Novara is known for rugged, affordable, and practical cookware designed for outdoor enthusiasts and casual home cooks, while HexClad is a premium brand famous for its innovative hybrid technology that combines stainless steel durability with non-stick convenience for serious home chefs. The primary difference lies in their target audience and price: Novara offers value-focused gear for camping and basic kitchen needs, whereas HexClad provides high-performance, professional-grade cookware at a premium price point.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right cookware for your kitchen.
Novara: The Rugged Outdoor & Home Cookware
Novara is a well-established brand rooted in the outdoor and cycling world, offering durable and functional gear. While known for active lifestyle products, their expansion into cookware reflects their core philosophy: creating reliable, practical items that perform well in demanding environments. Novara’s cookware line is built for resilience, making it a great choice for camping trips, outdoor kitchens, and budget-conscious consumers who need dependable pieces for everyday use.
- Product mix: A focused selection of cookware including pots, pans, and Dutch ovens, as well as specialized camping cookware, kitchen tools, and food prep accessories for outdoor adventures.
- Style/vibe: Functional and utilitarian. Novara products have a rugged, no-frills look with simple finishes designed for practicality over presentation.
- Price point: Very affordable. Individual pots and pans typically run between $20–$60, while complete outdoor cookware sets are available for $40–$100.
- Quality: Built for durability using materials like stainless steel and cast iron that can withstand rough handling and open flames. The quality is solid for the price but focuses on resilience rather than refined cooking performance.
- Where to Buy: Novara products are sold primarily through outdoor retailers like REI, both in-store and online at REI.com.
Novara offers an excellent value proposition for anyone needing tough, functional cookware without a high price tag, especially for outdoor use.
Shop Novara: Primarily available at rei.com
HexClad: The Premium Hybrid Cookware Innovator
HexClad markets itself as the go-to brand for home chefs seeking professional-grade cookware with revolutionary technology. Its signature feature is a patented hexagon-patterned surface that combines the searing power and longevity of stainless steel with the easy cleanup of a non-stick pan. This hybrid design allows cooks to use metal utensils without scratching the surface, a major advantage over traditional non-stick. The brand appeals to culinary enthusiasts who are willing to invest in stylish, high-performance, and long-lasting kitchen tools.
- Product mix: A full line of premium kitchen cookware, including fry pans, skillets, saucepans, stockpots, woks, and griddles, available individually or in comprehensive sets.
- Style/vibe: Sleek and modern. The distinctive silver and black hexagon pattern gives HexClad cookware a unique, high-tech look that fits well in contemporary kitchens.
- Price point: Premium. A single 10-inch fry pan starts around $100, and multi-piece sets can cost $300 or more.
- Quality: Exceptional. The cookware uses a tri-ply construction with a high-grade stainless steel base and a PFOA-free non-stick coating. It’s highly durable, scratch-resistant, oven-safe, and compatible with all cooktops, including induction.
- Where to Buy: Available directly from the HexClad website, as well as on Amazon and through major retailers like Williams Sonoma.
HexClad delivers a high-performance cooking experience for those who view cookware as a valuable kitchen investment and prioritize durability and innovative design.
Shop HexClad: hexclad.com
Novara vs. HexClad Comparison
Price Comparison
The price difference between these two brands is significant and reflects their different target markets. Novara is firmly in the budget-friendly category, with most items priced under $60. It offers fantastic value for outdoor adventurers or anyone needing a secondary, rugged set of pots and pans without breaking the bank.
HexClad operates in the premium cookware space. Prices start at around $100 for a single skillet and go up from there. The cost is justified by the innovative hybrid technology, high-quality materials, and long-lasting performance. While it is a considerable investment, HexClad is a good choice for people who cook daily and want to invest in tools that will last for years.
Style & Aesthetic
Aesthetics are a clear point of differentiation. Novara cookware has a utilitarian, function-first appearance. The simple stainless steel or cast-iron finishes are meant for practicality in an outdoor setting and will look just fine in a casual home kitchen, but they aren't designed to be showpieces.
