spare time to set up a panel. Additionally, I’m able to stretch the charge of any device I take to around a week, or possibly more depending on the device, by way of navigating with a paper map and using my devices as little as possible. Aligning with the strategies that many hikers utilize to integrate solar on the trail, Solarcycle suggests using the panel to charge a lithium powerbank, then use that to charge your devices. For me however, this is not a preferred method if I can use the panel to directly charge a device. The powerbank just adds weight, complexity, and I’m not using my devices so much that I need find a way to charge all day as I hike in addition to possibly setting up the panel in camp.

However, this strategy does work well with the Solarpad Pro. Attaching the panel to my pack on a sunny day in an area without tree cover, and averaged between hiking in all compass directions, the panel will add about 10% to a 2500 mAh powerbank per hour. While stopped and with the panel aimed directly at the sun, I was able to boost this number to about 33% per hour to the same powerbank. Attaching the panel to your pack will require a little thought – you can use the provided (2) carabiners or do something like run a bungee through the grommets – the latter of which may just get it attached without adding additional weight.

For me however, and while I prefer to not take anything since that saves the most weight, if I have to I’d rather take a solar panel or a powerbank, but not both. Testing direct charging on the devices that I normally take on a trip worked quite well. When aimed at the sun (not just facing upwards), the Solarpad Pro outputs a true to spec 5 watts (or just slightly over). This will add 44% charge to my InReach Mini in an hour and a 32% per hour boost to my camera. It can also charge my headlamp – which uses a rechargeable AA battery – if I bring along a USB battery charger to recharge the Eneloop AA battery I use in the light. My 2020 iPhone SE also works with the panel, but was the only device I had an issue with. Overall, it will add 44% per hour to the phone – but (on the first panel I tried) the charging would reset occasionally. I quickly found out I could disable “system haptics” to stop the buzzing every time the connection reset, and lower the screen brightness all the way down (along with the phone being in airplane mode) since the screen also lights up when this happens. This way, even if the connection resets, it doesn’t cause much of an interruption and as an end result, you hook it up and leave it and it does charge the phone.
Assuming this was just a characteristic of this particular panel but in an effort to prove that theory, I also tested phone charging on a 2nd panel. Disproving my theory and also resulting in a nice bonus, the 2nd panel did not exhibit this behavior and steadily charges the phone without interruption. Additionally, this is one panel (as observed with both panels I tested) that will restart charging on its own if it’s interrupted by clouds or other shade without having to unplug and reattach your phone to get things going again. This is definitely a nice to have feature – although at least in my experience, and while both panels I tested did work to charge all devices, I’d say it’s worth testing everything you’ll want to charge just to see if there are any oddities that may present themselves.

For packing the Solarpad Pro, a .6 ounce Zpacks Slim Dry Bag works great (the panel is pretty much waterproof, but not the USB connector). The dry bag works to protect the panel from rain and can be clipped on your pack, but it will also fit in a gallon Ziploc. You’ll also need a USB cable, I use a 1.5’ micro USB cable that is shorter to save weight, but long enough that I can move the devices being charged into the shade. This cable charges everything I have except my phone, so I add in a Lightning to micro USB adapter and a “Cable Cozy” to keep things organized. You can also find cables like this pre-made. Total weight for me – the panel, the dry bag, cable, and a small Ziploc (for the cable) all tips the scales at 5 ounces, with the optional AA battery charger adding another .75 ounces (using the discontinued Olight Universal Magnetic Charger) since my particular headlamp does not charge via USB. I can also leave a spare camera battery or two behind if I take the setup, saving 1.5 ounces each.

