JetBoil Zip Review

Jetboil has long been a champion in the integrated canister stove world, with timeless classics like the Jetboil Flash becoming nothing short of iconic in the world of backpacking. The Jetboil Zip is a close cousin to the Flash, as a lighter and more compact option for outdoors enthusiasts wanting a simple and packable stove for water boiling.

Fuel Efficiency

If you're wanting a fuel efficient stove, we'd put the Jetboil Zip at the top of the list. After scoring all of our backpacking stoves, we put this model at the front of the pack, though it isn't as ideal for sauteeing vegetables.

In our objective efficiency exams, the Jetboil Zip skyrocketed to the top of the charts, with an average of about .10 ounces of fuel burned per boil. We somewhat attribute these results to the smaller unit/pot size compared to full sized stoves like the Flash. In field testing, the Zip did get slightly bumped down in our overall scoring, as it was a bit more susceptible to higher altitudes, cooler temperatures, and wind. This is a harder stove to simmer or use a skillet with, and its fuel efficiency dove when we tried to cook real meals.

Weight

If you're wanting a lightweight stove and are looking for a canister option, the Jetboil Zip is worth putting on your list of finals. It isn't quite the lightest of its stove class, but it's a higher scoring option in this metric than some of its Jetboil siblings with larger pots.

The Jetboil Zip comes in at an essentials weight of 10.3 ounces including its stove, pot, and lid. If you're wanting to bring the cup that easily fits on the bottom side of the pot, the total weight comes to a modest 11.6 ounces.

One of the other benefits of the Jetboil Zip is its packed size. Its .8 liter pot spares a bit of bulk, and a small canister of isopropane fits easily inside.

Simmering Ability

As a traditional canister stove, we weren't surprised with the overall poorer performance of the Jetboil Zip in the simmering metric. Even just sitting a skillet on the Zip's burner will extinguish its flame, as a pan will cut off oxygen. In a pinch, we could at least cook some noodles, but we had to hold the pot above the burner head.

Some stoves are built for versatility and can cook more involved recipes, while others are best for meals that only require hot water, like the Jetboil Zip. Freeze-dried and dehydrated meals were effortless, with the cloth pot handle and neoprene cover making it easy to pour water, but it was a real pain trying to cook a more legitimate meal. Holding a skillet or pot above the Zip's burner does work if you're in a bind, but this isn't our first choice for simmer-intensive cooking.

Wind Resistance

The Jetboil Zip is a fairly decent stove for light to moderate winds. There are tougher options out there but this model held its own in the review's lineup.

We took the Jetboil Zip to some exposed campsites with minimal tree cover and even took it out on some snow camping trips. Overall, the integrated pot helped shelter the burner, but it isn't the largest burner head in the lineup, and couldn't quite keep up with the strongest of winds.

Ease Of Use

This option offers a very user-friendly experience, with a classic Jetboil neoprene wrap and cloth handle reducing the likelihood of burns, and a no-frills valve control with a stove grip that never gets too hot, even when the Zip is on.

Some shoppers might be wanting a built-in igniter, but the Jetboil Zip leans on simplicity and a lower weight, so if you prefer a piezo igniter instead of a lighter, this might not be the right stove for you. Also, the Zip has only .8 liters of capacity. A smaller pot volume might be viewed by some as a positive, but if you're camping in a larger group, you might be wanting more room in your pot to cook.

The neoprene wrap and webbing handle of the Zip is one of our favorite design aspects across several of Jetboil's models, making it much easier to handle the pot with hot food or boiling water inside.

Boil Time

The Jetboil Zip has a decent boil time that's likely to meet your needs, whether you backpack in the midwest or enjoy overnights in the high Sierra of California.

We measured an average boil time of 2 minutes 37 seconds at our baseline testing elevation of 7,800 feet above sea level. In the field, we generally found similar findings, though it was a bit slower at higher elevations and in colder temperatures.

Should You Buy the Jetboil Zip?

If you're a fan of the Jetboil canister stoves, the Zip is an ideal option if you're prioritizing weight and packability, as it's one of Jetboil's lighter options. It's great for boiling water, and in a bind, you can cook an occasional “real” backcountry meal, but it's best for shoppers looking to rehydrate bagged dinners or breakfast.

What Other Backpacking Stoves Should You Consider?