Whether you’re backpacking through nature as an adventurer or traveling through countless towns/cities as an urban explorer, there is one thing that will keep you going if you do it right–coffee.
However, finding a coffee maker you can take on your travels without breaking it or needing an electrical outlet can be tricky. Today, we’re going to be focusing on coffee makers for backpackers.
With so many lightweight and portable options of coffee makers for backpackers out there, knowing which coffee makers are indeed backpacking-safe and can make a good cup of coffee worth the name is essential.
Here are our favorite backpacking coffee makers on the market today:
- The AeroPress – Both traditional and Go travel versions
- The Snow Peak Collapsible Coffee Dripper
- The MiiR Pourigami Coffee Dripper
- The Primula Brew Buddy
- The Wacaco NanoPresso
Continue reading for more details on why we love these portable coffee makers for backpacking!
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1. AeroPress And AeroPress Go
Since its original design, the AeroPress has become a staple buy for any adventure-loving and thrill-seeking explorer. Not only is the AeroPress easy to use anywhere, but it also makes some of the best coffee you can expect while backpacking.
Whether you buy the AeroPress Original version or the AeroPress Go variant, you will not be disappointed and will almost certainly take it everywhere with you. Its relatively lightweight and decently compact design allows you to pack it up into any backpack and carry it with you on the next exploration.
Not only does the AeroPress allow you to brew excellent coffee almost anywhere, but if you buy the Go version, you will also get a couple of other nifty things with your purchase, including a scoop, stirrer, and travel mug.
The travel mug also serves as a great container where you can store all the different components, making it easy to pack up and reducing the need to rummage through your bag to find all the pieces.
If you’re debating between the two, we’d recommend the Go version since it comes with everything you’d need to enjoy your coffee! You’ll just need to supply the hot water and the coffee.
AeroPress Go Portable Travel Coffee Press
Features a smaller size that makes 1-3 cups per press. Comes with a mug and lid that double as a traveling case.
Coffee maker capacity: 8 ounces | Dimensions: 3.7″D x 3.7″W x 5.3″H
Item weight: 11.2 ounces (cup included)
AeroPress Original Coffee and Espresso Maker
Features a smaller size that makes 1-3 cups per press. Comes with a mug and lid that double as a traveling case.
Coffee maker capacity: 10 oz | Dimensions: 4.75″D x 4.75″W x 11.75″H
Item weight: 6.4 oz (cup not included)
2. Snow Peak Collapsible Dripper
If you’re looking for a foldable and compact dripper that requires only water, paper filters, and coffee, the Snow Peak Collapsible Dripper may be the best coffee maker to suit your backpacking needs.
For those of you who enjoy a traditional pour-over coffee, having a freshly brewed cup every morning while out in nature is worth the weight.
This stainless-steel dripper is perfect for making one-person pour-over coffee when you are on the go or taking a quick break.
In addition to being easy to fold and pack back into your backpack, it is also uncomplicated to clean since all you need to do is take out the paper filter and dispose of it and give your dripper a quick wipe down.
The design of this coffee dripper allows it to unfold and get positioned on almost any cup or travel mug, making it a compact and easy-to-use traveling companion when you go backpacking.
Snow Peak Collapsible Coffee Drip
Folds flat and stores easily when not in use.
Coffee maker capacity: 4 oz | Dimensions: L 4″ x W 4″ x H 3.75″
Item weight: 4.9 oz
3. MiiR Pourigami Dripper
Similar to the previously mentioned Snow Peak Dripper, this brilliant little coffee companion, the MiiR Pourigami Dripper, is a brilliant way to brew coffee if you are backpacking.
Not only is this coffee dripper able to disassemble to take up as little space as possible, but it gets made from a durable material: 18/8 medical grade stainless steel and covered with a Hardshell powder coat for added grip and protection.
This little coffee dripper can disassemble into three pieces to take up as little space as possible in your backpack while being just as easy to set up and use again. Like other drippers, all you need to use this excellent device is a paper filter, coffee, and water, allowing you to save extra space by not needing to pack a bunch of extra parts.
The elegant and well-thought-out design of the MiiR Pourigami also allows you to take three individual pieces and create a sturdy pour-over that will fit on almost any travel mug.
Like many other pour-over drippers, it is also straightforward to clean; all you need to do is remove the paper filter and rinse off the individual pieces of the coffee maker before packing it up and hitting the road or trail again!
MiiR Pourigami Dripper
Collapsible cone for pour-over on the go
Only 6.2cm x 12.7cm x 2.4mm when unassembled, can even fit in your back pocket.
Coffee maker capacity: 12 oz | Dimensions: L 5.5″ x W 2.75″ x H 0.75″
Item weight: 4 oz.
4. The Primula Brew Buddy
Though some backpacking coffee makers may be a bit pricey, the Primula Brew Buddy is one of the most reasonably priced selections available and allows you to brew coffee anywhere as long as you have water and coffee!
The simple, yet efficient design of the Primula Brew Buddy, allows you to place it on top of almost any cup, place your grounds in the fine mesh filter, and pour hot water over the coffee grounds.
Once you have added the water, you can leave the Brew Buddy on the cup with the filter in the water to essentially create a coffee bag that allows you to choose the strength of your brew.
This excellent backpacking coffee-making device is easy to use and takes up very little space in your backpack since it consists of only two attached parts, the ring and the mesh filter. In addition to taking little space in your backpack, you also don’t need to bring along any other tools or filters since the fine mesh filter that the brewer gets made of is the perfect filter already.
When you need to pack up your brewing station and get going again, the cleanup and pack-up are also very straightforward. All the Brew Buddy requires is that you dispose of the used coffee grounds in the mesh filter, rinse the filter with clean water, and place it back in your backpack.
Primula Coffee Brew Buddy
Designed with an attached reusable extra-fine mesh filter, eliminates the need for reusable paper filters.
Coffee maker capacity: 13 oz. | Dimensions: 4.2″D x 4.2″W x 1.6″H
Item weight: 1.1 oz.
5. The Wacaco NanoPresso
If you’re a coffee snob and don’t want to give up your espresso when you’re backpacking, the Wacaco NanoPresso may be the solution to your coffee-craving problems.
However, for the luxury of having a portable and handheld espresso machine, you will have to pay a decent amount compared to the usual backpacking coffee makers.
Though this device is a bit trickier to use, it is still an easy enough way to make excellent coffee while you are on the go.
The protective sleeve that usually comes included ensures that your little espresso machine will be perfectly safe during your travels, and you will also get a couple of tools with the purchase, such as a brush to clean your filter and a scoop.
You may need some more time to brew coffee with this backpacking-safe coffee maker, but you will not need to take any additional paper filters or other tools that don’t come included with the purchase.
Cleaning and storing the NanoPresso is also reasonably straightforward, only requiring that you take out the filter basket, dispose of the used coffee grounds, and use the brush or some water to ensure the basket is clean before using it again.
If you are a coffee enthusiast with a little extra cash to pull the trigger on this one, the NanoPresso may be the perfect backpacking coffee maker for you.
Wacaco NanoPresso
Uses a newly patented pumping system to brew the perfect cup of espresso.
Dimension: 6.1″ x 2.4″ x 2.44″
Item weight: 0.74 lbs
And there you have it! Hopefully, you were able to find yourself the perfect backpacking coffee maker based on your needs and coffee tastes!
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