Even if you’re content to subsist primarily on reconstituted meals in the backcountry, there’s always room for improvement. If you genuinely enjoy the challenge of creating healthy, delicious fare while out in the back of beyond, having a well-stocked portable kitchen will serve you well.

Embarking on a backpacking adventure means planning for sustenance as much as scenery, and the key to keeping meals satisfying, lightweight, and nutritious is in your backcountry kitchen. In this first part, we dive into the essential ingredients every backpacker needs to fuel their journey.

Keeping yourself well-fed and well-fueled is key to enjoying your time in the backcountry and so is building a camp kitchen that’s right for your trip. Here are a few questions to ask yourself and several camp scenarios that can help you select the best camping cookware and stove pairing.