GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Canister Stove

Field Notes: Our backpacking testers were stoked to grab this canister top model and stow it in their packs. When you’ve got a pile of group gear to divvy up among a crew of backpackers, a stove this small is a blessing. It performed well in the field, and testers were truly amazed by the foldable arms and compact packed size of this GSI Outdoors camp stove. 

Pros: Size is the most obvious pro here, as it was the smallest canister backpacking stove tested. Laid side by side with several MSR models, it’s smaller than the Pocket Rocket and comparable to (but 0.2 ounces lighter than) the Micro Rocket. The arms fold up ingeniously, and even our through hiking, cold food testers beamed with the possibility of hot coffee and food with the Pinnacle.

Cons: This GSI Outdoors stove is going to have to earn its place next to MSR stoves in this category. A newcomer on the stove scene, GSI Outdoors doesn’t quite have the reputation for durability that the MSR Rocket series does. But a lack of reputation is not the same as a bad reputation. While some of the foldable joints seem like they might not stand up to heavy blows, this tiny stove did seem reasonably durable to Active Junky testers. The only other con here is due to the top heavy design, full pots of water perch precariously, especially on uneven surfaces.

Favorite Feature: The foldable arms. With a few quick twists, this thumb-sized stove unfolds like a jungle flower in the sun. They’re so ingeniously made, our testers passed it around the campfire like a jigsaw puzzle, marveling at the tiny packed size that tucks away into its included storage bag.

Tester Commentary: “I usually eat cold food and skip the stove when I’m backpacking by myself. This tiny thing might change it all for me. It’s unbelievable.”

Bottom Line: This tiny stove may be the next big thing to hit the minimalist market.

Best for: Ultralight backpacking. Use as a backup on long expeditions.

Key Attribute: Weight