Camp Cookware For Bike Travel That Doesn't Suck

The Best Camp Cookware for Bicycle Touring, Bikepacking and ADV Bike Trips

Camp cooking on two wheels? It’s a beautiful thing. There’s nothing quite like waking up in the wild, firing up your stove, and brewing a fresh cup of coffee while the sun climbs over the horizon. But to make that magic happen, you need the right gear — and that’s where camp cookware comes in.

camp coffee brewing in a pan on a gas stove on the beach in oman near bimmah sinkhole — camp coffee on the beach in oman near bimmah sinkhole

Whether you’re crossing continents or sneaking away for a weekend micro-adventure, the right camp cookset keeps your fuel light, your belly full, and your panniers happy. In this guide, I’ll share the gear I’ve used (and abused) on the road, alongside some top-rated cooksets for modern bikepackers, long-distance cycle tourists and ADV riders alike.

Planning a Really Big Bike Ride?

Check out My Ultimate Guide to Bicycle Touring

My Tried & Tested Camp Cookware

Trangia Stove System

A true legend. The Trangia* is a Swedish classic: rugged, reliable, and whisper-quiet. It’s not the lightest system, but for old-school touring with a bit of flair, it’s a joy to use. The built-in windscreen and simmer ring make real cooking possible. Think pasta, not pot noodles.

Pros: Built to last. Great in windy conditions.
Cons: Bulky. Heavier than modern systems.
Best for: Extended tours where weight isn’t your top concern.

a simple camping cookset for bicycle touring; an aluminim pan on a beer can stove outside a wooden shack in myanmar — a simple camping cookset for cycle touring; burmese nights in the wilderness in Rakhine state

Loose Pots & Pans

Collected like souvenirs on the road — an enamel plate from Turkey, a battered frying pan from India. They’re not ultralight or sexy, but they tell stories. This setup is perfect for slow travel when space isn’t tight and you’re cooking with flair. Like my family road trip in Oman

Pros: Cheap, adaptable, replaceable.
Cons: Not compact. No nesting.
Best for: Riders on a budget or those living off the land (and local markets).

Alpkit Titanium Mug & Myti Pan

This is my current go-to for lightweight travel. British brand Alpkit makes excellent titanium cookware — durable, light as air, and simple. The mug works for coffee and soups, while the small pan can handle eggs or pasta. They nest together neatly.

I used this Alpkit camp cookset for my 20 Countries in 100 days Charity Bike Ride

Shop the Myti Pan here*

Pros: Ultralight, tough, packable.
Cons: Expensive.
Best for: Bikepackers chasing grams and saving space.

adrian catches a tan while camp cooking in france on out alpkit titanium cookware — adrian catches a tan while camp cooking in france

Best Camp Cookware for Bikepacking

Bikepackers need gear that’s compact, durable, and featherlight. These sets tick all the boxes:

Solo Stove Pot Set – Stainless Steel Nesting Kit

A minimalist’s dream. Solid stainless steel pots that nest together tightly, saving valuable space. The Solo Stove Pot Set* pairs perfectly with any small burner.

Why it rocks: Tough, efficient, and ideal for solo riders. Can double up as a pot and bowl.

Planning a Bikepacking adventure?

Read my Beginners Guide To Bikepacking

Odoland Camping Cookware Kit

A great value all-in-one setup with pot, pan, utensils and cups. Not the most premium kit, but it’s everything you need in one bundle, and surprisingly compact for the price. A cheap and cheerful steel camp cookware set – buy it here*

Why it rocks: Affordable and complete — great starter kit for new tourers or casual campers.

james thomas adventure travellers waits for his alpkit titanium mug to boil at a picnic bench in holland — brew time on my charity bike ride around europe

MSR Cookware + PocketRocket Stove

MSR makes some of the best stoves and pots in the game. Their Trail Mini Duo and PocketRocket combo is a bikepacker’s classic. Lightweight, compact, and fast to boil.

I really like the MSR Alpine Stowaway* for simple cooking on short bikepacking trips.

Why it rocks: Top-tier performance in a pack-friendly form. It’s what you upgrade to when you’ve outgrown budget gear.

What to Look for in a Camp Cookset

Choosing the right cookware depends on your style of travel. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Weight: Titanium = lightest. Steel = durable but heavy.
Size & Nesting: Look for kits that stack or nest into each other.
Fuel Compatibility: Some kits suit alcohol stoves, others gas or solid fuel.
Ease of Cleaning: Rounded edges = easier scrubbing in a stream.
Packability: Can it fit in your pannier, frame bag, or bottle cage?

a pan boils in the desert at a wild camp in oman — coffee first then road trip: camp cooking in oman

My Ideal Cook Setup Right Now

Here’s what I roll with on most bike trips:

Alpkit titanium mug* + pan
Mini beer can stove or gas stove (depends where I’m riding)
Tiny bottle of olive oil
Spork
Small cloth + eco soap
Lighter + backup matches
Fresh coffee, served cafe Turk style (grounds left in)

Simple. Effective. Tucks into a pannier like it was made for it.

Final Thoughts: To Cook or Not to Cook?

Some riders go full stoveless, living on peanut butter and bakery raids. Others carry full espresso setups and simmer homemade dhal on Himalayan roadsides.

Me? I’m somewhere in the middle. A little heat, a hot drink, a warm meal at day’s end — it keeps the stoke alive.

Here’s my essential camp cooking tips for long-distance bike trips

What’s in your cook kit? Comment below or tag me on Instagram. I’d love to see your bike travl kitchen setup.

Camp Cookware For Bike Travel That Doesn’t Suck