Best Camping Utensils And Cutlery in 2024

When you first start out camping, taking along cutlery and utensils from your kitchen is perfectly fine. However, frequent camping trips can take its toll on even the best camping utensils. So, having a dedicated set of cutlery and utensils for camping will preserve your ‘at home’ items and they’ll be much better suited to use at camp.

To ensure that you get the best camp cooking and eating experience possible, we’ve been trying out a load of camping cutlery and utensils to see which we love the most and in which scenarios each item is best suited. From preparing and eating lightweight backpacking meals to campfire cooking and picnics, it’s been the perfect excuse to eat great food in the outdoors. And we hope that by choosing the best camping utensils for your needs, you’ll also spend more time than ever dining out in the wild.

• Best camping utensils and cutlery options in 2024
• Types of camping utensils
• How to choose the best camping utensils for your needs
• Design features of the best camping utensils

Summary of the best camping utensils and cutlery

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Best camping utensils and cutlery options in 2024

Primus TrailSpork Ti

Best for: Backpacking and camp cooking

The Primus TrailSpork Ti is one of the more stylish pieces of camping cutlery on our list. It features a deep, slightly square spoon – which is great for eating soups as well as cooking. Plus, it has triangular holes through the handle – for clipping onto stuff as well as style – which is complemented by a matt coating for extra grip. It’s a joy to eat and cook with but it has a slightly shorter handle than the comparative S2S Titanium Spork.

Though Primus claims that it combines the spoon and fork with a knife, I’ve so far struggled to understand how I might use it as a knife. The handle is too holey to use to spread food, and the edge isn’t sharp in any way. I suppose you can cut cooked food up in the same way you would use the side of a spoon or fork? Either way, there’s no specific knife component to this tough, lightweight and delightfully aesthetic trail spork.

Find the latest price at:
Primus | Alpine Trek

Sea to Summit Alpha Light 3 Piece Set

Best for: Backpacking

You’ll be hard pushed to find a more lightweight cutlery set, complete with knife, fork and spoon, than the Sea to Summit Alpha Light 3 Piece Set. This is the most lightweight complete camping utensils set on our list, and as such, the overall best camping utensil set if low weight is on the agenda. I really like that the cutlery is kept together with a mini carabiner. Plus, the spoon has a good sized bowl to it – ideal for the times when you’re really hungry! Of all the cutlery sets on the list I use this one the most as it has all bases covered without extra weight or bulk.

My only gripe with this super lightweight camping cutlery set is that it’s not dishwasher safe. The aircraft alloy utensils have a smooth anodised finish which adds strength and longevity. Sadly, I didn’t clock this until it was too late! Don’t worry, the set didn’t fall apart and it still functions perfectly! But the finish is matt and dull now, and I guess some of the durability has gone / will go too.

Find the latest price at:
Amazon | Sea to Summit | Alpine Trek

Patagonia To-Go Ware Bamboo Utensil Set

Best for: General outdoor use and camping

This lightweight bamboo set includes a knife, fork, spoon and chopsticks, and is another one of our most used camping cutlery sets. It’s light enough for hiking and backpacking trips but a complete enough set for more substantial camping meals and picnics. And it’s just so packable. All the items are stored in a case which can be clipped onto the outside of a backpack via the handy carabiner. Or store the set in your handbag for those impromptu takeaway picnics.

The knife is fairly useless when it comes to any kind of cutting jobs, but perfectly satisfactory for eating most camping meals that don’t require a sharp edge for chopping. And the addition of chopsticks add an element of versatility when stirring and serving meals, as well as good backup eating utensil, assuming they’re not your first choice!

Find the latest price at:
REI | Patagonia Provisions

Light My Fire Spork BIO

Best for: Backpacking

Weighing in at a miniscule 11g / 0.4oz, the Light My Fire Spork BIO is the lightest option on our list. The Sea to Summit Titanium Spork is only a few grams heavier but twice the price, making this eco-friendly spork an excellent option for lightweight backpackers on a budget. Sure, corn-based bioplastic won’t stand up to the test of time like titanium, and I certainly have to consider where it goes in my pack for fear of snapping it. But its creation has a lower impact on the planet, providing you look after it and don’t have to replace it too often! The Spork BIO also has a serrated edge, which the Titanium Spork lacks, as well as longer fork prongs. Plus, it’s heat-resistant and safe to use with nonstick cookware.

The main downside is that it’s a little on the short side (17cm / 6.5”) to get right to the bottom of pre-packed backpacking meals. You’ll get food on your fingers!

