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Mountain Safety Research (MSR), a longstanding leader in outdoor gear innovation, has officially released the Switch™ Stove System for Spring 2025 — a modular, all-in-one stove that aims to solve one of backcountry cooking’s most persistent challenges: the balance between boiling efficiency and real cooking versatility.
Unlike many integrated canister stove systems that prioritize speed over flexibility, the Switch™ Stove System is designed for hikers, climbers, and bikepackers who want more than dehydrated meals. With a focus on simmer control, pot compatibility, and packability, this stove stands out as a truly multifunctional solution.
At its core, the Switch™ features a quick-flip pot support system. With a single motion, users can switch between a dedicated integrated pot and standard cookware, expanding its use beyond solo boiling tasks. This design opens up the stove for use with frying pans, broader pots, and small skillets — a key benefit for campers who enjoy real cooking in the backcountry.
All-in-One Modular Design:
The stove base seamlessly pairs with MSR’s included pot or supports third-party cookware, reducing the need to carry multiple cooking systems.
Simmer Control Valve:
An adjustable flame control dial allows for low-heat simmering — a feature long absent from integrated systems focused on high-BTU output for boiling.
Stable Base & Integrated Wind Protection:
Engineered with a low center of gravity, wide fuel canister support, and integrated wind shielding, the Switch™ performs well even in breezy alpine conditions.
Compact & Lightweight:
The entire system nests into its own pot, keeping pack volume to a minimum. The setup weighs just under 14 ounces (including burner, pot support, and hard-anodized pot).
Fast Boil Times Without Sacrificing Versatility:
While tuned for simmering, the burner still delivers rapid boil times — MSR cites approximately 3.5 minutes per liter under ideal conditions.
Compatible with MSR Isopro Fuel:
Designed to operate with MSR’s proven Isopro fuel blend, ensuring reliable cold-weather and high-altitude performance.
With backpackers increasingly seeking flexible gear that doesn’t box them into a single activity type, the MSR Switch™ Stove System answers a growing demand. It’s suitable for minimalist solo missions as well as shared basecamp meals, appealing to both ultralight purists and camp chefs alike.
In an industry where ultralight often means “compromise,” MSR delivers a thoughtful middle ground: a high-performance stove that cooks as well as it boils.
The MSR Switch™ Stove System is now available at authorized retailers and through MSR’s website.
