SOTO Thermostack Combo Backpacking Cookware Review

Bottom Line

We put the SOTO Thermostack Combo’s 4-season capability to the test on winter backpacking trips and ski trips in the Rocky Mountains, and it did not disappoint. 

The tightly fitting lids and insulated cozy keep food warm noticeably longer than other cook sets, so your food doesn’t go cold quite as quickly in cold conditions. The double-wall insulated mug offers yet another layer of comfort when temperatures plummet. 

The cooking performance of the Thermostack doesn’t exceed any wild expectations, but it’s on par with ultralight cookware. The hard-anodized aluminum pot distributes heat better than titanium, and the stainless steel mug efficiently retains heat. 

Although there are several components, the set maintains an impressively lightweight design, packs down nicely, and can be used as individual pieces or as a complete kit. For the ultralight backpacker, SOTO offers a ton of value in this modular, 4-season cook set.

For those seeking a more minimal ultralight option or something that can cook for the whole family, check out our full guide to backpacking cookware.

How We Tested

In addition to evaluating each individual component in a controlled setting, we put the Thermostack to the test in the school of hard knocks. Because it’s a 4-season cook set, we got out into the Rocky Mountains during the winter months, cooking piping hot meals in its 750mL pot and sipping cozy beverages in its insulated mug.

Cooking Performance

The cooking performance of the SOTO Thermostack Combo easily holds its own next to other lightweight pots. But the bonus of the Thermostack is that it offers a little extra comfort. The 750 mL main pot is made from hard-anodized aluminium for fast and even heat distribution. 750 mL is the perfect size for a single-person meal, and the medium diameter of the pot is easier than the tall/narrow styles.

Although the pot doesn’t feature a non-stick coating, it keeps stubborn foods like eggs at bay fairly well, as long as you stir regularly. If food is left to sit in the pot, however, cleanup will require a decent amount of elbow grease. That’s not to say the SOTO Thermostack can’t cook fresh foods, but it’s best suited for brothy meals like ramen. 

The best part of the SOTO Thermostack is its stainless steel and titanium cup combo, which nest together to create an insulated, double-wall mug. We like to heat water quickly in the titanium cup and then pour it into the stainless cup before nesting them together for a quick, comforting beverage.

Weight & Packability

The weight and packability of the SOTO Thermostack Combo strike a happy middle ground among all our tested cookware. It is almost double the weight of the lightest pot on our list, but far from the heaviest. However, since it’s a three-pot set, you can choose what to bring and what to leave at home for each trip. 

For comparison, we measured the total weight of the set to be 10.8 ounces, and the minimum weight (comprising a 750 mL pot, pot lifter, lid, and stuff sack) to be 5.7 ounces. The capacity-to-weight ratio is average for pots of this size at 188 mL per ounce.

All components nest together neatly with barely enough extra room for a small backpacking stove and a lighter. An additional 4-ounce fuel canister won’t fit inside the pots, but it will sit on top of the pots and stay secured inside the extended mesh collar of the stuff sack. If you opt to leave the smaller cups at home, a 4-ounce fuel canister will fit inside the larger 750 mL pot. All components together (not including fuel) take up about 94 cubic inches of pack space.

Usability

The SOTO Thermostack Combo features unique design elements that make it particularly well-suited for cold-weather camping. The first of which is the insulated coozie/storage sleeve. 

The insulated coozie is made from tarpaulin and a laminated aluminum sheet to keep your food warmer for longer. The lids also help with this endeavor with a tightly fitting silicone seal. Together, the lid and cozy efficiently retain heat and reduce cooking time.

For added comfort in cold conditions, see the included cups – one stainless steel and one titanium. The stainless steel cup nests snugly into the titanium cup with the included collar, creating a double-wall insulated mug that keeps your drink hot and your hand just right. The mug also comes with its own tightly fitting lid.

For a handle, the combo comes with an aluminium pot lifter. The lifter has a squeeze grip, but it doesn’t get hot like some attached handles. It is compatible while the lid is on, but proves to be a bit awkward. 

To add the toppings to this cake, both lids are equipped with drain holes and a pour spout. Neither is as effective as on some larger pots, but they get the job done.

Durability

There are a lot of different materials and components to consider in terms of durability with the Thermostack, but overall, it is built to last. The 750 mL pot is made from hard-anodized aluminium for quick and even heat distribution and good cooking performance. This one requires the most care, however, as aluminum is the least heat and scratch-resistant of all the materials. 

The 400 mL cup, which acts as the outer wall of the double-wall mug, is made from titanium. The most burly and durable of the three is the stainless steel 350mL mug (inner wall). The stainless steel is the heaviest and retains heat the best.

The weak points of this kit are the pot lifter and the plastic lids. Although the lids are pretty robust, plastic is inherently vulnerable to heat and cracking, so just try not to stomp on them or toss them in the fire, and you’ll be good.

Should You Buy the SOTO Thermostack Combo?

The SOTO Thermostack Combo is a versatile cook set suitable for various styles of backpacking. The 750mL pot (when used alone) is light enough even for the most ultralight backpacker’s standards, and the insulated mug and cozy provide added comfort for those who appreciate the luxuries of home. For winter camping, we would even consider the full kit necessary and well within ultralight winter pack weights.

While titanium pots do little more than boil water efficiently, the aluminium 750 mL pot provides a touch more cooking performance. It’s slightly thicker than most titanium pots and disperses heat more evenly. 

The smart Thermostack design effectively turns this kit into a 4-season cook set. The tight-fitting lids, insulated cozy, and double-wall mug do an excellent job at keeping food and drinks warm in cold temperatures. 

Although there are many components and moving parts, SOTO didn’t neglect packability in their design. The pots nest together neatly with enough space for the pot lifter, a mini lighter, and even SOTO’s larger Windmaster stove. 

Overall, the SOTO Thermostack Combo is ideal for the 4-season ultralight backpacker or anyone who enjoys a little extra comfort year-round.

What Other Backpacking Cookware Should You Consider?

For budget buys or family-sized cooksets, check out our full guide to backpacking cookware. 

Toaks Titanium 750mL Review: This fully titanium pot is the most basic, most ultralight option on our list and an excellent budget buy. 

Evernew Pasta Pot 1L Review: The Pasta Pot is a large capacity titanium pot with handy features for various types of cooking. It lacks the 4-season compatibility of the Thermostack but is one of the best all-around pots on our list.

MSR Trail Mini Solo Cookset Review: This is basically the Thermostack without the extra 4-season features. It has a pot lifter and a plastic lid. Because it is a thicker aluminum pot, it cooks and cleans up similarly to the Thermostack.

Snow Peak Titanium Mini Solo Review: Similar to the Thermostack, the Mini Solo is a two-pot set. It lacks 4-season comfort but is all titanium, so it’s lighter.