I’ve been backpack hunting for over a decade now, and I’ve tried quite a few different stoves and seen even more in action from friends. There are a lot of good ones and a few great ones, even, but none that have been made specifically for the hunt. Until now, that is.
The Roughridge Highcountry Cook System is a stove made by hunters for hunters. Yeah, I know. That phrase gets tossed around a lot these days.
Being “made by hunters for hunters” is all fine and dandy, but that doesn’t have anything to do with whether it actually works or not. So, naturally, I had to get my hands on one for proper testing and verification.
In short: Hunters looking for a top-tier backcountry stove made by hunters for hunters will very much enjoy the Roughridge Highcountry Cook System ($250). Non-hunters doing non-hunting things will, too. Just watch how high you crank the flame unless your fuel supply is ample.
Specifications
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Built-in fuel regulator
- Ignitor is internal (keeps it safe from elements, getting bumped, etc.)
- Everything packs down into the pot, even the spork
- Made by hunters for hunters
Cons
- Could run out of fuel sooner than later if you always run the flame at full blast
Roughridge Highcountry Cook System Review
Overview
Roughridge was created by two brothers who just get after it. Chris and Josh Neville are dedicated hunters who were sick of piecing stove kits together from random companies and decided to make their own. A system made to not only last, but also perform through the rigors of backcountry hunting. The Highcountry Cook System was born.
This cook system is composed of a titanium pot, lid, stove, fuel canister, spork, microfiber cloth, and removable windguard. All of this packs down right into the uniquely octagon-shaped pot and weighs in at a shade over 1 pound (with a small fuel canister). Without a fuel canister, the entire system weighs 10 ounces. The microfiber cloth is entirely optional, but there if you need it.
The stove itself has three fold-out pot supports, a fold-out fuel nozzle, and an ignition system. This stove is incredibly powerful, coming in at 9,483 BTU. Most stoves are around 5,000 BTU. The boys at Roughridge opted for more power to help in windy conditions.
On the pot, you’ll find fold-out silicone handles and a lid that won’t quit. The removable windguard has three slots that sit right into the three pot supports for a secure and stable system. Lastly, this stove has a built-in fuel regulator, meaning you’re going to get the same consistent fuel output every time, no matter how low the fuel canister is or the elevation.
Features
Finally, Legit Ounce Marks!
This is a really simple feature, but one that is highly overlooked until now. Roughridge not only put ounce marks inside the pot. That’s pretty standard, right? They put them in one-ounce increments from 6 to 16 ounces. This is huge, because most freeze-dried meals these days require in the realm of 8-12 ounces of water.
Not only does this ensure you get the best experience out of your meal, but it also matters when you’re short on water supply in the backcountry. Knowing exactly how much water you’re putting into a meal instead of guessing matters.
Removable Windguard
The removable windguard sits right in the pot and can be used as needed in windy conditions to help block the wind from your flame. I think it’s best to always use it, just because it creates a much more stable platform via the slots the pot supports sit in when boiling water.
This installs super-easily with a simple twist-lock system. Hunters can choose to leave it on when packing or remove it and pack it away in the pot to save space in their packs.
Simmer Control
With the Highcountry Cook System, you have simmer control on the flame. Most stoves don’t have this. This means that you can control the amount of fuel you’re using per boil, which is dictated by the height of the flame.
Roughridge recommends only running the flame at full blast in windy conditions. Other than that, use a low to medium flame. You’ll save fuel in the long run.
Ignitor Built to Last
Let’s face it. Built-in ignitors on backcountry stoves aren’t the best. They fall off and stop working entirely.
Roughridge set out to solve that problem with its ignitor, which is built into the casting of the stove body. This means it’s not exposed to the elements, it can’t be bumped, and you won’t break it. The trigger on the front of the stove body ignites it every time, and it is built for the long haul.
My Experience
Right from the packaging, I was impressed with the Roughridge Highcountry Cook System. Everything was super-well put together and looked very professional. From there, holding the stove in my hands, it felt well-built and ready for whatever a hunter could throw at it.
The first boil with this cook system took place right in my backyard. I wanted to make sure the stove worked, of course, but also how long it took to boil 16 ounces of water, the maximum I’d ever boil. With cool water from my fridge, it boiled 16 ounces of water in 2:07. Impressive. Most stoves sit more in the 2:30 area.
Backyards are fine and dandy, but the real test was the backcountry bear hunt that I took the Highcountry Cook System on. This was a 7-day hunt that was very windy. I’d boil water two times a day. Once at 16 ounces for breakfast and coffee, and another at around 10 ounces for dinner.
It performed better than expected in the wind using the windguard and running the flame high. All in all, I really enjoyed using this and look forward to many more trips with it.
What’s Wrong
On the surface, there is a lot of chatter around the Highcountry Cook System and the price. Yes, it’s pricey, but it’s not the most expensive stove out there. It’s a premium product, so you’re going to pay a premium price. So, in my eyes, the price isn’t a huge concern. There was one thing I noticed through my testing that could be, though.
This stove is an absolute torch, and it’s made that way on purpose to help in windy scenarios. When it’s windy, crank the stove toward full blast. When it’s not, run it with a low to medium flame. And that right there is where the con comes in.
When the stove is run at full blast, you’re going to use more fuel. On a 7-day backcountry hunt, I ran out of fuel on the last morning of my hunt. Luckily, it was my last boil, but it was food for thought on future uses. All that to say, be mindful of how high you’re running that flame, cause you’re simply using more fuel.
Closing Thoughts
When the rubber meets the ridge, the Roughridge Highcountry Cook System is a bomber stove setup for backcountry hunting, and I highly recommend trying one out if you get the chance. It’s the little things that shine with this stove.
Things like the internal ignitor that aren’t going to get compromised in the elements. Or the unique shape of the pot in order to keep your utensil with your cook kit. Chris and Josh Neville are real backcountry hunters out there doing just what you’re doing. They don’t have time for weak gear, and neither should you.
