Snow Peak Ti-Mini Solo Combo 2.0 Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
Snow Peak Ti-Mini Solo Combo 2.0 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Awards | Best Ultralight Solo Backpacking Kit | Best Two-Person Backpacking Cookset | Best Value for Car Camping | Best Cookware for Foodies | Best Value for Solo Backpackers |
Price | $73.80 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $95 List $94.95 at Backcountry | $90 List $90.00 at Amazon | $60.95 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $25 List $24.95 at REI |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | This high-quality titanium cookware set features an intuitive design that's highly packable and easy to use | A solid option for folks in the market for an efficient backpacking cookware set for two people | A wonderful stainless-steel set for the value-oriented car camper | Heavy-duty cast iron prioritizes cooking performance, offering a gourmet cooking experience whether at home or on the road | A high value stainless steel solo cook set intended for the backpacker |
Rating Categories | Snow Peak Ti-Mini S... | GSI Outdoors Pinnac... | Stanley Adventure B... | Lodge 3.2 Quart Cas... | GSI Outdoors Glacie... |
Cooking Performance (35%) | |||||
Features (15%) | |||||
Ease of Use (15%) | |||||
Durability (15%) | |||||
Packability (10%) | |||||
Weight (10%) | |||||
Specs | Snow Peak Ti-Mini S... | GSI Outdoors Pinnac... | Stanley Adventure B... | Lodge 3.2 Quart Cas... | GSI Outdoors Glacie... |
Measured Weight | 0.4 lbs | 1.4 lbs | 4.8 lbs | 12.3 lbs | 1.0 lbs |
Material | Titanium | Hard-anodized aluminum w/non-stick coating | Stainless steel (pot and pan bottoms have additional layers) | Cast iron | Stainless steel |
Components | 30 fl oz pot, 18.3 fl oz cup, lid, mesh bag | 1.8 L pot, strainer lid, ² 20 fl oz mugs w/ insulated sleeves, ² 20 fl oz bowls, ² sip-it tops, ² folding sporks, welded sink | 3.5 L pot, vented lid, 7" 3-Ply frying pan, cutting board, ¹ spatula with extending handle, ¹ serving spoon with extending handle, ⁴ 6 in plates, ⁴ 22 oz bowls, ⁴ sporks, dish drying rack, heat resistant trivet, locking bungee | 3.2 qt Dutch oven, 10" frypan/lid | 1 L pot, ¹ folding handle frying pan, ¹ bowl, ¹ cup, stuff sack |
Avg Boil Time (seconds) | 125 | 78 | 252 | 270 | 236 |
3 L Pot? (>2.4L) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2 L Pot? (1.5-2.4L) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1 L Pot? (0.5-1.4L) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Frying Pan? | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Frying Pan Lid? | N/A | N/A | No | Yes | No |
Packed Size | 5.2 x 4.25 in | 5.9 x 6.4 x 5.9 in | 11 x 6 x 11 in | 16.5 x 10.38 x 4.63 in | 6.7 x 6.6 x 3.5 in |
Weight of Pot Closest to 1.5 L (With Lid and Handle) | 0.26 lbs | 0.7 lbs | 1.9 lbs | 5.9 lbs | 0.74 lbs |
Cooking Surfaces | Uncoated | Hard-Anodized, non-stick coating | Stainless steel | Cast iron | 18/8 stainless steel |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Snow Peak Ti-Mini Solo Combo 2.0 is one of the most compact camping cookware sets we tested. The set consists of a 30 oz pot and a 16 oz mug with foldable handles that easily nest within each other for easier packing. The titanium construction reduces the overall weight of the set without sacrificing strength, quality, or durability. This sleek, minimalist cook set is perfect for solo backpackers who want to lighten their load while still prioritizing essential cooking performance.
Performance Comparison
Cooking Performance
The Ti-Mini Solo Combo 2.0 is not for folks looking to maximize cooking performance in the backcountry. Instead, it's designed for solo backpackers and travelers who want a streamlined cookware set that will facilitate a little more than the bare necessities. Our testing team was impressed with the titanium construction, which falls somewhere between non-stick and stainless performance. It required some elbow grease to clean up residue from frying an egg, but not that much if you have a steady metal spatula nearby.
