Nothing compares to a cup o’ joe while adventuring in the wild.
There is something special about lounging in a hammock and drinking a cup of piping hot camp coffee while listening to the world wake up around you. Maybe it’s the relaxing sounds or the chill in the air. Perhaps, it’s the anticipation of an adventurous day ahead that makes coffee hit a bit different when you’re in the wild. Or maybe, if you’re like me, it’s a welcome jolt of caffeine after a night of getting kicked in the face by your toddler who hasn’t quite mastered the art of sleeping in a tent.
Regardless of why camp coffee is so magical, you need the essential items to ensure the best morning wake-up. From stoves to fire starters and mugs, we’ve got you covered. Check out our recommendations below to make the best camp coffee you’ve ever had.
Our Top Picks:
Stoves for Camp Coffee
- Best Overall Stove for Camp Coffee: MSR PocketRocket2 Stove
- Best Budget Stove for Camp Coffee: Coleman Cascade Classic
- Best Quick-to-Boil Stove for Camp Coffee: JetBoil Flash Stove
Coffee Makers
- Best Overall Coffee Maker: MiiR Pourigami
- Best Travel Coffee Maker: Aeropress Go Travel Coffee Press
- Best French Press Coffee Maker: Stanley Vacuum French Press
Fire Sources
- Best Matches: UCO Long-Burn Matches
- Best Budget Lighter: Bic Multipurpose Lighter
- Best Work-in-Any-Weather Lighter: TOPKAY Torch Lighter
Coffee Mugs
- Best Overall Coffee Mug: Hydro Flask All Around 12 oz Tumbler
- Best Insulated Coffee Mug: YETI Rambler Mug
- Best Travel Coffee Mug: Sea to Summit Collapsible Cool Grip Mug
Pots
- Best Overall Pot: MSR Pika Teapot
- Best Travel Pot: Sea to Summit X-Pot Kettle
- Best Quick-to-Boil Pot: GSI Outdoors Tea Kettle
Coffee
- Best Overall Camp Coffee: Hikers Brew
- Best Instant Camp Coffee: Alpine Start
- Best Pour Over Camp Coffee: KUJU
Best Stoves for Camp Coffee
You could boil water over a campfire, but who wants to wait that long for their morning cup o’ java? Finding the right stove will eliminate the hassle standing between you and your caffeine. You’ll want a fast boiling time and easy operation since your brain might not be completely functioning.
Best Overall Camp Stove: MSR PocketRocket2 Stove
It’s all in the name: a stove small enough to fit into your pocket. I’ve owned the original MSR PocketRocket since 2006, a year after it came out. Seventeen years (and hundreds of miles) later, the stove is still going strong.
But nothing is perfect, so MSR designed an upgrade. The MSR PocketRocket2 stove is essentially the same as the original except it got smaller and lighter to help you achieve gourmet cooking in the wild. It folds up into one of the smallest stoves I’ve ever seen and can easily be transported anywhere you’d like to wake up with a cup of coffee. Plus, it comes with an ignition switch now, making it extra easy to spark a flame.
Tech Specs:
- Fuel/Fuel type: Isobutane-propane/Canister
- Number of burners: 1
- Weight: 2.6 oz.
- Dimensions (when compacted): 3.1 x 1.7 x. 1.3 inches
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Lightweight
- Pro: Easy operation
- Pro: Affordable
- Pro: Small for packing
- Pro: Quick to boil
- Con: Flame is vulnerable to wind
- Con: Pot supports lack stability
Best Budget Stove: Coleman Cascade Classic
The Coleman company has been selling stoves since the early 1900s, so they’ve dialed in their products. The Coleman Cascade Classic is a stove that sends a heaping dose of nostalgia through me. The minute I see one, I’m immediately back at camp at Hopeville Pond in 1993 where my dad is cooking up hot dogs on our own Coleman two-burner stove as I put bait on a fishing pole. The functionality is much the same as previous Coleman stoves, but the sleek redesign and iconic color of the Coleman Classic gives it a much-needed facelift.
Tech Specs:
- Fuel/Fuel type: Propane/Canister
- Number of burners: 2
- Weight: 11 lbs. 14.4 oz.
