The GSI Collapsible Java Drip is a truly camp-ready brewing device — packable, lightweight, and durable, this pour-over brewer will keep you caffeinated with ease in the backcountry.
Performance Comparison
Due to the round shape of the Java Drip, it works best with a basket style filter, though none of the filters we tried fit perfectly.
Brew Features
The Collapsible Java Drip is a standard pour-over coffee brewer. It uses a #4 coffee filter, though a #2 filter works as well, and can brew anywhere from 1-12 cups of coffee at a time. This flexibility gives it a higher capacity than many of the other coffee makers in this review, which is an advantage for group camping.
Taste
The taste from the Collapsible Java Drip is not as rich or pure as from other pour-over brewers in our review. This is likely due to its bowl-like shape, which allows pooling at the edges and, ultimately, over-extraction. Or it could be because the hot coffee comes in contact with soft silicone as it brews. A faint scent can be detected from the silicone when it is under hot water and while brewing, which is unappetizing. However, it still makes good coffee in the outdoors, so you don't have to (gasp!) consider abstaining.
Luke Lydiard making a backcountry morning brew with the GSI Collapsible Java Drip and the MSR Reactor. Since this is one of the most portable coffee makers, it is conducive to bringing along on backpacking trips.
Ease of Use
The Java Drip is as simple as any pour-over coffee maker. It involves inserting a filter, adding coffee, and pouring in water. An additional aspect about this brewer that we love is that the wide base allows you to brew sturdily atop a more diverse assortment of pots and cups. The silicone material is also a breeze to clean, and the collapsible design means getting packed up and back on the trail is a cinch.
The wide base of the Java Drip fits on the Fair Share camping cup where the other drip style's do not.
Group Cooking
While this dripper may not look like a good candidate for larger groups, it's made to serve up to 12 cups at a time by simply filling the cone with more grounds. This doesn't always provide the best flavor, so you may prefer to do fewer cups at a time and repeat. But if you're in a hurry or filters are scarce, go ahead and load up.
The Hario V60 and the Collapsible Java Drip go head to head in our taste tests. The V60 brews a better-tasting cup, but the Java Drip can make a larger amount all at once.
Portability
Though the Java Drip doesn't provide as refined a flavor as the AeroPress or V60, it is a well thought out design with ideal features for camping or backpacking. The silicone cone collapses down into a disc that is not quite an inch thick and just 5 inches across. This can slide into a backpack and cram into a small space much easier than rigid cones like the V60 or delicate ultralight drippers like the GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip.
GSI Collapsible Java Drip and the MSR Reactor in action in the backcountry. Though it is not the lightest, it is the most packable.
Weight
This coffee maker is the most portable and packable of any that we reviewed, though it isn't the lightest. Even though it packs small, it still weighs 4.76 ounces, over twice as much as the Melitta 1-Cup Pour-Over and over six times more than the MSR MugMate. While 4.76 ounces isn't much, it could certainly discourage an ultralight backpacker. Keep in mind that it can be lightened slightly by leaving the cover behind and just bringing the cone, though remember you will also need filters.
Our top recommendation for backpacking is the Primula Coffee Brew Buddy because it's ultralight, packs down flat, and doesn't require a filter.
Value
This dripper is very affordable, especially when you consider the capacity it has. You can brew a little or a lot with this silicone device, just keep in mind that you'll also need to purchase filters.
Conclusion
We love the ease of use, packability, and capacity of the GSI Collapsible Java Drip. The small profile means it's great for the space-minded adventurer, and the number of cups it's able to brew at once makes it great for group outings. It can be collapsed and tossed into your camp box along with your headlamp, camp-stove, and tent stakes, and will be ready to use whenever you head out for the weekend. (Everyone has a box like this, right?)
The Java Drip providing delicious, precious caffeine in the High Sierras.
