After a long slog, anything this side of rancid tastes fine, but our testers wanted seconds of GOOD TO GO's dehydrated meals. Clean-tasting, not stodgy or soggy, and far healthier than Top Ramen, these pouches are sold in single (about $6) or double (about $10) serving portions. All the options are gluten-free and either vegetarian or pescatarian. We loved the fiber- and protein-filled Classic Marinara With Penne (made with brown-rice pasta) and the Thai Curry. goodto-go.com

Mornings on the trail are best with a fresh, hot cup of coffee. SNOW PEAK's Titanium French Press is light (6.3 ounces) but sturdy and can be placed directly atop a camping-stove flame. It makes enough coffee (24 ounces) for two people just as ably as a fancy coffeemaker would at home, with no leakage. Foldable handles and a mesh stowing case make it perfectly portable. $56, snowpeak.com

At first glance, the X Mug by SEA TO SUMMIT doesn't look like the type of thing you want to drink your well-earned evening tea out of. But this collapsible, food-grade silicon cup is practical and feels homey in cold hands. Weighing in at a feather-light 2.7 ounces, it holds two cups of liquid and does double duty as a measuring cup, thanks to inner markings. $13, seatosummit.com

Inspired by a Japanese Santoku chef's tool, the GERBER Freescape Camp Kitchen Knife feels fancy and outdoorsy at the same time. Our testers used it to cut through tough twine and to delicately slice mushrooms. The rubber handle and steel blade are easy to clean and sterilize (it's dishwasher-safe as well). The sturdy sheath case comes with a belt loop so you don't have to fumble around for it in the dark. $46, gerbergear.com  

JETBOIL's MiniMo Personal Cooking System is a minimalist option for making a hot meal. The push-button igniter makes it simple to fire up, and the cookpot can boil a pint of water in just over two minutes. Or heat up a prepared meal and eat right out of the cup, which comes with foldable metal handles. The simmer strength is easy to control and adjust--no more all-or-nothing flame--and the insulation-lined cooking cup has a lid, which you can slurp right out of. The fuel canister boils 25 pints of water, and the entire unit, weighing in at 14.6 ounces, packs down to a size smaller than a quart-size ice cream tub. $130, jetboil.com 

They're so elegant and utilitarian that you might find yourself wanting to use MSR's Alpine Nesting Bowls even when you're back in your kitchen. The lightweight stainless-steel bowls (3 ounces each) allow for more space in your pack. They're roomy and tough enough, though, to be the only dish you need to bring, and add they a dash of ruggedness that plastic or silicone can't match. $8 each, msrgear.com.

ALITE's Clover Cook 3-in-1 Cooking Set consists of two parts that make three tools: a stirring spoon, a slotted spatula with a serrated edge, and, when you combine the spoons together, a pair of tongs. What really impressed us was its heat resistance: Sticking the tongs in the campfire to retrieve dinner was no problem--its BPA-free nylon is heat safe up to 400 degrees. Lightweight, recyclable, and covered by a lifetime guarantee, the two spoons also nest for minimized storage and maximum portability. $12, alitedesigns.com

Part fork, part spoon, part knife, the HEART PARTS Cutlery Kit was created as a response to the 100 billion plastic utensils that were thrown away last year. To encourage people to be mindful of this massive waste, the creator, Fatima Fazal, aimed to make the "cutest and most considerate cutlery on the planet." As useful on the trail as it is in the city, it's all you'll need to cut, stab, and scoop in the backcountry. The kits are biodegradable, and half of the company's profits go toward hunger programs around the world. $5, iheart-this.com

With its eight-ounce capacity, rust-resistant finish, attached screw-on top, and low price, you can easily stash COLEMAN's Stainless Steel Flask in your pack, or slip its curved design into your pocket. Fill it with bourbon to tip into your coffee, or to pass around while swapping stories under the stars. $10, coleman.com