The Best Pot Gripper for Backpacking
Researched by Johnny Alto · last updated July 29, 2026
Short answer: The best pot gripper for backpacking is the MSR PanHandler Pot Lifter. The PanHandler is the long-standing standard for a reason: it is a roughly 1.9-ounce anodized-aluminum clamp that bites the rim of a handleless pot securely and lifts far more than any solo pot of water weighs, so you can trust it over a hot stove. The main things to weigh are grip type, weight, rim compatibility, and material and heat.
MSR PanHandler Pot Lifter
The PanHandler is the long-standing standard for a reason: it is a roughly 1.9-ounce anodized-aluminum clamp that bites the rim of a handleless pot securely and lifts far more than any solo pot of water weighs, so you can trust it over a hot stove. Its spring tension is strong enough to hold hands-free, the aluminum jaws will not rust, and the included sleeve keeps it from rattling or scratching your pot in the pack. The honest limits: aluminum conducts heat, so the grip warms up if you leave it clamped over a flame (unclamp it when the pot sits on the stove), and the jaw opening is tuned for thin-walled pot rims, so it works best on MSR and similar thin-lip pots and can feel awkward on a very thick or rolled rim. It also costs more than a plain plier lifter.
Check price on Amazon Live price on Amazon. Representative image.Ultralight pots ship with either no handle or flimsy fold-out ears that get scorching and hard to grab with a bandana, so a dedicated gripper is the small tool that keeps you from dumping your dinner. This is for backpackers and solo stove cookers who have moved to a handleless titanium or aluminum pot and want a secure, packable lift that survives years of trips. Here is the buy-once pick, a budget lifter, and how to make sure it fits your pot's rim.
How do the best options for pot gripper for backpacking compare?
| Pick | Product | Why it makes the list |
|---|---|---|
| Top pick | MSR PanHandler Pot Lifter | The PanHandler is the long-standing standard for a reason: it is a roughly 1.9-ounce anodized-aluminum clamp that bites the rim of a handleless pot securely and lifts far more than any solo pot of water weighs, so you can trust it over a hot stove. |
| Best budget | Olicamp Pot Lifter | A very cheap, light (~1.5 oz) aluminum plier lifter that does the basic job. The plier-style jaws grip a narrower range of rims and feel less confidence-inspiring on a full pot than the PanHandler's spring clamp. |
| Best multi-function | Outdoor Element Handled Pot Gripper & Recycler | Doubles as a fuel-canister recycling tool and general potholder, handy for canister-stove users who want one less gadget. It is heavier and bulkier than a dedicated ultralight lifter. |
| Budget multipack | SquEqu Camp Cookware Gripper (2-pack) | A cheap pair of clamp grippers for pots, pans, and mugs. Generic build quality and heavier per unit, so better for car camping than gram-counting backpacking. |
What should you look for in pot gripper for backpacking?
A few things separate a good pot gripper for backpacking from a frustrating one: grip type, weight, rim compatibility, and material and heat. Weigh these before you buy.
- Grip type: a spring-tension clamp (PanHandler) grabs and holds hands-free better than a squeeze-plier lifter; pliers are lighter and cheaper but you must keep squeezing.
- Weight: the whole category is light, roughly 1.5 to 2 oz, so do not overpay a weight penalty for features you will not use on trail.
- Rim compatibility: grippers are tuned to thin pot rims, so confirm it fits your pot's lip; thick, rolled, or very wide rims can defeat a clamp sized for thin walls.
- Material and heat: aluminum and titanium will not rust, but a metal gripper transmits heat, so unclamp it while the pot sits over the flame.
The rim is what a gripper actually grabs
Pot grippers are all tuned to a specific shape: the thin rolled lip of a lightweight backpacking pot. That is why the single most important compatibility check is not the pot's diameter but its rim. A spring-clamp lifter like the PanHandler is designed to bite a thin titanium or aluminum lip and hold it with enough tension to lift hands-free, which is what lets you pour without a second hand. Put that same clamp on a thick cast or rolled rim, or a pot with a wide flared lip, and the jaws cannot close far enough to grip confidently. So before you buy, look at your pot: if it has a standard thin ultralight rim, a clamp gripper is ideal; if it has a chunky or unusual lip, a squeeze-plier lifter that adapts to more shapes may hold better. And whatever you use, unclamp it from the pot while it sits over the flame, because the metal will conduct that heat straight to your fingers.
What are the best alternatives?
Olicamp Pot Lifter
A very cheap, light (~1.5 oz) aluminum plier lifter that does the basic job. The plier-style jaws grip a narrower range of rims and feel less confidence-inspiring on a full pot than the PanHandler's spring clamp.
Check price on AmazonOutdoor Element Handled Pot Gripper & Recycler
Doubles as a fuel-canister recycling tool and general potholder, handy for canister-stove users who want one less gadget. It is heavier and bulkier than a dedicated ultralight lifter.
Check price on AmazonSquEqu Camp Cookware Gripper (2-pack)
A cheap pair of clamp grippers for pots, pans, and mugs. Generic build quality and heavier per unit, so better for car camping than gram-counting backpacking.
Check price on AmazonBottom line: the MSR PanHandler is the buy-once, spring-clamp pick that holds a handleless pot securely and hands-free; the Olicamp is the budget plier lifter and the Outdoor Element adds canister-recycler duty. Confirm it fits your pot's rim. Pair it with our hammock strap and wet-weather footwear guides.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best pot gripper for backpacking?
MSR PanHandler Pot Lifter. The PanHandler is the long-standing standard for a reason: it is a roughly 1.9-ounce anodized-aluminum clamp that bites the rim of a handleless pot securely and lifts far more than any solo pot of water weighs, so you can trust it over a hot stove.
What should you look for in pot gripper for backpacking?
Focus on grip type, weight, rim compatibility, and material and heat.
What is a good alternative to the MSR PanHandler Pot Lifter?
The Olicamp Pot Lifter. A very cheap, light (~1.5 oz) aluminum plier lifter that does the basic job. The plier-style jaws grip a narrower range of rims and feel less confidence-inspiring on a full pot than the PanHandler's spring clamp.
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This is a research-based buying guide, not a personal hands-on review; recommendations reflect community consensus and verified buyer reviews. Prices and availability are subject to change, so always confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
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