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Snow Peak Titanium Multi Compact Review

Super light pot set useful as components in a simple, ultralight cooking kit
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snow peak titanium multi compact camping cookware review
Credit: Snow Peak
Price:  $108 List
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Manufacturer:   Snow Peak
By Amber King & Jediah Porter  ⋅  Nov 28, 2019
47
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#20 of 21
  • Cooking Performance - 35% 3.0
  • Features - 15% 2.0
  • Ease of Use - 15% 3.0
  • Durability - 15% 8.0
  • Packability - 10% 8.0
  • Weight - 10% 9.4

Our Verdict

The Snow Peak Titanium Multi Compact is an ultralight system often turned to for thru-hikers and backpackers who are concerned with cutting ounces. This is a compact set of cookware that you'll hardly notice it inside your pack - if you can get past the rattling. This is a cook set that is perfect for the dedicated hiker looking to assemble a customized, ultralight kitchen kit. To do it justice, pair it with the lightest stove you have the patience for and a just-add-water menu. If you prefer to travel with just a sport and a pot, this is a wonderful option. Unfortunately, the price is a little high, but it is quite durable and will last for many adventures.
REASONS TO BUY
Crazy light
Compact
REASONS TO AVOID
Only really boils water
Rattles while packed
Too small to pack many other items inside

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Overall Score Sort Icon
47
79
78
77
63
Star Rating
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Bottom Line As long as your menu is simple and your group is small, this is a great choiceA solid option for folks in the market for an efficient backpacking cookware set for two peopleA wonderful stainless-steel set for the value-oriented car camperHeavy-duty cast iron prioritizes cooking performance, offering a gourmet cooking experience whether at home or on the roadA high value stainless steel solo cook set intended for the backpacker
Rating Categories Snow Peak Titanium... GSI Outdoors Pinnac... Stanley Adventure B... Lodge 3.2 Quart Cas... GSI Outdoors Glacie...
Cooking Performance (35%)
3.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
4.0
Features (15%)
2.0
6.0
9.0
5.0
5.0
Ease of Use (15%)
3.0
9.0
6.0
9.0
8.0
Durability (15%)
8.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
9.0
Packability (10%)
8.0
7.0
4.0
5.0
7.0
Weight (10%)
9.4
9.0
7.5
4.0
9.2
Specs Snow Peak Titanium... GSI Outdoors Pinnac... Stanley Adventure B... Lodge 3.2 Quart Cas... GSI Outdoors Glacie...
Measured Weight 0.70 lbs 1.4 lbs 4.8 lbs 12.3 lbs 1.0 lbs
Material Titanium Hard-anodized aluminum w/non-stick coating Stainless steel (pot and pan bottoms have additional layers) Cast iron Stainless steel
Components 1 L pot, 0.8 L pot, 6" frypan/lid, 5.3" frypan/lid 1.8 L pot, strainer lid, ² 20 fl oz mugs w/ insulated sleeves, ² 20 fl oz bowls, ² sip-it tops, ² folding sporks, welded sink 3.5 L pot, vented lid, 7" 3-Ply frying pan, cutting board, ¹ spatula with extending handle, ¹ serving spoon with extending handle, ⁴ 6 in plates, ⁴ 22 oz bowls, ⁴ sporks, dish drying rack, heat resistant trivet, locking bungee 3.2 qt Dutch oven, 10" frypan/lid 1 L pot, ¹ folding handle frying pan, ¹ bowl, ¹ cup, stuff sack
Avg Boil Time (mins) 4:15 1:18 4.12 4:30 3:56
3 L Pot? (>2.4L) 0 0 1 0 0
2 L Pot? (1.5-2.4L) 0 1 0 0 0
1 L Pot? (0.5-1.4L) 1 0 0 0 1
Frying Pan? 1 0 1 2 1
Frying Pan Lid? No N/A No Yes No
Packed Size 6.1 x 4 in 5.9 x 6.4 x 5.9 in 11 x 6 x 11 in 16.5 x 10.38 x 4.63 in 6.7 x 6.6 x 3.5 in
Weight of Pot Closest to 1.5 L (With Lid and Handle) 0.3 lbs 0.7 lbs 1.9 lbs 5.9 lbs 0.74 lbs
Cooking Surfaces Uncoated Hard-Anodized, non-stick coating Stainless steel Cast iron 18/8 stainless steel

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Snow Peak Titanium Multi Compact cook set is a four-piece set that is designed for ultralight backpackers on the go. Cast from super-light titanium, this set comes with a 1-liter pot, a .8 liter pot, a 6" lid/frypan, and a 5.3" lid/frypan. These pieces come in a mesh bag, and can also be purchased as a three-piece set that comes without the smaller lid. For ultralight backpacking, lightening your kitchen kit makes a big difference.