Solarpad Pro ultralight solar panel and charging cable kit
Conclusion
While the Solarpad Pro is the best performing ultralight USB solar panel I’ve come across – will I be packing it on trips? It depends. Fully charged before heading out, I can make it through weekend trips up to weeklong trips with relatively careful usage. And I do wish the panel had a more packable form factor. Where the extra power starts to make sense for me is on trips over a week, or on longer extended trips where you won’t have, or don’t want the hassle, of having to recharge during a resupply. All these factors will of course depend on your own electronic usage level on the trail, but if you hit that point where you’re looking for ways to recharge on the trail, the Solarpad Pro is worth a close look – as long as the weather cooperates, of course.
The Solarpad Pro retails for about $50 (although stock can be a bit intermittent). You can find it here at Amazon.com.

The Soto WindMaster upright canister stove was released in 2013, and has become a popular stove in the upright backpacking canister stove market. Improving upon Soto’s now antiquated Micro Regulator OD-1R stove, the WindMaster was designed to be even lighter and was designed with wind resistance and efficiency in mind. Soto’s micro regulator valve system is utilized in the WindMaster, which Soto claims improves efficiency and operation during cold weather, where many canister stoves begin to falter. Since I’d always have to take along additional windscreens for my canister stoves in the past, the weight began to add up and before trying the WindMaster I had even been taking along an alcohol stove instead on many trips.

Additionally, nights are almost always chilly here in the Rockies, so when using my canister stove I’d always have to toss the canister in my sleeping bag at night to ensure decent performance for coffee the next morning. With the release of the Soto WindMaster stove and its very light weight, I thought I might be able to leave additional windscreens behind, and the alcohol stove vs. canister stove weight gap was significantly narrowed. Additionally, with Soto’s cold weather performance claims, the WindMaster began to stack up on paper as a worry-free alternative to my standard alcohol setup with little to no weight penalty depending on trip length. Since picking up the stove in 2013, the Soto WindMaster has been my go-to stove for more than the past decade.

The Soto WindMaster includes their (more stable) 4Flex pot support, which can be completely removed from the stove and has folding legs for easy packing.
Soto WindMaster Design
The WindMaster is an 11,000 BTU canister stove listed at 2.3 ounces. Instead of a folding design, the optional TriFlex pot support (about $17) is entirely removable for packing, with a clip that secures all arms together and flat when stowed. The optional TriFlex support is designed for pots with a diameter up to 5.5 inches. While the TriFlex was originally standard on the WindMaster, these days their 4Flex support with swing arms is included with the stove, allowing for the use of larger pots and / or greater stability. The 4Flex is spring-loaded, and can be removed for packing if desired. A long wire flip-down flame control handle keeps your hands away from the heat and keeps the handle itself cool when adjusting the flame.
Internally Soto’s micro regulator valve system is utilized as opposed to a standard needle valve arrangement, and a push button piezo-electric igniter is neatly integrated into the stove. Soto doesn’t guarantee operation of the piezo above 10,000 feet, but hopefully you’re already carrying an alternate fire starting solution anyway. In practice, I've used the piezo without issue to 11,000 feet, although your mileage may vary. To gain the “WindMaster” distinction, the burner head is recessed slightly below the outer housing, and the low profile pot supports bring the bottom of your cookpot closer to the flame compared to many other stoves. These features combine to minimize the amount of flame exposed to wind.

The 4Flex pot support arms folded in for storage and packing. The entire pot support can also be removed if desired.
Impressions
At first I was concerned about the TriFlex pot support (this option was the one included with my stove at the time) – would it offer enough stability and would it become a hassle to constantly remove and replace in the field? Additionally, I was quite curious regarding how well the stove would really perform in windy conditions by itself without the benefit of an additional windscreen. More on wind testing later, but upon receipt it became apparent that the stove is a well built and solid product, despite the very light 2.3 ounce weight specification as claimed by the manufacturer.