- Dimensions (when closed): 21 x 13 x 3.6 inches
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Robust
- Pro: Cheaper than other similar stoves
- Pro: Auto ignition
- Pro: Easy to carry
- Con: Heavy
Best Quick-to-Boil Stove: JetBoil Flash Stove
For anyone who can’t function until coffee hits your bloodstream (ahem, hi!), the JetBoil Flash stove might be your ticket. At just three minutes of boiling time, you’ll have your camp coffee before the birds wake up. JetBoil has become such a household name for camping stoves that campers have been known to refer to all stoves as a generic ‘JetBoil.’—kind of like the whole tissues and Kleenex thing. It’s for good reason though: JetBoil is a thoroughly tested piece of gear that rarely disappoints.
Tech Specs:
- Fuel/Fuel type: Isobutane-propane/Canister
- Number of burners: 1
- Weight: 13.1 oz
- Dimensions (when compacted): 4.1 x 7.1 inches
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Quick to boil
- Pro: Auto ignition
- Pro: Easy operation
- Pro: Fuel canister and stove burner fit inside cup
- Con: Clunky
- Con: Only compatible with JetBoil accessories
Camp Coffee Makers
If you want to go bougie in the backcountry, ditch the instant coffee in favor of a classier setup like a French press or pour-over java. You’ll instantly be transported (mentally anyway) to a Parisian cafe—minus all the busy tourists and pecking pigeons.
Best Overall Camp Coffee Maker: MiiR Pourigami
It might look like something out of a sci-fi movie, but the MiiR Pourigami is anything but fictional. The sleek design includes three interlocking panels (get the name now?!) for compact storage and travel. Give yourself some patience first thing in the morning to get the panels sorted–it takes a bit of finagling to get the last two panels to fit together. You can use it in the backcountry or at your typical campground for a robust cup of coffee.
Tech Specs:
- Liquid capacity: N/A
- Weight: 4 oz.
- Dimensions: 5.5 x 2.75 x. 0.75 inches
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Lightweight
- Pro: Easy to assemble/use
- Pro: Compactable
- Pro: Quick clean-up
- Con: Takes some puzzlework to get it connected
Best Travel Camp Coffee Maker: Aeropress Go Travel Coffee Press
The Aeropress Go Travel Coffee Press is for the proud-and-loud coffee snobs out there. If you are looking for a cup of camp coffee similar to what you get at home, this is the coffee maker for you. Its design allows coffee connoisseurs to pack it tightly and bring it with them on every adventure. Plus, it tastes darn good.
Tech Specs:
- Liquid capacity: 8 fl. oz.
- Weight: 11.5 oz.
- Dimensions: 5.3 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: No floating coffee grains
- Pro: Easily packable
- Pro: Quick brewing
- Pro: Cold brew capability
- Con: Needs a coffee filter despite it being a press
- Con: Only makes 1 cup at a time
Best French Press Basecamp Coffee Maker: Stanley Vacuum French Press
The Stanley Vacuum French Press is the mama bear of coffee makers. It puts all other coffee makers to shame due to its sheer size and ruggedness. If you’re camping in a group, this one is a favorite: this big guy can make four large cups of coffee without breaking a sweat. We’ve taken it on group camping trips and it’s always the superhero of the morning.
Tech Specs:
- Liquid capacity: 48 fl. oz.
- Weight: 2 lbs. 8 oz.
- Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 9.5 inches
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Makes a lot of coffee at once
- Pro: Well insulated
- Pro: Durable
- Con: Very heavy
Best Fire Sources
Maybe you went to a school of wizardry and can simply point your wand and say “incendio” for a fire to appear. But most of us need a third party to get a flame going—an essential component to boiling the water for our coffee. Depending on your location and type of adventure, you’ll want to choose the right fire-making device.
Best Matches: UCO Long-Burn Matches
Raise your hand if you’ve ever burned a finger with a flimsy book of cheap gas station matches? Your run-of-the-mill matches either break when you scrape it against the side of the box or don’t last long enough to get the stove to light, especially in windy conditions. Remove the stress of quickly lighting your stove with UCO’s Long-Burn Matches. Down with burned fingers.
