Jetboil GCS

I have used the Jetboil Personal Cooking System (PCS), but the one thing I didn’t care about it was the long narrow cooking cup.  When I saw the Jetboil Group Cooking System (GCS) with the pot version, I figured this was right up my alley.  This Jetboil design integrates the cooking pot and stove for an instant set-up with compact storage. The Jetboil GCS has a flux -ring heat exchanger for improved fuel efficiency and an adjustable-flame burner which is housed within an attached wind-screen.  The pot has a neoprene cozy and folding pot handles which stays in place during cooking without melting.  The neoprene cozy helps to increase heat retention and cooking efficiency.  The system has its own piezo-igniter with the main burner and pot integrated into a single system.  The GCS comes with a compact fuel container stand (fits both sizes) that folds up neatly into the burner head for compact and light weight (about 1 oz).  The base cover over the heat exchanger also doubles for as a bowl and has approximately the same volume as most lexan small bowls.  The system works with most canister fuels that maintain a screw top fitting (Jetboil, MSR and Primus).  

Even though this was a group cooking system, I used it as a solo system.  Instead of storing the Jetboil fuel canister inside the pot, I took and MSR fuel canister and stored a lexan cup inside the pot instead.  The system lives up to the Jetboil name boiling water in a blink of an eye.  This system (and I believe all new PCS) comes with a burner attachment so that regular pot can be used.  The pot fits neatly over the burner and no locking system is required unlike the PCS; something that I prefer.  The canister stand adds stability to the system and fits both large and small canisters.  The piezo-igniter, like most I find, is unreliable.  I would always recommend a backup lighter or matches.   The pot is a 1.5 liter pot which was more than enough for one person.  It is definitely adequate for a 2-person meal.  The snap on lid is useless. Someone obviously didn’t know their thermodynamics when designing this lid and the effects of heat on a closed container.  My only complaint is that the GCS is quite bulky to pack.  However, I was using it as a solo system.  Now if you were truly using it as a group cooking system and gear share, then this is a winner! Ironically, my titanium pot/stove/canister setup is actually lighter and less bulky.  Although, it might be a stretch cooking for two people I could probably do it. 

PROS: Lightweight (if considering it as a cook system for more than one person),   1.5 liter pot, sturdy burner to cooking pot assembly, neoprene cozy and handles allows comfortable handling of a hot cooking pot, boils water in a heartbeat. 

CONS: Piezo electric igniter, lid is useless (there is no handle either), bulky. 

OVERALL: The Jetboil GCS is definitely an innovative design:  I give it a 3.5 on a scale of 1 to 5.  Although, I was able to store the burner assembly, my lexan cup, spork, and pot scrubber all inside the pot – it is bulky to pack.  The tradeoff is if one actually uses it as a group cooking system and you gear share.  

Total system weight: 1 lb. 3 oz.

Jetboil PCS

This Jetboil design integrates the cooking cup and stove for an instant set-up with compact storage. The Jetboil system has a flux -ring heat exchanger for improved fuel efficiency and an adjustable-flame burner which is housed within an attached wind-screen.  The main container has a neoprene cozy which stays in place during cooking without melting.  The neoprene cozy helps to increase heat retention and cooking efficiency.  The system has its own piezo-igniter with the main burner and cooking cup integrated into a single system.  The system is designed for instant setup and compact storage.  The burner stores inside the cooking cup.  The base cover over the heat exchanger also doubles as a 1 cup container which can be used with the cooking cup lid. The system works with most canister fuels that maintain a screw top fitting (Jetboil, MSR and Primus)

Total system weighs 15.25 ounces (stove weighs 6 oz. and the cooking cup with lid weighs 9.25 oz.).

My first outing with this system, as with most people, was used to decrease weight.  In the spirit of reducing my pack weight, I used just the Jetboil system with no other pots, bowls, and plates.  This basically meant that I had to change my eating habits to consist of one-pot meals.  The Jetboil system was used with both the MSR and Primus fuel canisters.  The Jetboil is definitely innovative and is more compact than a stove, canister, and pot set.  When the Jetboil system is assembled with the canister, it definitely sits higher than the standard stove and pot setup.  However, the mated cooking cup to burner definitely is more secure (no more boiling pots sliding off of a burner head).  The cooking cup is narrow and deep but provides considerable volume for a good size meal.  I did find the deepness of the cooking cup to be a slight problem with the size of titanium spork I was using - some of the longer Lexan utensils that are out on the market are better suited for the deep cooking cup. 

