Best Camping Utensils {2023} Backpacking, Car & RV Trips (2024)

There are so many great sets, so, how do you know which are the right utensils for your gear box? I’ve tested different options over the years and I know the best things are a matter of personal preference. Here’s my opinion of the best camping utensils depending on how you camp, and, how much money you want to invest.

In This Post:

You need the best camping gear and functional camping utensils for your camping trips in the great outdoors.

• But, do you want the best backpacking utensils that are ultralight (because ounces matter) with a super compact design?
• Or, do you want camping gear for a larger number of people on RV or car camping trips (because ease of use matters) so each person has their own utensils that are similar to utensils sets found at home for everyday use?

This is the approach I took as I examined the different types of cooking and eating tools available for outdoor use.

• What type and how many individual pieces come in the camping silverware set?
• Does the set include eating utensils for one or multiple people?
• What is the spoon depth and is it sufficient for eating soups and other highly liquid foods?
• Does the set include a knife, if so, does it actually cut meat or does it preform more like a butter knife?
• Is the handle size long enough to eat food out of a bag, like walking tacos or dehydrated meals, without getting the food on your hand?
• How is it transported, does it have a carrying case, carabiner clip or something else?
• Will it last a long time or will it break, rust or fade quickly?
• Does it transfer a plastic or metallic taste to the food?
• Is the set designed to be multifunctional and used for eating, cooking and serving or is it designed for a single purpose?
• Does it include plates, cups and bowls along with flatware, like fully equipped mess kits?
• Is it offered at a reasonable price, major investment or low-end economical price range?

Splitter Titanium Tongs, Spork and Spatula

The Splitter Titanium Tongs, Spork and Spatula

Weight: 1.8 oz.

Material: Aerospace-Grade Titanium

Good choice for: Weight conscious campers who want cooking, serving and eating functionality in their camp utensils.

What I like about it:

• The spatula makes this set unique because it can be hooked to the spork to create tongs for cooking and serving.
• The spork is about 10 inches long so the handle is long enough to reach into food pouches but short enough to be convenient and easy to pack.
• The spoon is deep enough to hold a decent amount of liquid so eating soup is actually a positive experience.
• The spork tines do a great job when used as a fork to spear solid foods.
• They are easy to clean.
• Nice lightweight gear.

What I don’t like about it:

• This set is on the more expensive end.
• For cooking, it works well for smaller foods and meats but larger foods are difficult to manage.
• When the two pieces are hooked together to be used as tongs, you must maintain constant pressure to avoid the pieces disconnecting.
• The set holds up well to normal wear and tear but may bend under too much pressure.
• There is no carrying case.

Alpine Deluxe Kitchen Set

MSR Alpine Deluxe Kitchen Set

Weight: 23 oz.

Material: Silicone

Good choice for: People who do lightweight car camping or heavier, weight-tolerant backcountry camping.

What I like about it:

• This is one of the best camping cookware utensil sets for a smaller, well-equipped camp kitchen. Included items: Alpine folding utensil set, salt & pepper or spice shaker, dish brush/scraper, chef knife, kitchen camp towel, cutting board, 2 squeeze bottles, bottle opener/corkscrew and semi-rigid carry case.
• The carrying case keeps things organized and clean.
• The spoon, spatula and strainer/grater fold for easy storage but extend to a good size when in use.
• The case has a fabric handle that can be used to hang the set at the campsite.
• The compact kitchen knife is sharp, cuts well and has a blade guard for safety.
• Easy to clean.
• Made of BPA-free materials.
• This is a fair price for the number of utensils and the case.

What I don’t like about it:

• The set weighs almost 1.5 pounds and measures 7 x 3 x 9.5 inches when packed which is too heavy and bulky for weight- and space-sensitive campers.
• The cutting board folds in half which is great for saving on space but it’s clumsy for chopping.
• It is not a good idea to use this utensil kit when cooking with really high temperatures, the silicone tends to get soft and will eventually melt if left in hot pans for too much time.
• Eating needs can’t be met, this set includes cooking utensils only.

Sea to Summit Dinnerware Mess Kit

Sea to Summit Delta Camp 6-Piece Dinnerware Mess Kit

Weight: 10.6 oz.

Material: Polypropylene

Good choice for: Backpackers and car campers who want a full range of uses in a relatively lightweight cutlery set and want a high quality set for eating different types of food during a camping experience.

What I like about it:

• This 6 piece set includes: a plate, bowl, mug, fork, knife and spoon so it’s the best choice for holding your food and helping you get it into your mouth. It’s relatively lightweight for the number of pieces and functionality of the set.
• I like having a separate fork, knife and spoon.
• The functionality of the plate, bowl and spoon are superb. The steep-sided edges of the plate and bowl are great for preventing spills and the spoon is deep enough to comfortably eat soup.
• The plate and bowl are easy to hold because of the thumb grip on the side. The hole in the grip allows it to also be used as an attachment loop for easy carrying.
• This set is very sturdy compared to similar plastic utensils.
• The “Protex” base disperses the surface temperature to prevent the bottoms from getting really hot when filled with hot food and drinks.
• The inside of the mug has graduations for measuring (these are easier to see in the bright colors rather than the dark grey color).
• The mesh pouch can be used for carrying or air drying after washing.
• Dishwasher safe (not a big deal on camp trips but a great option for daily use at work).
• BPA-free.

