MSR Alpine Salt Pepper Shaker

Very handy little (and it really is quite small! ) salt/pepper shaker. Good for fast & light because of its size & weight. The only thing I've found a bit of a faff is the lid, which works well in one sense - everything stays in, but to pull the shaker flap up without pulling the whole end off is a bit fiddly, especially if, like me, you're particular susceptible to getting cold hands and so on (Reynaud's). Despite the lid issue, I'll be back for another one when this one dies.

The MSR Alpine Salt Pepper Shaker is a useful item, convenient to use and space saving. I really like the idea of having two openings for salt and pepper or other spices and the unit seems well protected from moisture and damp. Bear in mind that the tabs can be fiddly to open in the cold, or with gloves and the shaker holes are very tiny, so you may need to check if it works with other spices or powders as well as it does with pepper and salt. For a few days outdoors, the MSR Alpine Salt Pepper Shaker is an essential lightweight and space saving item if you prefer your camp site food with extra seasoning. I may even purchase another one for different spices.

This salt and pepper shaker was a welcome piece of kit for my next bike touring trips. I was looking for a place where to carry my spices and this one seem to do the trick. Ok, it is not as big as I would like, but if it would be bigger I would not need a specific backpacker/traveler design, I would just go to poundland or ikea. It's a great size for people who are not planning to cook every day during their travels or that are making short trips. If you are planning to carry with a full kitchen on your trips may be you will do better using this shaker for carrying other species that you use less often: oregano, basil, mixed herbs. . . The choice is yours, I would buy it again even when it's not big enough for me for carrying salt -cause I use it too much-. The best part of the construction of this piece of kit is the tightness of the closure! It really hold together and it seems impossible to get pepper or salt around your bag, and that's something that nobody likes!

I can't really fault this product. I recently took it on a cycle tour of the outer Hebrides during which time it proceeded to rain relentlessly for nine days. The rubber seal on each end cap is not only secure, in order that it will stand up to vigorous shaking, but also ensures that the contents(in this case salt and pepper) remained dry and able to flow freely. The construction is tough and I think you would be hard pressed to break it. It is small and therefore capacity is limited but; that's the idea so, if you're going to be cooking for more than a few days; simply buy two.

OK, it is what it is but the difference it will make to meals means it's worth its weight. Literally. I will fill it with pepper and my own home grown chilli powder to transform those bland dehydrated meals. An item that will always find its way into my cooking kit. Recommended.