Soto WindMaster Backpacking Stove Long-Term Review
Our favorite lightweight, windproof canister stove
After seven years and more than 5,000 miles of testing the Soto WindMaster backpacking stove side-by-side with other canister stoves, we think the WindMaster is the best backpacking stove you can get. It is among the lightest, more compact stoves we tested. Its name rings true as the best wind-resistant lightweight canister stove we tested.
Even when you’re out of the wind, there’s a lot to love about the Soto. It's versatile–accommodating pots of all sizes, boiling water fast, and does a relatively good job of simmering or cooking more nuanced meals. We’ve thru-hiked thousands of miles with this stove and it’s the one we reach for the most for backpacking and camping alike.
Another standout feature of the WindMaster is its versatility and stability. The durable and well-made WindMaster has a sturdy, flat pot stand with teeth that grip the bottom of your cooking pot—from solo 500mL pots to 3L group pots. It ensures consistent gas output even in cold temperatures. It has one of the highest power ratings of the stoves we tested with max output of 11,000 BTU (2,800 k/cal/h). It has removable pot supports that fold down flat. While these make it more compact, there's a learning curve and some folks find it annoying.
The WindMaster is the stove our writers and editors reach for when we aren't testing backpacking stoves. This is our go-to backpacking stove. The WindMaster won the American Alpine Institute Guide’s Choice Award. It's also one of the most popular ultralight backpacking stoves among Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers.
We’ve used the WindMaster on thru-hikes of the Arizona Trail (twice), to Pacific Northwest Trail, Superior Hiking Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and numerous off-trail routes in the desert southwest. In cold windy rain and summer monsoon wind in alpine gusts and Minnesotan fall, the WindMaster has handled it all. The WindMaster wins our highest marks.
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Specs
Weight: 2.3 oz
Push start integrated ignitor button: Yes
Pressure regulator: Yes
Integrated pot: No
Fuel type: Canister
Fuel source: SOTO's stoves will work with any combination of butane, isobutane and/or propane gas mixtures.
BTUS: 11,000 BTU
Average boil time (1L): 4 minutes 2 seconds (1L)
Burn duration: Burns approx.1.5 hours with 8 oz (250g) canister
What we liked
extreme windproofness
fast boil
igniter that never dies
reliable and dependable
modularity allows for use on solo pots or big group pots
cooks the hottest of all the stoves at 11,000 BTUs
adjusts down low for excellent simmering and ability to fry up real food
relatively quiet on full output
What we didn’t like
In wind-free "lab" conditions, it is not as fuel efficient as some stoves
not as intuitive to use the folding potstand as stoves with non-removable potstands
Comparison table
| BACKPACKING STOVE | TREELINE AWARD | WEIGHT (OZ) | INTEGRATED POT? | FUEL TYPE | BOIL TIME (1L) | SIMMER? | AUTO IGNITION? | PRESSURE REGULATOR? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soto Windmaster | Best overall Read why |
2.3 | No | Canister | 4 min 2 sec | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MSR PocketRocket Deluxe | Best fast boil Read why |
2.9 | No | Canister | 3 minutes, 18 sec | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MSR WindBurner Duo | Best for groups Read why |
21.1 | Yes | Canister | 4 min 30 sec | Marginal | No | Yes |
| BRS-3000T | Best budget Read why |
0.9 | No | Canister | 4 min 45 sec | Yes | No | Yes |
| Snow Peak GigaPower 2.0 | 4.8 | No | Canister | 4 min 48 sec | Yes | Yes | No |
Features
The Soto Windmaster is the only stove that we considered that can handle both small, solo cook pots and large, group cook pots, skillets, and frying pans. Here, it is frying up a breakfast of potatoes and zucchini in the White Mountains, CA. Photo by Liz Thomas.
Push button ignition (piezo)
While we often find that the push-button ignition (aka, the piezo) fails on upright canister stoves, Soto’s is considered the best in the industry due to its protected design (it doesn’t leave out any hanging parts that can catch, become loose, or fill with trail gunk). It even works after water boils over and soaks it.
Still, a separate ignition is one of the Ten Essentials, so we’ll keep carrying our Mini Bic Lighter.
Multiple Treeline testers have used the Soto WindMaster for years and no one has had an ignitor fail. That includes thru-hikers who have thrown their WindMaster unprotected into cookpots that still had a little water at the bottom (or soup or coffee). The WindMaster piezo keeps lighting and while this isn't a make-or-break feature for stoves (because it's so rare), it's worth noting.
Pressure Regulator
Like its award-winning and earlier-model cousin, the Soto Micro Regulator, the WindMaster has a pressure regulator that’s considered among the best in the industry. The regulator means that the WindMaster regulates the pressure of the gas released from your canister. This means as there is less gas in the canister, it still keeps the output relatively constant up (until the last 20% left in the can). It also means it can work better in cooler temperatures than stoves without regulators.
We've cooked with the Soto WindMaster in temperatures down into the teens. Gas pressure naturally gets lower in colder temperatures and regulators can't stop the laws of physics. So if you're going somewhere colder, consider iso-butane/propane mixes (the MSR or GSI cans), and getting the bigger can helps, too. I will also sometimes warm my canister up in my sleeping bag or under my armpit before hooking it up to my stove to start boiling water.
