A bag built around the 9Barista

The 9Barista is a compact stovetop espresso machine that brews at 9 bar without electricity, and it works on gas, electric and ceramic hobs as well as portable gas burners. That makes it one of the few ways to brew proper espresso at a campsite, but it is also a dense metal machine that is better off not rattling around loose in a backpack. The Nomadic Travel Bag gives it a padded compartment of its own, with separate spaces for the heat transfer plate, tamper and other small accessories, plus room for a hand grinder. 9Barista sells the bag in its own outdoor bundle with the current Mk.2 machine.

How it carries

The roll-top closure means the bag sits snug whether it is packed full or only holds the machine. Three mounting points on the back let you strap it to a backpack or a bicycle pannier rack, or you can carry it on its own. The external hardware is anodised aluminium and the zips are from YKK.

Weather and cleaning

The cotton canvas is treated with a hydrophobic coating, which makes it water-repellent. That handles rain showers on a hike, but water-repellent is not the same as waterproof, so avoid leaving the bag in standing water or submerging it. The padded dividers are removable, which makes it easier to shake out coffee grounds and wipe the inside clean after a trip.

Choosing a grinder to bring along

Espresso needs a much finer and more precise grind than moka pot or pour-over coffee, so the grinder you pack matters as much as the machine. A hand grinder with small adjustment steps, such as the 1Zpresso X-Ultra, covers both espresso and filter brewing, and its folding handle makes it easier to pack.

Specifications

What’s in the box

• 9Barista Nomadic Travel Bag with removable padded dividers

The espresso machine, grinder and accessories shown in the photos are not included.