Simple, Easy-To-Use, and Versatile Backpacking Stove - MSR Superfly
Written: Mar 03 '04 (Updated Nov 07 '07)
Product Rating:
Pros: Adapts to most self-sealing butane cartridges, easy-to-use, good flame control and stability
Cons: a basic windscreen would be nice
The Bottom Line: Simple to use and adaptable to most self-sealing butane cartridges, the Superfly guarantees you’ll never be stuck without fuel when you’re looking to cook a meal
If you’re looking for an easy to use, no-frills backpacking/mountaineering stove, the MSR Superfly Stove might be just what you are looking for.
Details
The Superfly is billed as MSR’s “most versatile, super light stove” and it is at only 4 ˝ ounces (without the fuel bottle) and because of its one of the few butane stoves that can fit almost any self-sealing butane canisters, no matter where you are, you should be able to find fuel to work in the stove. Among others, the Superfly supports MSR’s IsoPro, Camping Gaz, and Primus fuel canisters. The average IsoPro canister costs $3 to $5 (depending upon size) and weighs in at about 10 ounces or so, pushing the Superfly/fuel canister combination to upwards of a pound of weight.
Much like the screw-on burners for propane canisters, the Superfly fits on the butane cartridges and produces a hot flame. The Superfly can boil water in three minutes and works equally well at low and high elevations. In it’s basic form, the Superfly is lit with a match, however a $10 add-on provides push-button ignition for the stove (a handy little feature). The controls on the Superfly are simple, with a single flame control that is easy to control and can be used while you are wearing gloves in colder weather. Flame control on the burner is quite good and the stove can go from low to high smoothly, providing a good range of cooking temperatures depending upon the meal that you are cooking.
No windscreen is needed for the Superfly because of the stove’s good flame stability. I wouldn’t suggest cooking out in the open during a hurricane, but in average conditions, there’s no noticeably effect on the flames in slight to moderate winds. For those who want a windscreen, MSR provides a hanging windscreen for the Superfly. I haven’t had any experience with the windscreen and can’t speak to it’s usefulness. I do come from the Whisperlite side of things though, and I would just feel more comfortable with a basic windscreen, especially for windier and colder conditions when you don't want all your heat escaping before it has a chance to heat the pots.
Pot supports are sturdy and able to hold a variety of different pots and pans. The supports have small teeth in them that help to grip the undersides of the pots. So long as the stove is well supported on level terrain, you should not have any issues with pot stability.
The Superfly easily packs into pans and is easily stowed away into your backpack because of its small size and detachable fuel cartridges that can be separately packed.
Experiences
I purchased the Superfly as a gift for my younger brother, as he wanted a stove of his own to take backpacking. I didn’t want anything overly complicated for him, but I didn’t want the cheapest thing either. I settled on the Superfly after a bit of searching and knowing from past experiences with my Whisperlite, that MSR is a quality brand. The ease of use and the light size are what sold me on the Superfly.
He’s been using for almost a year now and I’ve had the chance to have him make me a meal when we’ve been out backpacking. Setup with the Superfly is simple, pull out the stove and the fuel cartridge, screw on the stove, and simply light the stove. No pumping, no priming, no warming up – it’s ready to go as soon as you light it. What a change from the Whisperlite I’ve got, where you’ve got a regimented process to go through before you’re ready to cook.
Water boils fast with the Superfly and as they say, the stability of the flame is good in light to moderate winds. Flame control is very good – it is easy to cook at various temperatures and intensities – from a simmer up to a boil. The Superfly’s pot supports are more than sturdy enough for most pots and pans. Very large pots or frying pans may be a bit precarious and are probably something you won’t be using out in the woods anyway. Stick to the basic backpacking sets and you will be fine.
My Brother has been more than happy with the stove and from what I’ve seen of the Superfly, he has no reason not to be happy with it.
Final Thoughts
A lightweight butane-cartridge stove, the Superfly is an excellent stove for backpacking and mountaineering uses, being equally comfortable and useful in the lowlands and the highlands. Simple to use and adaptable to most self-sealing butane cartridges, the Superfly guarantees you’ll never be stuck without fuel when you’re looking to cook a meal.
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