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GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip Review

A great ultralight backpacking option, as long as you pour carefully and aren't too rough with the contents of your pack.
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Price:  $10 List | $9.95 at REI
Compare prices at 3 resellers
Pros:  No filter needed, tiny and light
Cons:  Must pour carefully for bold flavor, delicate clips
Manufacturer:   GSI Outdoors
By Penney Garrett and Chris McNamara  ⋅  Nov 20, 2018
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66
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#13 of 17
  • Taste - 40% 7
  • Ease of Use - 25% 5
  • Group Cooking - 15% 5
  • Portability - 10% 9
  • Weight - 10% 9

Our Verdict

The GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip was the most compact camping coffee option we tested. It also tied with the almost as tiny Primula Single Serve Coffee Brew Buddy as one of the lightest. Just a bit lighter was the MSR MugMate — 0.7 ounces alone or an even 1.0 ounce with its lid/trivet. We preferred the Primula overall, our Top Pick for Backpacking, because it was the easiest to use and clean, but liked that the GSI sits above your vessel while brewing instead of requiring you to lift it out of the cup to avoid steeping.

While we found the flavor from the Ultralight Java Drip to be just fine, our Editors' Choice Hario V60 fared better all around. We also liked the Cafellissimo Paperless Pour Over for a non-plastic filter-free option.


Compare to Similar Products

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Awards  Editors' Choice Award Best Buy Award Top Pick Award  
Price $9.95 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers		$8.16 at Amazon$6.13 at Amazon$6.92 at Amazon$16.95 at REI
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Pros No filter needed, tiny and lightGourmet flavor, well-conceived design, ceramic version available for home useLight, simple, affordable, design allows you to see level of coffee while brewingNo filter needed, tiny and light, consistently good tasteLightweight, easy to use and clean, durable, no waste, can use for tea
Cons Must pour carefully for bold flavor, delicate clipsSpecial shaped filters are harder to find, expensive for a plastic dripper, heavier than other brandsNot as refined of a flavor as a V60, bulkyMust lift filter out of most cups to avoid steeping, poor for large groupDidn't produce the best flavor, difficult to control extraction
Bottom Line A great ultralight backpacking option, as long as you pour carefully and aren't too rough with the contents of your pack.The iconic pour over model in a light plastic package, delivering a consistently great flavor.The Melitta Ready Set Joe is a very light and inexpensive pour over option that provides solid taste and stellar value.The best option for light travel and backpacking, this savvy brewer will keep you caffeinated without taking up space in your bag.This simple and durable filter is easy to use, produces a decent cup of Joe, and can also be used for tea.
Rating Categories Ultralight Java Drip Hario V60 Plastic Dripper Melitta Ready Set Joe Cone Single Serve Coffee Brew Buddy MSR MugMate
Taste (40%)
10
0
7
10
0
9
10
0
7
10
0
7
10
0
7
Ease Of Use (25%)
10
0
5
10
0
9
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
8
Group Cooking (15%)
10
0
5
10
0
7
10
0
7
10
0
5
10
0
5
Portability (10%)
10
0
9
10
0
7
10
0
7
10
0
9
10
0
8
Weight (10%)
10
0
9
10
0
7
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
9
Specs Ultralight Java Drip Hario V60 Plastic... Melitta Ready Set... Single Serve... MSR MugMate
Weight 1.1 oz dripper alone: 2.95 oz, dripper + scoop: 3.37 oz 2.01 oz 1.1 oz 1.0 oz with lid/coaster, 0.7 oz for just filter portion
Brew Type Pour Over Pour Over Pour Over Pour Over Filter
Main Material Nylon filter Hard plastic Hard plastic Nylon filter Nylon/Stainless steel
Filter needed? No Yes Yes No No
Notable Features Collapsible to fit under fuel canister Cone shape, large hole, ribs along side Can see cup without lifting dripper Rests on any mug Can be used for coffee or tea, compact
Notes Not sturdy Makes strong, smooth coffee Coffee is weaker than with the Hario dripper Filter hangs in coffee for most cups Super simple and versatile but need to have the right-sized vessel for it to rest on

Our Analysis and Test Results

If space is at a minimum and you're counting every ounce in your pack, the GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip is a solid option. At just 1.1 ounces, this dripper is so compact it will nestle under a fuel canister.

Performance Comparison


The GSI Ultralight was the most portable filter we tested. Just fold the little plastic legs and this fits under a fuel canister.
The GSI Ultralight was the most portable filter we tested. Just fold the little plastic legs and this fits under a fuel canister.

Brew Features


This is a nylon filter supported by three light plastic legs. The clips are a little delicate, and you need to be careful to avoid spilling the filter, but the whole dripper weighs less than half an ounce without it's included cup and just 1.1 ounces with it.

Taste


This filter can produce great taste, but it requires a careful and slow pour. Add water too fast, and the coffee is weak. When we used a gooseneck kettle, it was easy to offer a precise pour and achieve a good flavor, but out of a JetBoil, it was much harder.

Be careful how you pour into the Ultralight Java Drip - if you get impatient you might end up with a weak sub-par cup.
Be careful how you pour into the Ultralight Java Drip - if you get impatient you might end up with a weak sub-par cup.

Ease of Use


The Java Drip is relatively easy to use but, like all filterless cones, it requires a bit of cleaning after each use. This one takes more cleaning than the Primula because there is more surface area. You also need to have the right cup to make sure the legs attach securely. If the rim of the cup is too thick, it's hard to attach the legs. Or if they do attach, they are not as stable when holding a lot of water. While we appreciate the compactness and diminutive weight of this brewer, we also find it rather finicky and don't recommend it if weight is not your primary concern.

While cleaning this nylon filter is straightforward it does require more water than other models because of a larger surface area.
While cleaning this nylon filter is straightforward, it does require more water than other models because of a larger surface area.

Group Cooking


The Ultralight Java Drip was so-so for group cooking. With a secure attachment, you can load up the filter with grounds and pour enough for 2-3 people. However, if your mug or carafe doesn't securely attach to the filter, it will tip over. Overall, this is best for 1-2 cups at a time. It also takes a little time to attach and detach to cups between uses.

Portability


This was by far the most portable filter in our tests. Once you fold in the legs, the filter is small enough to fit under any fuel canister. The legs are a little delicate, so you have to be extra careful with packing it, but for those that need small and light, look no further.

Weight


At 1.1 ounces, the Java Drip tied with the Primula and was just a little heavier than the MugMate. However, its weight includes a little cup, something the other two do not. That said, we ended up using more coffee in the GSI to get the same taste as the Primula. You'll have to decide what features are the most important to prioritize for your adventures.


Conclusion


If every fraction of an ounce is crucial for your set-up, then the GSI Ultralight Java Drip will be a serious contender for your dollars. This brewer is extremely light and is the most compact in our test suite, though that also meant it was the most delicate and a bit finicky to use.

Some of our top pour over brewers left to right: Primula GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip and the Hario V60.
Some of our top pour over brewers, left to right: Primula, GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip, and the Hario V60.


— Penney Garrett and Chris McNamara