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This is the third stove from Soto we have now had the pleasure of using, the Windmaster being a firm favourite of ours for lightweight solo adventures throughout the warmer months, whilst also spending much of last winter using the  Stormbreaker; a truly versatile multifuel option making for a reliable stove for group activities in remote and harsh conditions.

The Fusion Trek sits in the middle of the stoves we have used previously. Slightly larger than the Windmaster and with a weight of 182 grams, it’s still light and compact enough for solo use but also lends itself well to groups.

We paired the Fusion Trek with the Montbell Alpine Cooker 16 pot at 234 grams and a capacity of 1.5L to accommodate a group of 4 for 3 days wildcamping in the Cairngorms.

Compared to the Windmaster the burner head is larger, as too is the pot stand. Also noticeable is the extended hose for which there are pros and cons.

The obvious pros make for improved stability and wind resistance due to the low profile. As well as the benefit of placing the gas cylinder away from the burner. Especially helpful for winter expeditions when keeping your canister out of the cold possibly wrapped in a canister cover, or a spare pair of socks makes for lower fuel consumption and reduces boil time.

Increased weight and size are a couple of the cons when considering use for ultralight travel. Also, more working parts can lead to a higher rate of breakages and failures.

As with previous use of Soto products, the build quality is superb. Japanese attention to detail throughout makes for a robust stove that folds together neatly for storage. Also included is a tough storage pouch to help mitigate bumps and scrapes.

A micro regulator is included to aid performance in cold weather and canisters with a low capacity.

We ran two tests, both boiling 1 litre of water. The first is at a low-level camp of approx 256m, 6 degrees, slight breeze, and water directly from a nearby stream. The time to a rolling boil was 5 minutes and 12 seconds.

Used inside a bothy with similar temperatures to the above. Water used from a nearby river, the boil time was reduced to 4 mins 32 secs.

As with all stoves protection from the wind will hugely aid performance and gas consumption. Although the Fusion Trek utilises a concave burner with 300 flame points, and when used in fairly blustery conditions can perform and reach a rolling boil.

Soto claims the Fusion Trek to a be quiet stove although we found it to have a bit of roar, especially when fully open. Personally, there’s not much of an issue with this but if trying to keep discreet on an early morning start it’ll certainly wake those near to where you are.

Unlike the Windmaster there’s no included ignition. This is a feature which we believe Soto could have included with little weight added and can be of great benefit.

Our Verdict

Like with all outdoor kit it’s important to look at what factors will most benefit your approach to the outdoors. If you want to go as compact and light as possible there are many better alternatives such as the  Windmaster. If simply boiling water as quickly as possible in harsh conditions is important an  MSR Reactor will be a better fit. We would regard the Trek Fusion from Soto as being a no-nonsense stove that fits into just about anything in-between. From bikepacking trips with friends, family woodland adventures, to solo trips year-round. Being able to boil water quickly or cook up a full meal from scratch makes for a versatile stove and a great addition to the Soto line-up.

For our personal use when packing as light as possible we would probably only use the Fusion Trek in the colder months when the larger head and hose-to-gas attachment would be most beneficial. Although this is certainly not a weighty stove and was perfect for our group activities with the low profile and large pot stand allowing strong stability for a range of pots and pans.

Build quality is up to the usual high standards we have come to expect from Soto and is also very competitively priced.

Trek Scotland is a small family business based in the picturesque village of Tomintoul in the North East region of the Cairngorms National Park. They provide bespoke Mountain Guiding for Single Day Walks and Lightweight Multiday Trekking experiences, including wild camping, in the stunning Cairngorms wilderness and surrounding areas. Whether in the high mountains or lower valleys, their Multiday Treks are equipped with high quality, lightweight camping and trekking gear. They only work with small groups and, whatever your ability, pride themselves on designing your outdoor experience completely to your needs and with professional guidance and expertise. Adventure is waiting... Read more from Trek Scotland