Tenting shovels vary from small trowels for digging toilet holes to bigger snow shovels for mountaineering. After I consider a trowel, I wish to ensure that it might probably maintain as much as quite a lot of terrain, together with hard-packed desert and rooty Alaskan tundra. After I consider snow shovels, I take into consideration sturdiness for different causes. A damaged snow shovel at 20,000 ft could be life-threatening, as I concern the day I’ll want my snow shovel to dig out my associate from an avalanche. I additionally use snow shovels to create tent platforms, dig toilet holes, dig for clear snow to boil for water, and create partitions for cover towards the weather. I additionally preserve shovels in my truck as an on a regular basis carry since you by no means know when you’ll need to dig out a automotive or dig an emergency toilet gap. I dug holes of all sizes in all kinds of floor to seek out one of the best tenting shovels. Listed below are my picks:
- Most Sturdy: Vargo Dig Dig Software
- Finest Funds: GSI Open air Cathole Trowel
- Finest Light-weight: TheTentLab The Deuce #2
- Finest Options: Sea to Summit Nylon 66 Pocket Trowel
- Finest for Large Holes: SOL Packable Discipline Shovel
- Finest for Mountaineering: Mammut Alugator Professional Gentle
- Finest for Backcountry Snowboarding: Backcountry Entry Dozer 2H Avalanche Shovel
How you can Select a Tenting Shovel

First query ought to be, what’s your meant use—filth or snow? Then it’s good to take into consideration the fabric you favor—plastic or metallic? Subsequent, it’s good to take into consideration the dimensions of the blade and the power to retailer it. Is it moving into your backpack, in your backpack, or hooked up to a sled or snow machine? Does it have any further options, or can it’s used for a number of functions? Do you want one which has a shiny shade? I can’t inform you what number of occasions I used to be within the woods digging my cathole and laid down my trowel, then looked for it because it was the identical shade because the forest flooring. Personally, I like shiny orange so I can spot it simply. Equally, I favor my snow shovels to have a shiny shade in case they get buried in snow.
The most typical use for tenting shovel is to dig a small gap to deposit human waste. I don’t like to speak about my private medical woes, however I’ve a abdomen situation and should go to the toilet at any given second with out a number of discover. To high it off, I’m not the largest fan of outhouses. Suffice to say with my 6,000+ miles hiked worldwide in distant areas, shovels have develop into a lifeline for me. In the course of the 141 days/nights of my Appalachian Path through hike, I dug 55 holes to do my enterprise, with simply as many occasions in an outhouse and indoor plumbing when accessible. So I’ve realized a factor or two about digging catholes and listed here are some suggestions from Go away No Hint.
- Find an space at the least 200 ft (about 70 grownup paces) from water, trails, and camp.
- Dig an acceptable sized gap (4-6 inches diameter) and 6-8 inches deep together with your trowel.
- Do your small business.
- Cowl the opening with the filth you dug out and make it seem like nobody has ever been there.
- Pack out your soiled bathroom paper or any female merchandise.
Bonus hints: After I arrange my camp, I discover a good space away from camp and pre-dig my gap. It could be pointless for some individuals, however I do know my diseased digestive system, so I do know I’ll have enterprise to do in some unspecified time in the future. And there’s nothing like having to go and dig whereas squeezing your butt cheeks to carry all the pieces in. I additionally format my bathroom equipment earlier than going, ensuring my bathroom paper, hand sanitizer, and trowel are all set and accessible in my pack.
Most Sturdy: Vargo Dig Dig Software
Key Options
- Product of titanium
- Serrated edges
- Doubles as a stake
- 1.25 ounces
- 8 inches
Why It Made the Reduce
The Vargo Dig Dig Software is bomb-proof, is extraordinarily light-weight, can reduce into the bottom, and doubles as a stake.
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Professionals
- Can reduce into the bottom
- Light-weight
- Snug
Cons
- Dear
Product Description

I’ve owned the Vargo Dig Dig Software for about three years, and it’s my go-to trowel for each journey. The ergonomic u-shape design is purposeful for digging, because the sharp edges can reduce by means of the laborious floor and roots with ease. It suits completely within the facet pocket of my pack with my toiletries, and filth pops proper off it after I bang it towards the bottom. It’s so light-weight (1.25 ounces) that I by no means even discover it in my bag. It doubled as a tent stake after I was quick whereas buckling down my tent in gale-force winds. The rounded high is healthier for pushing down together with your hand whereas digging, though generally I can really feel it chopping into my hand. I often simply stamp it into the bottom with my boot—and that proves its sturdiness as I’ve by no means bent it.
