Conclusion

Of course, different people have varying preferences when it comes to coffee. Some will accept nothing less than the very closest to espresso they can get – and in that case the Wacaco Picopresso is a forgone conclusion. Moka pots have their own evangelists – and not only for the taste, but also for the simplicity by which that brew is obtained (just four separate parts, in contrast to the Picopresso’s 14). For others, the GSI’S Mini Espresso Set will win the day. On the other hand, if a pour-over system with a reusable metal filter is your ideal, the Stanley Classic Perfect-brew Pour Over is just the job. In combination with a coffee ground tin which fits the funnel precisely – the 500ml Elephant Box – it’s an impressively compact setup for a single person (although less so if you’re brewing for two). As I rarely go bikepacking alone, the coffee maker I’ve been most impressed by is the Soto Helix. Super simple and with a stainless steel construction which looks set to last better than plastic, it ticks all my boxes and has the potential to be the smallest and neatest pack. Therein lies the rub: ‘potential’. I was left to bodge a job with plastic bags when it came to carrying the filters and the cups. So for anyone wanting a system that Just Works, the Aeropress GO takes the crown. The latter packs neatly away in its own integrated cup and, in combination with a thermos flask with a generous lid, is a very compact solution when brewing for two. I have my reservations about the plastic construction and the number of parts compared to the Helix Soto, but it’s the Aeropress GO which I still reach for when travelling – and that says it all.