Coffee Presses and Filters

Featured review by FromSagetoSnow

Best backcountry coffee maker, so far.

So in my search for the ideal backcountry coffee maker I stumbled upon this one. My search had these criteria: lightweight, easy to use, durable,  packable, inexpensive and small.  The H2JO fits all of these criteria. The H2JO screws in to the top of a standard Nalgene bottle and can be used two ways: Infuser method: Fill the filter with coarse ground coffee, pour hot water over it into the bottle, cap the bottle, invert the bottle and wait a few minutes for the coffee to brew. Then unscrew the H2JO, dispose of the grounds and drink the coffee.

Read more: GSI Outdoors H2JO! Coffee Filter reviews (4)

Featured review by Jon Reinschreiber

Right up front, this lightweight, compact coffee press is absolutely the best way to make coffee! It's fast and extremely easy to use. Setup, brewing, and cleanup takes less than 2.5 minutes.

I love my coffee, and the Aerobie AeroPress is hands down the best coffee maker that I have ever come across. It's so good, that there are almost 35,000 positive reviews and how-to videos on YouTube. I highly recommend watching some of those videos. I highly recommend any one of the inverted methods. Setup, brewing, and cleanup are simple, and it's very fast. Once your water is hot, you are 50 seconds from a great cup of coffee. Cleanup requires almost no water. Just wipe it off and it's ready to brew another cup.

Read more: AeroPress Coffee Maker reviews (6)

Featured review by StoicFabian

For espresso lovers like me, having the ability to brew a shot or two of espresso of this quality and taste in the middle of nature while camping, backpacking, or just traveling around, is a luxury well worth the price, weight, and hassle. Love this!

I say “hassle” but it’s actually a joy, at least for me. Since the previous reviewer did a thorough job detailing the bits, pieces, and processes, I’ll focus more on my personal experience and tips on using the Nanopresso in real life. There’s just something about being able to brew a perfect, creamy, tasty espresso while camping, backpacking, or hiking (or even just traveling anywhere), especially while out in the nature. And without electricity, with such a small piece of gear! Outdoor folks who are also coffee and especially espresso lovers sure will know what I’m talking about.

Read more: Wacaco Nanopresso reviews (3)

Featured review by FromSagetoSnow

Another, even lighter weight way, to make decent coffee in the backcountry.

I'm still getting the scoops-of-coffee-to-mug-size ratio perfected, but I can already say that this coffee maker is my new favorite. I used to use the H2JO but that required a Nalgene bottle to use and it is heavy compared to the GSI UL Java Drip. The GSI UL Java Drip is a mesh cone with three legs you attach to your mug of choice. You fill the conical bag with ground coffee, pour hot water over it, and there you go, fast coffee.  What could be easier? After you are done, shake out the grounds, rinse it, fold the legs up and slide it into your pack.

Read more: GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip reviews (6)

Featured review by Seth Levy

A compact, portable espresso maker that brings a touch of luxury to the backcountry. Best for outdoor recreation enthusiasts who like real espresso in the backcountry.

Introduction The Minipresso is a squat, black cylinder, approximately 7 inches long and about 8 inches in diameter. It weighs about 12.6 ounces and has a comforting heft in the hand—like weapon or some sort? In fact, it is an extremely effective weapon against fatigue and against the bitter experience of sub-par coffee. The Minipresso produces an above-average serving of espresso in the backcountry, fueled with only hot water and a few hand-pumps. Its weight might put it out of range for the ultra-light crowd, but for those that can tolerate a few extra ounces and love good coffee, this is a highly recommend accessory! About the Reviewer I'm an equal-opportunity caffeine enthusiast with an above-average knowledge of the physical and chemical...

Read more: Wacaco Minipresso GR reviews (2)

Featured review by Pika1

Perfect for two.

Nice little unit to bring to the backcountry, we always take this along. My boyfriend will only drink a "real" cup of coffee, which this press does beautifully and I'm an exclusive tea drinker. So he makes and drinks his coffee from the press and I use the cup for my tea and everyone is happy in the mornings. Everything packs neatly into the press with room to stash your tea and extras inside. We've had this for about two years now with no problems, and it has seen a lot of use! We take it summer and winter camping, car and backcountry camping.

Read more: GSI Outdoors Personal Java Press reviews (2)

Reviewed by KiwiKlimber

An easy-to-use, lightweight accessory for the Jetboil MiniMo and SUMO systems that makes delightful coffee. A regular sized option is also available for the Jetboil Flash, MicroMo, and Zip. The fine mesh press with silicone ring ensures grounds don't find their way into your cup. With this little accessory, you're well on your way to a great cup of coffee. What better way to start the day.

Conditions:  I’ve utilized the Jetboil Silicone Grande Coffee Press probably 15-20 times over the last 3 months with the Jetboil SUMO stove. The coffee press has gone with me on backpacking trips, car-camping trips, and some days just on my back porch while listening to the birds sing. I’ve only used one type of coffee (yep, pseudo-coffee snob here, sorry!) and that is from Camano Island Coffee Roasters. Because I purchase whole bean coffee from them and grind it myself, I was able to try different ground sizes in the coffee press and no matter how large or fine the grind, the outcome was always the same...delicious coffee with very minimal to no grounds in the cup.

Read more: Jetboil Grande Silicone Coffee Press review (1)

Reviewed by Twig

The Jetboil Grande Coffee Press is a nice accessory, increasing the functionality of an already feature-rich MiniMo. It utilizes the infrastructure of something you would be carrying otherwise (a stove/pot) with little weight penalty, a quality that is much appreciated in backpacking circles. If you’ve used a press before and value good coffee in the backcountry, you will like this.

Good coffee is a luxury and yet a necessity. OK, yes, I may be somewhat of a coffee snob. Though I keep it simple…just black, so the house brew at Starbucks is fine by me. At home, I use a press exclusively and always used to carry a lighter version into the backcountry. On occasion, I suffered through cowboy coffee and when desperation really hit, that horrid instant aberration (until Starbucks Via packets changed everything, but that’s another story). The Grande Coffee Press is nice addition to your Jetboil system, such as the MiniMo I tested mine with.

Read more: Jetboil Grande Coffee Press review (1)

Reviewed by BigRed

A French press add-on to the Windboiler 1.0 liter pot, stows nicely inside and makes a gourmet brew.

The Windboiler Coffee Press kit is a nifty and fully-functional add-on to the 1.0 L Windboiler system. I bought Mine in Pinedale, Wyo., during an unplanned exit midway through a 9-day hike in the Wind Rivers, when with our food supplies partially depleted we decided we could afford the extra weight of the press and some ground coffee. I used it every morning for the rest of the trip, and on a subsequent 10-day canoe trip. The screen and shaft together weigh 37 grams (1.3 ounces), a small enough weight penalty for a good brew as compared to the instant coffee we were choking down on the first part of the trip.

Read more: MSR WindBurner Coffee Press Kit review (1)

Featured review by T.J.

Simple, light and effective. It might not deliver the richness of a press but at just one ounce it more than delivers the goods for coffee-loving backpackers.

As a sunrise coffee freak I've tried a couple of different coffee methods, including a lightweight press and collapsible filter, but the MSR Mugmate is the one that finds its way into my pack. It fits perfectly in my Snow Peak mug and at only an ounce, it's the one that makes the most sense. I've found that a grind that is too fine takes a while to filter but otherwise you'll get your morning fix quickly. I'll usually fill it about 1/3 of the way with coffee, give it a quick shot of boiling water, and then pour it slowly over the grinds.

Read more: MSR MugMate Coffee/Tea Filter reviews (5)