WindMaster with TriFlex pot support
In hand I measured 2.35 ounces including the TriFlex pot support. By itself the TriFlex support weighs a quarter ounce and the larger spring-loaded 4Flex support tips the scale at just under an ounce. The stove with the 4Flex support weighs 3.05 ounces. Operation of both pot supports is very easy and installation onto the burner head as well as removal takes just a second or two with practice. Just be absolutely sure that you read the manual and have the pot support securely installed prior to use. The optional TriFlex support packs up quite small and blends in surprisingly well with the ground on rocks and in grass, so you’ll definitely want to pack it somewhere secure. Of course, as I learned by experience, be mindful to allow the supports to sufficiently cool prior to removal. On the stove the TriFlex support offered good stability for smaller sized cookware, while the 4Flex support offers excellent stability for both smaller and larger sized pots. At 3.6” tall, the stove does sit fairly high off the canister however, but overall system stability was good on level ground even with the small 110 gram canisters and a 1.3 liter pot.

4Flex pot support coverage example on the Evernew 1.3 liter titanium pot
After you open the valve a bit and click the piezo ignition, the stove lights reliably with a single click or two and you don’t need a stopwatch to realize that the WindMaster heats things up really quickly. Turning up the heat results in a very quick boil – every time I started to think about multitasking while waiting the Soto seemed to beat me to a boil. You’re not out of luck if you need to simmer a meal, or even give lightweight baking a shot – the flame also dials down really low, so much that you can run the risk of the flame being extinguished by a light breeze, and with the micro regulator valve system, flame adjustment is very precise. On many other stoves the flame control is quite rough and it can be easy to accidentally turn the stove off when trying to dial down a small flame.

Over the course of the past decade+, the piezo ignition has needed one replacement (Soto offers a replacement kit if you ever need it), but overall the piezo has proven to be fairly reliable (always carry a backup ignition source).
The stove is on the long side, but packing hasn't been an issue with my cookware of choice. With the pot supports removed, the WindMaster will fit in both of the Ultralight Series Evernew pots I use, including with a 110 gram fuel canister in the 900ml pot, and with a 220 gram canister in an Evernew 1.3 liter pot (for more cookware detail see our 900ml and 1.3L Evernew review). In both cases this required either removal of the canister’s protective cap, or placing the canister with the cap installed inside the pot upside down. If you have trouble squeezing things in using the upside down canister method, place the stove in first. Cookware on the tall instead of wide side worked out too – the Soto fits with a small fuel canister in the Mountain Laurel Designs 850ml pot/mug (a taller, more mug-like design) without incident.

Evernew 900 and Soto WindMaster with TriFlex pot support
Performance Testing
The Soto WindMaster is excellent across both mild conditions as well as in cold conditions and with chilly canisters. Boil times are excellent. Wind performance was also excellent for an upright canister stove without additional windscreening or protection. As expected however, the stove isn’t impervious to wind which still reduced both time and efficiency – but comparatively much less so than you might expect. I tested the Soto in a variety of conditions to measure both boil times and efficiency. For the 68 & 32 degree tests, the air temperature was as specified and the water, stove, pot, and fuel canister were brought to the testing temperature prior to starting each test. The stove was tested using new 220 gram Snow Peak fuel canisters on full power unless otherwise specified. 2 cups of water were used and the test ended when the water was brought to a rolling boil. An Evernew 900ml Ultralight titanium pot was used with the lid engaged. For each test, the TriFlex pot support was used on the stove. The elevation was just over 5000 feet at a barometric pressure of 24.45 inHg. Here are the results:
Test 1: 68F, 0 Wind
Temp: 68F
Wind: 0
Volume: 2 cups
Boil Time: 2:13
Fuel Used: 8 grams
Test 2: 32F, 0 Wind
Temp: 32F
Wind: 0
Volume: 2 cups
Boil Time: 2:25
Fuel Used: 9 grams
Test 3: 68F, 10mph Wind
Temp: 68F
Wind: 10mph
Volume: 2 cups
Boil Time: 6:57
Fuel Used: 21 grams
Test 4: 68F, 20mph Wind
Temp: 68F
Wind: 20mph
Volume: 2 cups
Boil Time: N/A. 174F Max @ 30 Minutes
Fuel Used: 100 grams
Note: Test ended at 30 Minutes (water temp no longer rising)

