Best Backpacking Coffee
If you LOVE coffee as much as we do here at Backwoods Pursuit, you’d prefer not to hit the trail without bringing you favorite cup of joe with you. So, we set out to find the best instant coffee for backpacking. While I’ve usually just grabbed some Starbucks Via from the local grocery store, with all the options out there now, it was time to explore a little. In recent years companies like Tioga Rise, Dark Timber, Black Rifle, and Alpine Start and First Ascent have been adding to the options we have to find the best backpacking coffee.
Gone are the days of having to choke down a terrible cup of “coffee”, if it could be called that, while on the mountain. While this is far from an exhaustive list ( we know there are lots more out there to test) we are going to look at several great options of some of the best instant coffee packets we could find.
UPDATE 7/24/2021 – ADDING HIGH SIDE COFFEE
Testing For the Best Backpacking Coffee
For this instant coffee review, we put each of these cups of coffee in an unmarked coffee mug (all made of the same material) so the test would be equitable. All coffee was tested black and prepared according the manufacturers recommended amount of water. We didn’t take it easy on these coffees and didn’t hand out top ratings unless it blew our socks off. These ratings are just our tasters opinions, but everyone has different preferences. Taste as many as you can for yourself and see what you like!
Black Rifle Coffee Review
The Black Rifle Coffee “Black Powder” blend is a medium roast that is 100% Colombian. It could have been a touch stronger for our tastes, but was still very good. If you prefer a nice strong cup of coffee (like we do), you can either add less water or a second packet. It was by no means weak though. This coffee had a great smooth flavor that kept you coming back to it. It wasn’t bitter or acidic and didn’t have a bad aftertaste.
- Smooth flavor
- Not bitter
- 100% Colombian
- Medium-dark roast
- Flavor: 3.5 / 5 stars
- Price: $24.99 (32 packets)
Alpine Start Coffee Review -Best Backpacking Coffee
Alpine Start Instant Coffee was a new cup of coffee for all of us that tested it. We all agreed that it had a similar flavor profile to Black Rifle, but with a slightly stronger flavor to it. All testers loved the Alpine State coffee and given the favorable price point of just over 1$ per cup, it makes it’s way up there with the best backpacking coffee not only for flavor, but price point as well. If you like a smooth, slightly stronger cup of coffee, you may want to give Alpine Start instant coffee a try.
- Smooth
- Not bitter
- 100% Colombian Arabica
- Medium Roast (original blend)
- Flavor: 4 / 5 stars
- Price: $8.99 (8 packets)
Tioga Rise Coffee Review
I’ll have to admit, we’d heard some great things about Tioga Rise before we tasted it. The “Tioga Blend” coffee is a medium to full body roast. It’s a richer, more complex flavor with notes of citric/fruit and a chocolate aroma. Tioga Rise “Tioga Blend” is a very smooth cup of coffee that doesn’t have that funny after taste. Some of our buddies have told me this was the best backpacking coffee they’d ever had, and I’m glad we got to test it out! Tioga Rise is great cup of coffee that isn’t too week or too strong, but has a unique flavor profile.
- 100% Arabica
- Medium Roast
- Smooth, not bitter
- Flavor: 3.5 / 5 stars
- $1.50 each | $19 (15 packets) | $29 (30 packets)
TIOGA RISE COUPON CODE!! Use the code “backcountry25” at checkout for 25% off of your order!!!
Dark Timber Colombian Coffee Review
Dark Timber has been growing substantially in the backcountry hunting, hiking and backpacking worlds, and for good reason. One of the few we tested that roasts their own coffee, Dark Timber Coffee definitely stood out as one of the best backpacking coffee options we tested. Since Dark Timber Coffee roasts their own coffee, you get a flavor that you won’t find anywhere else. This one was just a straight up balanced, smooth awesome traditional tasting cup of coffee. Nothing funny tasting or particularly unique, just good coffee. This one was one of the favorites of the our testers!
- Roasted and blended by Dark Timber
- Medium roast
- 100% Arabica
- Smooth, classic coffee taste
- Flavor: 4.5 / 5 stars
- Price: $12.50 (12 packets)
Use the Dark Timber Coffee Coupon Code “DTC10” for 10% your order(new customers)
Dark Timber Gravity Pack Review – Best Backpacking Coffee
The Dark Timber Gravity Pack is different than the instant coffee we tested in that this handy pack is a pour over rather than granular instant coffee that dissolves in your hot water. This proved to be a difference maker in the taste. This was flat out an amazing cup of coffee. With it’s pour over design, you get one of the best backpacking coffee options out there as it literally tastes like you just did a pour over right in your kitchen!
So, what’s the downside? Well, the pouch is a lot bigger than all the others, and is heavier (comparably). Obviously the weight is negligible, but something to be aware of. The used filter is biodegradable, but you can take back with you as well. A difference to note between this style and instant packets. You really can taste the difference though.
- Roasted and blended by Dark Timber
- Medium-dark roast
- 100% Arabica
- Smooth, classic coffee taste
- Flavor: 5 / 5 stars
- Price: $12.75 (6 packets)
Use the Dark Timber Coffee Coupon Code “DTC10” for 10% your order(new customers)
Dark Timber Vapor Pack Review
Ok, so the Dark Timber Vapor Pack isn’t really in the same category, but we had some to test, so we tested it. The Vapor Pack is a Mocha, so if you are craving that sweeter cup of coffee on the mountain, these things are addicting! All I can say is don’t let your kids find them or you likely won’t have any left for the trail! We didn’t think they were too sweet, but had a great balance with plenty of flavor. If a flavored mocha isn’t your thing, I’ll bet there will be someone in camp that would gladly take these off your hands!
