Best Mess Kits in 2022

From top to bottom, we’re kicking this list off with a super affordable mess kit that brings everything you need to the table– MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit. You get a ten piece set, including a nylon bag, foldable stainless steel fork. This comes crafted of anodized aluminum, which is absolutely great for cleaning, and holds up against all forms of corrosion. Your largest pot comes with a one liter capacity, and folding handles that contour to the shape of the pot when not in use. From the grips on the handles to the free eBook on cooking while camping, MelloMe offers the absolute best value of any mess kit we’ve been able to find or use. We had wished the lid locked in place instead of shifting around in transit, which can make quite the bit of noise if you’re not at 100% pack capacity. Great storage, fit for two to four people to eat from, all at a killer price that we couldn’t be happier with.

MSR decided to add a bit of flair in with their functional cook set, and you can’t go wrong with black and red. We were a little disappointed when we didn’t see any silverware or additional utensils, or for that matter, a cleaning sponge included. You get what you see, which includes a 2.5L pot, making it a perfect-sized kit to bring for group camping excursions. Cleaning is a breeze, so long as you know which pan is coated and which is non-coated. We made the mistake of getting some scrapes on the coated pan, as they’re not clearly labeled or identifiable. As we rifle down the list, some of the second-tier models come with a few less perks. MSR charges a pretty penny, and we recommend this be used as your primary mess kit, but still add another for utensils and smaller necessities.

Only have enough time to hit the hiking trail or camp at very sparing moments? If your heart belongs in the outdoors, but your schedule conflicts with it, Terra Hiker has the perfect solution for you. Their camping mess kit comes with ten pieces, crafted of aluminum, a wooden spoon, and plastic strainer. The folding serving ladle and the included bowl are crafted of PP plastic, taking chemical contamination out of the equation entirely. Folding handles contour to the shape of the pan of choice, allowing you to pack this up as small as possible. The whole kit weighs a whopping 1.65lbs, and we know wrist watches that are heavier than that. You get a safe scrub brush, which is a serious necessity, because one false move with any utensil that doesn’t come in this kit, and the non-stick is toast.

G4Free looked at the one issue that most mess kits come with: too tall a price tag for not enough components. You get a thirteen piece set here, including a wooden spoon, lanyard, and a full set of eating utensils. We’re not crazy about how bulky this folded-up kit fits inside of a backpack, but if you’re able to pack it up nicely, you’ll be pleased. The whole thing weights a massive 1.30lbs, making it a great compromise for space versus weight capacity. G4Free kept their price as low as possible, while still offering safe anodized aluminum for the primary construction. You won’t be using this over a direct flame, but you can stash this whole thing in the mesh bag and hang it off your backpack if you fancy.

Last but not least, we come swinging in with another GSI product. These are good guys, with a family business that was founded out of a desire to give the hardcore hiker a much better range of options. You only get four pieces in GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Mess kit, but it’s the perfect central mess kit to get the job done, so long as you’re bringing your own utensils. We’re no the biggest fan of teflon coating, and the coat on this comes off particularly easy. You get a mesh bag to store everything in, but even when it’s nested, it rattles around and makes quite a racket. We recommend nestling it somewhere in your bag to reduce noise. If you do throw it in your bag, it’s only going to add one extra pound; you’ll barely feel a thing. GSI are notorious for being a bit on the pricier side, but this kit can go over direct flame, whereas other kits of their cannot.

Coleman’s known as the king of the outdoors, so we were a little surprised that they didn’t rank higher on this list. They still blew a lot of other kits that didn’t make this list out of the water, but it came with a few setbacks. Firstly, we admire the rock bottom price, which is pretty hard to beat, but we were a little surprised at the kit when we opened it up. It’s noticeably smaller than the marketing materials make it appear online, and doesn’t exactly store in a compact manner to accommodate to the rest of your items. You’ll have to put this in your bag, since it doesn’t come with a mesh bag, but you will have a super easy time cleaning this out. Coleman didn’t want to fuss over a teflon coating, which actually makes these pans last a lot longer than you’d think. Small, but sturdy; you could have Coleman Five Piece Aluminum Mess Kit for a decade or more.

If you’re more of the solo goer, you’re about to be in for the treat of a lifetime. This packs up ultra small, and has just enough space to use for a weekend of solitude. You only get five pieces in this kit, giving you enough of what you need without packing on extra weight. You get an included mesh bag, allowing you to just tack this on to the small of your backpack and let it hang there if you’d prefer, or if your pack doesn’t have enough room to support this. If you take a look at the photographs on the sales page, you’ll see that these are compared, in size, to an iPhone. Minimalist backpackers will appreciate the simplicity, while your wallet will appreciate the low cost. If, at any time, you run into issues with your purchase, you have a full year warranty straight from REDCAMP to cash in on.

GSI is one of those family-fueled brands that we love to give a look at, and we’re glad we did. First off, we’re going to tell you that you’re not going to like the price. As the most expensive set on our list, they had a lot of ground to cover in order to retain our affection; they didn’t disappoint. Simple to clean and quick to set up/store, this eleven piece kit comes with everything that you’d need for a party of two, ideal for the perfect three-day weekend before hitting the nine-to-five again. One fun fact is that when this is all closed-up, there’s enough space to slip an 8oz fuel canister for your camping stove right in the center, pop the lid on, and call it a day. GSI’s attention to detail and customer service needs make them a force to be reckoned with, albeit it for a higher upfront cost.