Starting with the presumption that coffee on the trail is not optional and given that I've hauled every conceivable form of coffee and coffee device (okay, except the handpresso), Via is the current best-of-show.

Competetion being what it is, now that S-bux has taken it national others will follow with drinkable instants. I'll go out on this here skinny limb and predict that by next hiking season we'll have at least one more drinkable option. The remaining question is whether S-bux will see fit to expand Via's "flavor" selection or packaging alternatives. I'd of course like a larger, dosing container but don't know whether it can be kept fresh that way.

Cheers,