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One of the things I struggle with most when camping is making a good pot of coffee that doesn't taste like it was made in a tent.
When you camp and backpack, you forgo a lot of the comforts of home (a bed, a heating system, easy accessibility to food in the pantry and refrigerator, laundry, the list goes on), but coffee shouldn't be one of them, especially if you rely on your morning cup of joe to get you going. The Sea to Summit X-Brew Coffee Dripper and Sea to Summit X-Pot are made for the backcountry, and it's the closest replica to a pour-over coffee maker option that folds up super easily and is lightweight enough to take anywhere.
The Sea to Summit X-Series comes with three parts: the X-pot, the collapsible coffee dripper, and the X-mug. I tested all three pieces and can confidently say that I made some of the best camping coffee I've had to date, and it wasn't a pain in the rear to make it, as it can sometimes be. This system is similar to the GSI Java drip, but it's much more lightweight and better-suited for travel with the collapsible and nesting features. If you love camping or backpacking and are on the lookout for an easy way to make coffee, be sure to add this to your wish list, it's well worth it!
Sea to Summit X-Brew Coffee Dripper
One of the most difficult parts about making coffee while camping or backpacking is having the right coffee filter. The X-brew collapsible filter is made of food-grade silicone and boasts 180-micron holes and a 2-cup capacity for easy pouring.
It totally eliminates the use of a paper filter, and the spiral pattern on the internal base is designed to break the surface tension of paper filters and create a more consistent drip speed. It even folds to fit inside of the X-Pot for convenient carrying, and the base fits over the X-Mug perfectly. It was surprisingly easy to clean, and the coffee was quite strong, suggesting a thorough straining of coffee grounds through the superfine double-mesh filter.
Sea to Summit X-Pot Kettle
Rachel Pasche
This collapsible kettle is perfect for backpacking, bikepacking, and camping excursions. It's lightweight and sturdy, with a lid and handy spout for easy pour-over service wherever you might be.
Specs:
- Hard anodized aluminum base conducts heat evenly for boiling water
- Innovative, food-grade, heat-resistant silicone side walls expand for use and collapse for transit
- Includes translucent lid to expedite boiling and conserve fuel; nylon handles are lightweight and do not conduct heat
- 1.3-liter capacity (44 ounces), weighs only 6.5 oz
Often, camping cookware neglects to include minor details that make a huge difference (i.e. the anodized aluminum base on this kettle, so you can directly heat it over a camping stove), but every little aspect was thought of with the X-pot.
Sea to Summit X-Series Mug
Rachel Pasche
This space-saving 16 oz mug is the perfect companion to the X-series kettle and coffee filter. It collapses to fit into your pocket, while the cool grip design helps reduce surface temperature and heat transfer. Heat-protective fins cover the surface, so your hands don't burn when holding a hot cup of coffee or tea. The rigid, glass-reinforced nylon rim holds its shape to provide stability and a comfortable grip, so you won't spill if you squeeze too hard.
The food-grade silicone material is heat resistant, dishwasher/microwave safe, and ideal for camping, backpacking, or travel; plus, it nests with other X-Series dinnerware like the Sea to Summit X-bowl and other related products in their cookset.
Enamel mugs are usually the more popular option, but they can get super hot and take up more space in your backpack. This mug can nest right into your X-Kettle perfectly and takes up virtually no space.
The whole system was actually remarkably easy to use, you could make coffee or tea and enjoy the sunrise from the tent without leaving your sleeping bag! I've started packing it with a thermos of hot water or a water bottle to enjoy a cup of tea on early morning hikes when I reach the summit, it makes for a wonderful start to any day.
NEXT: COWBOY COFFEE: WHAT IT IS, AND HOW TO MAKE IT
