Regardless of who you are or what you’re doing, you will need to eat, and unless you’re living off of sandwiches, you will need utensils of some type. There’s a huge variety of backpacking and camping cutlery sets and styles available, but we’ll try to cover some of the main styles in this article as well as giving you our favorites for each style.
There are a few main categories of camping utensils. First, there’s the classic spork, one utensil that has a variety of uses. Then there’s the full cutlery sets that often come with a fork, a knife, and a spoon. Last but not least, is the fold-up sets, meaning one handle with a fork head, a knife head, and a spoon head that can each fold out of the main handle. We’ll be including all three styles throughout this article.
If you want to get back to climbing, get our top pick for camping utensils here.
Last update: 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Our Favorites for the Best Camping Utensils
Our Favorites for the Best Camping Utensils
Light My Fire Titanium Spork (Our top pick for a camping spork)
This is a classic spork, often seen made out of plastic and in a variety of colors, but made out of titanium, making it much harder to break than its plastic alternatives. The Light My Fire spork features a fork on one end with a butter-knife style edge prong and a spoon on the other end. The spork is durable, heat-resistant, and hypoallergenic, making it a great all-around option.
Why should you choose this spork:
Some people love sporks, and some people hate them, but if you are someone who loves sporks, this is the quintessential spork to own. It is super durable and will serve you well for many years, without adding any bulkiness or weight to your pack.
What makes this unique:
The handle portion of this sport is a textured version of the fork and spoon ends, meaning that you have a better grip on the handle part than you would otherwise.
- 3-IN-1 UNBREAKABLE TITANIUM SPORK is a durable travel spoon fork knife set serrated edge combo. Titanium sporks are ideal for Miss City Life on the go or as reusable picnic and camping accessories for travel trailer, hiking or car camping essentials.
- 100% BPA-FREE ECO-FRIENDLY titanium sporks have non-toxic polished surfaces and no metallic taste. Grade 2 titanium is tough, heat-resistant, dishwasher safe. Easy to clean, just rinse in water. Take this smart travel cutlery set everywhere.
- GOOD-BYE DISPOSABLES our camping spoon fork knife combo is the only outdoor “on-the-go cutlery” eating utensil you will ever need for urban or wild adventures. Starve the landfills with our responsibly made reusable camping utensil set spork. 1 spork.
Last update: 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Orblue 4-in-1 Camping Utensils with Case (Our top pick for a fold-up utensil kit)
This is an amazing option if you want to have one handle, but not have to worry about having a spoon or fork on the back end of your utensil when using the other one. It has a fold-out fork, spoon, and knife, with a bottle opener on the back of the knife. The case keeps this utensil kit free of any sharp edges and makes it super easy to pack away.
Why should you choose this utensil set:
If you’re looking for an option to have in your backpack to eat a quick meal on the go, this is the ideal choice for you. You get a knife, a fork, a spoon, and a bottle opener, all stored in a convenient small pouch.
What makes this set unique:
This set is made from high-quality stainless steel, and it is completely dishwasher safe, meaning that after your adventure, you can just throw it in the dishwasher with your next load, and it will be ready for your next trip.
- DINNER ESSENTIALS IN YOUR POCKET - Make eating out in the wild simple. This camping flatware tool lets you easily scoop, cut, and spear your meals. Plus, it fits perfectly in your pack or pocket.
- NO MORE BULKY OR BROKEN CUTLERY - Take the hassle out of eating when backpacking, hiking, or fishing. Ditch flimsy disposables or bulky silverware with our 4-in-1 tactical backpacking utensils.
- BUILT TOUGH FOR A LIFE OF ADVENTURE - Our camping utensil set is made with high-quality stainless steel. A polished coating ensures the utensils won't stick or rust. The handle feels satisfyingly solid.
Last update: 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sea to Summit Alpha Light Utensils (Our top pick for a full 3-piece camping cutlery set)
This is a great 3-piece backpacking cutlery set made by a well-respected brand. Sea to Summit is known for making high quality and lightweight backcountry gear and have a great line of cutlery and backpacking dishes. This aluminum cutlery set is super lightweight and yet still really strong. While it may seem excessive to a non-backpacker, the holes in the handle of the pieces help to keep them as light as possible.
Why should you choose this camping cutlery set:
If you want to be able to use multiple utensils at once but still not add too much weight to your pack, this is the way to go. The main upside of separate utensil pieces is that you can use more than one utensil at once.
What makes this unique:
The outer aluminum shell of these utensils is the same material used to make aircraft. It does an amazing job of staying strong and not leaching any harmful alloys or chemicals into your food.