What I don’t like about it:

• The price point is a little high compared to similar sets on the market but the superior quality makes up for it and will stand the test of time and normal use.
• Plastic versions of forks are usually not great for spearing food, unfortunately, this set is no a exception.
• The serrated knife edge lacks the ability to cut into foods that need a real knife. It’s fine for spreading peanut butter or cutting extremely tender meat, other than that, it is less than impressive.
• This set is a great choice for people who like to add warm water to a bag of dehydrated food or for campers who are using separate cookware sets. This is great for eating but not a top pick for cooking.
• All of the pieces can clip together EXCEPT for the cup. It would be better if the cup had a loop so it could be attached to the rest of the set for carrying and storage.

Sea to Summit Alpha Light Aluminum Camping Cutlery Set

Sea to Summit Alpha Light Aluminum Camping Cutlery Set

There is also a 2-piece set with a fork-spoon combo and separate knife.

Weight: 1.26 oz. for 3-piece set, .84 for 2-piece set

Material: Hard-Anodized Aircraft Aluminum/meets FDA food safety standards

Good choice for: When you’re looking for super-lightweight camping utensils that are strong, a lot of people think titanium utensils are the best material but this light aluminum set is another great choice. Backpackers, car campers and RVers will love this set.

What I like about it:

• This set is made with durable aluminum (hard-anodized aircraft aluminum) which makes it very lightweight with a sleek, slim design.
• This is one of those three-piece sets that has a fork, spoon and a knife that includes holes for the mini carabiner to clip the set together.
• The spoon is not super deep but it’s got a rounded soup spoon shape making it good for eating soup.
• It is easy to stab food because the tines on the fork are long and sturdy.
• Even though the knife looks like a butterknife, the serrated edge is relatively sharp. It can cut through all but the toughest meats with ease.
• It can be used in hot pans to stir food.

What I don’t like about it:

• This price point is a little bit higher than comparable styles, but, if weight matters to you, the lighter weight offsets the cost.
• Because aluminum is a thermal conductor, these utensils can quickly heat up your hand.
• Under normal wear, this set is sturdy but with too much pressure, the fork tines have a tendency to bend.
• There is no carrying case to keep the set clean.

Snow Peak Titanium Fork & Spoon Set With Carrying Case

Snow Peak Titanium Fork & Spoon Set With Carrying Case

Weight: 1.4 oz.

Material: Titanium

Good choice for: This is the perfect utensil set for campers who want lightweight gear with maximum sturdiness and feels most like normal home stainless steel material utensils. Backpackers, car campers and RVers will love this set.

What I like about it:

• Titanium! This is the material that makes up the majority of internal components of a jet engine because it is exceptionally lightweight and extremely heat resistant. That translates into the best camping utensil set overall.
• Even though the total weight of this set is only 1.4 ounces, the pieces are thick, sturdy and rigid giving them the hand and mouth feel of traditional home eating utensils without the added weight.
• They are corrosion resistant so you don’t have to worry about rust.
• You can use this set for cooking because it won’t melt.
• The smooth, streamlined design makes them easy to clean.
• The soup spoon is deep and great for eating soups and stews.
• The fork is full size with 4 long tines that are great for stabbing food.
• The handles have holes for hanging and it comes with a carrying case.

What I don’t like about it:

• Even though this is one of the most expensive sets, it’s hard to call that a negative because of its superior quality and performance.
• You’ll need to carry separate knife sets because there isn’t one with this set.

MSR 4-Piece Folding Camping Spoon and Fork Set

MSR 4-Piece Folding Camping Spoon and Fork Set

Weight: .8 oz.

Material: Plastic

Good choice for: This set is a good option for budget-conscious campers who are looking for the best value for lightweight gear at a cheap price.

What I like about it:

• As one of the lowest price points on the spectrum, these are a great choice that’ll do the job.
• They fold in half so they can be stored inside a camping pot during transportation.
• The pinch-to-fold locking mechanism keeps the handle in place during use.
• When open they are large (8 inches) and small when folded closed (4.5 inches).
• The size of the spoon is good for eating soup.
• They are lightweight.

What I don’t like about it:

• This is one of the best options to stay lightweight on a budget, but, that is achieved by using plastic which is not particularly sturdy or eco-friendly.
• The open-loop handle actually makes them feel weaker and flimsier than disposable utensils, but, they are sturdy enough to accomplish the task.
• Because of the plastic material, you’ll need to be extra cautious when packing and using them so they don’t break.
• There is no knife.
• There is no carry case.

Ka-Bar Tactical Spork

Ka-Bar Tactical Spork (Spoon Fork Knife) Tool

Weight: 1.6 oz.

Material: Polymer Plastic

Good choice for: This is the best bet for budget-conscious campers who want a complete set that is lightweight and affordable.

What I like about it:

• At the low end of the price range, this spork set also includes a knife.
• The sturdy polymer plastic material is lightweight.
• This is a handy tool with the functionality of a fork, spoon and knife in one piece. The handle separates to remove knife.

What I don’t like about it:

• The spork does not function very well as a fork or spoon. The tines are on the short side and not very sharp so it is not really effective for stabbing food. The depth of the spork is on the shallow side so eating soup is not super comfortable or efficient.
• Even though the knife has a serrated edge, it is relatively dull.
• The worst part about “multifunctional gadgets” is how difficult they can be to clean. The ridges, gaps and holes in the design easily trap food and requires a herculean effort to truly clean it.

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