Find the latest price at:
Light My Fire | Amazon | Alpine Trek

Bitty BigQ Folding Cutlery Set

Best for: Backpacking and camping

Despite being made of lightweight titanium, this camping cutlery set is on the heavy side if low weight is top priority. Granted, the three-piece set still only weighs 53g / 1.9oz, but the stainless steel handles add a touch extra weight. They also tend to unfold themselves occasionally as they don’t quite lock into place as securely as I’d prefer, though nothing that a pair of pliers couldn’t fix! The main benefit of these folding camping utensils is how packable they are, fitting inside a mug and not sticking out into the rest of your gear. Plus, the knife, fork and spoon comes in a mesh drawstring case for further packability.

Unfortunately, Bitty BigQ only sells the folding cutlery set with a titanium lidded mug, which I rather enjoy for camping and backpacking! Great if you’re in the market for both!

Find the latest price at:
Amazon

Human Gear GoBites Trio

Best for: Everyday use, hiking and camping

Despite it being the heaviest cutlery set on our list, the Human Gear GoBites Trio is one of the most useful for everyday use and picnics, as well as camping. It comes in a tough case which not only keeps the set together in your daypack or handbag, but the case also protects your other stuff from the dirty cutlery once you’ve used them.

The utensils are made of tough high-temp nylon which feels pretty bombproof and surprisingly nice to hold and eat with. They’re also dishwasher safe, BPA-, PC- and phthalate-free. And despite their plastic construction, the knife does a pretty good job at actually cutting stuff. There’s even a small toothpick and a rather handy metal bottle opener which is embedded in the knife.

Not the best for backpacking if low weight is high on the agenda. But very good for day hikes, picnics, camping and for popping in your commuter bag, just in case.

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GoBites | REI

MSR Titan Fork and Spoon Set

Best for: Backpacking and camping

Though a little heavier than the 3-piece Sea to Summit Alpha Set, this Titan Fork and Spoon Set is up there with the favourite utensil sets we’ve tried. At 30g / 1oz, this 2-piece cutlery set is still very lightweight and both the spoon and fork are a joy to eat with. They are a touch longer than the Alpha set making them more adept at scraping out the bottom of backpacking food packets! They also have an overall nice feel about them. One reason for this is that they are dishwasher safe which means that the titanium finish doesn’t degrade with washes. Plus, they’re slim to hold with slightly more satisfying angles at the head (details, details!).

Obviously, they lack the knife that the Alpha set offers. But in all honesty, I take a separate knife with me anyway when I’m backpacking and camping. The absence of a cutting implement does make the set less suited to picnics and packed lunches. But for backpacking, they’re a winner. They also come with a screw-locked cable which can be a bit fiddly to undo. But the cable spaces the utensils out enough to not always need to separate them.

Find the latest price at:
Amazon | Wildbounds

Sea to Summit Titanium Spork

Best for: Backpacking and camping

As sporks go, the Sea to Summit Titanium Spork is a little on the pricey side. However, it is made of titanium, which is bombproof, corrosion resistant and food safe. So unless you go to town on it with a hammer then it really should last you for years, if not decades. It’s also the second lightest camping cutlery option on this list (14g / 0.5oz) making it one of the best backpacking sporks out there.

The anodised finish adds an appealing matt texture to the spork and the mini carabiner is a nice feature to help keep tabs on its whereabouts.

The fork prongs lack the length offered by the Spork BIO and Primus TrailSpork, and it also lacks a serrated edge. But I like that both the spoon and fork are on the same end, especially when eating pre-made backpacking meals that sometimes require a fork and spoon to eat. That said, like the other sporks, it would benefit from some extra length to really get to the bottom of packetted meals. The slim handle helps with this and enables you to get your fingers inside the pack without getting too covered in food!

Find the latest price at:
Sea to Summit | REI | Alpine Trek

Expedition Foods Unbreakable Spoon

Best for: Backpacking and camp cooking

When it comes to camp cooking utensils, you really can’t go wrong with this cheap and cheerful silicon spoon. As the name states, the Expedition Foods Unbreakable Spoon is pretty bombproof and made of extremely durable material. Helpfully, the silicon is also heat resistant and doesn’t melt in hot / boiling water.

But where this 20cm / 8” spoon really comes into its own is when cooking in non-stick cookware when car camping or backpacking. The soft silicon won’t scratch it, so spark up the stove and get those eggs a scramblin’!

Find the latest price at:
Expedition Foods

MSR Alpine Long Tool Spoon

Best for: Backpacking and camp cooking

If you like to keep your meals minimalist and simple on the trail, then the Alpine Long Tool Spoon is a superb option. At 22.5cm long, it’s the longest utensil on our list. That extra length makes the difference between getting those last morsels of fuel from the bottom of a backpacking meal packet or not. Every calorie counts when you’re a hungry hiker! Plus, the long handle means that you don’t get food all over your hands trying to reach the bottom or stirring the contents in the first place. This applies to cooking in and eating out of tall pots, too.

