The 7 Best Camping Mess Kits for Campers Who Love to Cook

Best Overall

GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Dualist HS Cookset

$128 at Amazon View on REI View on Gsioutdoors.com

In addition to being lightweight, this kit is extremely compact, making it ideal for carrying in your pack (if reconfigured, it even has room to fit a small, 8-ounce fuel canister inside). The two-person set doesn’t skimp on any essential pieces and holds up to other, heavier options. The 1.8-liter nonstick pot comes with a helpful straining lid and is crafted from hard-anodized aluminum, which works well for retaining and distributing heat.

During our tests, we found the mugs to be a bit awkward in shape, but we liked that they can double as bowls, serving four instead of two. Plus, they’re insulated to keep your food or beverage at a safe temperature for longer and prevent your hands from overheating. The entire set is contained in a storage bag that doubles as a portable sink or water bucket, so cleanup is speedy, and transporting water is effortless.

Material: Silicone, nylon, polypropylene, non-stick coated, and hard-anodized aluminum | Weight: 1.7 pounds | What’s Included: One 1.8-liter pot with strainer lid, two 20-ounce mugs with tops and insulated sleeves, two 20-ounce bowls, two folding fork-spoons, and a storage bag/camp sink

Best Value

Odoland 15pcs Camping Cookware Mess Kit

$36 at Amazon

A great option for those just beginning to spend time outdoors or those shopping within a certain budget, this 2.75-pound kit is complete with three different nonstick, lightweight, aluminum cooking vessels. The set even includes a frying pan, which is unusual for most mess kits. Each pot has thermally insulated handles, and the included foldable spoon doubles as a lever for the lid, so you can safely check on boiling water.

While all the components may not silently nest inside one another, once the kit is fully assembled, it makes for a small and sturdy package at around 8 x 6 inches. The stainless steel cups and plates won’t retain odors or stains and are durable for long-term usage. While we found the folding utensils to be a little flimsy during testing, they still get the job done. Because the set has gaps when it’s stacked, there is extra room to fit a few extraneous personal items like lighters, napkins, or even a mini camping stove. 

Material: Hard-anodized aluminum, stainless steel, and silicone | Weight: 2.75 pounds | What’s Included: Two pots, one 5.7-inch fry pan, two stainless steel cups, two stainless steel plates, two cutlery sets with storage bags, one cleaning cloth, and a carrying bag

Best Splurge

GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper Cookset

$169 at Amazon View on REI View on Backcountry

This lightweight kit has all the bells and whistles to make what can otherwise be a finicky ordeal nearly as easy as cooking in your home kitchen. The bottoms of the cookware pieces are scored to evenly disperse heat, and a specialized Teflon coating will heat the surface more rapidly than other nonstick options, improving fuel efficiency and ensuring a quick meal when after a long day of hiking. The lids are perforated along one side for straining and have silicone seals that retain moisture.

Odor-resistant polypropylene plates and bowls easily nest within the setup, housing a foldable handle for the cookware with extra room for folding utensils, lighters, or other small accouterments. This all-in-one mess kit gets points for its versatility, and in our opinion, it’s worth the splurge for the peace of mind it provides. You’ll have everything you need for cooking, except perhaps some kitchen tools to take on vacation.

Material: Silicone, nylon, polypropylene, nonstick coated, and hard-anodized aluminum | Weight: 3.63 pounds | What’s Included: Two pots with strainer lids, one 9-inch fry pan, four 14-ounce mugs with tops and insulated sleeves, four 14-ounce bowls, four 7.5-inch plates, a folding pot gripper, and a storage bag/camp sink

Best for Backpacking

UCO 6-Piece Camping Mess Kit

$28

$31 at Amazon $28 at Ace Hardware

When backpacking, weight and size are primary concerns in choosing the gear. At a whopping 0.8 pounds, this UCO Mess Kit is about as light as it gets. Plus, once it’s snapped together, it measures just three inches wide. The top/plate and bottom/bowl seal together with a silicone gasket to contain a collapsible cup and tether strap utensils to the outside, which can also be used to hang-dry all five pieces after washing.