Power
Both the WindMaster and its predecessor the Micro Regulator are capable of cooking at 11,000 BTUs (aka 2800 kcal/h 3260w 11000 BTU). It cooks significantly hotter (and thus faster) than most of the stoves we considered, except the PocketRocket Deluxe.
Windproofness
The Soto WindMaster was the best stove we tested for boiling water. We took it up to a pass high in the Cascades with 25 mph wind and it managed to give us hot water in 5 minutes in 30 mile per hour winds (vs. the MSR PocketRocket 2, which performed so poorly that we gave up and drank lukewarm coffee). We've seen other stoves blow out completely in the wind so what the WindMaster manages is close to a canister stove miracle.
The WindMaster excels in the wind because the burner head is recessed—it’s shaped in a concave manner that pushes heat up and protects against wind. This is in contrast to the drastically convex-shaped open burner head, like on the Optimus Crux Lite that we tested. Due to the concave shape, it also has a protected lip. It sits very close to the pot compared to other stoves to minimize the chance it can get blown out or interrupted by a big temporary wind gust.
Versatility
The WindMaster's detachable pot support makes it one of the most versatile stoves around. You can use it with small solo pots or convert it to hold 2L pots for group trips. I'll bring this backpacking stove on camping trips with bigger groups because I can use it to boil 3 L of water while the camp stove burners are occupied. I've also brought it on two-person backpacking trips for use with skillets and fry pans.
Burner head
The Soto WindMaster is taller than many other backpacking stoves at 3.5" with one of the biggest burner heads of any small backpacking canister stove. In addition, the burner head is concave, unlike other models of backpacking stoves. But what really gives it an edge in the wind is the recessed lip that offers an extra layer of protection. While other manufacturers are taking on similar designs, they still haven't beat the WindMaster at its name.
Detachabale pot stand
The WindMaster has a sturdy, flat pot stand with teeth that grip the bottom of your cookpot. It can accommodate solo or group-sized pots (as shown with a 3L pot above), making it versatile enough for trips alone or with friends and family. Photo by Liz Thomas.
The WindMaster accommodates two types of pot stands: a Triflex and 4Flex. The Triflex works for pots below 6” in diameter, and the 4Flex is good for stoves 6" and up. The Triflex only weighs 0.3 oz, and the 4Flex weighs 1 oz. We tested both in different conditions (solo trips vs. group trips).
The detachable pot stand allows the WindMaster to fold down more easily without jagged teeth sticking out. The pot stand folds flat, which contributes to this stove's compact size.
To use the WindMaster stove, you need to snap on the pot support, which takes some spatial skills. As someone with poor spatial skills, I generally don’t like gear that requires assembly in the field. Adventures with Stoving recommends linking your detachable pot stand to your pot via a micro-carabiner to prevent losing that part (it’s, unfortunately, a brownish color that blends in well with dirt).
To be honest, on my thru-hike of the Arizona Trail, I just stopped taking off the pot stand each night. It was easier and saved me a step.
Simmering
Most canister stoves are pretty good at simmering and frying. So while I normally mostly use my backpacking stoves for boiling water, I often bring the WindMaster on camping trips when I don't have enough room for a full camp stove. The WindMaster can simmer at the lowest temperatures, fry up delicate scrambled eggs, and do a surprisingly decent job of browning potatoes.
Unlike with a lot of canister stoves, like the BRS, you can get this down really low to control temperature. A larger-than-most burner head means you're less likely to experience a hot spot with this stove vs. some of the others we tested, especially integrated stoves. The regulator ensures adjustment in temperature. You can turn the knob several times to really crank it up or crank it down really low for a simmer.
The pot sits 0.35" from the burner (which is closer than stoves like the PocketRocket). That, combined with the 11,000 BTUs, means that if you're cooking (not just boiling water), turn it down!
Noise
The WindMaster was one of the quietest backpacking stoves we considered, especially compared to the conversation-killing PocketRocket, which seems to be named after the sound it makes when cooking. This Windmaster's silence is appreciated when you're with friends and want to hear the conversation, and it is also nice when you're solo and want to hear the sounds of nature.
Durability
The Soto WindMaster has a lot of tiny parts and yet is one of the most durable pieces of gear I own. The piezo has never given out. Although I don't baby it, somehow it hasn't clogged from food, grit, sand, dirt, dust, or water. It keeps chugging along.
It comes with a nylon bag, which some other reviewers called "flimsy." I've never used this bag and never had a problem. Oftentimes, I just throw my WindMaster in the outside mesh pocket of my backpacking backpack and have never had an issue. I'm sure the manufacturer doesn't recommend it and we don't either…but it gives you an idea of what this stove has been able to handle.
Stability
The wide pot stand on the Soto WindMaster can accommodate solo pots and comes with a pot stand that can accommodate pots up to 3L. Teeth along the edges grip the bottom of the cook pot to hold it in place.