Finest Funds: GSI Open air Cathole Trowel
Key Options
- Serrated blade
- Exhausting plastic
- 3.1 ounces
- 10 inches
Why It Made the Reduce
The GSI Open air Cathole Trowel is a straightforward, reasonably priced, and light-weight choice in your digging wants.
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Professionals
- Inexpensive
- Sturdy
- Many shade choices
Cons
- Exhausting to take away filth from blade
Product Description
I’ve used a GSI Open air Cathole Trowel for greater than ten years, so it has dug tons of of catholes. It would look soiled because the blade edges maintain filth simply, nevertheless it nonetheless is in completely usable situation. This 10-inch trowel is fabricated from laborious, sturdy recycled meals and beverage containers and has a thick deal with for a sturdy grip. It does have serrated edges that assist dig and reduce into the bottom. The correct cat gap must be six or extra inches in response to Go away No Hint ethics, and this shovel has a measurement scale on the blade for a exact gap. They arrive in an assortment of colours so you possibly can pick your favourite one. I like the bonus Go away No Hint ideas which are etched on the again of the shovel to information you on correct methods for going to the toilet within the outside.
Finest Light-weight: TheTentLab The Deuce #2
Key Options
- Each ends are useful
- 2 etched tooth on both facet
- Sturdy, but light-weight, aluminum
- Lanyard or carbineer gap
- Recyclable
- .6 ounces
- 6.8 inches
Why It Made the Reduce
TheTentLab The Deuce #2 is one in every of lightest tenting shovels on the market and has a number of features and talents.
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Professionals
- Light-weight
- Cuts into the bottom with ease
- Twin sided
Cons
- Dear
Product Description
TheTentLab The Deuce #2 is a favourite amongst my thru-hiker testers. The minimal weight of .6 ounces makes this a no brainer carry for individuals who wish to journey gentle. Product of robust 7075-T6 aluminum, the deal with finish is supposed to pry up rocks and reduce into the bottom to create a gap. Then flip it and use the bigger rounded shovel finish to raise up the filth within the gap. For those who encounter robust floor, the Deuce has two etched tooth on both facet. These are made to final a lifetime, however for those who don’t need it anymore, it’s one hundred pc recyclable. Designed and made in Colorado.
Finest Options: Sea to Summit Nylon 66 Pocket Trowel
Key Options
- Retractable deal with
- Non-obligatory storage space
- Brilliant orange deal with
- 3 ounces
- 5.5 inches collapsed
Why It Made the Reduce
The Sea to Summit Nylon 66 Pocket Trowel is a nifty trowel to dig small holes with the power to break down and retract and retailer bathroom paper.
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Professionals
- Inexpensive
- Distinctive design
Cons
- Not a super-wide blade
- No serration on the blade
Product Description
The Sea to Summit Nylon 66 Pocket Trowel is fabricated from glass-reinforced nylon and weighs 3 ounces. I did discover with sturdy power, the trowel does flex a bit, and generally I fear I’ll snap it. Although it absolutely extends to 9.5 inches, the deal with retracts to five.5 inches into the blade for house saving. When absolutely prolonged, the snug rounded grip provides you leverage for digging. I like the bonus storage compartment within the hole deal with. Take away the deal with’s finish cap, and there’s sufficient room for some bathroom paper or hand sanitizer.
Finest for Large Holes: SOL Packable Discipline Shovel
Key Options
- Carbon metal shovel head with serrated edge
- Vast easy-grip deal with
- 9 inches collapsed
- 2 kilos
Why It Made the Reduce
The SOL Packable Discipline Shovel has the power to dig greater holes in robust soil, but it folds into the dimensions of a pill.
