GSI Outdoors Javapress and Infinity Mug Review

by Niels Oomkes · Published April 6, 2015 , 8:54 am · Updated July 25, 2023 , 6:56 am

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GSI Outdoors Javapress

The GSI Outdoors JavaPress and Infinity Backpacker Mug Introduction

Good quality coffee on the go or in the great outdoors doesn’t have to be difficult. And quite frankly, depending on your level of coffee dependence or snobbishness, a really excellent cup is an easy thing to do with the GSI Outdoors JavaPress and Infinity Backpacker Mug. I will pass on a bad cup of coffee, so I suppose that puts me on the snobbishness side of things. Being able to enjoy a good cup of coffee will be something I can take great pleasure in.

Features of the GSI Outdoors Javapress

I have the 30 Oz. version, and it is plenty for me and my wife on our excursions. They do also have a 50 oz. option great for a larger group. This one is has served us quite well as it is fairly lightweight at 10.3 oz. It measures in at 4.5” x 4.2” x 7.7”. I assume the extra .3 on the one side is for the handle as it is a round cylinder.

The BPA Free Carafe is supposed to be shatterproof, and I will just have to take their word for that one. I don’t want to tamper, alter, or attempt to test that feature, because I do want to get some more use out of it. It appears like it will stand up to the rigors of travel and car camping. I schlepped it around on a 10 day trip, and carried it in a backpack onto the plane, took it to the beach, and for a picnic on the Washington DC National Mall. The real test was a several mile hike to a hut for a weekend camping trip in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Not quite backcountry roughing it, but still the GSI Outdoors Javapress endured and prevailed.

GSI Outdoors Javapress silicone ringer plunger.

The silicone ringer plunger provides for a nice and tight fit, as you push down those grinds. I did have to go with a smaller grind a few times due to availability, and for the most part the coffee did not filter through. There was a slight residue at the bottom of my cup, but not enough to cause any concern.

The rubber bottom prevents slippage. Nice and simple and keeps your Press in place which definitely helps with uneven camping tables or make-shift rock side tables.

Ballistic cloth does sound bullet proof, but it’s aptly named because it has a high R-value insulated foam that serves as the cozy or outer barrier. The double walled insulation keeps your beverage warm, and I’d say under normal room temperatures it was good enough to drink for up to an hour or so. This is obviously not a super fancy heavy duty stainless steel version (see review here for the GSI Stainless Steel JavaPress). It will however, keep your coffee warm long enough for all the sleepy heads to poke their heads out of their sleeping bags with the strong and powerful coffee aroma (it could also have been my banging of pots as I was working on pancakes for breakfast).

The plastic is lightweight, and with the insulation layer allows it to stand up to some abuse that is bound to happen on your travels or camping.

GSI Outdoors Javapress Handle

The strap: I haven’t quite made up my mind about this. It’s good in that it folds flat for storage in your pack or in your box of kitchen camp ware. At first, I wasn’t too impressed with its ability to actually be used as a handle to pour, as I simply grabbed the entire cylinder. Then, it slipped out of my hands, and I spilled my precious coffee. Hence, I am now giving the handle some more practice, and am alright with it now.

GSI Outdoors Infinity Backpacker Mug

Features of the GSI Outdoors Infinity Backpacker Mug

The GSI Outdoors Infinity Backpacker Mug has all the features and qualities of the JavaPress except for the fact that it is on the receiving end of the coffee pouring process. Again, the insulation keeps it warm long enough for enjoyment, but don’t expect a piping hot sip after 15 minutes. A good versatile cup for when you are out on a camping or backcountry trip.

Made of durable, non-leaching, 100% recyclable, clear Infinity polypropylene, this 17-oz. mug comes with an insulated sleeve to keep liquids hot or cold. It’s slightly on the larger side for my personal coffee preference, but I suppose it’s ability to handle tea, hot chocolate, soups, or water makes it a good size. The dimensions are 4”x3.6”x4.6”. It does have the sealable lid with a rubber valve to keep from spilling.

GSI Outdoors Infinity Backpacker Mug drinking nozzle

Coffee in the great outdoors just tastes better.

There are folks out there that camp pretty much anytime. I have a family, and can’t really expose my little ones to conditions that are too extreme. The first family car camping trip is planned for early June, and I’m sure these will both come to great use.

A late March hut trip on the other hand was the perfect ‘testing’ ground for my new GSI Outdoors Java collection. A rudimentary fire pit provided a wonderful opportunity for sitting around the fire at night to do some amazing stargazing. In addition, we are able to roast wienies, smores, and warm up alongside a hot cup of coffee from the GSI Outdoors Javapress.

GSI Outdoors Javapress – on the beach

I like my own coffee, especially fresh brewed French Press! A Spring Break trip to the nation’s Capital with little ones in tow gave me an idea. I will bring my GSI outdoors Java Press with me. It’s a small enough cylinder, and the “press” part unscrews so I was able to place some freshly ground coffee inside(coarsely ground of course). It also weighs next to nothing. All I need now is some not quite boiling water. The boiling temperature for water is 212 degrees Fahrenheit, and based on some recommendations by folks who are REALLY into their coffee, 195 degrees is the perfect temperature for a perfect French Press Cup O’ Joe.

Another reason for bringing the JavaPress is that I am always looking on the frugal side of things. Ok, call me cheap, but I just haven’t bought into the StarBucks craze and at 2 dollars a pop or more, I’m buying myself a new bike this year with all the savings.

Dried out hotel pod coffee no more. I did use the machine to provide hot water though.

Hot water is usually free, or something you can make in your Hotel room, so I wasn’t too worried about that.

Final Thoughts on the GSI Outdoors Javapress and Infinity Backpacker Mug

If you are even thinking about a trip to the great outdoors, and you need that morning cup o’ Joe, then these two items will be a very welcome addition to your pack or car camping experience. Lightweight, durable, versatile, and they get the job done.

GSI Outdoors Javapress -MSRP: $29.95

GSI Outdoors Infinity Backpacker Mug – MSRP: $9.95

For more info on these and other GSI products, visit www.rei.com/gsioutdoors or www.amazon.com/gsi.