On my daily commute to The Dyrt’s office in Portland, Oregon, I find myself passing five coffee shops within a 15-minute bike ride. Portland is home to 737 coffee shops, so I’m never more than a short walk from my next caffeine fix. When I’m heading out to enjoy the abundance of outdoor adventures to be had around Portland, my coffee choices are much different—but still plentiful, with the right coffee gear.
For the dedicated coffee drinker, there is no place too remote, no weather too wet, and no time too limited to brew a cup of joe before you get on with your day of hiking, climbing, exploring, or just hanging at the campground.
This gear list will ensure an outdoor coffee experience is convenient and just as good as home.
7 Coffee Gear Essentials for the Campsite
Here are a few of my favorite methods and products that allow me to wake up before I enjoy a day outside.
1. Treeline Coffee’s Single Use Pour-Over Packs
Image from treelinecoffee.com
Ever woken up in a bivvy surrounded by snow with no desire to get out of your sleeping bag? No matter how badly you need coffee, getting out of your warm cocoon sounds terrible. Get the flavor of pour-over without the preparation with these pre-made pour-overs, from Bozeman-based Tree Line Coffee.
Buy Now: $22. Alpine Start Instant Coffee
As anyone who has lugged a backpack for more than a few days knows, the less gear the better. If you are out on the trail for multiple days, instant coffee will be your best friend. My favorite is the single-serving packets made by Alpine start. If you are looking for a treat, pack some instant cocoa to mix in and make a mocha! If you take a little milk in your coffee, try Alpine Start’s instant coffee with coconut creamer.
Buy Now: $93. Aero Press
This little plastic coffee maker is an awesome way to make a quality cup of coffee without carrying much weight. The Aeropress is a plunger style coffee maker that allows you to brew a cup of joe in under 30 seconds. Hikers love the Aeropress because it is lightweight and compact. The nice thing about the Aeropress is that it is so good at making coffee, you’ll want to use it at home too, the downside is that it only makes one cup of coffee at a time, so it’s not the best when you’re camping with a group.
Buy Now: $304. Sea to Summit Collapsible Pour Over
Pour-over coffee is one of my favorite ways to make coffee at home so when I have the luxury to bring it into the outdoors, I will. Carrying grounds, a filter, and a pour-over cone can take up a lot of space, but if you are just heading out on an overnight and can take some liberties with what you bring, I recommend this Sea to Summit rubber drip coffee cone. This is one of the simplest but also best pieces of coffee gear—it’s just as good as a home pour-over but much more space-efficient! Backpackers also like the ultralight cloth version made by GSI Outdoors.
Buy Now: $205. MSR Mugmate
Image from REI.com
The MSR Mugmate is a finer version of a tea strainer, it is simple, creates no waste beyond used coffee grounds, and can fit right inside your mug. This strainer is not only used as coffee gear but can double as a pre-filter on the trail. Backpackers can put this in the mouth of their water bladder or bottle to strain out larger dirt particles that can clog water filters.
Buy Now: $176. GSI Outdoors’s French Press Mug
On summer days when the crag gets hot and crowded by noon, I make a point of getting there early. This french press mug is the perfect piece of coffee gear to speed up the process! Fill the mug with grounds the night before so that you can just pour in boiling water and run out the door, van, or tent. This mug makes the approach a lot easier with its insulated sides and snap top so you won’t spill while scrambling over scree. Even when you are in a rush, remember to press your coffee slow because this mug is pressurized.
Buy Now: $237. Wandering Bear Cold Brew Concentrate
On days that are too hot for coffee but just right for a surf or hike in the heat, switch up your classic ritual for cold brew. Cold Brew is the sun tea of coffee: its slow brew time creates a less acidic version of your hot cup of joe. I love to drink a cold brew in between surf sessions to keep me from dozing off on my beach towel. No one likes a lukewarm coffee so make sure you have an insulated thermos, cooler, or a cold stream or snowbank to let your bottle sit in before drinking. If you are looking for something with a bit more sustenance, check out this protein packed cold brew from Infinit.
Buy Now: $30
