Review: VSSL Nest Pour-Over Coffee Kit

We're all spoiled rotten these days, what with our high-performance gear, cushy sleep pads, lightweight shelters, and warm & waterproof clothing. The latest upgrade to our increasingly luxurious outdoor experience comes in the kitchen, with all manner of fancy-schmancy cookware, premium dehydrated meals, and, more recently, a whole suite of coffee-making equipment, the latest of which is the Nest Pour-Over Coffee Kit from VSSL. (I'm not complaining, mind you; just pointing out how very fortunate we are, compared to the Indians, mountain men, and settlers who preceded us, all of whom had to deal with rudimentary tools to get the job done. We inherited a safer outdoors and we get to enjoy it in comfort—so maybe tip the ol' hat to our forbears once in a while.)

The strength of the Nest system is in its compact, self-contained structure. It's like a Jetboil for your morning wake-up call: everything tucks inside or screws together, so there's no muss, no fuss. It sits tight in your pack, and although lightweight, it's also solid, so no worries about it getting smashed. The double-wall construction keeps your coffee hot, and a second cup means your campmate gets the same delicious cup o' joe as you, at the same time. On top of all that, it's safe—BPA free, food-grade, etc.—and made from recycled materials.

So, say sayonara to gas-station-quality sludge, and hello to coffee that's as good as you'd make at home, even when you're deep in the wilderness—and don't forget to raise your mug to those sorry souls who had to carry heavy pots, drink instant coffee, and otherwise suffer deprivations that our generation does not. And if you really wanna get lavish out there, pick up the companion Java G25 Coffee Grinder, for beans as fresh as the alpine wind.

$75 for the pour-over kit, $160 for the grinder; vsslgear.com.