Everyday luxury in the wild – the Comandante X25 Trailmaster aims to be the perfect outdoor coffee grinder: robust, lightweight, and with the grind quality of their iconic C40 model. But is this downsized, plastic-clad C40 worth it? Can it handle the rigours of outdoor life, yet still match the grind quality of its premium sibling?

Comandante X25 Trailmaster (Dune) | Weight 416 g | Dimensions 200 x 160 x 50 mm (H x W x D) | Packed Size 165 x 110 mm (H x W) | Capacity ~ 30 g coffee beans | Price € 191,60 (RRP) | Manufacturer’s Website

Coffee culture under the open sky – the Comandante X25 Trailmaster is designed for outdoor enthusiasts who refuse to compromise on great coffee, no matter how remote the location. Made in Bavaria, this grinder promises to combine outdoor durability with the premium grind quality of the C40 Nitro Blade – Comandante’s flagship model. The Trailmaster claims to deliver the same grind performance and adjustability as its bigger sibling, just in a more compact form. The key difference? Its housing is made from a special reinforced techno-polymer – lightweight, tough, and built for travel. Sounds like the perfect companion for camping and adventure. But is a plastic grinder really worth € 199? Can the Trailmaster really master both urban barista style and rugged outdoor practicality?

This article is part of our Coffee Special, full of product tests, exciting insights and some valuable new perspectives on coffee. Curious? Then click here!

Put to the Test: How Good is the Comandante X25 Trailmaster?

To real coffee connoisseurs, Comandante grinders need no introduction. The brand is one of the most popular in the speciality coffee scene worldwide. According to coffee enthusiasts and professional baristas, these hand grinders from Unterhaching, Bavaria, extract flavours from the beans like almost no other. The secret? A highly precise, neutral stainless steel burr. This “Nitro Blade” burr is built into all Comandante models, including the X25 Trailmaster, which we tested.

All the more reason to ask: What can this outdoor grinder do that the classic Comandante C40 can’t? The benefits of its sleek polymer housing are obvious, making the X25 Trailmaster particularly appealing for outdoors enthusiasts. Unlike the C40’s popular wooden version, this polymer body is tougher and more resistant to the elements. It’s water-resistant too – perfect for kayak trips or beachside coffee breaks, where a few splashes won’t hurt. Even extreme temperature shifts aren’t a problem.

At 416 g, the X25 is about a third lighter than the C40 with a wooden body – great news for anyone who values lightweight gear on the go. Plus, it’s noticeably more compact. Designed for outdoor use, the Trailmaster has been slimmed down: 200 × 160 × 50 mm (H × W × D) with the handle attached, packing down to 165 × 110 mm (H × W).

Despite its smaller size, it still holds around 30 g of coffee beans – enough for half a litre of filter coffee, the usual 18 g for an espresso machine, or 17 g for a 3-cup Moka pot. For comparison, the C40 MK4 holds 40 to 50 g of beans.

Catch cup as a filling aid – so the beans end up where they should.
From fine to coarse – the grind setting symbols are intuitive.

Anyone who doesn’t want to toss the Comandante X25 Trailmaster loosely into their travel gear or camper will soon be able to store it in Toolbag #3 – a sturdy cotton pouch currently in development. It’s roomy enough for the grinder plus extra coffee gear like a scale or cleaning tools. You can even stash a few beans inside.

Using the X25 is just as straightforward as the C40. A clear diagram in the manual and symbols above the grinder head make the 40-step grind adjustment intuitive, despite the many possible clicks. The wide adjustment range covers everything from Turkish coffee to cold brew. Espresso enthusiasts can also upgrade the X25 with the Red Clix axle, which doubles the adjustment precision for even finer tuning.

Yes, of course – as you can see above, the X25 also comes with a catch cup.

The crank knob – turned from European oak and then oiled – is the same as on the C40. It feels great in the hand, and is longer than on many other hand grinders. The benefit? Better leverage, meaning less effort when grinding.

Design-wise, this Comandante grinder has strayed a bit from the iconic, minimalist look of the C40. But with its polygonal, sand-colored body, the Trailmaster is still an eye-catcher. While the aesthetics hold up, the feel is a different story. In testing, the X25 feels exactly like what it is – plastic. It’s a stark contrast to the smooth wood or premium stainless steel of a C40 MK4, and not for everyone.

The embossed Comandante logos on the sides stand out quite a bit. On the plus side, they provide extra grip, keeping the grinder from slipping in during use. On the downside, the raised lettering can press uncomfortably into the palm.

The outdoor version of the Comandante grinder, the X25 Trailmaster, impresses in testing with precision …
…delivering the perfect grind sizes for any coffee drink…
… even out in the wild.

Do you Really Need this Grinder?

The Trailmaster is less suited for purists who love the refined feel of the C40’s wood-and-metal combo. If aesthetics and haptics are a priority, the C40 might be the better choice.

That said, we think the Comandante X25 Trailmaster is perfect for adventurers and outdoors enthusiasts who refuse to compromise on premium coffee, even in the wild. It stands up to the elements while delivering full functionality for a proper espresso on the go.

For coffee lovers with smaller hands or less upper-arm strength, the compact shape and excellent leverage of the crank might just be reason enough to add the X25 Trailmaster to the wishlist.

The grinder makes the coffee – as we explored in our article on barista training. When it comes to outdoor coffee, the Comandante X25 Trailmaster is the MVP.
Additional coffee gear, like a scale or cleaning tools, will soon have a home in the upcoming Toolbag #3.

Would we Buy the Comandante Grinder X25 Trailmaster?

Yes, because the combination of durability, precision, and compact design is hard to beat. The Trailmaster bridges the gap between rugged outdoor functionality and high-end coffee culture. Its premium build and carefully chosen materials justify the price for anyone who insists on the best equipment for their espresso beans.

Tops

  • Top-tier Nitro Blade burrs, just like the C40
  • Durable housing – water- and temperature-resistant
  • Lightweight and compact – perfect for travel

Flops

  • Plastic housing feels less premium than the C40’s wood and stainless steel
  • Raised logos can press uncomfortably into the hand during extended use

For more info, visit comandantegrinder.com.

Words: Felicia Nastal Photos: Julian Schwede, Antonia Feder