Best Backpacking | Wild Camping Stove - FIREMAPLE Polaris Vs SOTO Windmaster😀

Here I test and review the FIREMAPLE Polaris pressure regulator gas stove against my favourite wild camping stove the SOTO Windmaster. A clear winner for me as both stoves are designed for exactly the same purpose.... ATB Tom
The Polaris can be found here -
www.amazon.co.uk/Fire-Maple-P...
The Soto can be found here -
www.amazon.co.uk/SOTO-WindMas...
If you have enjoyed this video you can help my channel and support this type of content by buying me a coffee using the link below... or donating through the Thanks Icon above.. Many thanks Tom
ko-fi.com/tomheaneyadventure9...

[@eggmammal]

I'm not a particular fan of canister stoves, particularly canister top, but decided to try the Polaris based largely on this review. I've not tried the Windmaster but was considering it. Impressed with Polaris build quality. I guess Windmaster/Pocket Rocket might perform just as well but I was surprised by Polaris on a recent trip - often with very little protection on windy beaches and yet it showed no sign of going out and boil times totally acceptable. I think the Polaris remote would suit my preferences better. I would still prefer my multi-fuel MSR or Soto on longer trips though.

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Hi I definitely agree with you.. The build quality is great.. I really only do single overnight trips so this stove suits well.. The canister top design has drawbacks but it functions pretty well for many scenarios and has many plus points.. Gas is still a pain when the canisters get low so multi fuel works great when you can pump to maintain pressure and use every last bit of Juice... Best wishes Tom

[@eggmammal]

@@TOMHEANEY100 Hi, I've really only cottoned on to the plus sides of canisters over the last couple of years and you are right to point out their positives - definitely have a place for me now depending nature of trip. When out and about, I've never liked the fact I can't accurately check how much fuel I've got left in a canister but can do so precisely with multi-fuel. Also the safer and better wind-shield possibility. Thank you for your videos. David.

[@explorewithlloydi]

I'm impressed to see how good that thing is, great review here thanks

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Hey thank you for your comments.. I was impressed too as I didn't know what to expect.. Tom

[@wildmountainman1]

Thanks Tom. Another really good and balanced review of an essential piece of wild camping kit. I like how your come up with a range of creative comparisons to test them.

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Thank you Barry.. You come up with many great video ideas yourself.. Looking forward to your next one.. Tom

[@wildmountainman1]

@@TOMHEANEY100 thanks. Last weekend we camped by an alpine hut and walked on a glacier. It was a whole lot of fun. Working in video now. 😀

[@tbmpoy9375]

useful review Tom, thanks for your experience❤

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Hey thank you for watching and commenting with positive feedback.. Great that review was helpful.. ATB Tom

[@gerrymcveigh]

Tom, definitely a useful review in contemplating the purchase of a new stove, think my MSR Pocket Rocket is still somewhere in the Mayo Mountains😊

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Hi Gerry, thank you for watching and commenting... Hopefully someone has found your stove and putting it to good use... Time for a new one then... Tom

[@outdoorsinspiration9284]

The Windmaster is a great stove, but Fire Maple certainly produce some lovely kit. Nicely done 👍

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Hey thank you Shamus... Yes I honestly was impressed with the design, build quality and of course the power and boil times of this stove.. Definitely a keeper... ATB Tom

[@grelumbass]

I have just recently bought one of these based on Fellmandave's and your reviews. I haven't had a chance to try it yet but build quality seems better than past Firemaples I have owned. Seems like cracking value. Thanks Tom

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Hey you are welcome and this is pretty much my go to stove... It just works and is really well made.... best wishes and I hope that you are really happy with it.. Tom

[@grelumbass]

@@TOMHEANEY100 and only £31 in the sale including tax and postage - magic

[@gregoryoutdoors]

There is a new king pal! - Fire-Maple 600ml Petrel + Soto Windmaster with 3 fold, they go together perfectly. Ive got it and tested it, no worder its a new hype amongs thru hikers etc ;) Super fast, super fuel efficient etc.

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Yeah I think I saw Backcountry Exposure review it.. It looks pretty good for sure.. I appreciate you making me aware.. best wishes Tom

[@gregoryoutdoors]

@@TOMHEANEY100 Thats right, he did after some other guy mada a video few weeks ago. But I tried it to make a coffee and 300ml of water boiled in jist over a minute, used 4g of gas and only on half strenght. I was very pleased and its very compant for multi day hiking that I do in Scotland where super windy.

[@garynesbitt5078]

Hi Tom. That Polaris stove has surprised me in a good way. Only marginally heavier than Soto and less expensive. I also must agree with you my only niggle with Soto is the detachable stand. I get why that did this for packing down and also to give people option of the 3 flex stand, but I find it fiddly. I have also had occasion where it seems to lock onto the burner rim in cold weather after being used. I expect this must be to do with the expansion and contraction of the metal….still love it but like most things it’s not perfect! What I really want to know is when you are breaking out the mighty BRS 3000t to see how it measures up given its weight, size and price lol

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Hi Gary thank you for sharing your experience with the Soto and the detail in this comment. Great to hear from users who push and use their equipment for what it's designed for... I has no idea what to expect here running these tests.. I was also surprised at how well the Polaris performed.. Its also very noisy on full power which I personally love 😍.... Yes I will bring out the tiny but mighty BRS 3000.. for a comparison... Under moderate conditions it could kick some ass... Tom

[@craig3401]

Another great review I have the Soto windmaster it fits in my toaks 750ml pot with the gas so it's nice and compact not sure how big the firemaple is or how much it weighs.i suppose it comes down to price for most people.tbh I only use the Soto when I'm going lightweight my go to stove is the jetboil micro mo it just works for what I need I also have the Optimus Vega but that's just for more extreme winter camps as it got a preheat tube and can be inverted.but now days most stove's have similar burns times give or take 5-10secs and efficiency or pretty much all the same.so it's down to personal choice and price

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Hey Craig, thank you for your comments and sharing your experience of many stoves.. Yes many boil times are similar under normal conditions but when the gas pressure reduces then that's where you see the difference.. But companies copy each other and then the technology is shared so the diffences are again not that noticeable between many rivals... ATB and thank you for sharing your stove experiences.. Tom

[@Fellmandave1]

Great Tom, I will be doing something similar soon with canister tops that will also include the fire maple buzz, so vs none pressure regulated. I will also include some close up wind tests too to answer some of the questions in the comments.

