GearFlogger

GSI Dualist cook system

The clever little hobbitses at GSI are up to their tricksy ways again. They make many small (and some large) useful items related mostly to eating and drinking outdoors. Their solutions range from ultralight to basecamp, but all benefit from highly thoughtful design.

The award-winning GSI Dualist (also comes as a Soloist) cook set is a lovable little setup that will allow you and a partner to do the mostest with the leastest. For 20oz on your back you get two bowls, two mugs (basically an insulated nesting bowl), two sippy lids, and a pot with a lid. But wait; that's not all, the whole thing stores inside a Sink Sack that can haul water, wash dishes and hydrate Fido.

The details really set this set apart. The Lexan pot lid has steam/strainer holes and the pot handle folds over the top to lock everything in.The sippy lids on the mugs protect both adults and kids from spillage, and the bowls and mugs are color-coded so you don't mix up your oatmeal with your chipped beef. You can even store a 220g fuel canister and ultralight stoves inside, and/or cookware, spices, etc. The Dualist is fairly tough, and it cleans up nicely. The only thing we would add is a handle strap for the Sink Sack to make carrying water easier, but that's really a minor quibble with our new favorite cookware.

$49.95 at REI

GSI Deluxe 11-piece kitchen set

My idea of cooking involves boiling water and pouring it into a foil pouch. Believe it or not there are people who go beyond these heroic measures to prepare - wait for it - actual meals!

For those people there is GSI Outdoors, makers of all things gastro-outdoorsy including kitchen sets like this 11-piece setup in a hard case. They also make the must-have Lexan wine glass.

First the good news: the telescoping ladle and spatula are ingeniously designed and ideal for soups, pancakes and the like. They weigh basically nothing and pack small. Other useful items include a double-ended salt/pepper shaker, small whisk and grater, and cutting and cleaning items.

The bad news is the case itself weighs 1lb 2oz of the 1lb 12oz total weight, and you really don't need it. But wait! GSI is an American company, and that means consumer choice: you can buy the 11-piece set without the case, and it's even less expensive although you might have to look around for it.

$24.00 at REI