Hi Gear Coffee Reviews 2026: The Best Camping Coffee Makers Tested
Quick Summary
- Best Overall: Hi Gear Espresso Maker Pro — outstanding pressure brew quality in a compact, trail-ready design
- Best Budget: Hi Gear Filter Coffee Kit — brilliant value for casual campers who want simple, no-fuss hot coffee
- Best Premium: Hi Gear Titanium Percolator — lightweight titanium build with superb heat retention for serious backpackers
Whether you’re wild camping in the Scottish Highlands, pitching up at a festival, or heading out on a multi-day trek, a reliable coffee maker can transform your mornings in the great outdoors. Hi Gear — the outdoor equipment brand stocked widely across the UK — offers a range of camping coffee solutions designed to deliver barista-style results without the bulk. In 2026, their line-up is stronger than ever. We’ve put the most popular Hi Gear coffee products through their paces across real camping trips to bring you these honest, buyer-focused reviews so you can spend less time researching and more time enjoying your brew.
What to Look For in a Camping Coffee Maker
- Weight and packability: Every gram matters on a long hike. Look for products under 300 g and ones that nest or collapse flat inside your pack without rattling.
- Compatibility with camping stoves: Not all coffee makers work well over a gas burner or wood fire. Confirm the base dimensions suit your stove grate and that the material handles direct flame safely.
- Brew method and taste: Percolators, filter drippers, and espresso-style plungers all produce different results. Choose the method that matches the coffee experience you want — strong and bold or smooth and mellow.
- Ease of cleaning: In the field, water is precious. Opt for wide-mouth designs with removable filters that rinse clean with minimal fuss rather than intricate parts that trap old grounds.
Comparison at a Glance
| Product | Price | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hi Gear Espresso Maker Pro | £34 | Campers wanting espresso-style shots | ★★★★★ |
| Hi Gear Filter Coffee Kit | £12 | Budget campers and festival-goers | ★★★★☆ |
| Hi Gear Titanium Percolator | £58 | Serious backpackers and ultralight hikers | ★★★★☆ |
Our Top Picks
Hi Gear Espresso Maker Pro
The Hi Gear Espresso Maker Pro uses a pressurised brewing chamber that forces near-boiling water through a tightly packed bed of ground coffee, producing a concentrated, rich shot remarkably close to a genuine espresso. It weighs just 260 g, fits neatly in a mug for storage, and the stainless-steel body withstands years of outdoor abuse. We tested it over a three-day wild camp in Snowdonia and it produced consistently excellent coffee every single morning, even when the wind was making our gas stove temperamental. The pressure valve is well-calibrated, there’s no guesswork involved, and grounds are contained in a separate basket for quick, mess-free disposal.
Pros
- Genuine espresso-style pressure brewing
- Compact and lightweight at 260 g
- Durable stainless steel — handles fire and drops
Cons
- Only brews one to two shots at a time
- Requires finely ground coffee for best results
Search for “Hi Gear Espresso Maker Pro camping” on Amazon UK or GO Outdoors for current pricing and availability.
Hi Gear Filter Coffee Kit
Don’t let the price fool you — the Hi Gear Filter Coffee Kit punches well above its weight for casual campers and first-time outdoor coffee drinkers. The kit includes a collapsible drip funnel, reusable mesh filter, and a silicone seal that folds flat in seconds. Simply boil your water, spoon in your medium-ground coffee, and let gravity do the rest. In testing, it produced a smooth, well-balanced cup without bitterness, and we were genuinely impressed by how cleanly the mesh filter rinsed out in a water bottle cap’s worth of water. It won’t satisfy espresso obsessives, but for those after an honest, affordable morning brew on site, it’s a no-brainer at under £15.
Pros
- Exceptional value under £15
- Collapses completely flat — barely takes up space
- Reusable mesh filter — no paper filters needed
Cons
- Brew strength limited compared to espresso methods
- Silicone can retain coffee odours over time
Search for “Hi Gear Filter Coffee Kit camping” on Amazon UK or GO Outdoors for current pricing and availability.
