Whether you're car camping by the lake or backpacking deep in the wilderness, you need a good set of cookware if you plan to eat. The best camping cookware blends size, weight, and durability into one convenient package. Before you pick anything out, however, it's helpful to consider the different types of materials you'll come across. The three most popular options are stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium — and they each have pros and cons:
- Stainless steel: A high quality option, stainless steel is both durable and attractive. But it's also the heaviest option. For this reason, it's best for things like car camping, overland exploration, or other adventures that don't require much walking.
- Aluminum: It's not as strong or as durable as stainless steel, but a big perk to aluminum is that it tends to be considerably cheaper. On top of that, it's also approximately a third of the weight of stainless steel. Generally speaking, most budget cookware will be made with aluminum.
- Titanium: Offering the best of both worlds, titanium is stronger than aluminum and almost two times lighter than stainless steel. It doesn't look quite as sleek as stainless steel and it's expensive. But for lightweight backpacking situations, it's hard to beat.
Apart from materials, you should also consider how compact the cookware is. Do the pots and bowls nest together? Can the handles be detached or folded down? Does it come with a travel sack to keep everything together? All of these features can make a big difference when every inch of space counts.
With all this in mind, check out the best camping cookware below to see which set fits your lifestyle and camping adventures the best.
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