Simple meals and drinks suit this compact set the very best. The cup works for a small breakfast like granola or oatmeal, as well as hot beverages like tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. The pot measures just shy of one liter and was perfect for heating water for dehydrated meals or powdered miso soup. The titanium material and rounded bottom design maximize heat and speed up the time required for boiling. But it's even capable of cooking up some rice ramen or whipping up fresh vegetables (yes, our lead tester doesn't spend a night in the mountains without a carrot or two at the very least.)
Features
Though the Ti-Mini Solo doesn't offer many features, Snow Peak did get pretty creative with its compact design. The cup has clearly graduated measurements on the inside, which came in handy when dialing in the all-important morning cup of coffee. In addition to measurements, the set also features a silicone tab on top of the lid that allows for safe handling when boiling water.
The lid can be shared between the cup and the pot for additional versatility, though it does not feature a strainer for draining water after boiling pasta or vegetables. Compared to other options in our cookware review, the features are minimal, but that's the point. This compact cookware is specially designed for solo missions in the backcountry when all you need is a dependable cook set that can efficiently boil water and help you whip up a quick meal.
Ease of Use
The Ti-Mini Solo is intuitive and easy to use. Despite the rounded bottom of the cylindrical pots, this compact kit easily balances on even the smallest backpacking stoves. The small but functional handles do not conduct heat, and their lightweight design doesn't throw the pot or cup off balance.
The silicone tab on the lid lets you easily check to see if the water is boiling without burning your fingers. Though our testing team preferred eating granola and oats out of the smaller cup, we ended up using the larger pot for supper. We recommend using a longer spork to better reach the bottom of this taller, skinny pot. This simple cook set is equally easy to clean up before the next round.
Durability
High-quality titanium and silicone are a great combination for an incredible strength to weight ratio. The handles are titanium, and we were pleased to find that they don't flex when squished inside a pack. Even the carry bag features a thick drawstring to ensure use for many trips to come.
Even after two big climbing trips into the High Sierra, this cook set showed no signs of wear and tear. And if that's not enough reassurance, Snow Peak also offers a lifetime warranty to replace any defective products.
Packability
This is one of the most packable cook sets we tested. Streamlined handles fold flat, the cup and pot easily nest together, and the whole cylinder easily slides into the mesh carry bag. Our testers appreciated that this bag is a little larger than the nested pot and cup, which makes it easier to pack and include other essential items.
It can still fit one to two 3.5 oz fuel canisters into the larger pot, though packing two canisters forces the lid to sit a little above the top of the pot. It is also possible to utilize this extra space for other essentials like foldable sporks, drink mixes, and oats. Overall, this kit receives high scores for intuitive packing and unpacking, requiring mere seconds to pack up before hitting the trail.
Weight
The titanium construction of the Ti-Mini Solo sheds weight while maintaining necessary performance and durability. Weighing a modest 0.41 pounds (190 grams), this is one of the lightest cook sets we tested.
The versatility of the cup and single mini-pot combo made this cook set an easy choice for climbing trips to venues like the High Sierra when you're carrying a ton of extra gear and are conscious of both space and weight within your backpack.
Should You Buy the Snow Peak Ti-Mini Solo Combo 2.0?
This set is perfect for solo travelers and backpackers who want to invest in a super lightweight, compact cookware set. The titanium construction is highly durable, aids in a faster boiling time, and is easy to clean. Though more of an investment than other solo cookware sets, the Ti-Mini Solo Combo 2.0 quickly became a favorite of our testing team, especially when considering the overall weight and space required within our already heavy backpacks.
What Other Camping Cookware Should You Consider?
If the Snow Peak Ti-Mini Solo Combo 2.0 isn't compact enough and you're after an even more minimalist design, check out the Snow Peak Trek 700 Titanium. This set features a combination lid and mug that pack into a small pot for an even lighter-weight kit. If you're traveling in a pair rather than solo, check out our favorite backpacking cookware set for two, the GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Dualist HS. Looking for a more affordable and functional solo cookware set? Check out the GSI Outdoors Glacier 1-Person, which offers versatile cooking performance for a price that doesn't break the bank.