- Ultra-lightweight and durable aluminum cutlery for camping, backpacking, boating or picnics
- Set includes serrated knife, fork, spoon, and mini carabiner to keep set together
- Hard-anodized aircraft aluminum with smooth matte finish meets FDA food safety standards
Last update: 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Our Runner Ups for the Best Camping Utensils
GSI Outdoor Glacial Stainless Steel Cutlery Set (Our runner up for a full 3-piece camping cutlery set)
This set is the perfect car-camping set. Made from durable stainless steel, this fork, knife, and spoon clip together for easy storage. They are slightly heavier than the Sea to Summit cutlery set, but they are some of the most durable cutlery sets out there.
Why should you choose this camping cutlery set:
This set is super easy to clean and makes for a great streamlines look. They are also rustproof, so you won’t need to worry about rust at all!
What makes them unique:
This cutlery set is made for travel with details like a rounded knife tip, and they won’t shred up the things you pack them with. Don’t worry, though, the serrated part of the knife still cuts well.
- SPACE SAVING: This Spoon, fork and knife have flat profiles keep this cutlery set lightweight and compact, making it perfect to include with camping or travel gear
- ULTRA-DURABLE: Forged Glacier Stainless steel is rust-proof, fire-proof and will not become discolored when used with acidic ingredients.
- ACCESSORIES: Includes a lanyard to keep the set organized.
Last update: 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
KA-BAR Original Hobo All-Purpose Knife (Our runner up for a fold-up utensil kit)
This fold-up utensil kit is super portable, folding down to about 3.5 inches long, but it expands to a full 7 inches when you want to use it. It features a fork, a spoon, and a sharp knife. This kit is a utensil kit and pocket knife in one. The handle and utensils are all made of stainless steel, making them super durable.
Why should you choose this utensil kit:
This fold-up utensil kit packs small and light, weighing in at around 7 ounces. If you’re looking for a fold-up kit, this would be an amazing choice.
What makes this unique:
This kit comes ready to travel in its own pouch. The small fold-up size, the lightweight, and the convenient pouch make this ideal travel utensil kit.
- Portable fork, knife and spoon with Nylon carrying case is designed for on the go or outdoor dining
- Closed 3 3/4 inches and 7 inches when opened
- Handle Material - Stainless Steel
Last update: 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
CRKT Eat’n Tool Outdoor Spork and Multi-Tool (Our runner up for a spork)
This is an ultralight multitool and spork in one! What could be better? Weighing in at around 1.5 ounces, this super light spork features an eating end with a spoon with tines and a multitool end. The multitool end has three hex wrenches, a few screwdriver heads, and a bottle opener. This tool really does it all and with a sleek design to boot
Why should you choose this spork:
This tool is ideal for any budding backpacker who might be into the idea of everything having multiple uses. This multitool/spork combo does both its job amazingly well, all with very little weight.
What makes this spork unique:
The many uses of this spork are its main draw. Not only can this spork be used for a variety of things, but it comes with a clip for easy attachment to your other eating things, so it doesn’t get lost in the depths of your pack.
- Lightweight: Spoon fork combination reduces pack weight
- Flat screwdriver, 6, 8, 10mm hex
- Convenient: Bottle opener for your favorite beverage
Last update: 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Our Value Picks for the Best Camping Utensils
Columbia River Knife and Tool Eat n Tool (Our value pick for a single utensil design)
This 4.5-inch long spork is truly a lightweight and tiny option for a backcountry eating utensil. The tiny spork has a spoon with tines at one end and a few wrench reliefs, a bottle opener, and a carrying clip on the other end. At around 1.5 ounces in weight, it truly is a lightweight option for backpackers.
Why should you choose this utensil:
If you are looking for an option that is lightweight and will take up minimal room in your pack, this is quite possibly the smallest functional utensil you will find.
What makes this unique:
This spork is designed using high-quality materials and a computer program and is laser cut out of the material. It is super durable and will last you a long time, partly due to its single-piece construction.
- Lightweight: Spoon fork combination reduces pack weight
- Flat screwdriver, 6, 8, 10mm hex
- Convenient: Bottle opener for your favorite beverage
Last update: 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Humangear Gobites Uno (Our value pick for a spork)
This spork is designed to be bulky, but still lightweight. The odd curvature to the handle is there to help you get a better grip while you twirl your pasta or whatever you might be eating. The spoon part of this spork is known for being deeper than many of its competitors’ spoons. This spork is a durable and cheap option if you are looking for a new spork.
Why should you choose this spork:
This spork won’t get hot at all while you’re using it since it is not metal. The spork is made from a nylon material that is BPA and Phosphate free.
What makes this spork unique:
The shape of this spork is what makes it stand out. Not only does the twisted handle add some visual appeal, but it also helps you grip the spork.