Tech Specs:
- Material: wood
- Weight: 3 oz. (box)
- Dimensions: 3.75 inches long (1 match)
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Lightweight
- Pro: Easily discarded/no trash
- Pro: Affordable
- Con: Hard to light in wet conditions
Best Budget Lighter: Bic Multipurpose Lighter
Bic makes everything from razors to pens to white-out. And, yes, they make lighters as well. They have been in business for over 40 years and make quality, durable lighters to fit any of your needs. Bic’s Multipurpose Lighter has an ignition button that’s easy to use and a flame that lasts. You can usually get 200 lights from these Bic lighters, so it should last your entire camping season without a refill.
Tech Specs:
- Material: plastic and metal
- Weight: 4 oz (1 lighter)
- Dimensions: 13.5 inches long (1 lighter)
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Easy operation
- Pro: Affordable
- Con: Not refillable
Best Work-in-Any-Weather Lighter: TOPKAY Torch Lighter
Imagine waking up to gusty winds and realizing your rinky-dinky lighter isn’t going to cut it. Get yourself the TOPKAY Torch Lighter with a flame powerful enough to withstand those windy days at camp. Due to its refillable compartment, you only have to buy this lighter once and then add fuel as you need it.
Tech Specs:
- Material: metal, copper, and ceramic
- Weight: 5.3 oz.
- Dimensions: 6 inches long
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Refillable
- Pro: Windproof
- Con: Heavier than others
Camp Coffee Mugs
Some mornings might be rougher than others and you might want to drink coffee straight from the pot. No judgment here. Luckily, no critter is getting through your camp coffee mug with our sturdy options below.
Best Overall Coffee Mug: Hydro Flask All Around Tumbler
My Hydro Flask All Around 12 oz Tumbler has accompanied me on hundreds of adventures. It fits just the right amount of coffee to jumpstart my morning at camp. If I have to wrangle my kiddo while also trying to make breakfast, my drink stays nice and hot until I can remember to drink it again. Plus, it’s one of the few adventure tumblers that fit into my car’s cup holder—total win.
Tech Specs:
- Number of colors: 8
- Dimensions: 5.7 x 2.8 inches
- Capacity: 12 oz or 20 oz
- Insulation: Yes
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Sleek
- Pro: Insulated
- Pro: Durable
- Pro: Fits most cup holders
- Pro: Dishwasher-safe
Best Insulated Coffee Mug: YETI Rambler Mug
YETI is revered by most outdoor enthusiasts. And, their mugs live up to the hype. The YETI Rambler Mug is a great option for your basecamp coffee needs. You can choose between 10 oz, 14 oz, or 24 oz depending on how much caffeine typically gets you up and running. The best part: thanks to the double-wall construction that prevents heat transfer, you can go for a hike and return to camp…and your coffee will still be piping hot.
Tech Specs:
- Number of colors: 8
- Dimensions: 5 x 3.75 inches
- Capacity: 10 oz., 14 oz., or 24 oz.
- Insulation: Yes
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Insulated
- Pro: Durable
- Pro: Dishwasher-safe
- Pro: Splash-resistant
- Con: Bulky
Best Travel Coffee Mug: Sea To Summit Collapsible Cool Grip Mug
If you’re looking for a more lightweight and compact option to bring with you to the backcountry, the Sea to Summit Collapsible Cool Grip Mug is perfect. The serrated surface allows you to hold onto the mug without scalding your palms. It folds flat to just 5/8” thick so you can easily fit it into a backpack for any adventure. Tradeoff: It’s collapsible which means it’s inherently flimsier.
Tech Specs:
- Number of colors: 2
- Dimensions: 4.3 x 3.2 inches
- Capacity: 16 oz.
- Insulation: None
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Compact
- Pro: Lightweight
- Pro: Heat resistant
- Con: Less sturdy
- Con: No insulation
Pots
Life at camp usually entails different types of weather, wildlife, and kitchen items that are bound to be dropped. Make sure you have the most durable pots to boil your water so you can get to that camp coffee faster.
Best Overall Pot: MSR Pika Teapot
If you’ve bought the MSR PocketRocket2, you’re in luck with the MSR Pika Teapot. The small stove fits perfectly inside the teapot with plenty of room to spare. Put your matches or lighter along with any other small items that can easily get lost in a backpack. For fans of pour-overs, this teapot will give you a precise pour with even distribution of coffee grains.
Tech Specs:
- Fluid capacity: 34 fl. oz.
- Weight: 5.2 oz.
