SOTO Windmaster Backpacking Range Evaluation

The Soto Windmaster is touted as one of many very best backpacking stoves for its superior wind efficiency. However does it actually outperform different canister stoves when the wind begins whipping?

We put the Soto Windmaster to the check towards the opposite prime backpacking stoves in the marketplace to seek out out if it actually lives as much as its identify.

QUICK SPECS

MSRP: $70

LISTED WEIGHT: 3.1 oz. (with 4Flex Assist)

MEASURED WEIGHT: 3.1 oz. (with 4Flex Assist)

FUEL TYPE:Isobutane/propane canister

PROS

Wonderful wind efficiency – We’ve used the Windmaster in some fairly windy situations – uncovered washes within the Sonoran desert, high-elevation ridges within the Cascades, and sprawling lava flows in Central Oregon. And now we have to say, we’ve been very impressed with the efficiency of this range each time.

The explanation many stoves wrestle to work effectively within the wind is as a result of there’s an excessive amount of open house between the burner and the pot. The Windmaster is designed with a lip across the burner to dam some wind on the supply of the flame, and the pot sits comparatively near the burner head in comparison with different main stoves.

The Pocket Rocket Deluxe could be very comparable in design with its recessed burner, however the arms of Pocket Rocket aren’t connected to the burner head just like the arms on the Windmaster are. The Pocket Rocket design leaves extra space for wind to chop the effectivity of your flame.

Whereas the efficiency of all stoves will probably be affected by the wind in some capability, now we have discovered the Windmaster to be noticeably higher within the wind than different canister stoves.

Light-weight – With the included 4Flex Pot Assist, the Windmaster weighs solely 3.1 oz. And hikers who had been beforehand carrying a windscreen with a special range can avoid wasting weight by ditching it for the superior wind efficiency of the Windmaster.

In comparison with different stoves on our listing of the Finest Backpacking Stoves, the Windmaster is the fourth lightest. That stated, the highest 5 lightest stoves on the listing vary from 1 oz. to three.2 oz. – not a dramatic distinction. The Pocket Rocket Deluxe might be the closest in design to the Windmaster – it weighs 2.9 oz., or 0.2 oz. lower than the Windmaster.

Hikers who’re actually seeking to shave each little bit of weight and bulk with out sacrificing the good wind efficiency can save round 20 grams (0.7 oz.) by getting the TriFlex Pot Assist. We’ll dive slightly deeper into the TriFlex later on this evaluation.

Good simmer management/environment friendly boiling – The Windmaster permits for a great vary of management over your flame, so you may boil rapidly or simmer slowly for the right backcountry meal. We expect there are too many elements that go into boil occasions to make {that a} actually correct comparative measurement. However SOTO claims the Windmaster can boil 2 cups of water in lower than 2.5 minutes, which we discover to be typically correct below regular situations.

Secure 4-prong pot assist – One in every of our favourite issues concerning the Windmaster is the sturdy and secure 4Flex Pot Assist that comes with it. This assist means that you can use bigger pots with the Windmaster, with out the range struggling below the load or your pot turning into unbalanced.

The excellent pot assist is particularly nice for {couples} preferring to share a single giant pot for boiling water.

Interchangeable pot helps – A singular function of the Windmaster is the power to swap between the sturdy 4Flex Assist (included with the Windmaster) and the ultralight TriFlex Assist (offered individually).

We sometimes at all times want to take the 4Flex Assist because it provides lots of stability for a really small quantity of weight over the TriFlex. However hikers who’re counting each gram and use a smaller pot could want the 0.7 oz. weight financial savings of the TriFlex.

With the 4Flex, the Windmaster weighs 3.1 oz. – the fourth lightest range on our listing of the Finest Backpacking Stoves. With the TriFlex, the range about 2.4 oz. – the third lightest on our listing.

Sturdy – This little range could be very sturdy for the load. We’ve examined it on over 500 miles of path with two hikers utilizing it, and we anticipate it to final for a number of extra years.

Piezo ignitor – It is a considerably small perk, since we frequently discover that the Piezo (push-button ignitor) is the very first thing to fail on stoves. However it’s a handy function – particularly in windy areas the place it may be troublesome to make use of a lighter.

As we talked about above, although, the Windmaster could be very well-made. And after 500+ miles of constant use, the Piezo continues to be working superbly and customarily ignites on the primary or second push. Both manner, we at all times convey a Mini Bic as a backup hearth supply – even when our range has a Piezo.

CONS

Costly – The Windmaster is among the costliest canister stoves on our listing of the Finest Backpacking Stoves (not together with built-in range programs, just like the Jetboil Flash). That stated, it’s solely $10 greater than two of our different prime picks -the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 and the Snow Peak LiteMax.

We expect the Windmaster is price the price for hikers who usually hike in windy areas – above treeline, in open deserts, or in coastal areas – since it is going to boil much more effectively than lots of the different prime stoves.

Bulkier than some – The Soto Windmaster is a bit longer than many different stoves, and the detachable pot assist – particularly the 4Flex – is bulkier than the extra widespread foldable arms on different stoves. It may be a bit powerful to pack the Windmaster into smaller pots due to this. Even bigger pots could not be capable to accommodate the range and a small gasoline canister on the similar time.

We often simply retailer the Windmaster separate from our cookpot in our meals bag. This isn’t a dealbreaker, however it does require you to be a bit aware of how issues are packed so that you don’t bend the arms on the pot assist.

A bit simpler to burn meals for those who’re not paying consideration – One factor to bear in mind is that since your pot sits nearer to the flame on the Windmaster than it does on many different canister stoves, you need to preserve a more in-depth eye on the contents of your pot when you’re cooking/boiling. The extra concentrated flame can overheat any meals on the backside of your pot slightly extra rapidly than different stoves.

BOTTOM LINE

We’re massive followers of the Soto Windmaster, and we extremely suggest it to hikers who’re over struggling towards the wind to get a fast boil. Although it’s a bit on the costly aspect for a canister range, we predict the Windmaster is price each penny for its sturdiness, secure pot helps, and effectivity. The Windmaster is one among our go-to stoves for uncovered, windy areas and for hikes the place we’re sharing a cookset with a associate. We’ve been whipping up scrumptious backcountry meals over tons of of path miles with this range, and it’s one among our all-time favorites.

See how the Windmaster compares to our different favorites on our listing of the Finest Backpacking Stoves.

MORE INFORMATION

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