Boil times were very fast across both testing temperatures with no wind. On paper, the wind tests may look lackluster; however we also tested one of the most popular needle valve upright canister stoves on the market today in the same conditions, and used its optional windscreen. It wasn’t able to bring the water to a boil in the 10mph test after 30 minutes on full power, using 65 grams of fuel. It got close though, a maximum water temperature of 198 degrees was recorded at the 28:25 mark.
Wind is still a factor with the Soto, but relatively speaking, performance was impressive. In the field, seek natural windbreaks like boulders, a large tree, and consider using your pack at a safe distance to help. While cooking, consider sitting directly upwind of the stove to help further, using your body as a shield. Using all these techniques, even if it’s very windy outside you should be able to cut out enough wind in the small area where the stove is operating to remain within the Soto’s performance envelope. Fuel usage for the Soto was good at full power, however I wanted to see if and how much efficiency would be affected by turning down the power at the expense of time.

The WindMaster runs a bit hot to say the least, but while this may not be the stove for the advanced backcountry chef, with practice the flame can be dialed down for slower cooking techniques in a pinch.
Test 5: 68F, 0 Wind
(Stove set to approximately 1/3 of maximum)
Temp: 68F
Wind: 0
Volume: 2 cups
Boil Time: 3:03
Fuel Used: 6 grams
Turning the stove down to medium-low definitely helped efficiency, saving 25% compared to full power, and waiting around 3 minutes compared to 2 is no big deal. Over a long trip, this efficiency could really add up, especially if it saves you from having to bring another canister. Since dialing down the heat resulted in this large of an increase I wanted to take things a step further – running the same test but essentially boiling the water as slowly as possible. Watching the digital thermometer, I turned the heat control on the stove down as low as possible while still maintaining a rising water temperature (68 degree environment). After 12:03 the water was at a rolling boil, and again, 6 grams of fuel had been used. So after a certain point additional efficiency was not observed, but regardless of time, running the stove lower will save fuel.
Test 6: 68F, 0 Wind, 0F Canister
Temp: 68F
Wind: 0mph
Volume: 2 cups
Canister Temp: 0F
Boil Time: 2:08
Fuel Used: 8 grams
The Soto had already performed well in the 32 degree test with a chilly canister, bringing water from an ice bath to a rolling boil in just less than 2 and a half minutes, not much change from performance at 68 degrees. However, with the Soto’s micro regulator valve system and claims for improved cold weather performance, I took things a bit further and left 2 full 220 gram canisters in a freezer for 24 hours at a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit. I then removed one canister to the 68 testing environment and immediately tested the WindMaster using the chilled canister. The stove lit easily without any impression of reduced performance. 2 cups of 68 degree water were boiled in 2:08 using 8 grams of fuel, virtually identical to the performance of the stove in a 68 degree environment with a 68 degree canister.

