www.jetboil.com $110

The Good: Boils water fast enough that you’re enjoying a cuppa joe and your mountain house before your tent mate has their warm oatmeal stirred up. Simple design keeps all the components in one easy to pack container.

The Bad: One fuel type which limits performance at elevation, limited boiling capacity, coffee press isn’t completely tight, allowing for some grit in the cup.

The Awesome: This little package is the size of a water bottle, heats to boiling in about 2 minutes, and delivers one of the best cups of mountain coffee I’ve had.

Ditching the wires, schedules, and general chaos of daily life is one of the best reasons to take a hike. Ditching the creature comforts for a few days of roughing it can really bring some sanity back into this crazy life. But some things should not be left at home when we head out to play, and for most of us that includes a daily cup of coffee.  Brewing coffee in the woods can turn into a pain with bulky attachments and mucky blends. We’ve tried compact filters, cowboy coffee, and even full presses without much of a real cup to be found. The Jetboil java kit combines two great systems for a clean and easy to use package that packs down small and stows easily in a pack.

We took the Jetboil system along for a few hikes and even car camping to make sure our adventures were properly caffeinated, and it delivered every time. With water boiling in under 2 minutes, and fresh cups of coffee in under 5, the system dependably brewed the energy we needed for a day full of fun. The system includes a 1L cup with neoprene insulating cover and  integrated heat indicator for a comfortable grip while drinking directly out of the sip-through lid. The press fits through the lid and stayed in place while drinking, while it brewed well the press did let some of the grit through for a chewy cup if ground too fine.

Overall, the Jetboil Java kit works great for a single hiker, or a pair with extra fuel at standard elevations. Due to the single gas source, high elevations or extended trips require a more robust system. So for the standard hiker, the Jetboil kit fits the need better than just about any other stove out there. So get out there, chug down that java and enjoy a day full of unplugged fun.