Topic: The Best Camping Shovels of 2022 (Read 124 times)
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Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
The GSI Outdoors Cathole Trowel is a simple, affordable, and lightweight option for your digging needs.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
I’ve used a GSI Outdoors Cathole Trowel for more than ten years, so it has dug hundreds of catholes. It might look dirty since the blade edges hold dirt easily, but it still is in perfectly usable condition. This 10-inch trowel is made of hard, durable recycled food and beverage containers and has a thick handle for a sturdy grip. It does have serrated edges that help dig and cut into the ground. The proper cat hole needs to be six or more inches according to Leave No Trace ethics, and this shovel has a measurement scale on the blade for a precise hole. They co*e in an assortment of colors so you can pick out your favorite one. I love the bonus Leave No Trace principles that are etched on the back of the shovel to guide you on proper techniques for going to the bathroom in the outdoors.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
TheTentLab The Deuce #2 is one of lightest camping shovels out there and has multiple functions and abilities.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
TheTentLab The Deuce #2 is a favorite among my thru-hiker testers. The minimal weight of .6 ounces makes this a no-brainer carry for those who want to travel light. Made of tough 7075-T6 aluminum, the handle end is meant to pry up rocks and cut into the ground to create a hole. Then flip it and use the larger rounded shovel end to lift up the dirt in the hole. If you encounter tough ground, the Deuce has two etched teeth on either side. These are made to last a lifetime, but if you don’t want it anymore, it is 100 percent recyclable. Designed and made in Colorado.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
The Sea to Summit Nylon 66 Pocket Trowel is a nifty trowel to dig small holes with the ability to collapse and retract and store toilet paper.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
The Sea to Summit Nylon 66 Pocket Trowel is made of glass-reinforced nylon and weighs 3 ounces. I did notice with strong force, the trowel does flex a bit, and sometimes I worry I will snap it. Even though it fully extends to 9.5 inches, the handle retracts to 5.5 inches into the blade for space saving. When fully extended, the co*fortable rounded grip gives you leverage for digging. I love the bonus storage co*partment in the hollow handle. Remove the handle’s end cap, and there’s enough room for some toilet paper or hand sanitizer.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
The SOL Packable Field Shovel has the ability to dig bigger holes in tough soil, yet it folds into the size of a tablet.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
At 2 pounds, the carbon steel shovel head keeps the weight down but the durability up. It can get any job done on the trail, at your campsite, or even around the house. The SOL shovel lives in my truck and is ready when I am car camping, and I need to dig a hole for setting up my shelter or bathroom holes for my group. I just used it this winter in an emergency at a trailhead where another truck was stuck in some snow. I love the large open handle that allows me to grip with or without gloves on. It measures just under 2-feet long when extended but folds down to 9 inches by 6 inches to fit into its carrying case with belt loop attachment. The serrated blade has 23 sharp teeth, which co*es in handy when I need to cut through rooty terrain.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
The Mammut Alugator Pro Light is a dependable, durable, and lightweight shovel for digging fast and deep.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
This 1.4-pound beast was with me on my last Denali expedition and in the backcountry of Alaska for the last couple of years. At almost 3 feet long while fully extended, I don’t need to bend over so much while digging out tent platforms in deep snow. The Alugator Pro Light’s straight blade is meant for cutting snow blocks, which was necessary at all my camp spots on Denali to build walls to protect against the weather. The whole shovel head is so strong that I can stamp on it to cut into snow and ice. The shovel head has holes in it, which is useful for an emergency anchor to attach equipment like carabineers. The T grip and shaft are so strong that the hardest-packed snow and ice didn’t even phase it. The telescoping shaft slims the shovel down to 2 feet, and it easily attaches to my backpack. The bright orange shaft makes it easy to spot in a pinch, although it did fade to a mute orange while having the 24-hour Alaskan sun beat down on it over the years.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
The Backcountry Access Dozer 2H Avalanche Shovel is a dual-action shovel/hoe that is efficient and reliable.
Pros
Cons
Product Description
The Backcountry Access Dozer 2H Avalanche Shovel deploys very fast, so there’s no fussing around in an emergency situation. At just over 31 inches when fully extended with a T-grip that fits perfectly in your hand with or without gloves, it does fast work while shoveling. It collapses to 15 inches or can be dissembled to pack down even smaller, so storing it in your backpack takes up minimal room (bonus: this shovel actually lays flat in your pack). You can flip the shaft and use the handle to create a hoe so now you can push or pull snow. This option makes carving out tent platforms easy. At 1.7 pounds, it should be a key part of your backcountry ski kit.
Methodology
The testing process was pretty straightforward for this review. I dug, dug, then dug some more. I put as much force as I could on the shovels I tested. All of them performed very well and did not break. The Sea to Summit Nylon 66 Pocket Trowel did flex but did not break. I sought out hard soil with rocks and roots (easy in Alaska) for the smaller shovels. I tested the snow shovels in various snow conditions (again, easy in Alaska). I also sought out feedback from my trusted testers, and a lot of them highly praised TheTentLab The Deuce #2. I observed wear and tear from years of use. None of them were damaged but did get scraped up. Some were easier to clean dirt off than the others. Storage and weight of the shovel were important, and they all needed to be co*pact or have the ability to collapse.
A trowel can cost mere dollars and up to $30. Some of the cheaper ones are made of flimsy metal that will bend when it touches a hard-packed ground. Softer plastic materials will also eventually break from force. The more expensive usually means better material and better performance.
w shovels meant for outdoor activities like skiing, mountaineering, snowshoeing, and winter hiking can cost as little as $10 to over $100. Again, look at the material and make sure it can stand up to packed snow, ice, and you standing on it. They should be made of some type of heavy aluminum and have a sharp edge on the bottom to cut through snow.
No, you do not. If you know there will be bathroom facilities at all your camp spots, you probably wouldn’t need one. You can also dig holes with knives, trekking pole tips, axes, or other hard digging items. I have a friend who hiked the whole Appalachian Trail using these other methods for his bathroom holes. Another option besides digging holes is you can bring a wag bag. Just don’t be that disgusting human that leaves your business right on the ground. It’s not hard to carry a trowel that weighs less than a pound and dig a proper hole. Remember to always Leave No Trace.
Overall you need to look for something that is made of a hard plastic that won’t bend. Same deal with metal—target hard anodized metal that is stiff and won’t rust. When looking at shovels/trowels, don’t be afraid to give it the bend test in your hands. The last thing you want is a broken shovel 100 miles away from the closest store.
As I said before, having the best camping shovel can save your life and save the earth. My biggest pet peeve is when I see someone’s business near a trail or in the woods. A simple trowel and knowing how to dig proper catholes can not only help you but will help the earth.
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