- Dimensions: 3.5 x 5.5 inches
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: No spill spout
- Pro: Secure lid
- Pro: Lightweight
- Con: Sticker on the side is hard to remove
Best Travel Pot: Sea to Summit X-Pot Kettle
As is the case with the MSR teapot and accessories, the Sea to Summit X-Pot Kettle also holds their X-Mugs and X-Cups inside. On top of boiling water for your favorite hot beverage in the morning, this kettle can also be used to cook pasta and other meals for your adventures. Its multi-use ability makes it a great addition to your basecamp kitchen.
Tech Specs:
- Fluid capacity: 44 fl. oz.
- Weight: 6.5 oz.
- Dimensions: 5.7 x 3.5 inches
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Collapsible
- Pro: Durable
- Pro: Large capacity
- Con: Less affordable
- Con: Not dishwasher safe
Best Quick-to-Boil Pot: GSI Outdoors Halulite Tea Kettle
I bought the GSI Outdoors Tea Kettle during my research technician days. It was exactly what I needed to cook my dehydrated meals throughout those eight-day hitches. Water boils evenly and quickly thanks to its heat-distributing alloy construction. Not only does this save on the time it takes to boil water, but also helps limit your fuel usage. You won’t have to worry about running out of fuel to brew your morning coffee—which would be a travesty.
Tech Specs:
- Fluid capacity: 32 fl. oz.
- Weight: 5.8 oz.
- Dimensions: 6 x 3.5 inches
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Heat distributing material
- Pro: Lightweight
- Con: Spout drips when pouring
- Con: Lid is not secure
Camp Coffee
As outdoor enthusiasts, we want coffee that gets us our jolt, but comes from brands with ethical and environmentally friendly business practices. All of our recommendations come from companies that are members of 1% for the Planet and give one percent of their profits to environmental organizations.
Best Overall Camp Coffee: Hikers Brew
Hikers Brew is one of the most versatile basecamp coffee brands out there. Their coffee is compatible with a good ol’ fashioned drip, French press, pour-over, percolator, or aero press. You can choose between 1.5-ounce pouches or snag a 12-ounce “Basecamp Bag.” Hikers Brew was created with adventurers in mind and the founders are driven by sustainability. Their pouches are 100% compostable and keep coffee fresher for those who end up far into the wilderness.
Tech Specs:
- Number of flavors: 6
- Serving size: 1.5 oz. pouch = 24 fl. oz. of coffee
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Multi-use
- Pro: 100% compostable pouch
- Pro: Organic, fair trade
- Pro: Climate-neutral certified
- Con: Takes longer to brew
Best Instant Camp Coffee: Alpine Start
Some of us have zero patience—like me. In a dream world, I’d love it if I was able to get a grande vanilla latte with some coffee art atop it, but I’d settle for any type of caffeine at camp. The quickest way I get that fulfilled is by brewing up some instant Alpine Start coffee (or try their Dirty Chai!). Not only does it make great coffee, but Alpine Start also dissolves in cold water. You’ll thank them when humidity is at 100% and camp temperatures are already 80 degrees.
Tech Specs:
- Number of flavors: 3
- Serving size: 1 packet = 10 fl. oz. of coffee
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Quick brew time
- Pro: Dissolves in cold water
- Pro: Great for travel
- Con: Limited flavors
Best Pour Over Camp Coffee: KUJU
You’ll feel good about yourself when you support KUJU coffee by grabbing one of their signature flavors. Although their coffee tastes great, they like to say they picked their coffee with their “moral tastebuds” and sourced it from farms that support local livelihoods. I prefer the “Bold Awakening” dark roast–it has such rich, earthy flavors and enhances the outdoor experience.
No matter the flavor you prefer, every pour-over packs a punch with as much coffee grounds as they could load into each filter. Seriously, they don’t cheat you out of a full cup of coffee. It only takes about two to three minutes to complete a pour-over before you start sipping a great cup of coffee.
Tech Specs:
- Number of flavors: 6
- Serving size: 1 pouch = 8 fl. oz. of coffee
Pros and Cons:
- Pro: Ethically sourced
- Pro: 100% wind-powered
- Pro: 100% recyclable filter
- Con: Takes patience to continuously pour
Explore More Gear
Get epic travel ideas delivered to your inbox with Weekend Wanderer, our newsletter inspiring thousands of readers every week.
Seen in: Camping, Camping Gear, Food & Drink, Gear