Boiling time
The Soto WindMaster has a boil time of 4 minutes, 2 seconds for 1 L of water. While this isn't the fastest, we definitely noticed it is the fastest boil if there is any kind of wind.
Fuel efficiency
In our test of the Soto WindMaster, it took TK time to boil 1 L of water in no wind at 7,800’, which used TK fuel. This isn't quite the most fuel-efficient of the stoves we tested. However, when there is wind, it takes a lot less fuel and time for the WindMaster to get that same 1 L of water boiled.
Similar stoves
MSR PocketRocket 2
Weight: 2.9 oz
Push start integrated piezo igniter button: Yes
Pressure regulator: Yes
Integrated pot: No
Fuel type: Canister
Fuel source: Isobutane-propane
Average boil time (1L): 3 minutes 18 seconds
BTUS: 8,200 BTU
Water boiled per 8-oz canister: 17 L
The MSR PocketRocket 2 is a classic standby that was for many years our go-to backpacking stove and the overall winner of our best backpacking stoves guide. It has a fast boil time and is very easy to use. But it isn't very windproof. We've tried to make hot beverages at windy passes and waited for 30 minutes to get a few cups to turn into lukewarm hot cocoa. It's easy enough to make a rock shelter some say, until it isn't. We think it's worth paying a little extra for the WindMaster to not have to deal with that.
Also, the piezo on the WindMaster, while not an essential feature, sure feels luxurious. Seriously, now that I've gotten accustomed to having the piezo on my backpacking stove, I grumble every time I have to find my lighter and hope it works just to get my stove going.
Compare prices of the MSR PocketRocket 2
Weight: 2.6 oz
Integrated pot: No
Ignitor: No
Pressure regulator: No
Fuel type: Canister
Fuel source: Isobutane-propane
Average boil time (1L): 3 minutes, 30 seconds
The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe is perhaps the WindMaster's greatest rival. It was for a few years the winner of our best backpacking stoves guide. So what do they have in common? The two stoves weigh nearly the same. Both have piezos. PocketRocket Deluxe boils water almost a minute faster.
So why choose the WindMaster over the PocketRocket Deluxe? First, the windproofness. The PocketRocket Deluxe is great until the wind shows up. That's when the WindMaster really shines for quick boil time and fuel efficiency. While the burner head of the PocketRocket Deluxe looks a lot more like the burner head on the WindMaster than it does on the PocketRocket 2, the WindMaster still performs in the wind better.
The WindMaster is less expensive than the PocketRocket Deluxe by about $20. Lastly, the WindMaster can accommodate different pot sizes through its 3-flex and 4-flex pot stands. While we like the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe a lot, those three factors take the WindMaster over the top.
Compare prices of the MSR PocketRocket Deluxe
Weight: 15.5 oz
Integrated pot: Yes
Ignitor: Yes
Pressure regulator: Yes
Fuel type: Canister
Fuel source: Isobutane-propane
Average boil time (1L): 4 minutes 30 seconds
The MSR Windburner Personal is MSR's mass-market take on their mountaineering/alpinist stove, the MSR Reactor. The MSR Reactor was built for climbers going way above treeline who were going to encounter large amounts of wind and still needed to boil water. The Windburner reduces the weight (and cost) of that system to create an integrated backpacking stove system somewhat akin to the Jetboil line (except, in our tests, better in wind in cold). The Windburner and certainly the Reactor are still the best bets for mountaineering. But if you're doing high routes and straddling the line between hiking and climbing, we've preferred the lighter weight,lower bulk, and more thru-hiker style of the Soto WindMaster.
View the MSR Windburner Personal 1L
Should I buy the Soto WindMaster?
If you are looking for an ultralight backpacking stove for anything but to show off how light your system is on Lighterpack, the Soto WindMaster is the one you want. It is reliable and functional in all sorts of weather. It comes with a piezo ignitor to reduce the step of getting out a lighter (the the piezo ignitor never dies). It works in the wind without having to set up a rock shelter or windbreak. The regulator means consistent heat even when you’re in the cold or your fuel can is on its last legs. If you plan to be thru-hiking or out for multiple days, the WindMaster is one piece of gear that you can feel confident that it won't fail and is worth the investment.
About the author
I’ve backpacked over 20,000 miles and have at least 1,000 nights sleeping outdoors. On most of these overnight trips, I’ve cooked dinner on backpacking stoves. When I wake up in the morning in the backcountry, I’ll boil up some hot coffee. On chilly days, I’ll make hot lunch.
I’ve written about outdoor gear for numerous publications, including as contributing editor at Backpacker Magazine and the New York Times’ product review site, Wirecutter. I’m the author of the National Outdoor Book Award winning Long Trails Mastering the Art of the Thru-hike. My book has extensive gear and nutrition chapters--both of which address different kinds of backpacking stoves. I regularly book speaking gigs with outdoor clubs, non-profits, and colleges and universities to talk about backpacking and lead gear panels. I’m also Editor-in-Chief here at Treeline Review and oversee all of our outdoor gear stories.
You can read more about me at www.eathomas.com or at her author page.
