One of My Most-Used Pieces of Camping Gear? A Coffee Maker.

The outdoors have been my second home for as long as I can remember. With both my parents being avid hikers, most weekends growing up meant hitting a trail or pitching our tent somewhere under the stars. It wasn’t always glamorous, our tent barely fit the three of us, but I loved every minute of it, especially the mornings.

I can still hear the familiar sound of water boiling over our camp stove and the smell of instant coffee mixing with crisp mountain air. My parents would shuffle around half-awake, coffee in hand, watching the sun rise over the hills. They always offered me a sip, but back then, it was far too bitter for my kid palate.

Years later, after working as a barista through college, I finally understood the ritual. Only now, my tastes had shifted: I wanted espresso; rich, full-bodied, with that smooth layer of crema on top. However, espresso on the trail usually means bringing half your kitchen with you or sacrificing quality for convenience. That was until my last birthday, when a friend gave me the Wacaco Minipresso GR2, a compact, battery-free espresso maker designed for the outdoors.

I took it out on a three-day hike the following weekend, and it honestly changed the game. It’s incredibly compact, about the size of a small water bottle, and doesn’t need electricity or batteries. All I had to do was boil water like I always do, scoop my grounds into the basket, add hot water to the tank, and pump the little piston. Within seconds, I had a legit espresso shot, crema and all.

The extraction was surprisingly good. I’ve used it with both fresh and pre-ground espresso depending on the trip, and it holds up either way. The adjustable basket lets me choose between 8g and 12g of coffee depending on how strong I want it, which has come in handy on those extra-early starts. And the crema? Better than I expected for something I made on a rock with no power in sight.

Since then, the Minipresso has become one of my hiking essentials. I usually pre-grind a few servings before the trip, but if you’re someone who brings a hand grinder for ultimate freshness, this little machine will work with you too.

There’s something deeply satisfying about sipping a bold, fresh espresso as the sun climbs over a ridge. It feels like a small luxury in a wild place, and thanks to Wacaco, it’s one I can actually carry with me.

If you're someone who loves good coffee and great views, this might just be the missing piece in your pack.

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