- Price: $10 (8 packets)
Use the Dark Timber Coffee Coupon Code “DTC10” for 10% your order(new customers)
Starbucks VIA (Pike Place) Review
One can’t do an instant coffee review without tasting Starbucks VIA. For some time Starbucks VIA was one of the best backpacking coffee options out there, but times have changed and there are a ton of options now! While some love the Starbucks VIA, others would say it’s just too bitter. I will say this, it is some bitter and acidic coffee. If you like bitter and acidic instant coffee, pick up a box of Starbucks VIA. Otherwise, steer clear of this one. If you like to put creamer in your coffee, that of course will counter act that acidic and bitter flavor.
One nice thing with VIA is that you get a ton of roast options with Starbucks VIA, and Starbucks does roast their own coffee as well.
- 100% Arabica
- Roasted by Starbucks
- Very bitter and acidic
- A bit weak
- Flavor: 2 / 5 stars
- Price: $5.42 (8 packets)
First Ascent Instant Coffee Review – Best Backpacking Coffee
First Ascent Coffee was a last minute add on to this review, and I’m so glad we were able to add it! This turned out to be one of the best backpacking coffee options we tested (in our humble opinion). We were able to test both the “Hero Day” blend as well as the dark “Ethiopia” blend. First Ascent roasts their own coffee right there is Crested Butte, Colorado. You aren’t getting repackaged coffee with First Ascent and we could all taste the difference. Here are our thoughts on each of them.
First Ascent Ethiopia Blend Coffee Review
The First Ascent Ethiopia blend was hands down the most unique tasting coffee we tested, but certainly made its mark among some of the best backpacking coffee we tested. It was really really unique, and one I want to try again. None of use were quite sure if the unique flavor would grown on us after several days in the backcountry, or if it would get old, but we all wanted to try it again. If you aren’t looking for just a regular old cup of coffee, definitely give the First Ascent Ethiopia blend a shot. It is a very intriguing cup of coffee.
- 100% Arabica
- Dark Roast
- Smooth, unique flavor
- Not bittter
- Flavor: 4 / 5 stars
- Price: $19.99 (8 packets)
First Ascent Hero Day Blend Coffee Review
The First Ascent coffee Hero Day Blend was one of the favorite coffees we tested while looking for the best backpacking coffee and, for our crew, one of the two best backpacking coffee flavors we tested. Extremely smooth, well balanced, not acidic, and a slightly unique, but not overpowering flavor really made the Hero Day Blend stand out among the rest. All that tested this agreed, this was some of the best backpacking coffee we tried.
- 100% Arabica
- Medium Roast
- Extremely smooth and balanced
- Not bitter
- Slightly unique flavor
- 5 \ 5 Stars
- Price: $19.99 (8 packets)
High Side Coffee Review – Best Backpacking Coffee
High Side Coffee is a coffee that I’d not heard of prior to tasting it for this best backpacking coffee review, and found that it offers some great flavors and each of the three roast options give you a distinct taste. I found that, if you like a strong cup of coffee, makes sure you don’t add more than the recommended 8 ounces (or use two bags) or it’ll be a bit on the weak side (I made that mistake on the first cup).
High Side Coffee Review: Light Roast
I’ve never really been a huge fan of light roast coffee, but hey, I’m always up to try a new roast! This light roast has a good flavor, not acidic, and features a slightly citrus and smooth unique flavor. While I still prefer the bold, rich flavor of a good dark roast, this pretty good for a light roast coffee (obviously my persona preference comes out here).
- Guatemalan Coffee
- Medium Roast
- Smooth and balanced
- Not bitter
- Slightly unique citrus flavor
- 3 \ 5 Stars
- Price: $12.00 (7 packets)
High Side Coffee Review: Medium Roast
This medium roast coffee has a unique flavor featuring a chocolaty note with a hint of caramel and citrus flavors. Again, I’d like this to be a touch stronger, but the flavor is good. You do get a nice full flavor, and for me, I’d elect to either add less water or a second bag. Good coffee though.
- Guatemalan Coffee
- Medium Roast
- Extremely smooth and balanced
- Not bitter
- Full flavor profile
- 3.5 \ 5 Stars
- Price: $12.00 (7 packets)
High Side Coffee Review: Dark Roast
I found the dark roast to give you a nice smooth, full flavor that is chocolaty, nutty, and full bodied. I again thought it could have been a touch stronger and darker, but as I mentioned above, I like a really strong and dark cup of coffee, so this will likely be perfect for a lot of folks. Like the light and medium roasts, if you want a really strong cup of coffee, just add less water or put in a second bag.
- Guatemalan Coffee
- Dark Roast
- Smooth and balanced flavor
- Not bitter
- Unique Robust, full flavor
- 3.5 \ 5 Stars
- Price: $12.00 (7 packets)
Best Backpacking Coffee Review Conclusion
At the end of the day, we’d all be stoked to take any of these coffees with us on the trail (save for maybe the Starbucks VIA). Tasting these side by side for this best backpacking coffee review, all straight black really brings out the differences between them. Coffee is very much a personal preference drink, so what make for the best backpacking coffee for you? Try a few and find what you like best!
Make sure you go check out our Backpacking Food Reviews where test out a ton of backcountry meals:
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