MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit Review: Compact Cooking for Backpackers

I’ve hauled the MalloMe 10-piece mess kit through five backpacking trips over the past two months, from overnight loops in the Adirondacks to a four-day trek in the Whites. At 21 ounces for the whole setup, it’s light enough that I don’t think twice about tossing it in my pack—and that matters when you’re counting grams.

What You Actually Get

The kit nests together like Russian dolls: two pots (one liter and 0.8 liter), a frying pan that doubles as a lid, two bowls, and a few utensils all stack into a package roughly the size of a Nalgene bottle. Everything fits in the included mesh bag, though I replaced it with a stuff sack after the mesh started fraying around week three.

The aluminum construction keeps weight down but conducts heat fast—really fast. I learned this the hard way when I grabbed the pot handle without the silicone sleeve properly positioned. The fold-out handles are clever in theory, slightly annoying in practice. They work, but require two hands to lock into place while you’re trying to hold a pot of boiling water.

Cooking Performance

For boiling water and rehydrating meals, this kit does exactly what you need. I’ve made countless batches of oatmeal, boiled water for coffee, and rehydrated freeze-dried dinners without issues. The pots heat evenly on my canister stove, and the one-liter size is perfect for two people or one hungry hiker.

Actual cooking is where things get tricky. I tried making pasta one night, and the thin aluminum scorched the noodles on the bottom before the top ones were done. Stirring constantly helped, but this isn’t the kit for gourmet camp cooking. Stick to boiling water and simple one-pot meals, and you’ll be happy.

The non-stick coating held up better than I expected. After a dozen uses, it’s showing some wear where the pots nest together, but nothing has stuck badly enough to cause problems. I’m gentle with metal utensils though—use the plastic spork it comes with or bring your own wooden spoon.

Real-World Durability

The pots themselves are solid. I’ve banged them around in my pack, dropped one on rocks, and generally treated them like camping gear should be treated. No dents, no issues. The lids fit snugly enough to prevent spills during transport, though I wouldn’t trust them to be completely leakproof.

The bowls are the weak point. Thin, flimsy, and they nest poorly with the pots once you’ve used them a few times and the fit loosens up. I ended up leaving them at home and just eating straight from the pot. Saves weight and cleaning time anyway.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Cleanup is straightforward if you’re just boiling water. For actual cooking, the non-stick coating makes scrubbing easier than bare aluminum, but you’ll still want a small sponge or scrubber. The nesting design means you need to dry everything thoroughly before packing—moisture trapped between the pots will give you funky smells by your next trip.

One trick: bring a small piece of paper towel to wipe out the pots after washing. It speeds up drying and prevents the musty smell that develops when you pack things wet.

Who This Works For

This kit makes sense if you’re doing weekend backpacking trips, solo hiking, or camping with one other person. It’s light, compact, and gets the job done without breaking the bank. For around $30-35, you get everything you need to cook basic meals on the trail.

It’s not built for base camping where weight doesn’t matter—bring your cast iron for that. And it’s probably overkill for ultralight enthusiasts who are happy with a single titanium pot. But for the average backpacker who wants a complete, affordable setup, this hits the mark.

What I’d Change

The mesh bag needs to be tougher or just replaced with a basic stuff sack from the start. The bowls could be thicker or eliminated entirely. And I wish the handles locked more securely—I’m always paranoid they’ll fold in while I’m pouring hot water.

A small gripper or pot holder would be a nice addition too. The silicone sleeve helps but doesn’t eliminate the heat problem entirely.

Final Take

After two months of regular use, the MalloMe kit still lives in my backpacking setup. It’s not fancy, won’t last a lifetime of abuse, and has some quirks that mildly annoy me. But it boils water reliably, packs small, weighs next to nothing, and costs less than a tank of gas.

For weekend warriors and casual backpackers, that’s exactly what you need. Skip the bowls, be gentle with the non-stick coating, and don’t expect it to replace real cookware for serious camp cooking. Do that, and you’ll be happy with it.

Best for: Weekend backpackers, solo hikers, budget-conscious campers, beginners building their kit

Skip if: You’re ultralight obsessed, cook elaborate meals on trail, need bombproof gear for heavy use