Bean brew, java, cup a joe, whatever nickname you choose for your favorite brew you don’t need to leave behind your favorite beverage while camping and/or hiking. There are even some amazing options that are lightweight to take on your next backpacking adventure. Here are the best ways to make coffee while hiking & camping.
Learn more about the different types of coffee makers, the different types of coffee types, and great backpacking additions to heat your brew on the go.
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Camping
If you’re car camping you can pretty much get away with whatever setup that will fit in the back of your car. But there are still a handful of options that will make your coffee-making experience feel close to home.
Percolator
The percolator is going to be a fantastic option to enjoy your java by the campfire or when you’re shivering outside of your tent on those cool mornings. There are many options of percolators on the market, so check out these top options:
Stanley Adventure Cool Grip Camp Percolator-
Stanley
Adventure Cool Grip Camp Percolator
The Stanley brand has been knocking out amazing adventure gear since 1913, so it shouldn’t be any surprise that they’ll come up multiple times on this list. $40 for this durable percolator seems like a steal when you know how long it’ll last.
GSI Outdoors
Enamelware 8-cup percolator
A bubbly companion for campsite, cabin, RV, or even a retro farmhouse kitchen, this handsome Enamelware pot brews 8 cups of great-tasting, old-fashioned java.
French Press
The French press is this author’s favorite way to enjoy coffee. You do need two components though as opposed to the percolator. But if you’re car camping you’ll probably have what you need anyway, so all good there.
The water will need to be boiled and then poured over the coffee to steep, so you have a bit more control over the flavor and intensity of the brew. Here are the top picks:
Snow Peak
Titanium French Press
Brew 24 ounces of your ground-up coffee on the tried and true way to enjoy amazing java at the campsite. This comes with everything you need besides coffee and water.
Espro
Ultralight Travel press
Make grit-free coffee or tea anytime, anywhere with the world’s lightest double-walled, vacuum-insulated, stainless steel coffee press.
Pour Over
Pour-over coffee is similar to the French press in the sense that you can dial in your flavor profile a bit better. With the pour-over method, you let the water soak the coffee grounds a bit before adding additional water, and because it’s dripping from the grounds, and not being pushed there’s a better chance you won’t have grounds in the coffee. That, for some, is a deal-breaker. Here are the top picks:
Backpacking
AeroPress
The AeroPress is hands down the top coffee-making option whilst backpacking. It’s lightweight, and only needs the mechanism to boil the water, which is coming. There are multiple AeroPress options if you can sacrifice a little more weight, but they’re highly rated items used by plenty of hikers in the backwoods.
AeroPress
Portable travel coffee press
The AeroPress Go travel coffee press makes smooth, delicious coffee without bitterness, unlike slow brewing methods and French Presses.
Instant Coffee
Yes instant. Instant Coffee has come a long way and there are plenty of decent options out there on the market to get your fix in the backcountry. The packs themselves are lightweight, and just need the addition of boiled water.
Starbucks
Via Instant Coffee
In the true, ‘don’t knock it ’till you try it’ sense, Via instant coffee gets a ton of praise for quality and ease of use.
NesCafe
Taster’s Choice Instant
Savor rich, distinct flavor in an instant with the pure coffee taste of NESCAFE Taster’s Choice Colombian Medium Roast Instant Coffee
Heating It Up
We’re not talking cold brew, iced coffee here, so there needs to be a way for heating the water for the coffee. You can read more about top backpacking stoves, etc. in this post, but these two picks are highly rated and will suit you just fine:
Coleman two-burner stove: This stove has its own write-up, but it’s important to note that for car camping nothing beats it. It’s a great price, and it’s going to last a really long time.
Jetboil Flash Cooking Stove: Don’t be afraid of the price tag. These cooking systems are a pretty much one-and-done solution to eating and drinking on the trail. Super lightweight and durable too.
What did you think about the best ways to make coffee while hiking & camping? Do you use any of these already? Let us know in the comments!