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Professionals
- Serrated edge
- Collapsible
- Comes with a carrying case
Cons
- No serration on the tip of the blade
- Can’t be locked right into a hoe place
- Not supreme for backpacking at 2 kilos
Product Description
At 2 kilos, the carbon metal shovel head retains the load down however the sturdiness up. It might get any job completed on the path, at your campsite, and even round the home. The SOL shovel lives in my truck and is prepared when I’m automotive tenting, and I must dig a gap for establishing my shelter or toilet holes for my group. I simply used it this winter in an emergency at a trailhead the place one other truck was caught in some snow. I like the big open deal with that enables me to grip with or with out gloves on. It measures just below 2-feet lengthy when prolonged however folds all the way down to 9 inches by 6 inches to suit into its carrying case with belt loop attachment. The serrated blade has 23 sharp tooth, which turns out to be useful after I want to chop by means of rooty terrain.
Finest for Snow: Mammut Alugator Professional Gentle
Key Options
- Exhausting anodized aluminum
- Comes aside simply
- Massive T grip
- 1.4 kilos
- 2 ft collapsed
Why It Made the Reduce
The Mammut Alugator Professional Gentle is a reliable, sturdy, and light-weight shovel for digging quick and deep.
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Professionals
- Massive straight blade
- Retractable deal with
- Light-weight
Cons
- The orange shaft pale within the solar
- Costly
Product Description

This 1.4-pound beast was with me on my final Denali expedition and within the backcountry of Alaska for the final couple of years. At nearly 3 ft lengthy whereas absolutely prolonged, I don’t must bend over a lot whereas digging out tent platforms in deep snow. The Alugator Professional Gentle’s straight blade is supposed for chopping snow blocks, which was needed in any respect my camp spots on Denali to construct partitions to guard towards the climate. The entire shovel head is so sturdy that I can stamp on it to chop into snow and ice. The shovel head has holes in it, which is beneficial for an emergency anchor to connect tools like carabineers. The T grip and shaft are so sturdy that the hardest-packed snow and ice didn’t even section it. The telescoping shaft slims the shovel all the way down to 2 ft, and it simply attaches to my backpack. The brilliant orange shaft makes it simple to identify in a pinch, though it did fade to a mute orange whereas having the 24-hour Alaskan solar beat down on it through the years.
Finest for Backcountry Snowboarding: Backcountry Entry Dozer 2H Avalanche Shovel
Key Options
- Ability to push snow
- Low profile
- Shops flat in your pack
- 1.7 kilos
- Packs all the way down to 14 inches
Why It Made the Reduce
The Backcountry Entry Dozer 2H Avalanche Shovel is a dual-action shovel/hoe that’s environment friendly and dependable.
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Professionals
- Light-weight
- Straightforward storage in a pack
- Quick meeting
Cons
- Dear
Product Description
The Backcountry Entry Dozer 2H Avalanche Shovel deploys very quick, so there’s no fussing round in an emergency state of affairs. At simply over 31 inches when absolutely prolonged with a T-grip that matches completely in your hand with or with out gloves, it does quick work whereas shoveling. It collapses to fifteen inches or could be dissembled to pack down even smaller, so storing it in your backpack takes up minimal room (bonus: this shovel truly lays flat in your pack). You’ll be able to flip the shaft and use the deal with to create a hoe so now you possibly can push or pull snow. This selection makes carving out tent platforms simple. At 1.7 kilos, it ought to be a key a part of your backcountry ski equipment.
Methodology

The testing course of was fairly simple for this evaluate. I dug, dug, then dug some extra. I put as a lot power as I may on the shovels I examined. All of them carried out very nicely and didn’t break. The Sea to Summit Nylon 66 Pocket Trowel did flex however didn’t break. I sought out laborious soil with rocks and roots (simple in Alaska) for the smaller shovels. I examined the snow shovels in varied snow situations (once more, simple in Alaska). I additionally sought out suggestions from my trusted testers, and a number of them extremely praised TheTentLab The Deuce #2. I noticed put on and tear from years of use. None of them have been broken however did get scraped up. Some have been simpler to wash filth off than the others. Storage and weight of the shovel have been essential, they usually all wanted to be compact or have the power to break down.
FAQs
Ultimate Ideas
As I stated earlier than, having one of the best tenting shovel can save your life and save the earth. My greatest pet peeve is after I see somebody’s enterprise close to a path or within the woods. A easy trowel and figuring out learn how to dig correct catholes can’t solely assist you to however will assist the earth.
Best snow shovel for hiking ranked by customer satisfaction.
Source: https://www.outdoorlife.com/gear/best-camping-shovels/