HexClad, on the other hand, makes its visual design a key selling point. The high-contrast, etched hexagon pattern is instantly recognizable and lends a modern, professional feel to any kitchen. Its sleek look is intended to complement contemporary kitchen decor, making it cookware you'd be happy to leave out on the stovetop.
Quality & Construction
Both brands prioritize quality, but for different purposes. Novara focuses on rugged durability. Its cookware is typically made from solid materials like stainless steel and cast iron, designed to withstand the scrapes, drops, and high heat of a campsite. While sturdy and reliable, it lacks the refined layers and coatings needed for professional-level cooking performance.
HexClad's quality is centered on culinary performance and longevity in a home kitchen. The patented hybrid technology is its biggest advantage, offering the searing capability of steel with non-stick ease. The tri-ply construction provides excellent heat distribution, and its scratch-resistant surface holds up against metal utensils - a feature that sets it apart from traditional non-stick and makes it exceptionally durable for everyday use.
Shopping Experience
The shopping experience for these brands is quite different. Novara is tightly linked to the outdoor recreation market. You will typically find its products at specialized retailers like REI. The buying process is geared towards people purchasing gear for specific outdoor activities, with a focus on product specifications like weight and packability.
HexClad offers a more mainstream retail experience. You can buy directly from their polished e-commerce website, which features cooking demonstrations and detailed technological information. It's also widely available at high-end kitchenware retailers and on Amazon, making it easily accessible to the general public looking for premium cookware.
Sustainability & Ethics
As a brand in the outdoor industry, Novara tends to align with eco-conscious practices, often using recycled materials and promoting responsible manufacturing. This focus is a natural fit for its customer base of nature enthusiasts.
HexClad's ethical focus is primarily on health and safety in the kitchen. The brand emphasizes that its non-stick coatings are PFOA-free. While they use quality materials, their marketing is less centered around environmental certifications and more on the safety and longevity of their product for home use.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice depends on your cooking style, budget, and where you'll be using the cookware.
Choose Novara if:
- You are an avid camper, hiker, or outdoor enthusiast who needs durable, portable cookware.
- You're shopping on a tight budget and prioritizing affordability and functionality.
- You need a secondary set of pots and pans for rugged tasks or casual cooking.
- You prefer a simple, utilitarian design and don't require high-tech features.
Choose HexClad if:
- You are a passionate home cook looking for professional-grade performance.
- You want to invest in long-lasting, versatile cookware that can handle a variety of tasks.
- You value innovative features like the ability to use metal utensils on a non-stick surface.
- A sleek, modern aesthetic is important to you and your kitchen decor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Novara or HexClad cheaper?
Novara is significantly cheaper. A full set of Novara outdoor cookware often costs less than a single HexClad pan. Novara is designed for budget-conscious consumers, while HexClad is a premium brand with a premium price tag.
Which has better quality cookware?
This depends on how you define "better." HexClad has superior quality for culinary performance, heat distribution, durability under daily kitchen use, and technological innovation. Novara has excellent quality for ruggedness and outdoor durability, designed to withstand a more rustic environment.
Can you use metal utensils on HexClad?
Yes. This is one of HexClad's main selling points. The stainless steel peaks in its hexagon-patterned surface protect the non-stick valleys, allowing you to use metal spoons, whisks, and spatulas without scratching or damaging the coating.
Where can I buy Novara cookware?
Novara cookware is primarily sold through outdoor-focused retailers, with REI being its main distributor. You can find it in REI stores and on their website.
Is Novara cookware good for everyday home use?
Yes, Novara can work perfectly well for everyday home use, particularly for cooks who want simple, durable, and affordable pots and pans. However, it lacks the advanced features and nuanced performance of cookware designed specifically for a serious home kitchen.
Is HexClad worth the money?
For serious home cooks who are in the kitchen daily, many find HexClad to be worth the investment. Its durability, hybrid performance, and ease of cleaning offer a combination of benefits that justify the high price for those who will use it frequently.
Which is better for an induction cooktop?
HexClad is a clear winner here. All of its cookware is designed to be compatible with gas, electric, and induction cooktops. Novara's compatibility will vary by the specific product line, with some stainless steel options working on induction while its other materials may not.
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