Performance Comparison


snow peak titanium multi compact camping cookware review - snow peak makes one of the lightest and most compact sets we tested...
Snow Peak makes one of the lightest and most compact sets we tested during this review out of titanium metal. The pot hands collapse back around each pot while the lid handles flip up over the top of the system.
Credit: Gentrye Houghton

Cooking Performance


When it comes to backpacking specific cookware, they're rarely made with cooking fresh ingredients in mind, instead focusing on lightweight materials that tend to conduct heat poorly. Unfortunately, this set performs horribly when it comes to our scrambled egg test, which is a function of the materials used. First, the titanium is a poor conductor and doesn't distribute heat well. Since the metal doesn't conduct and distribute the focused heat of a camping stove, the eggs in our standardized test cooked unevenly with a difficult cleanup. Second, it doesn't have a non-stick coating.

snow peak titanium multi compact camping cookware review - here you can see a large burned spot after our scrambled egg test...
Here you can see a large burned spot after our scrambled egg test, and, due to the amount of sticking, clean up was a bit difficult.
Credit: Gentrye Houghton

Essentially, every other product we tested cooks better than the Snow Peak. It functioned poorly in the egg test and the boiling water test. As noted above, though, you don't choose this for performance. On an ultralight backpacking trip, you eat for fuel and want to carry as little as possible.

snow peak titanium multi compact camping cookware review - although ultra lightweight, titanium does not conduct heat evenly...
Although ultra lightweight, titanium does not conduct heat evenly, causing the scrambled egg to bubble quite a bit.
Credit: Gentrye Houghton

snow peak titanium multi compact camping cookware review - not only does this set cook the scrambled egg unevenly, it also...
Not only does this set cook the scrambled egg unevenly, it also sticks terribly to the titanium.
Credit: Gentrye Houghton

Packability


The titanium cookware from Snow Peak is the most compact set we tested by quite a bit, which is why it's popular among thru-hikers and anyone else concerned with the lightest and fastest ascents possible. This set weighs less than a pound, 10.6 ounces to be exact, and measures a little over six inches in diameter by four inches tall; therefore, making it highly packable inside your pack. Strip it to a single pot, and it is even lighter. In an ultralight cooking system, even a team of two or three won't need more than the primary pot of the Snow Peak. We recommend putting cloth or paper towel between the pots to dampen vibration and noise.

snow peak titanium multi compact camping cookware review - the handle arrangement and rough size calibration of the snow peak...
The handle arrangement and rough size calibration of the Snow Peak Titanium pots.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Durability


Titanium is your lightest weight option without compromising strength; it's about 45 percent lighter than steel and stronger than aluminum. We did not experience any issues with durability during our testing period; however, the way the handles are constructed on the lids creates stress at a weak point in the system. If anything were to happen, we feel it would happen with the way the handles flip up and down as opposed to wrapping around the cookware. Even without a coating or anodizing, the titanium construction resists corrosion while not breaking down in any way. Titanium is inherently a stable material and quite durable.

snow peak titanium multi compact camping cookware review - the titanium multi compact from snow peak is great for fast and...
The Titanium Multi Compact from Snow Peak is great for fast and light adventures in all environments. Here, upstate New York's hiking paradise in the Catskills.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Weight


This set weighs in at an astonishing 11.6 ounces, or about three-quarters of a pound, meaning it is super light. While it is light, our reviewers felt that almost every other category was compromised for this feature. In this ultralight niche, you are making a no-holds-barred choice to optimize efficiency. Treat your dining as fuel, keeping it light and simple, and the weight of the Snow Peak set will be no issue.

snow peak titanium multi compact camping cookware review - high and light, like this guided late season trip on wyoming's grand...
High and light, like this guided late season trip on Wyoming's Grand Teton, is one of the preferred environments for the Snow Peak Titanium cookware.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Ease of Use


We didn't feel that the pieces in this set were instrumental during backpacking applications. Snow Peak also makes a three-piece set that cuts out the small lid included in this set. However, both of the lids are difficult to use as an optional skillet; based on the results from our scrambled egg test, we're not sure you would want to use them for anything besides lids.

snow peak titanium multi compact camping cookware review - this set rattles quite a bit inside your pack. we recommend putting...
This set rattles quite a bit inside your pack. We recommend putting a folded paper towel between the pots to quite the noise, plus, you can use the paper towels during clean up.
Credit: Ryan Kenney

The good news is that, and this is a common refrain, you won't be choosing this product for its ease of use. You choose it for "ease of carrying", and you match your menu and the rest of your cooking kit to this simple foundation. Simple meals and stoves are easy and light.

Features


There are no extra features to speak of included with the Snow Peak Titanium Multi Compact kit. For this sort of ultralight backcountry feeding, even the second, smaller pot is largely unnecessary. One could handily prepare and consume simple freeze-dried style meals with the large pot and lid, a tiny propane or alcohol stove, and a spoon for each camper. Prepare the food in, and eat it from, the freeze-dried bags. This is the simplest, lightest backcountry kitchen system.

Value


This set is expensive and not the best performer in our tests. For the same price, you can purchase a high scoring Top Pick, which has more components and is more versatile for preparing "actual" food. However, if you are dead set on ultralight packing, the durable and ultra-light titanium construction of the Snow Peak will last you a long time and stay relevant.

snow peak titanium multi compact camping cookware review - this cookware isn't designed to excel at making gourmet meals on the...
This cookware isn't designed to excel at making gourmet meals on the trail; however, it can easily accommodate preparing meals in which boiling water is the main ingredient.
Credit: Gentrye Houghton

Conclusion


Titanium is an extremely lightweight, yet expensive, material that does not conduct heat well. Therefore, this set is a great option for backpacking where you will be making meals mostly by boiling water. If you're planning a light and fast mission, this set is a great option.

Amber King & Jediah Porter