Forget Instant. Brew Better: Our Favourite Camp Coffee Setups

Let's get one thing straight.

If you're willing to carry a cooler full of food, a camp chair, three hoodies "just in case," and enough firewood to survive the apocalypse… you can carry a proper coffee brewer.

Life's too short for burnt, bitter instant coffee.

Camping doesn't mean lowering your standards, it just means drinking incredible coffee somewhere with a better view.

Whether you're waking up beside a mountain lake, in the middle of the bush, or at a campsite that definitely looked bigger online, these are our favourite ways to brew coffee outdoors.

1. AeroPress: The Undisputed Camp Champion

This thing is the punk rock legend of portable coffee brewers.

It's light. It's tough. It's ridiculously easy to use. You could probably drop it, kick it across the campsite, rinse it in a stream (okay... maybe don't), and it'll still make an incredible cup.

Why it rules:

• Packs into any backpack.

• Brews in about two minutes.

• Cleanup takes seconds. (Like, seriously it doesn’t get easier than this)

• Makes consistently smooth, rich coffee.

• Nearly impossible to break.

If camping coffee had a headliner, the AeroPress would be it.

No drama. No fuss. Just ridiculously good coffee.

2. Stovetop Percolator: The Campfire Classic

There's something beautifully rebellious about ignoring every coffee snob on the internet and brewing coffee over an open fire.

The smell alone is enough to drag everyone out of their sleeping bags.

Sure, percolators get a bad reputation—but that's usually because people treat them like they're trying to boil engine oil.

Keep the heat steady and let it work its magic.

You'll get a rich, bold cup that's made for cold mornings and dirty boots.

Why we love it:

• Built like a tank.

• Makes enough coffee for everyone.

• No paper filters.

• Feels right at home beside a campfire.

It's “old school” for a reason.

3. Moka Pot: Tiny Brewer. Big Personality.

Don't let its size fool you.

The Moka Pot punches well above its weight.

It brews a rich, concentrated coffee that's perfect if you like your mornings loud and your coffee louder.

Throw a little steamed milk in there (if you're fancy enough to pack it) and you've got a campsite latte that would make your local café nervous.

Why we love it:

• Small enough to disappear into your gear.

• Bold, syrupy coffee.

• Perfect for espresso lovers.

• Built to last forever.

It's Italian. It's iconic. It refuses to be boring.

Honourable Mention: The French Press

We know.

Some of you were already halfway to the comments asking, "What about the French Press?"

Don't worry—we didn't forget.

A French Press makes a fantastic cup of coffee. It's simple, full-bodied, easy to use, and has earned its place in coffee history.

So why didn't it crack our top three?

Because most French Presses are made of glass.

Glass and campsites aren't exactly best friends.

One slip while you're making your morning coffee and suddenly you've got shattered glass where people are walking barefoot, kids are playing, or the next campers are setting up their tent. Nobody wants to spend their weekend picking tiny shards out of the dirt—or leave that surprise for someone else.

If you've got a stainless steel French Press, then go for it. They're tough, make excellent coffee, and can absolutely earn a spot in your camp kitchen.

But if it's the classic glass version? We'd leave it at home and pack something that's built for adventure instead.

Your Coffee Deserves Better

Here's the truth.

You can own every fancy brewer on this list, but if you're filling them with stale supermarket coffee, you're still going to end up with a mediocre cup.

Great coffee starts with great beans.

Freshly roasted.

Freshly ground.

Brewed somewhere that doesn't have Wi-Fi.

Final Verdict

🥇 AeroPress - The king of adventure and camp coffee.

🥈 Percolator - Built for campfires, stories, and second cups.

🥉 Moka Pot - Big flavour in a tiny package.

⭐ French Press - The unsung hero with a heart of glass.

So ditch the instant coffee.

Pack better beans.

Wake up somewhere wild.

And make coffee worth crawling out of your sleeping bag for.