MSR Pocket Rocket 2 (see image) offers a better pot support design, better pot stabilization, more wind protection, and it is more durable.
MSR is one of the biggest brands on the outdoor market, on the other hand, Soto is not as famous as MSR but it’s well known for its quality stoves.
In this article, I will focus on one of the finest models of both; Soto Amicus vs Pocket Rocket 2.
In summary, they both weigh 2.6 oz, but Soto Amicus boils faster, packs down smaller, uses less fuel, and comes with an ignition (optional) while MSR Pocket Rocket 2 offers a better pot support design, better pot stabilization, more wind protection, and it is more durable.
- #A sidenote here: I'd highly recommend you to check out REI's informative meal planning chart before you read further.
Specs: Amicus vs Pocket Rocket 2
SOTO AMICUS | MSR POCKET ROCKET 2 | |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
Stove Weight | 2.6 oz (without the ignitor) | 2.6 oz |
Packed Weight | 2.8 oz (without the ignitor) | 3.7 oz |
Ignitor | Optional | No |
Boil time (1 liter) | 5 minutes | 3.5 minutes |
Collapsed Dimensions | 1.4"×1.8"×0.5" | 2"x2"x3" |
Water Boiled 1 oz fuel | 2 liters | 2 liters |
Package type | Cloth Sack | Rigid Carry-Case |
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Soto Amicus vs Pocket Rocket 2 Detailed Overview
Pot Support
Both Amicus and Pocket Rocket 2‘s pot support is foldable and attached to the body of the stove.
The big difference is Amicus’ pot support has a smaller diameter, therefore, it’s harder to stabilize big pots and pans.
On the other hand, due to its bigger pot support design, with MSR Pocket Rocket 2 you can use both big pots and small pots without the concern of sliding off the stove.
Ignition
MSR Pocket Rocket 2 doesn’t feature an ignition, on the other hand, Soto Amicus offers the optionality to purchase the stove with or without an ignition.
When compared to other brands’ stoves, Soto has a really innovative ignitor design, its ignitor is hidden within the center tube of the stove to save space.
Compactness & Packed Dimension
Both of the stoves have a foldable design and they’re both highly compact, but Soto Amicus packs down much smaller than MSR Pocket Rocket 2.
If you’re a numbers guy, MSR Pocket Rocket 2 collapses to 2″ x 2″ x 3″ while Soto Amicus collapses to 1.4″×1.8″×0.5″
Also, MSR Pocket Rocket 2 comes with a rigid carry case which has enough space to store a fire starter such as a match or a lighter.
Weight
Weight is the most important factor when it comes to backpacking, but luckily, both of the stoves equally weigh 2.6 oz. Soto Amicus weighs 2.9 oz with the ignitor though. If you want the luxury of having an ignitor it will add up 0.3 oz to your load.
Even though they weigh the same, coming with a rigid carry case adds an extra 1.1 oz of weight (when packed) to Pocket Rocket 2, which makes it heavier but more durable than Soto Amicus.
Stove Weight | Packed Weight | |
|---|---|---|
Soto Amicus (w/o ignitor) | 2.6 oz | 2.8 oz |
Soto Amicus (with ignitor) | 2.9 oz | 3.1 oz |
MSR Pocket Rocket 2 (w/o ignitor) | 2.6 oz | 3.7 oz |
Boiling Time
Amicus is the superior one when it comes to boiling times.
Soto Amicus (see image) can be purchased as a kit with a 1L pot and a lid. The Kit weighs 4.16 oz and packs down to 4.7″ x 4.7″ x 3.8″.
When tested with 700 ml of water, Soto Amicus boiled this amount in 3 min 16 sec, on the other hand, MSR Pocket Rocket 2 boiled the same amount in 3 min 31 seconds.
If you want an even better boiling time and pot support Soto Windmaster can boil the same amount in 2 min 49 seconds and, offers the 2 different pot supports. You can also check out the article where I compare Soto Windmaster to Soto Amicus.
Fuel Consumption
For boiling 700 ml of water, Pocket Rocket 2 used 12 grams of fuel, on the other hand, Soto Amicus used only 9 grams of fuel.
Therefore, Soto Amicus is %30 more efficient than Pocket Rocket 2 when it comes to Fuel Consumption.
Wind Protection
For decreasing the wind effect and allowing better simmering control:
- MSR Pocket Rocket 2 features a windclip which is placed on the burner head
- Soto Amicus is designed with a raised ledge at the crown of the burner head and a concave burner surface
Therefore, they both do the job when it comes to wind protection, but for the sake of comparison, I can say that MSR Pocket Rocket 2 is slightly better.
Heat Level Adjustability
They both perform well in adjusting the heat, and both offer great simmering control.
Kits
MSR Pocket Rocket 2 can be purchased as MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Mini Stove Kit which includes a 0.75L pot, a bowl, and a lid with straining holes. The kit weighs 9.9 oz and packs down to 4″ x 4″ x 5″. Check out the latest price of the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Mini Stove Kit.
Soto Amicus can be purchased as a kit with a 1L pot and a lid. The Kit weighs 4.16 oz and packs down to 4.7″ x 4.7″ x 3.8″. Check out the latest price of Soto Amicus Kit.
Conclusion: Soto Amicus or Pocket Rocket 2
Soto Amicus is the better option when it comes to:
- Ignition, it offers the optionality of purchasing with or without ignition, while Pocket Rocket 2 doesn’t feature an ignition
- Packed Dimension, it packs down much smaller than Pocket Rocket 2
- Boiling Time, it boils water faster (it boiled 700ml of water 15 seconds earlier than Pocket Rocket 2)
- Fuel Consumption, Amicus is more efficient, it boils 700 ml of water with 9gr fuel while Pocket Rocket 2 used 12 gr fuel for boiling the same amount of water
MSR Pocket Rocket 2 is the superior one for:
- Pot Support, Pocket Rocket 2’s bigger Pot Supports offers better pot stabilization
- Wind Protection, Although both perform well in windy conditions, Pocket Rocket 2 is slightly better
- Durability, Pocket Rocket 2 comes with a hard-case to increase damage protection.
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