MSR Whisperlite Shaker Jet Backpacking Stove

Pros: lightweight, reliable, fits inside cooking pot, easy to maintain
Cons: doesn't simmer very well, likes to be ON full blast or OFF

The whisperlite is the same stove as the MSR Whisperlite Internationale, without the option of burning alternative fuels like diesel. It is mechanically identical to the internationale except for an alternate fuel nozzle and the absence of a wicking cup ...

Pros: light weight, efficient
Cons: hard to maintain a low flame

I have had my MSR WhisperLite stove for 5 years, and I love it. It is very light weight and takes up relatively little space in a pack. It is sturdy as well. In five years it has never failed me. One reason for this is that the stove is easy to...

Pros: Very compact and light
Cons: Don't borrow it to your friends, they won't give it back!

I wouldn't call myself Grizzly Adams, but I've made a few high altitude climbs and hikes. Three of which are fairly good to judge my advice on; Mt. Whitney in the Sierra Nevadas, King's Peak in High Unita Utah, and the Grand Canyon trek.

My...

Pros: lightweight, small, simple, low maintenance
Cons: white gas only (w/o modification), long turn around time

I've had my whisperlite for a few years and it's a terrific stove. Really hot, really fast, really small, and really maintenance free. I've never had any trouble with it cooking anything. While you're friends are slaving over some bulky, complex...

Pros: Dependable, easy to clean and repair
Cons: Doesn't simmer, can tip over or flare up if not careful

I've used both the basic Whisperlite and the Shaker Jet for about 10 years. One of the best aspects of the stove is that it is very easy to take apart and clean or repair in the field- this has saved me from having to leave the backcountry on more...

Pros: If you found one in an acheological dig in mesopotamia it would still work
Cons: Poor heat control, a bit unstable -- (all the more to love)

This stove is really quite far from perfect. It is rather unstable, I know I've dumped a load of hot water once or twice. It has almost no heat modulation so cooking becomes an interesting challange.

Despite these flaws you really can't...

Pros: lightweight, simple, field-serviceable, lots of heat
Cons: starting the stove is difficult

This stove is what outdoor backpacking is all about. Its lightweight. Its simple. It works. However, it has its flaws -- just like backpacking has its bugs (mosquitos, flies, etc.). So nothing is perfect!

From my use, the only flaw that...

Pros: Starting, weight,ease of control
Cons: wind screens

I bought a Whisperlite Shaker Jet two seasons ago and have quite a bit of use on it. Most of my usage was at 8,000ft to Gannett Peak, Wy at 13,804ft. It starts easy and the flow control for heat works perfect. We aren't talking a stove in some home...

Pros: Very reliable in cold weather
Cons: It is an ugly little sucker and it is terminally grimy looking.

First, I must confess that I personally own a Svea 123R stove. Recently, when my friend, Mark, and I were packing for our recent winter backpacking and ice-climbing trip in the Adirondacks, he asked, “Which stove should we take, your Svea or my...

Pros: Durable, Light, dependable
Cons: harder to find, a little more expensive than generic stoves

When I first started hiking, the group leader brought his WhisperLite along. I've been on two of his many section hikes on the AT, and he still uses that WhisperLite. I've carried this thing in my pack for around 48 miles of unfriendly terrain before...

Pros: Light-weight, dependable, efficient, easy to use
Cons: None

This is EASILY the best stove out on the market. Bury it in the mud for 10 years and you can have it working again in 10 minutes. It is extremely easy to use, and the most dependable piece of equipment in my pack. Don't let anyone try to talk you out...

Pros: works in many environments, easy to use, works great, fuel efficient
Cons: a bit unstable and two settings low and flamethrower

I love this stove so much. I wish it were a bit more stable (you can get a base to fix that) and the flame control were a bit better, but you learn to deal with that. It's super light and come in a little baggy along with a wind screen and heat reflector...

Pros: light, clean, reliable.
Cons: no simmer

MSR's WhisperLite stove is one of my most prized pieces of outdoor equipment. It is clean, easy to use, affordable, reliable, and quiet. Although I haven't owned any other backpacking stoves, I can't imagine a stove that significantly outperforms the...

Pros: Great cost-to-value ratio
Cons: tricky lighting

Okay, so it doesn't exactly whisper, and I've met lighter stoves, but the Whisperlite is still arguably the best backpacking stove for the money. I have friends who backpack with other stoves--but not many, and there is a good reason for that....

Pros: Light, Dependable, Hot
Cons: No simmer

I bought a Whisperlite because I was having problems with my Peak 1 stove in sub-freezing conditions. First off, the bad part. You do need to prime the Whisperlite, and that can cause potentially dangerous flare-ups. However, once you get used to it,...