The GSI Halulite MicroDualist 2-Person Cookset is our best backpacking cookware pick, and it scored 88 out of 100 in our testing.
A smart two person backpacking kit that cooks, eats and packs well for close to titanium performance at a lower price.
A 1.4L hard anodized pot nests a stove, two insulated mugs, two bowls and two sporks into one compact backpacking bundle for two.
Here's the deal:
We tested it head to head against the other top camping cookware sets, and below we break down how it did on Cooking Performance, Packability, Durability, Weight, Ease of Use, Features, where it falls short, and whether it is worth your money.
Table of Contents
- Best Backpacking Cookware
- Our Verdict: GSI Halulite MicroDualist 2-Person Cookset
- Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
- Should You Buy the GSI Halulite MicroDualist 2-Person Cookset?
- What Other Camping Cookware Sets Should You Consider?
- Specifications
- Conclusion: GSI Halulite MicroDualist 2-Person Cookset
Best Backpacking Cookware
GSI Halulite MicroDualist 2-Person Cookset
- Weight: about 18 oz
- Pot: 1.4L
- Material: Halulite aluminum alloy
- Serves: 2 people
- Includes: 2 mugs, 2 bowls, 2 sporks
- Lid: strainer style
- Extras: sink style stuff sack
Bottom Line : A smart two person backpacking kit that cooks, eats and packs well for close to titanium performance at a lower price.
Pros
- Complete cook and eat kit for two
- Even heating Halulite alloy pot
- Light at about 18 oz
- Sack doubles as a wash basin
Cons
- Sporks feel flimsy
- Bare alloy, no non stick
- Pot too small for larger groups
Our Verdict: GSI Halulite MicroDualist 2-Person Cookset
A smart two person backpacking kit that cooks, eats and packs well for close to titanium performance at a lower price.
A 1.4L hard anodized pot nests a stove, two insulated mugs, two bowls and two sporks into one compact backpacking bundle for two.
So, is it any good?
The whole system nests into the pot and can stow in an exterior pack pocket.
It packs down small and light for a kit that serves two.
It cooks a real two person dinner and packs into a side pocket, but those telescoping sporks are the first thing I would replace.
James, Top-Notch field tester
Reasons to buy:
- Complete cook and eat kit for two
- Even heating Halulite alloy pot
- Light at about 18 oz
- Sack doubles as a wash basin
Reasons to avoid:
- Sporks feel flimsy
- Bare alloy, no non stick
- Pot too small for larger groups
Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
The GSI Halulite MicroDualist 2-Person Cookset scored 88 out of 100 overall.
It is strongest on packability and weakest on durability.
Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.
Cooking Performance
The 1.4L pot is GSI Halulite aluminum alloy, which heats evenly and avoids the harsh hot spots of thin titanium.
It is sized to actually cook a two person meal, not only boil water for freezer bags.
The rubber rimmed clear strainer lid drains pasta or rice without a separate tool.
Reviewers found no blackening or scorching on the pot base after hard use.
| Cooking Performance | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| GSI Halulite MicroDualist 2-Person Cookset | 8/10 |
| Category average | 6.6/10 |
| Worst in test | 4/10 |
Packability
The whole system nests into the pot and can stow in an exterior pack pocket.
It packs down small and light for a kit that serves two.
You might be wondering:
Insulated mugs and bowls slot inside so nothing is left loose.
| Packability | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| GSI Halulite MicroDualist 2-Person Cookset | 9/10 |
| Category average | 8.4/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Durability
The Halulite alloy resisted dings and scratches and stayed as resilient as pricier titanium in testing.
The pot base showed no blackening after rough backcountry use.
The telescoping sporks are the weak link and feel like they will not last long.
Halulite is a bare alloy pot, so there is no non stick coating to peel.
| Durability | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 8/10 |
| GSI Halulite MicroDualist 2-Person Cookset | 7/10 |
| Category average | 6.6/10 |
| Worst in test | 4/10 |
Weight
The full set weighs about 18 oz including mugs, bowls and sporks.
That is light for a complete two person cook and eat system.
It trades a little weight versus titanium for even heating and lower cost.
| Weight | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| GSI Halulite MicroDualist 2-Person Cookset | 9/10 |
| Category average | 8.1/10 |
| Worst in test | 4/10 |
Ease of Use
Comes with a welded nylon stuff sack that works as a wash basin for dishes.
Insulated mugs let you eat and drink straight from the kit.
The strainer lid handles draining without extra gear.
| Ease of Use | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 9/10 |
| GSI Halulite MicroDualist 2-Person Cookset | 8/10 |
| Category average | 7.5/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Features
Includes the pot, strainer lid, two insulated mugs, two bowls and two sporks.
The sink style stuff sack removes the need for a separate wash tub.
Designed to nest a small stove and canister inside the pot.
| Features | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| GSI Halulite MicroDualist 2-Person Cookset | 8/10 |
| Category average | 7.6/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Should You Buy the GSI Halulite MicroDualist 2-Person Cookset?
A smart two person backpacking kit that cooks, eats and packs well for close to titanium performance at a lower price.
It is best suited to two person backpacking trips wanting a full cook and eat kit.
Bottom line?
The big win: Complete cook and eat kit for two.
The main compromise: Sporks feel flimsy.
We scored it 88 out of 100.
What Other Camping Cookware Sets Should You Consider?
Not sold on this one? A few others from our testing are worth a look.
The GSI Halulite Minimalist Cookset is our best aluminum backpacking pot. A tiny, cheap and very light solo boil water pot, ideal for dehydrated meals but too small to actually cook in.
The Snow Peak Titanium Multi Compact Cookset is our best titanium cookware. The lightest and toughest option here, but titanium hot spots make it a boil water pot more than a cooking pot.
The Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Collapsible Set is our best lightweight camping cookware. A collapsible kettle set that packs flatter than anything here and boils fast, best for water rather than pan cooking.
Specifications
| Weight | about 18 oz |
| Pot | 1.4L |
| Material | Halulite aluminum alloy |
| Serves | 2 people |
| Includes | 2 mugs, 2 bowls, 2 sporks |
| Lid | strainer style |
| Extras | sink style stuff sack |
Conclusion: GSI Halulite MicroDualist 2-Person Cookset
After testing it against the other top camping cookware sets, the GSI Halulite MicroDualist 2-Person Cookset earns its place as our best backpacking cookware pick.
Its standout strength: Complete cook and eat kit for two.
Still deciding?
The main thing to weigh before you buy: Sporks feel flimsy.
If you want two person backpacking trips wanting a full cook and eat kit, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.
Still comparing? See exactly where the GSI Halulite MicroDualist 2-Person Cookset ranks against the full field in our Best Camping Cookware Sets You Can Buy guide.