During our testing, we found the rounded corners made scooping up the last bits of any meal effortless, which is important if you’re quickly downing a bowl of hearty morning oatmeal before hitting the trails. Plus, with only the cup nestled inside, there’s room for spare bits and bobs. This set also works wonderfully as a container for meal prep or mise en place as you cook. As a bonus detail, the cutlery can slide together to create an extra-long utensil for cooking or scooping into dehydrated meal bags. 

Material: Polypropylene, nylon, and TPE | Weight: 0.8 pounds | What’s Included: One 23.3-ounce bowl, one lid, one collapsible camp cup, one switch spork, and a tether

Best for Car Camping

Stanley Adventure Base Camp Cookset for 4

$60

$55 at Amazon View on REI $45 at Stanley1913.com

This durable kit from editor-loved brand Stanley has everything from a large boiling pot to a folding spatula and drying rack. Held together by a bungee and with a clear stacking diagram etched on the lid, all the components fit seamlessly for an easily portable, albeit heavy, kit. The two stainless steel cookware pieces have thick bottoms and aluminum cores that disperse heat evenly without hot spots or discoloration.

Fully stock your base camp with the included four heavy-duty BPA-free plates and bowls, a flexible trivet that doubles as a pot holder, a cutting board, a drying rack, and foldable utensils, including a spatula and spoon). We think this Stanley Cookset makes a great option for car camping, where you won’t need to lug it very far from the trunk to the camping table. Plus, it looks like cookware we'd use in our home kitchens. Points for aesthetics!

Material: Stainless steel, BPA-free plastic, and bungee cord | Weight: 5.7 pounds | What’s Included: One 3.7-quart pot with a vented lid, one 7.25-inch frying pan, four plates, four bowls, one cutting board, one spatula, one serving spoon, four sporks, one drying rack, and a locking bungee

Best Dinnerware Kit

Coleman Enamel Dinnerware Set

$65

$60 at Amazon $63 at Home Depot View on Opticsplanet.com

Coated in classic red speckled enamel, this 24-piece set is a practical and versatile dinnerware set for both grilling burgers in the backyard and sitting down for breakfast at a campsite. Known for its sturdy and long-lasting qualities, enamelware will also retain heat, keeping your meal warm as you eat, even on the chilliest of nights.

Aside from the bowls, plates, and mugs, there is also a full set of table-ready cutlery stowed away in a flatware storage roll, which keeps knives, forks, spoons, and other sharp utensils safely secured. This roll is especially handy if you’re looking for a safe way to store paring knives or other sharp objects while packing or traveling. 

Material: Enamel, stainless steel, and plastic | Weight: 7.1 pounds | What’s Included: Four 10-inch dinner plates, four 6-inch bowls, four 12-ounce mugs, four knives, forks, and spoons, and a utensil roll-up storage pouch

Best Cookware Kit

GSI Outdoors Stainless Steel Cookware Set

$120 at Amazon $120 at REI

This set of three high-grade, rust-proof stainless steel pots and pans can be used to cook over an open fire, coals, or a camping stove. This cookware is likely thinner than the stainless steel options in your home kitchen, but it’s surprisingly just as durable. The fry pan’s strong, heat-protected handle won’t collapse or fold while you're flipping bacon and eggs, and the heatproof pot holders in the lids are handy for straining liquids.

We love that all the pieces stack and lock together for effortless transport and are less noisy than other kits while in transit. If you’re someone who prioritizes meals when spending time outdoors, this set will not disappoint. At under three pounds, this is a quality, lightweight cookware set.

Material: Stainless steel and silicone | Weight: 2.86 pounds | What’s Included: Two pots, one 8-inch fry pan, two straining lids, and a stuff sack