To make it even more trail friendly, the spoon also features a jet-and-cable tool, designed for servicing MSR liquid-fuel stoves, though I’ve yet to use it for this. For all these reasons, it’s by far the best camping utensil on this list for eating and making pre-packaged freeze dried and dehydrated backpacking meals.

Find the latest price at:
MSR | Backcountry | Amazon | Alpine Trek

Types of camping utensils

Sporks

Sporks are a double ended camping utensil with a spoon at one end and a fork at the other. Often, the fork has a serrated edge to replace the need for a knife. Sporks were originally made out of plastic and tended to break due to the nature of their curved design. However, there are lots of metal Sporks available which solve this issue.

Folding camping utensils

These are a good option for packing and space saving. A full set of folding camping utensils easily fit into a cooking pot or nestle in with other items without sticking out. The quality and functionality of the hinges can vary so ensure that they lock open securely. The presence of a hinge also makes folding cutlery susceptible to breaking easily.

Camping cutlery sets

Cutlery sets usually comprise three separate items: a knife, a fork and a spoon. Some also come with chopsticks and most are either contained in a small case or bag, or attached together with a carabiner or similar.

There are also group camping cutlery sets available which usually hold enough cutlery for 4 to 6 people. They tend to come in a carry case and may also include teaspoons or serving spoons.

Camp cooking utensils

Utensils for camping cooking vary from non-stick, lightweight spatulas to good old-fashioned wooden spoons and everything in between. What you need for your own camp cooking will depend upon the type of cooking you are doing. Campfire cooking and grilling require very different utensils (tongs, spatula, long fork etc) than when preparing lightweight trail meals. You may want to opt for a full set of camp cooking utensils, complete with carry case and chopping board. Or a single item may have you covered for most meals.

How to choose the best camping utensils for your needs

Now that you know the different types of camping cutlery and utensils that are available, you need to ask yourself a few questions about how you intend to use them. Surprisingly, the answer isn’t quite as simple as “for eating!”

Ask yourself the following questions:

What are you eating with your camping cutlery?
Hopefully food! But what type of food? Boil in the bag backpacking meals require little more than a Spork or spoon to cook and eat. If you go down this route, be sure that all your meals are as simple to prepare and eat.

If you prefer a spot of gourmet camp cooking and / or like to vary your meals to include things that warrant using a knife and fork (and not just a spoon), then you’ll need a camp cutlery set which contains all three.

What type of camping are you doing?
If you’re backpacking and hiking then opt for something lightweight and packable with multi-purpose functions – think Spork! If you have multiple items in your set then a carry case is also useful to prevent them getting lost in your pack.

Car camping and glamping, on the other hand, means that you can bring along pretty much whatever you use at home. I’m not suggesting busting out your finest cutlery set to munch on a chargrilled potato. However, you can certainly get away without buying specific camping cutlery if you don’t want to. That said, a dedicated set does mean that you can leave it in your camping box, ready to go. It will also be much more lightweight than regular cutlery, and it will probably rattle around a lot less during transit!

Are you cooking with your camping utensils too?
If you intend using your cutlery set to cook with as well as to eat with then it’s likely you’ll need something more comprehensive than just a Spork, though this does depend upon your cooking style. It’s always useful to have a metal fork at the ready when cooking over fire, and a knife has endless uses.

How many people are eating / are you cooking for?
If you’re car camping with your family, a camp cutlery set with multiple knives, forks and spoons is essential. But you’ll also need to consider the utensils you’ll need to cook larger meals with. You’ll go mad trying to serve up a one pot curry to your group of 6 using only a Spork!

Camp cutlery material

Many of the above criteria will be influenced by the material your camping utensils are made out of. Or perhaps the material you choose will be influenced by your needs and wants?! Either way, what your camping cutlery is made of is fairly important if you want to get the right camping utensils for you.

Here are your options:

Some camp cutlery combine materials for optimal functionality or style. Some have plastic handles that are complemented by stainless steel heads. Others are made with titanium but have stainless steel or aluminum heads for easy cleaning. And wooden or bamboo handled metal cutlery is not an uncommon sight in the glamping world where style is everything!

Design features of the best camping utensils

A few other things to consider when choosing camping cutlery and utensils are those little extras features that you may not even have realised were important before you got dragged down this rabbit hole!

Here are a few things to look for that may be useful to your camp cooking and eating needs:

• 

  Carry case

• 

  Attachment carabiner or clip

• 

  Bottle opener

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