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Hi Dave thank you for watching and taking the time to comment... Personally I wont be doing too many detailed stove tests as the audience is way too small and videos dont get the views. Not worth the massive effort for the few who desire this level of detail... All the very best wishes. Tom

[@northumberlandmountainhopper]

Nice little test Tom I was contemplating the windmaster, as thought I could leave the wind shield at home, now the choice is between the two and the other is a tenner cheaper !! Like my remote cooker but in long grass or on a light weight bivy camp these would save some weight if they work without the wind shield ? Cheers Adrian Keep em coming

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Hi Mountain Hopper great to hear from you again... Yeah long grass is a pain for the remotes ha ha... I haven't tested the Polaris in the wind but other challenges of cold weather and low canister pressure were no probs at all. Both great stoves but if I was buying one it would be the Polaris which just winds ha ha for me... ATB Tom

[@magicworldbyjorg]

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Thank you for the encouragement.. Appreciate it.. ATB Tom

[@raymondlogister6828]

Thank you Tom for this good compare. I use the Windmaster for 3 years now, and i love this stove. But the firemaple polaris stove is definitely worth a test.

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Hi Raymond thank you for your comments and sharing your experience of the windmaster... Its a great stove and very popular... Technology catches up though and the Polaris certainly did very well here in these tests... ATB Tom

[@Bandare]

Great comparison, thanks! What titanium pot do you use? Might be a good comparison video on pot choice or overall cook system :)

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Hi its a Lixada 750ml.. Used it here also as I could borrow a second one from a friend to make the same comparison.. Now actually using a Toaks 500ml as I never really boil more water than this. The toaks is definitely a bit better featured.. Thank you for your suggestion on a pot comparison.. ATB Tom

[@jenspetersen672]

Hi Tom as always very nice test. However I would have liked if there was a test in wind also (maybe with a fan). There must be a reason they call it the " SOTO Windmaster" . BR Jens

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Hi Jens, yes I agree and probably will at some point soon. I kind of thought that in reality mostly you can shelter the stove from the wind in most occasions. Both stoves have recessed burners so shouldn't be too much difference if any although the Soto burner is very close to the pot... Tom

[@nickprague1481]

No disrespect to the fine Soto product, but I have made numerous purchases from Firemaple and everything I received has been top quality.

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Yes I totally agree.. The Soto is nice and I have both.. Always the firemaple that I use though... Thank you for the comment.. Best wishes Tom

[@me-un4jl]

I imagine 3 legs for the pot stand is better than 4, actually. You know the pot won't wobble if the height of one leg changes slightly. Nice review, thanks!

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Hi, thank you for watching and taking the time to comment. The three legs are definitely better and I have had 3 on many stoves and never had any issues... Not really sure why Soto do 4.... ATB Tom

[@MattShafter]

First! .... To me there's no substitute for the stoves with the recessed nozzles like the Windmaster and this Polaris; it makes all the difference in effectively resisting the wind. I too do not like how the Windmaster legs are susceptible. My number one for 3 season is the Soto Amicus (non regulated.) I am waiting for SOMEONE to make a run at a recessed nozzle stove that's shrunk down to BRS-3000 size.

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Hey Matt great to hear your thoughts and experience here.. Yes the recessed nozzles are the business especially if there is any wind about.. I have the BRS and love it for what it is.. If they could recess the nozzle on that then it would be a game changer for sure... ATB and I hope you are well and getting put camping.. Tom

[@dougieranger]

Interesting comparison Tom. Since I already have an MSR Pocket Rocket and a BRS3000t, would there be any point to purchasing the Soto? Thanks.

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Hi, just if you need fast boils in challenging conditions.. I have a test in the Soto and MSR on another video.. ATB Tom

[@dougieranger]

@@TOMHEANEY100 I believe I’ve seen that film. Thanks.

[@AhmetSelimB]

Hello, I want to boil water in small metal cups on the polaris cooker. How many cm wide should the metal cups be? What is the minimum diameter for metal cups? Also, is the polaris cooker suitable for cooking in a 20 cm diameter pot? Can it burn and ruin food in the center of the pot? Thanks.

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Hi, the min diameter would be about 8cm.. regarding the 20cm pot then that's a very big range you want to cover with the one stove so performance will be compromised somewhere... On the 20cm pot then its going to be difficult stopping the intensive heat in the middle.. best wishes Tom

[@SerjBelow]

Hi Tom! How can i contact you?

[@TOMHEANEY100]

try me here... facebook.com/tom.heaney.144

[@hanskirk-hiking9697]

Hi Tom - nice video - what are difference in weight 🏕

[@TOMHEANEY100]

Hi Hans it's about 10 grammes in favour of the Polaris... Hope you are well.. Tom

[@hanskirk-hiking9697]

I have the Soto and it’s working fine - but it is 2 pieces as you mentioned And if it is lighter it’s a no brained Stay safe ⛺️