Dinner’s up! So, how do you plan on enjoying this delicious campfire meal?
Chances are you’re in the market for a new set of camping utensils. Maybe the spork included in your mess kit isn’t cutting it anymore (no pun intended), but now you feel overwhelmed by the number of utensil products on the market today.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help you out. But first, there are some key technical specs and features you should be in the know about before completing that purchase.
- Material. Stainless steel? Aluminum? Titanium? Understand the pros and cons of these materials when it comes to eating at the campsite.
- All-in-one vs. individual. Both have their advantages, so figure out what’s best for your camping needs.
- Number of utensils. What exactly do you need? You might be surprised what you can accomplish with only a couple utensils.
Read More : Camping Utensils Buying Guide
So, let’s dig into this tasty topic!
Here are the 12 of the best utensils for camping.
Toaks Titanium 3-Piece Cutlery Set
- Material : Titanium
- Weight : 1.7oz / 49g
If you want something lightweight and durable, along with a set that features individual utensils, the Toaks Titanium 3-Piece Cutlery Set is a great set for the price.
Made of pure titanium, the set includes a fork, spoon, and knife, all of which are held together using an aluminum carabiner, which we really like.
Titanium comes with more benefits than just weight and durability. It doesn’t leave any kind of metallic taste in your mouth, and it’s dishwasher safe.
If that sounds good to you, definitely consider this Toaks cutlery set.
What we like
- Tough material. You can’t go wrong with titanium for durability.
- Dishwasher safe. When you return home from camping, run these with the dishes and you’re ready for your next trip.
- User carabiner. It seems simple, but the aluminum carabiner nicely holds all your utensils together.
What we don't like
- Sharp edges. It’s not too bad, but the edges are a little sharp.
Sea to Summit Delta Cutlery Set
- Material : Polypropylene
- Weight : 1oz / 29g
Jazz up your camping gear with the Sea to Summit Delta Cutlery Set.
Sea to Summit is known for producing gear in fun colors, and this three-piece set is no different. The fork, spoon, and knife, all of which connect to a carabiner to prevent getting separated, comes in pacific blue or orange.
Some campers have complained that the fork is too small and dull, making eating things like spaghetti and other pasta a little difficult.
Still, many backpacking campers said the Sea to Summit utensil kit is perfect for eating on-the-go because it’s super light and easy to use.
What we like
- Affordable. These might be the best value when it comes to camping utensils.
- Fun colors. Camping gear doesn’t have to be boring. These come in pacific blue or orange.
What we don't like
- Dull fork. Some campers have complained about the fork not being sharp enough.
To-Go Ware Classic Bamboo Utensil Set
- Material : Bamboo
- Weight : 1.6oz / 45g
For the environmentally-conscious camper, say hello to the To-Go Ware Classic Bamboo Utensil Set.
In addition to the fork, spoon, and knife, this set, completely made of bamboo, also includes chopsticks.
Bamboo is great for the environment because it can be reproduced quickly and efficiently, but it does take some time to get used to eating with it. Some have reported it leaves a weird taste in your mouth after eating, which likely goes away after repeated use.
If you can get past that initial meal, this To-Go Ware utensils set might be perfect for you at the campsite.
What we like
- Eco-friendly. Bamboo is an extremely environmentally-friendly material in any use.
- Stain-resistant. Believe it or not, your spaghetti sauce won’t stain this bamboo set.
- Dishwasher safe. Don’t worry about the utensils warping.
What we don't like
- Not the best pouch. There are many complaints that the included pouch, which comes in multiple colors, doesn’t hold the utensils that well.
Full Windsor The Muncher Multi-Tool
- Material : Titanium
- Weight : 0.7oz / 20g
Talk about versatility. The Full Windsor the Muncher Multi-Tool was actually the most-funded camping utensil ever featured on Kickstarter and Indiegogo, and the reason why is pretty obvious.
You can eat with it using the spork, open your favorite craft brew with the bottle opener, cut a piece of twine with the box cutter, and much more. It also has a serrated butter knife, peeler, fire starter, cord cutter, and a flathead screwdriver.
Eating with a multi-tool can be a little tricky to get used to. But if you’re a backpacking camper, it’s the perfect tool to keep in your pocket.
Not only are you able to eat with the Muncher Multi-Tool, but it’s definitely going to come in handy for other tasks around the campsite.
What we like
- Huge arsenal of utensils. From a fork to a knife and about 10 more things in between, this is extremely versatile.
- Super tough. Made from aerospace-grade titanium.
What we don't like
- Expensive. One of the more expensive utensil kits on our list.
Jetboil Jetset Utensil Kit
- Material : Nylon
- Weight : 1.3oz / 36g
If you’re looking for a camping utensil set that can extend for cooking purposes and then shortened for eating, the Jetboil Jetset Utensil Kit is probably what you’re looking for.
