Snow Peak has created a lightweight titanium camp stove for those who like to rough it on weekends that call for good weather. The LiteMax has a very small pot stand that couples with limited wind protection, and unfortunately, this doesn’t make a great combination. The price also makes us wonder about the overall value. For the same price, you can get the Jetboil MightyMo, which comes with a piezo lighter and a larger pot support system (however, it IS around 75% heavier).

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Founded in the 1950s, Snow Peak has been creating innovative equipment with help from the highly skilled metal workers of Japan’s Niigata Prefecture since its inception. After emerging in the American market in 1999, Snow Peak has become highly regarded for its ultralight titanium camping products. The LiteMax Stove continues Snow Peak’s lightweight crusade.

The Stove

Weighing in at only 1.9oz (56g), the Snow Peak LiteMax adds some credibility to the “lite” part of its name. To achieve this impressive weight, the company sacrificed accessories, such as its small pot support platform and lack of piezo lighter.

Ease of Use

The pot support is similar to the Hamans Ultralight Backpacking Stove, with the support arms rotating out and having the extended pot supports “flop” out from the arms. Any pots larger than 1L will struggle to remain balanced on the supports and only the smallest pans would be appropriate for this stove. The regulator dial is also quite small, which means that you’ll have to get your hand close to the heat when adjusting your flame. As with all of the canister stoves, it is something to be mindful of.

Simmering

The regulator has a good level of control throughout the turn, and the flame can get very small (without wind interference). Simmering is still going to be a problem due to the small burner head delivering a lot of heat into the middle of your pot or pan.

Boil Time

In a wind-free area, the Snow Peak LiteMax could boil a liter of water in just over five minutes. This time is better than our $20 stoves but still falls short of similarly priced stoves that also come with more features. In a windy environment, the stove struggled to heat water, and it is crucial to get the stove as sheltered as possible when it is in use.

Fuel Use

During the slightly more than five-minute boil time, the Snow Peak LiteMax used just over 19g of fuel, right on par with most of the other stoves in our test. With a reported BTU/hr rate of 11,200, this tiny stove boasts a very high output. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to live up to that rating.

The Bottom Line

The Snow Peak LiteMax is an ultralight backpacker’s dream. It will pair well with the tiny pots and pans that most hikers likely already carry, and it offers a high BTU output. For campers who don’t mind adding extra ounces for larger pot supports and even a piezo lighter, you will have to look elsewhere. With a price tag of $59.95, we just can’t quite seem to find the value. It is a well-made piece of gear, but without much wind protection, no piezo lighter, and a small platform, we felt that there are certainly more value-driven options on the market.

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