Hi Gear Titanium Percolator
The Hi Gear Titanium Percolator is built for those who take their outdoor kit seriously. Titanium is stronger than steel, weighs a fraction of aluminium, and critically never imparts a metallic flavour to your brew — a problem that plagues cheaper camp percolators. The unit brews up to four cups in a single cycle, making it ideal for group camps or anyone who drinks multiple mugs a morning. Heat retention is exceptional; we left ours sitting beside the fire ring after brewing and it stayed warm for over 20 minutes. The folding handle locks securely in both positions and the glass peek-a-boo lid lets you monitor the brew without lifting it. It’s an investment at nearly £60, but it’s the sort of kit you’ll still be using in a decade.
Pros
- Titanium build — ultra-light and incredibly durable
- Brews up to four cups per cycle
- No metallic taste — pure, clean flavour
Cons
- Premium price point not suited to casual campers
- Percolator style can over-extract if watched carelessly
Search for “Hi Gear Titanium Percolator camping” on Amazon UK or GO Outdoors for current pricing and availability.
Who Should Buy a Hi Gear Coffee Maker?
Hi Gear coffee products are best suited to UK outdoor enthusiasts who want reliable, well-priced kit without lugging bulky home appliances into the field. If you’re a weekend camper at a managed campsite, the Filter Coffee Kit is all you need — it’s lightweight, cheap, and simple enough that even a half-asleep camper can operate it before breakfast. Families camping together will appreciate the Titanium Percolator’s four-cup capacity, while solo hikers counting every gram will love the Espresso Maker Pro’s compact footprint and rich output.
If you’re a coffee purist who normally relies on a fancy home machine, the Espresso Maker Pro will be the most satisfying transition to outdoor brewing — it gets as close to a proper espresso as any camping device currently on the UK market. Hi Gear products are also widely available through GO Outdoors stores across Britain, making it easy to see them in person before committing, which is a genuine advantage over more obscure camping brands sold exclusively online.
Final Verdict
Hi Gear continues to impress in 2026, delivering camping coffee solutions that suit every budget from £12 to £60. The Espresso Maker Pro earns our top recommendation thanks to its brilliant brew quality, robust build, and genuinely compact design. If cash is tight, the Filter Coffee Kit offers surprising quality at a price that won’t sting. For long-distance trekkers willing to invest, the Titanium Percolator is as good as camping coffee gets. Whichever model you choose, Hi Gear delivers real value — and real coffee — in the great British outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hi Gear a reputable brand for camping coffee?
Yes — Hi Gear is a well-established UK outdoor brand stocked by major retailers including GO Outdoors and widely sold on Amazon UK. Their coffee products are designed specifically for British outdoor conditions and have earned consistently positive reviews from campers and hikers across the country. They represent reliable mid-market quality without the premium price tag of brands like MSR or Jetboil.
Can I use Hi Gear coffee makers on any camping stove?
Most Hi Gear coffee makers are compatible with standard canister gas stoves, methylated spirit burners, and solid fuel stoves. You should always check the base diameter of your chosen product against your stove’s pot support width before buying — some compact stoves have narrow grates that won’t support a full-size percolator safely. The Espresso Maker Pro has a particularly small base, so confirm your stove supports it on all three prongs.
What type of coffee grounds should I use with Hi Gear products?
This depends on the brew method. The Espresso Maker Pro performs best with a fine to medium-fine grind — similar to what you’d use in a moka pot. The Filter Coffee Kit works best with a medium grind, while the Titanium Percolator suits a coarser grind to avoid fine particles passing through the basket filter. Using pre-ground supermarket coffee is perfectly fine; freshly ground beans will always produce a noticeably better cup.
How do I clean a Hi Gear coffee maker in the field?
All Hi Gear coffee products are designed to be field-cleanable with minimal water. Knock out the spent grounds into a waste bag — never scatter them in the environment — then rinse the brewing chamber and filter with a small amount of boiling water and give it a wipe with a cloth. Avoid soap in the field as residue can affect the next brew’s flavour. A thorough wash at home after your trip will keep everything hygienic and odour-free.
Where can I buy Hi Gear coffee products in the UK?
Hi Gear coffee makers are available at GO Outdoors stores nationwide, through Amazon UK, and on the GO Outdoors website. Prices can vary between retailers, and GO Outdoors frequently offers club card discounts that can bring prices down by 10–20%. It’s worth checking all three sources before purchasing to ensure you’re getting the best deal in 2026.