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Super Speedy Summary Review

The Mons Peak IX Trail 123 Cook Set with Stove is a modular super lightweight system and allows you to choose between using one, some or all of the 4 pan options that it comes with. This means when solo you can save weight and space by only taking one pan, but when camping with friends could manage up to 4 different pans all off one unit. The unit weighs 3.6 oz and also comes with a high efficiency burner unit that you can adjust the flow rate on and is resilient to the wind. The whole system packs up inside itself to save space in your pack and comes with a mesh bag to hold it all together too.

Tidy, neat, well made and well thought out this is a superb addition to any person that goes outdoors on their own or with friends where weight and space are a main consideration.

PURCHASE $119.95

In Depth Review

What can you do in 2 mins 40s ? The answer might be a disaster in the bedroom but for bragging rights for boiling a litre of water this plucky little stove might be the best in the world.

In the epic face off between ultra light camping stoves its possible that this super lightweight contender matches all the needs of a serious outdoor camper by having a series of modular pots to use, super lightweight windproof flame design and the bold claim to be the ‘Fastest Pot in the West’ by being able to bring 1L of water to the boil in 2mins 40s.

Mons Peak IX from Illinois have already gained some serious respect from me with their bombproof gear. I reviewed their impressive Tiger Claw Trekking Poles earlier in the year.

I took this stove set up Mount Marcy in NY State to use it to make bacon sandwiches and hot coffee for 12 climbers at over 5000ft to really put this stove through its paces.

So Whats in the Pack ?

The pack comes with the burner unit, 4 different sized modular pans. 2 are heat exchanger pots and two are regular pots. The heat exchanger pots have a special ‘crinkle’ design to help draw heat into the pot quicker and more efficiently.

The idea here is that you take what you need for each adventure. If im out on my own I would probably only take one efficient heat exchanger pot, but for the review I was camping with a second person overnight and cooking and supplying meals for 10 people the next day so I took all 4 pans.

Cooky Things

The pans are made from super lightweight anodized aluminium. The coating they had meant they were easy to keep clean and wash and the pans have handles on them that are coated in a useful bright orange material which makes them easy to use in the dark at the end of a tiring day and protects your hands from getting hot from the pot.

Heaty Things

The heater unit is small and compact and the arms that support the pot fold inwards when not in use to take up less space. There is an adjustable regulator on it too so you can adjust the heat between speedy boil and simply keeping existing food warm once cooked.

I estimate that an 8oz gas canister can should last about an hour of continuous burn time, so for many this is more than enough for a whole weekends heavy use or for one person for a whole week on trail. The pack does not come with a gas canister but you can buy one that fits the unit here.

Gripes

Its hard to find fault with this system. Price wise it does a superb job keeping in line with the best competition from Jetboil and the modular extra pans gives you more flexibility than the MSR Pocket Rocket I reviewed earlier in the year. The burner unit lacks a built in piezo spark lighter but I’ve found in the past that these can wear out quickly and not work so I always prefer having a separate lighter with me anyway for lots of reasons. I also find that the regulator on this leaks some liquid fuel when screwing the unit on and off which is something I haven’t seen with other similar stoves.

Verdict

This modular stove is super lightweight and allows you to choose between using one, some or all of the 4 pan options that it comes with. This means when solo you can save weight and space by only taking one pan, but when camping with friends could manage up to 4 different pans all off one unit. The unit weighs 3.6 oz and also comes with a high efficiency burner unit that you can adjust the flow rate on and is resilient to the wind. The whole system packs up inside itself to save space in your pack and comes with a mesh bag to hold it all together too.

PURCHASE $119.95

Features and Specs

Trail 123 is High Efficiency Ultra-Light Cook Set with High Performance and Breeze Resistant Stove for Backpacking and Camping use. Ultra-compact modular, stackable system allows for minimalist, solo 1P, 2P or 3P use depending on configuration. Fuel cannister and stove packs neatly inside the system for ease of carry.

• Compact ultralight hard anodized aluminum cookware and stove set for backpacking camping and mountaineering
• Fully nesting and modular design is ideal for field carry and use by 3 persons 2 person or one person in solo mode depending on the configuration to lessen carry weight
• Set includes total of 4 pots – two heat exchanger pots and two regular pots which also double as covers and pans and 10,200 BTU breeze resistant stove
• Super fast best in industry water boil times with HE Pots
  • 1 liter at 2 min 40 sec
  • 1/2 liter at 1 min 20 sec

About Mons Peak IX

Mons Peak IX (pronounced Mons Peak Nine) is a Chicago based outdoor gear and apparel company launched in 2016. The company is named after the mountain range – Kangchenjunga – in the Himalayas. Before it was named Kangchenjunga, the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India (1849) assigned it Peak IX, it is the third highest mountain in the world. 

The mountain and valleys of Kangchenjunga are considered some of the world’s most scenic and natural ecosystems treasured by outdoors enthusiasts and local people. Yet Kangchenjunga has not been summited and kept in pristine condition out of respect of local traditions by all who travel out there and of mythical folklore. Mons is mountain in Latin. The highest mountain in the solar system is Olympus Mons on Mars at three times taller than Mt. Everest the highest peak on Earth.

Mons Peak IX’s mission is to bring innovative and revolutionary products to the market for all outdoors enthusiasts – globally. The products are intelligent designs engineered for usefulness and comfort, balanced with minimalist mindset and affordability. Mons Peak IX is focused on products to use on planet Earth.

Mons Peak IX was founded by Bimal A. Kalvani, an engineer, a businessman, outdoors enthusiast and world traveler. He is a high energy senior executive with a history of leading global businesses and consulting for companies ranging from $140 million to $40 Billion. Bimal holds an MBA from the University of Chicago, an MS in Polymer Engineering from the University of Akron and a BE Chemical Engineering from M.S. University of Baroda