- SMARTER EATING: humangear's GoBites Uno is the utensil set you didn't know you needed. Built with smarter ends, including a deep spoon on one end and a fork on the other you can say goodbye to disposable plastic utensils (spoons, forks, and knives) and update your cutlery set
- MULTIPURPOSE: The perfect addition to your camping supplies and items , survival gear, backpacking gear, travel silverware, cookware, flatware, mess kit, camp kitchen, outdoor or rv, and other essentials to tailgating, campfire, picnic set, office, work, school, dorm, lunch box and more
- LIGHTWEIGHT COMFORTABLE GRIP: The unique U-shaped head orientation makes Uno much more comfortable to hold compared to other competitive combination tools on the market, that jab or poke you. The spoon head is deep enough for liquids (soup, broth, tea, coffee) while the fork tines can stab and cut (spaghetti and soft-food splitting)
Last update: 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
BRIOST Titanium Utility Professional Cutlery 3/4 piece set (Our value pick a full, 3-piece utensil kit)
This titanium utensil kit comes with everything you could need for the perfect camping meal. It has a full-sized fork, knife, spoon, and a set of chopsticks, all of which attach together with a clip and come in a handy little pouch. This set weighs in at just around 1.6 ounces, making it super lightweight as well, for an added bonus.
Why should you choose this utensil kit:
This kit gives you the added bonus of having chopsticks as well. True, this might seem like a bit of a luxury, but for a lightweight and durable travel kit, you might as well have everything you could want.
What makes this set unique:
BRIOST is known for having ergonomically designed products, and this full utensil kit is no exception. The handles are well designed and comfortable to hold.
Last update: 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How to Choose the Best Camping Utensils for You
When you’re thinking about the best camping utensil for you, take some time to think about the type of trips you go on, what features of a utensil are important to you, and what types of food you are likely to eat. For example, if you mostly go backpacking and eat lots of grains, you can probably just find a lightweight and durable spoon. If you spend your summers traveling around in your car, van, or camper and are a budding gourmet chef, maybe you want to invest in a nice set of stainless steel silverware to go with your camping dinnerware set.
Key Differentiators of Camping Utensils
Some of the main differentiating factors between camping utensils are what we briefly touched on at the start of this article, the style of utensil that you choose. In general, having a utensil with one handle will be the lightest weight option, but is not always the most convenient. If you like to be able to hold your food with a fork and cut it with a knife at the same time, it might be a good idea for you to think about buying a multi-piece set.
Other Important Things to Consider When Buying Camping Utensils
It is important to consider the weight and material of your camping utensils. While there are some amazing car camping stainless steel plates and silverware out there, those may not be the best choices if you’re planning a week-long backpacking trip. On the other hand, it may be frustrating to be eating with a spork designed to clip onto a keychain and minimize weight, while you’re sitting around a picnic table on your next road trip.
Plastic utensils will be super lightweight, but also tend to break easily. Stainless steel is really common in camping dishware and is an amazingly durable choice, especially if weight is not your main concern. Titanium and aluminum are both much more durable than plastic and much lighter weight than stainless steel but sometimes come at a higher price. Just take the time to find what’s right for you.
FAQ about Camping Utensils
Here are some questions that you might think of while you’re out shopping for your ideal camping utensils.
What are the Types of Utensils You Will Need on Your Camping Trip?
This will depend greatly on the type of food that you plan on cooking. For many meals, especially grain-based meals such as lentils and other smooth meals such as beans, you can use only a spoon if you’re trying to cut weight. If you want to create a full camp kitchen, think about the meals that you are going to be cooking and feel free to bring all the utensils you need.
If you are trying to outfit your car camping set-up, a good starting set would be a plate, bowl, cup, spoon, fork, and knife for each person. In this case, you will probably also want a larger mixing spoon, a spatula, and a nice knife, or a paring knife and chef’s knife, if you’re feeling fancy.
What Features to Look for in Camping Utensils?
Make sure that you pay attention to your utensil’s weight, packability, and durability. Depending on how you will be transporting your utensils to your camping location, you can choose if weight or packability is more important to you. Durability is a good thing to look for in any camping utensil or camping equipment in general.
How Do You Clean Your Camping Utensils?
Cleaning your camping utensils is just as important as cleaning your silverware and dishes at home. Use hot water if you can, but make sure you use soap and thoroughly wash the soap off when you’re done. A good practice to get into is to put on a pot of water to boil for washing up while you are eating a meal. That way, when you’re done eating, you’ll have hot water to wash your dishes with.
If you are going to be dispersing your grey water (dirty water) into the environment, make sure you use biodegradable soap. If you are in a campground, they often will have a specific place for you to dump grey water, so just follow the signs, so you don’t hurt the environment.
Summary of the Best Camping Utensils
In closing, here are the best camping utensils we looked at today:
Last update: 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Thinking about what you are likely to be eating, how you will be transporting and packing your utensils, and how much you want to spend on your utensils are all great ways to help you narrow down your search for your new perfect camping utensil. Regardless of if you are the sporks biggest fan or can’t stand the streamlined eating utensil, there is something out there for you.
Looking for more camping gear? Check out our camping gear reviews here.
Here are a few to help you out:
