Jetboil vs BRS vs MSR Pocket Rocket II: Best Backpacking Stove for a Sheep Hunt?
- Dan
- Feb 13
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 14
Real Backcountry Stove Test Before an Alberta Sheep Hunt
Before heading out on a non-trophy sheep hunt in Alberta, we laid out three stove systems in the garage and put them head-to-head to see which one is the best backpacking stove.
No lab conditions. No sponsored bias. Just real hunters testing the gear we actually own.
This is a comparison between:
Jetboil Zip (amazon affiliate link)
BRS-3000T (amazon affiliate link)
Because when you’re deep in sheep country, ounces matter — but so does efficiency.
🎥 Watch the Full Comparison Here
The Stove Setups (Full Weight Ready-to-Run)
Setup #1 – MSR Pocket Rocket II + Titanium Mug
Weight: 1 lb even (full Jetboil fuel canister)
MSR Pocket Rocket II
Titanium mug with lid
BIC lighter
Jetboil canister
Pros: Compact, reliable, stable prongs
Cons: Slightly slower boil than Jetboil
This is a classic canister stove — simple, lightweight, proven.
Setup #2 – BRS-3000T Ultralight Kit
Weight: 14.6 oz total
750ml titanium pot
Collapsible mug
Small lighter
Jetboil canister
Pros: Lightest setup
Cons: Wind-sensitive, less stable
If you’re counting every gram, this is your play.
Setup #3 – Jetboil Zip
Weight: 1 lb 4 oz
Integrated burner & pot system
Optional stabilizer stand
Jetboil canister
Pros: Fastest boil, most stable
Cons: Slightly heavier
This is the “grab it and go” system.
500ml Boil Test Results
We poured 500ml of water into each system and ran them from cold start.
Stove | Boil Time |
Jetboil Zip | 3:05 |
MSR Pocket Rocket II | 3:15 |
BRS-3000T | 3:30 |
All three used approximately 0.4 oz of fuel (we will run a more thorough test and see in the future).
That’s the interesting part.
Despite time differences, fuel efficiency was nearly identical in controlled conditions.
What Actually Matters for a Sheep Hunt?
After testing and real backcountry experience:
Weight Savings Are Marginal
You’re shaving ounces — not pounds.
Fuel Efficiency Adds Up
On a previous 11-day trip:
Jetboil = ~1 canister
Lightweight setup = ~1.5 canisters
That extra fuel cancels out your weight savings.
Stability = Safety
Boiling water in the backcountry is one of the easiest ways to get injured.
Jetboil (with stand) = most stable
Pocket Rocket & BRS require flat ground and attention
We literally burned ourselves during testing.
Cost Snapshot (CAD)
Pocket Rocket II setup: under $100 CAD (depending on pot)
BRS setup: under $100 CAD
Jetboil Zip: ~$120 CAD
If you’re starting from scratch, budget options absolutely exist.
So… What Should You Buy?
If you already own a stove?
Run what you’ve got.
If you’re buying your first stove?
The Jetboil Zip is hard to beat for versatility and family use.
If you’re shaving ounces for mountain hunts?
The BRS wins on weight.
If you want balance and reliability?
The MSR Pocket Rocket II is a great middle ground.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t about winning the ultralight Olympics.
It’s about packing smart for a real Alberta sheep hunt.
All three systems work. The differences are marginal. Reliability and safety matter more than shaving 2–3 ounces.
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