The bright orange set is designed for use with all Jetboil cooking systems, but it can be used as a perfectly adequate fork, spoon, and spatula.
In fact, many backpacking campers love the weight of this set.
Now, some campers have complained about the spatula on this Jetboil set being a little flimsy. But for quick cooking in a pan, it’ll get the job done.
What we like
- Long. This camping utensil set is perfect for reaching deep into a boiling pot.
- Won’t melt. Durable nylon won’t melt if it’s near fire for a long-period of time.
What we don't like
- A little flimsy. The nylon is tough, but it can be a little flimsy, especially the spatula.
UST Utilitensil Set
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Weight : 1.9oz / 54g
Designed with the backpacking camper in mind, the UST Utilitensil Set is as light and portable as it is versatile.
We love the versatility of this set. The fork doubles as a can opener and has three different hex wrench sizes. The spoon includes a 2-inch ruler, along with a bottle opener. And the knife has a protective tip, serrated blade and butterfly wrench.
This UST set is meant to be portable and light, sparking some campers to say the utensils feel on the short side.
What we like
- Lightweight. Weighs in under 2oz, which means you won’t even know it’s in your pack.
- Versatile. There’s only a fork, knife and spoon, but they also double as a can or bottle opener.
What we don't like
- A little short. To keep this set light and portable, the actual utensils feel a little short while eating.
GSI Outdoors Folding Foon
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Weight : 0.8oz / 23g
Fans of sporks should definitely consider the ultralight GSI Outdoors Folding Foon.
This budget utensil is as simple as it gets. It’s a single spork that can fold in half, making it quite easy to tuck away in a pack or in a pocket and not even notice that it’s there until you need it.
Campers have praised this spork as quite usable for backpacking because of its size.
If you’re doing some bigger cooking at the campsite, you probably can’t just get away with a spork, making the GSI Outdoors Folding Foon more designed for the compact camper who’s concerned about weight and portability.
What we like
- Budget price. You can afford to have a bunch of these ready for use.
- Lightweight. It doesn’t even weigh an ounce.
- Portable. Keep in a shirt pocket and you’ll forget about it.
What we don't like
- Limited as it’s just a spork.
MSR 4 Piece Spork Utensil Set
- Material : Nylon
- Weight : 1.4oz / 40g
Another great set for spork lovers, the MSR 4 Piece Spork Utensil Set makes eating at the campsite easy, and a little fun.
First, we love that this set comes in a variety of bright colors.
We also really like the simplicity, along with the fact that they can unfold and extend to a nice length, making it easy if you need to fish something out of a deep pot with hot water.
Campers have also praised some less-common features of this GSI Outdoors Folding Foon, like its texture and its handy sliding mechanism, which doesn’t trap food particles.
What we like
- Fun colors. Comes in blue, grey, lime green and bright red.
- Sturdy. The fold-out design holds up for most campers.
- Long. The length makes it perfect for digging into a deeper pot for food.
What we don't like
- All sporks. No variety here, but the manufacturer does make other models.
CRKT Eat N Tool
- Material : Steel
- Weight : 1.5oz / 43g
Designed for backpacking campers who are on a budget, the CRKT Eat N Tool is an ultra-lightweight multi-tool that includes a spork for eating.
Now, some campers have complained about the tines on the spork being too short for effective use, but that’s not the overall consensus.
For backpackers, you can clip this multi-tool to your belt and, in a pinch, enjoy a meal. It also includes a screwdriver and bottle opener, which is handy.
The CRKT Eat N Tool comes in multiple colors. For the price, you can afford to buy a couple of different colors.
What we like
- Lightweight. You won’t even notice this 1.5oz multi-tool in your pocket or clipped to your belt.
- Versatile. Includes a bottle opener, spork, flathead screwdriver and three sizes of hex.
- Multiple colors. Black is nice, but how about fuchsia?
What we don't like
- Short tines. The spork tines are pretty short, making it difficult to pick up food.
Orblue 4-in-1 Camping Utensils
- Material : Steel
- Weight : 1.5oz / 43g
First and foremost, the Orblue 4-in-1 Camping Utensils is designed for the backpacking camper who is very conscious about what goes into his or her pack or pocket.
Because the spork on this multi-tool is so small, it’s not going to be enjoyable to use if you’re looking to relax at a campsite with spaghetti and meatballs. This is designed for being able to eat some food on the trail in a pinch.
We really like how strong this Orblue tool is. It opens bottles extremely easily, which might be reason enough to keep on clipped to your belt.
What we like
- Ultra-portable. Clip it on your belt loop via the included carabiner and you’re good to go.
- Versatile. Eat with it, open a bottle, or tighten some screws.
- Durable. This is extremely well made.
What we don't like
- Short tines. It’s pretty hard to use this as a fork.