My first impression of the combined system was somewhat cynical.  I was concerned that it would be too hot to uncouple the cooking cup from burner when the meal was cooked.  Not so.  The neoprene cozy allows you to comfortable grasp the hot cooking cup of boiling noodles or water and disconnect it from the burner.  The down side to this cooking system is that you have to be comfortable with doing one pot meals. If you are a great one-pot chef – this is the system for you.   In the morning I was using the bottom cover (which doubles as a cup) while I used the cooking cup for oatmeal.  This worked OK, but having to grasp the bottom cover/cup with both hands did not suit me (there are no handles).  

The piezo-igniter, like most I find, is unreliable.  It failed first time I was in the backcountry, but came to life later in the trip.  I have only have had a couple of non-starts with this piezo-igniter.  I would always recommend a backup lighter or matches.  I was impressed with the fact that on one occasion I forgot to take the burner assembly out of the cooking cup while filling the cooking cup with water. I hooked it up and the system roared to life (as it should have).  The system does have an adjustable flame which allowed for good simmering.  As far as boiling water, the Jetboil is aptly named - it fires up and boils water in a few minutes (one of the fastest I have encountered)

PROS: Lightweight and compact.  Sturdy and secure burner to cooking cup assembly, neoprene cozy allows comfortable handling of a hot cooking cup, boils water in a heartbeat.

CONS: Piezo electric igniter, bottom cover doubles as cup (there is no handle so you have to grip a hot cup with both hands), one pot system, deep cooking cup – you may need standard size utensils to reach to the bottom.

OVERALL: The Jetboil system is definitely an innovative design:  I give it a 4 on a scale of 1 to 5.  Although, I have gone back to Lexan utensils and I have added a titanium cup with collapsible handle by Snow Peak (this cup actually fits inside the cooking cup of the Jetboil).

Keen Boulder Water Shoe

On certain trips it seems I am constantly hiking through water in a slot canyon or wading through the creek or stream on a constant basis (not to mention those trips where I need to wade into a relaxing pool).  Normally when I am in this situation I usually take my Teva sandals (as opposed to my light weight flip-flop camp shoe), but they usually do not have good arch support for carrying a pack or toe protection.  On one trip in the Grand Canyon, I slipped coming out of Phantom Creek and wrecked a toe.  Enter the Boulder Water Shoe by Keen.   

The Boulder Water Shoe is made of quick-drying polyester webbing and synthetic leather uppers.   The shoe has toe guard to protect the front of your foot and a one-pull elastic draw-cord lacing for securing the shoe uppers around the instep.  The Metatomical™ EVA foot beds are removable and I have been told that they can be easily replaced with other insoles such as Superfeet^TM foot beds.  The foot beds and mid-soles provide decent arch support.  The outer soles have a deep lug pattern that offers great traction.  During my decent to Mooney falls down the chain links the shoes gripped very well.  I did notice though that while wearing the Keens in bare feet while on land my feet really did sweat a lot.  This is probably due to the snug fit by the polyester/synthetic leather uppers. 

PROS:  Great traction, toe protection, arch support, and removable foot bed.  Quick draw-cord provides snug fit. 

CONS:  Heavy like most sandals 1 lb 10 oz for a size 11, Feet sweat of course not an issue if you are constantly in water),  The uppers are not very compressible such as most water sandals or water shoes which takes up more room packing. 

OVERALL;  I give this water shoe a flat out 4.5 of 5.  This shoe offers the best combination of water shoe and day hiking sandal.  As with all gear there are always CONS, so if you are an ultra light enthusiast this shoe may not work for you to be carrying around.  I also didn’t like the fact that I couldn’t compress the shoe down as well for packing.  However if you don’t mind carrying an extra pound, you will find this shoe is a great addition for hiking through water for traction, protection and support.