I then took the second canister from the freezer and repeated the test with a popular canister stove utilizing a standard needle valve system. Compared to its normal 68 degree performance, its boil time was reduced from a 3:45 to 8:44. Fuel efficiency was however identical – the stove with the needle valve took a lot longer, but used the same amount of fuel as it did at room temperature (11 grams). I repeated this test informally again the next day, using the same canisters. Outside & water temperature was 72 degrees with a gentle breeze. The wind really made a difference on this one – the Soto was basically again unchanged, however the tested needle valve stove now took 12:20 using 18 grams of fuel.
Test 7: 68F, 0 Wind, Canister 8 Grams from Empty
Temp: 68F
Wind: 0mph
Volume: 2 cups
Canister Volume: 8 grams
Boil Time: 1:59
Fuel Used: 7 grams
Lastly, it remained to be seen how well the WindMaster would perform on nearly empty canisters (side note: see our backpacking fuel canister guide for more on the best options on the market). Would the design of the Soto and the micro regulator valve system work to maintain output and efficiency not only in the cold, but with canisters holding a low volume of fuel? I took a nearly empty 220 gram Snow Peak fuel canister and ran it down so that only 8 grams of fuel, or approximately one 2 cup boil at full output was left in the canister. That’s it. I then allowed the stove and canister to return to 68 degrees, and repeated the 68 degree 0 wind test as detailed above. The stove boiled in 1:59 and used 7 grams of fuel. With only 1 gram of fuel left in the canister, the Soto’s efficiency didn’t decline and the stove actually ended up using 1 less gram of fuel and boiled slightly faster than with a completely full canister.
Only after I re-fired the stove on its very last gram of fuel did the flame begin to slowly fade until all fuel had been used over the course of approximately 30 seconds. One last weigh in – the Soto had used every bit of the 220 grams of fuel originally in the canister. Speaking of empty canisters (of which there were a few after all this testing!) Jetboil makes a nifty canister recycling tool to help with that process.

Between the removable nature of the TriFlex pot support and the removable and / or folding arms of the 4Flex, I've been able to easily pack the Soto WindMaster inside whatever cookware I take on a trip.
Field Notes
After using the Soto WindMaster for the past decade plus field performance has been excellent across all conditions. Reliability wise the piezo igniter has required one replacement during this time, but otherwise the piezo has performed well in the field and even at altitude, although like any piezo system you'll want to carry a backup method of lighting the stove. Over time I've come to prefer to the 4Flex pot support – while the TriFex hasn't let me down, the 4Flex offers much more stability and I simply leave the 4Flex on all the time, and just fold the arms of the pot support and fold the control valve in and the stove is ready to be packed away. That said, if you only use solo-sized cookware and going ultralight is a priority, the TriFlex support may be a good option.
Save for true winter conditions where I'll take my inverted canister WindPro II stove (you can read our WindPro II review in Issue 33) the Soto WindMaster has been without question the stove I pack along on all other trips. The WindMaster has performed well from low to high altitude and from cold mornings to windy evenings...and from the desert to the mountains on countless trips. And with a more stable burn rate and performance while cooking and while using from full to nearly empty canisters, the Soto WindMaster has offered impressive performance in nearly all field situations.

The Soto WindMaster has proven to have excellent performance across a wide-range of conditions.
Conclusion
The Soto WindMaster lights up like a jet engine at full power yet remains surprisingly efficient – even in less than ideal weather conditions and under changing canister pressure. But it’s not just an on or off stove, the WindMaster allows you to dial down the flame to increase efficiency or for more complex cooking. Performance across a range of ambient and canister temperatures is excellent. Wind is still a factor, but by seeking windbreaks in high winds you’ll be fine without the weight, bulk, and fiddle factor of an additional windscreen.
The removable pot supports are different, but they’re extremely user friendly and quick to attach and detach, and while you should always take a backup ignition source, the piezo igniter is cleanly integrated into the stove and makes things so easy. The price is higher than average in this category, but if fuel efficiency doesn’t quickly make up for the price difference, the performance will. At just 2.35 ounces with the TriFlex pot support, the WindMaster performed so well at times it had us shaking our heads, and is the current stove to beat in the upright canister stove category.
The Soto WindMaster OD-1RX Micro Regulator stove retails for around $70. You can find it with the 4Flex pot support here at REI Co-op as well as here at Amazon.com. If you're looking to save a little weight and space, you can also pick up the TriFlex pot support as an add-on item, or for a WindMaster option with both supports included, take a look here at Zpacks. For more on stoves, you can also read our backpacking stove guide for additional information on all types of stoves and how to choose the right stove for your next backpacking trip.
Editor’s Note: This review originally appeared in Issue 8 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the magazine article here featuring additional photos, pros and cons, and our star rating for the Soto WindMaster.