Gerber CompIEAT
- Material : Aluminum
- Weight : 2.3oz / 65g
For those looking for a complete utensil set with some nice extras, like a spatula, the Gerber ComplEAT utensil set is a good value for what you get.
This set includes a four-function multi-tool, that features a bottle opener, veggie peeler, can opener, and a serrated package opener.
While the fork and spoon feel really comfortable while eating, this Gerber set isn’t perfect.
The multi-tool includes a serrated blade that is pretty sharp. So, be careful when fishing it out of your bag so you don’t cut your finger. Some campers have even complained that it has cut up some of their gear in the pack.
What we like
- Portable. The spoon, fork, spatula and multi-tool all stack nicely on top of each other.
- Non-metal spatula doesn’t leave you worrying about scratching up your pans.
- Full-sized fork and spoon feels comfortable while eating.
What we don't like
- No knife. Includes a lot of utensils, but a knife isn’t one of them.
Devico Portable Utensils
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Weight : 8oz / 227g
The Devico Portable Utensils set might just be the best-looking camping utensils set on the market today.
For a very reasonable price, you get a complete stainless steel set that also includes chopsticks and two straws.
We just can’t say enough about how this set looks and feels. We also like how it comes in a few color options, including a fun rainbow finish.
This is stainless steel, so it will show some wear over time, but if you’re in the market for a complete utensil set, don’t pass up on this Devico set.
What we like
- Beautiful design. This set looks modern and stunning.
- Full-sized. It feels like the utensils you use at home.
- Nice carrying pouch. Everything packs together nicely in the included felt bag.
What we don't like
- Scuff marks can appear after multiple uses.
Camping Utensils Buying Guide
Before making any kind of purchase, study up on a few short features of camping utensils.
Use this guide to make the best-informed purchase.
Number of utensils
If you go off REI’s camp kitchen checklist, it’s recommended you at least have one fork, spoon, and knife per person. These can be individual utensils or some kind of all-in-one product.
But unless you’re a hardcore backpacking camper, you probably don’t want to limit yourself to just three utensils.
In addition to your common utensils, you’re also going to want a…
- Sharp knife
- Bottle opener (or a wine corkscrew)
- Cutting board
- Multi-tool
- Chopsticks
Of course, the bottle opener or wine corkscrew is only needed if you plan on enjoying some adult beverages around the campfire. A bottle opener can also be used for those hard-to-open cans.
We actually prefer using a spork at the campsite, as it prevents you from keeping track of a fork and spoon. The MSR 4 Piece Spork Utensil Set is perfect for couples who prefer using the spoon-fork combo.
All-in-one vs. individual utensils
One of the bigger choices you need to make when it comes to camping utensils is going all in with individual utensils that you need to keep track of, or purchasing an all-one-solution.
While an all-in-one solution, like the Orblue 4-in-1 Camping Utensils, seems great on paper, it definitely takes time to get used to using a fork, then folding it in to use a spoon or knife. As you do it more often, though, it does get easier.
Individual utensil sets, like the Jetboil Jetset Utensil Kit, come with their own set of challenges, mainly, losing one or two of them along the way as you pack and unpack your camping gear.
Also, if you’re just eating in a camping chair, it can get a little tricky to hang on to a fork, knife, and spoon without dropping one into the dirt.
If you typically camp at a site with picnic tables, or if you own your own camping table, we’d recommend individual utensils. That little luxury of being able to hold down some meat with a fork in one hand and cut using a knife in the other can go a long way at the campsite.
If you’re more of a backpacking camper, you’ll want to keep weight and space inside your pack low. So, go with an all-in-one set.
Utensils materials
Camping utensils come in a variety of materials, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
- Stainless steel is the most common material found in camping utensils today. While not as strong and light as titanium, it’s still a great option that’s durable. Some utensils, like the UST Utilitensil Set, are also corrosion resistant, so you don’t need to worry about your fork and knife rusting out after a season of camping. Stainless steel is also popular for knives, as it can easily be sharpened.
- Nylon. There’s a lot to like about nylon utensils. They’re super light, typically pretty affordable and fairly tough. Of course, there are some tradeoffs. Nylon sets, like the Jetboil Jetset Utensil Kit, can be a little flimsy.
- Titanium. Tough and lightweight, titanium utensils are a great investment, but do run more expensive than stainless steel or nylon. The munch Titanium Multi Utensil proves that point as one of the more expensive camping utensils on our list, but campers have given it rave reviews.
- Bamboo is an interesting material because it is super tough, but it takes some time getting used to a fork and spoon made of the woody material. Bamboo, which is used in the To-Go Ware Classic Bamboo Utensil Set, cleans very nicely and is still extremely lightweight.
Andrew Dodson
Andrew Dodson is an avid camper who enjoys the great outdoors with his wife and two-year-old son. He resides in Colorado, where you can often find him enjoying hikes with a toddler strapped to his back and mini goldendoodle Percy nearby.
