Outdoor Coffee Solutions - The ultimate ranking.

The taste of coffee is influenced by the environment. Out in nature, fresh air and heightened senses amplify the experience, making coffee taste even better. However, outdoor coffee should not only be delicious but also practical and adaptable to the conditions. Outdoorsy people generally expect the following qualities:

➤ Lightweight: Compact, portable, and easy-to-clean equipment is a must.

➤ Energy: It should give you the energy boost needed in rough situations to keep you going.

➤ Flavor: Despite the simplicity, high-quality coffee is still appreciated.

➤ Flexibility: The ability to brew without electricity or complicated techniques is key.

➤ Versatility: This might be a new one - but how about a solution, that can offer more for your outdoor experience than just a a cup of coffee?

➤ Price: It shouldn't exceed your budget.

It's unlikely that a single brewing method will tick all the boxes. What really matters depends on the individual and their adventure: whether it's a one-day hike in the mountains or a multi-week bike ride through rugged terrain, priorities shift and everyone decides for themselves what's most important.

In this section, we've put together a range of outdoor coffee solutions for you - or rather, the usual suspects that tend to turn up when it's time for coffee in the great outdoors. To make things a little more fun, we've given each brewing method its own personality - because every way of making coffee has its own unique character.

Cowboy coffee is essentially French press coffee without the filter. It’s considered one of the simplest ways to brew coffee on road trips, camping, or wild camping.

Preparation

• ➤ Bring water to a boil in a pot or kettle over an open fire.

• ➤ Remove from heat and stir in coffee grounds (coarse or fine, depending on preference).

• ➤ Let the coffee sit briefly until the grounds settle, then pour gently.

Tip: Add a splash of cold water or milk at the end to help settle stray coffee grounds.

Advantages

• ✓ Minimalist method that provides a true outdoor vibe.

• ✓ Requires no electricity.
  
  

Disadvantages

• ✗ Residual grounds in the cup if not poured carefully.

• ✗ Taste can be inconsistent.

• ✗ Grounds as waste.

• ✗ Heavy equipment (pot/kettle) to carry.

Invented by Melitta Bentz in 1908, the coffee filter revolutionized the brewing process. Filter coffee is prized in specialty coffee communities for its balanced flavor—neither too bitter nor too acidic.

Preparation

• ➤ Place a portable filter holder on a cup or kettle.

• ➤ Add medium-ground coffee (approx. 9g per 150ml of water).

• ➤ Slowly pour hot water evenly over the grounds.

Advantages

• ✓ Produces aromatic, clear coffee.

• ✓ Properly brewed, it's a true flavor highlight.

• ✓ Requires no electricity.

Disadvantages

• ✗ Takes more time, especially if grinding coffee on-site.

• ✗ Requires precise measurements and water temperature control.

• ✗ Generates waste with paper filters (unless using reusable filters).

• ✗ Adds extra gear to your pack, especially with a kettle.

The French press uses a plunger with a mesh filter to separate coffee grounds from the brew. This method has been around for nearly 200 years and remains a simple, efficient way to prepare larger quantities of coffee.

Preparation

• ➤ Preheat the French press with hot water.

• ➤ Add coffee grounds (10g per 180ml of water) and pour in hot water just below boiling.

• ➤ Let steep for 4 minutes, then press the plunger down to separate the coffee from the grounds.

Advantages

• ✓ No waste since no paper filters are needed.

• ✓ Sustainable and manual — requires no electricity.

• ✓ Easy to use and suitable for larger quantities.
  
  

Disadvantages

• ✗ Coffee doesn’t stay hot for long unless the press is insulated.

• ✗ Bulkier than other methods for outdoor use.

The moka pot, a classic invented by Alfonso Bialetti in 1933, produces strong, hot coffee and is a favorite among coffee enthusiasts.

Preparation

• ➤ Grind coffee (not too coarse or fine to avoid clogging).

• ➤ Fill the lower chamber with preheated water up to the valve.

• ➤ Add coffee to the filter basket without tamping.

• ➤ Screw the pot together and place it on a heat source.

Tip: Leave the lid open to monitor the coffee flow.

Advantages

• ✓ Produces intense coffee.

• ✓ Simple preparation process.
  
  

Disadvantages

• ✗ Adds extra weight to your gear.

• ✗ Very bulky.

For those who prefer a touch of luxury, mini espresso machines like those by Wacaco offer a compact solution. While larger than other outdoor gear, they are still far more portable than home machines.

Preparation

• ➤ Fill the tank with water and add coffee grounds or a capsule to the filter basket.

• ➤ Use the manual pump to build pressure and brew espresso.

Advantages

• ✓ Delivers high-quality, intense espresso.

• ✓ Relatively compact and lightweight.
  
  

Disadvantages

• ✗ Cleaning and assembling the parts can be tedious.

• ✗ Requires specific coffee grounds or capsules, which need to be transported.

One of the fastest and easiest outdoor coffee options, No Normal Coffee is a coffee concentrate in an aluminum tube, created by Alexander Häberlin and Philippe Greinacher in 2023. It has quickly become an outdoor essential, offering a dual-purpose brew that can also be eaten as an energy boost.

Preparation:

• ➤ Squeeze paste onto a spoon (5g for 100ml water).

• ➤ Add hot water and stir.

• ➤ Ready to enjoy in seconds.

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Tip: The coffee paste can also be eaten directly or used in energy bar recipes.

For recipes and more information about No Normal Coffee and nutrition, check out the 'outdoor coffee banana bread recipe' or 'the right nutrition boosts your performance' blog posts and get inspired for recipes!

Advantages:

• ✓ Quick and easy—perfect for minimalists.

• ✓ Requires minimal gear.

• ✓ Versatile: provides energy even without water.
  
  

Disadvantages:

• ✗ Polarizing taste—slightly bitter and pre-sweetened.

• ✗ Requires carrying water unless eaten directly.

To give you an idea of the alternatives mentioned above, we have created a table with an assumption of how each solution performs. The ranking goes from ★ to ★★★★:

• No Normal - 20 points
• Cowboy - 16 points
• Filter - 15 points
• French Press - 14 points (tie)
• Mokka - 14 points (tie)
• Glamp - 14 points (tie)

The no normal coffee wins here thanks to its high flexibility and versatility combined with simplicity. The Cowboy style scores points for simplicity and value for money, making it a robust choice for minimalists. The filter method delivers the best flavour, and offers a range in filter options ideal for the outdoors. The French Press, Mokka and Glamp methods share fourth place - each offers strengths, particularly in flavour, but lacks versatility or simplicity.

Whether you prefer the rugged charm of Cowboy Coffee, the luxury of a fresh espresso or the simplicity of No Normal Coffee, there's a solution for every taste and need. There's no right or wrong choice - it all depends on your outdoor experience and how your coffee enhances it. Ultimately, factors such as taste, equipment weight, budget and personal values will guide your decision on the perfect outdoor coffee brewing method.