MSR PocketRocket 2 vs Gas One GS-3400P: Backpacking vs Car Camping
This is not really a fair fight — it is a weight class mismatch, and that is the point. The PocketRocket 2 is a 2.6 oz canister burner for one person's dinner. The Gas One GS-3400P is an 8,000 BTU dual-fuel stove that eats cheap butane cartridges or a 1-lb propane cylinder and can hold a real skillet.
Choose the MSR PocketRocket 2 if
The stove lives in a backpack, and dinner is one pot of water and a freeze-dried pouch.
$49.95 · 4.8★ · 3,800 ratings
See the MSR PocketRocket 2 →Choose the Gas One GS-3400P if
The stove lives in a car or a tote, you cook for two or more, and you want to run whatever fuel is cheapest — including propane when the morning is near freezing.
$34.99 · 4.5★ · 14,200 ratings
See the Gas One GS-3400P →MSR PocketRocket 2 vs Gas One GS-3400P: side by side
| Spec | MSR PocketRocket 2 | Gas One GS-3400P |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.95 | $34.99 |
| Rating | 4.8★ from 3,800 ratings | 4.5★ from 14,200 ratings |
| Category | Camp Stoves | Camp Stoves |
| Best for | Ultralight backpackers who want a tiny isobutane canister stove that boils water fast and fits inside a mug or pot | Budget campers who want one stove that eats whatever fuel is cheapest this season — butane cartridges for mild-weather trips, a 1-lb propane cylinder (hose included) when the temperature drops toward 40°F |
| One thing it does well | At 2.6 ounces, it is easy to pack for overnight hikes without sacrificing a dependable hot-meal option | Dual fuel: propane AND butane — no other stove under $50 does both |
| One thing to know | A narrow burner and small pot supports are not ideal for large skillets or group cooking | Heavier than butane-only stoves due to dual-fuel hardware |
| Who should buy it | Solo and duo backpackers who measure every ounce and want a burner around 2.6 oz; Hikers who mostly boil water — dehydrated dinners, instant oatmeal, coffee — rather than simmering complex meals | Car campers and emergency-kit owners who want fuel flexibility without buying two separate stoves; Cold-weather campers who know plain butane stops vaporizing near freezing and want the propane fallback |
Pros and cons, side by side
MSR PocketRocket 2
Pros
- At 2.6 ounces, it is easy to pack for overnight hikes without sacrificing a dependable hot-meal option
- Folding pot supports pack small yet provide a more secure platform than many ultralight burners
- 8,200-BTU output heats water quickly for coffee, oatmeal, and dehydrated meals
- Simple screw-on canister design is familiar, durable, and easy to operate with basic care
Cons
- A narrow burner and small pot supports are not ideal for large skillets or group cooking
- Wind reduces efficiency, so it needs a sheltered cooking spot and careful windscreen use
- Fuel canister, pot, and lighter are separate essentials rather than included accessories
Gas One GS-3400P
Pros
- Dual fuel: propane AND butane — no other stove under $50 does both
- 8,000 BTUs with steady pressure from propane regulator
- Propane works in cold when butane fails (below 40°F)
- Includes propane hose with POL fitting — no adapter needed
Cons
- Heavier than butane-only stoves due to dual-fuel hardware
- Plastic case is functional but not as durable as Coleman's
- Single burner — can't cook multiple items simultaneously
What the numbers say
The MSR PocketRocket 2 lists at $49.95 and the Gas One GS-3400P at $34.99 — Gas One GS-3400P is the cheaper of the two by $14.96. The Gas One GS-3400P carries the larger review base (14,200 ratings at 4.5★ vs 3,800 at 4.8★), which usually means the failure modes are better documented. Price and ratings are read from the TrailMapz catalog and refreshed on every deploy — check the product pages for today's numbers before you buy.
The verdict
Neither product wins outright — the trip decides. Pick the MSR PocketRocket 2 if this is your trip: The stove lives in a backpack, and dinner is one pot of water and a freeze-dried pouch. Pick the Gas One GS-3400P instead if this is your trip: The stove lives in a car or a tote, you cook for two or more, and you want to run whatever fuel is cheapest — including propane when the morning is near freezing. Read the two lists against the trip you are actually taking, not the one in the marketing photos, and the decision usually makes itself.
Shopping the whole category? best camp stoves guide put every pick in the category in context, and the side-by-side compare tool lets you put any two products in the catalog next to each other.
More head-to-head comparisons
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