Appreciation post: my cheap coleman stove outlasted my expensive msr one

I had to pick between a $30 Coleman propane stove and a $200 MSR WhisperLite for a 2-week trip in the Smokies. I went with the Coleman because I was broke (lol), and honestly after 14 days of rain and mud it still lit first try every morning while my buddy's MSR clogged twice. Has anyone else had a budget item surprise them like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

matthewsullivan1mo ago

Did you ever figure out what kept clogging your buddy's MSR, or was it just the fuel not burning clean in the wet weather? I'm curious because I've heard the WhisperLite is supposed to be bulletproof, but maybe it's just too finicky for real-world conditions... I've had cheap gear hold up way better than the expensive stuff too, and it always makes you wonder if you're paying for the name or the actual reliability.

angela_carter1mo ago

Watch this pattern play out everywhere - people pay premium for the "reliable" brand and end up troubleshooting while the cheap knockoff just works. Had a buddy spend $400 on a "waterproof" winter coat that soaked through in an hour, meanwhile my $60 Columbia from Ross kept me dry all day. At some point you realize the expensive stuff is just better at marketing, not necessarily better at doing the job.

lee6271mo ago

Respectfully, marketing doesn't fix a broken zipper. Sometimes you get what you pay for.