Dedicated camping utensils like a hybrid or end-to-end sporks bring back the joy of eating full meals on a campsite. With the right spork, you can enjoy campsite pasta, soup, steak, and everything in between for years without having to get a new one. But, what makes a camping utensil set the right one, and how can you find it? Let’s find out.
Here’s everything you need to evaluate before purchasing a camping utensil set.
Before you even consider finding the right camping flatware, think about your use case. Ask yourself the following questions. How often do I plan on camping? What type of food would I like to eat when camping? What will be my luggage situation? Will I be camping alone? How many people will I accompany on my camping trips? Where is my preferred camping spot?
The answer to these questions will directly influence the camping utensils you should get. For example, say you only plan on camping once a year. In that case, spending a lot of money on a premium spork set will be wasteful because you will use it sparingly. Similarly, say that you’ll be mostly camping with your family so you would need a lot of the same spork. Even the camping spot questions matter just as much as the others. Because if your preferred camping spot has clean running water nearby, you can get by with plastic sporks that need to be washed thoroughly. But if you have to bring your own water, a metal spork would be better because it can be cleaned with very little water and a paper towel.
The next key factor to consider is your budget so you can quickly narrow down the available options before picking a particular one. Luckily, camping utensils are not that expensive, and you can get a decent pair of two end-to-end sporks for around $5. But, if you want to get fancy, then a single high-end titanium spork will set you back anywhere from $10 to $15.
Camping flatware below the $2 per spork line is usually terrible and no better than plastic disposable utensils, so don’t go too cheap. On the other hand, ultra-expensive sporks that cost upwards of $50 are not a good value either since you will be using them pretty sparingly, even if you go camping every week, which almost no one does.
There are three popular designs of camping utensils out there, and each brings something unique to the table.
Hybrid sporks are the ones where the spoon and fork are on the same side of the handle. These can be pretty great in practice, but their function varies drastically between manufacturers. One hybrid spork will allow you to eat ramen with ease, while the other will make you struggle while eating rice. So, make sure to buy from a reputable manufacturer if you decide to go with the hybrid design.
End-to-end sporks are the ones where the spoon is on one side of the handle, and the fork is on the other. This design promises full functionality of both utensils and succeeded to some degree. But, just like hybrid sporks, the effectiveness of these designs depends heavily on the manufacturer.
Foldable sporks are not as common as the other two as they are pretty complex and cost noticeably more. But, these are essentially swiss army knives or utensils that can unfold into three or four full-sized pieces of flatware.
The simplistic genius of this basic spork from Snow Peak cannot be overstated. Its head is large enough to hold plenty of food without any spillage. Simultaneously, the handle is thin and slander to allow for a secure grip and easy storage. Then there is its uber premium titanium material that’s the key behind its years-long lifespan. Titanium construction is also responsible for its anodized blue look that fits right in with the camping atmosphere. Even the spoon to fork ratio in this piece of flatware is just perfect – making it good enough for regular home use as well. It’s this ideal blend of minimalism and durable functionality that gives this camping utensil its definitive No. 1 status.
The camping utility spork from UCO captures the unique spirit of camping perfectly in its design and functionality. Instead of overlapping a spoon and fork, this spork puts them on the opposite ends of the same handle while also adding a slightly sharp and serrated part to the fork for cutting. Its overall design is flat enough that you can use the fork side without having the spoon digging into your palm and vice versa. Once you’re done using the UCO sporks, just tie them together using the included elastic tie and attach them to your camping bag’s exterior for quick-access storage.
OUTXE took the “spoon on one end and fork on the other” spork design to a whole new level by crafting it out of titanium. This set comes with two metallic sporks alongside a soft and easily reusable storage bag for safe keeping during travel. Speaking of travel, OUTXE has put great care into making it TSA-approved so you can enjoy the world’s cuisine with your trusty sporks. Other great design elements of these sporks include their enlarged spoon that can hold way more than most other sporks and curved edges all around to give these an iconic rounded aesthetic.
The spork set from Tapirus makes quality camping utensils accessible to everyone with its unmatched value proposition. A large part of this value comes from its crazy low price tag that puts each spork at less than $2 without even considering the drawstring storage bag. But, a large part of its value comes from its durable and flexible Tritan construction that is nearly indestructible from regular use. Plus, the fun colors on these sporks make them popular with children. Once you’re done using these camping utensils, just rinse them under running water, and they’re ready for the next use.
Caudblor brings the most unique and interesting approach to camping utensils you will ever see with their detachable kit. This swiss army knife-like utensil set is small enough to fit in your palm when folded but turns into nearly fully functional utensils when deployed. This four-in-one set includes a knife, fork, spoon, and a bottle opener – all necessary for quality camping. Now, you might think that something so modular would be less durable, but the right combination of stainless steel and aluminum keeps these utensils just as rigid and strong as regular flatware.
A: Most are. But, the full answer to this depends on the construction material and design. For example, most metal sporks are dishwasher safe, but many plastic or Tritan utensils are not.
A: The ideal way to store camping utensils is in a padded drawstring bag made of thick fabric. These bags are usually included in the utensil sets, so you won't have to buy them separately.
A: If you're driving to your camping spot, then, yes, you can bring a real knife. But, do try not to bring a knife on a plane as that will cause issues with the TSA.
