What is the best lightweight backpacking shovel? This is a very frequently asked question among the backpacking community. A backpacking shovel/trowel is necessary for everyone who plans on going backpacking or sometimes even camping. Finding the best and lightest backpacking shovel is very important. A trowel is something you will be using and caring on every trip, so finding one that works for you is very important.
1) Tent Lab Duce Ultralight Backpacking Potty Trowel
The Duce Ultralight Potty Trowel is one of the most well-rounded products on the market. With great reviews and a well-thought-out design, there are very few problems when using this lightweight backpacking shovel.
The Duce Ultralight Potty Trowel is made with high strength grade aluminum and has a strategic design to increase its strength. A rounded design helps increase strength due to the weight being spread out more evenly across the trowel. This makes it so you can dig holes in tougher soil without the worry of it breaking.
This product provides an abundance of selection from size to color. There are three different models ranging from smallest to largest. The smallest size weighs .45 oz and is 6 inches long, the middle size weighs .6 oz and is 7 inches long, and the largest one weighs .97 oz and is 8 inches long.
We recommend the middle size as it is the perfect length for digging a proper poop hole and it will be more durable than the smallest choice. The largest option can be a great idea if you know that where you will be traveling has some hard to cut through soil. With the bigger size and heavier weight, the largest option provides you with more leverage to dig with and a more durable product because it is layered with more aluminum.
2) Yeacool Backpacking Shovel
The Yeacool Backpacking Shovel can be used for almost anything. It works great as a backpacking trowel but is also a multi-tool. This great design allows it to be used as a shovel, saw, ruler, nail extractor, hex wrench, and paracord.
This lightweight backpacking shovel is the strongest of all our options on this list. Made from stainless steel with a thick paracord wrapped handle you will be able able to dig up anything. The sharpened edges allow you to cut through almost any type of soil needed. No need to worry about this trowel breaking or struggling to dig holes while out backpacking.
The dimensions of the Yeacool backpacking tool are 10.43 inches long and 2.87 inches wide. At 6.88 oz this product weighs in as the heaviest product on this list meaning it may not be for everyone.
When looking for a backpacking trowel you will have to consider if you want to have more weight for more strength or less weight for less strength. If you would rather a great increase in tool strength for a small increase in weight this is the towel for you.
3) HTS Folding Stainless Steel Camping Trowel
This folding stainless steel trowel is compact and one of the strongest and most durable products on the market. Made for easy travel it folds up allowing you to squeeze it into a tightly packed backpack or car.
As one of the most affordable options on our list this trowel has few drawbacks. Its collapsible design makes it easy to talk almost anywhere. It folds to be 5 ¾ inches long and 2 1/ inches wide. At 4.7 oz it may not be ideal for everyone but if the weight doesn’t bother you it is a great tool.
It is made out of stainless steel making it one of our strongest options. This material is easy to clean and because of its strength, it isn’t only limited to making small potty holes. This product is able to dig out campfire pits, stake holes, or anything you need. The smooth handle provides and great grip for digging through tough ground.
4) Coghlans Backpackers Trowel
With great reviews, this is the best option for its price. As one of the cheapest options for a backpacker’s trowel, it does the job perfectly. Coghlans is a great backpacking brand known for making reliable products.
At 11 inches long and 2.75 inches wide it is a perfect size for digging 6-10 inch poop holes. Being made from plastic makes this product is very lightweight at only 2 oz. The design gives you great leverage for digging and the pointy end makes it easy to break through tough soil and sand. Being made from plastic it may not be the strongest lightweight backpacking trowel but as the cheapest trowel on the list, it is well worth the money
5) Backcountry Backpacking Trowel
This product is very well-rounded in all three categories of price, strength, and weight. This backcountry backpacking trowel is built for one thing only and that is digging poop holes. Being the most simplistic design on the list many look past this product. Being able to do one thing well is what makes it still a very viable option.
Made from lightweight aluminium there is no worry of it being crushed when in compact places. It only weighs 1 oz and is 6.1 inches long and 3.1 inches wide making it a perfect backpacking trowel. This size can make it difficult to dig a proper 6-inch hole but it is still very doable.
With rounded edges all the way around and a pointy end it makes it easy to grip. The rounded edges make a smooth grip with no metal edges. The pointy end makes it easier to break through the soil and even small roots.
What is a Lightweight Backpacking Shovel?
A backpacking shove, also known as a trowel, is what backpackers use to easily dig holes for their waist. It is a small lightweight shovel that makes digging small to medium size holes very easy. They are very similar to a gardener’s shovel but more sleek making them easier to carry while backpacking.
Why do Backpackers Dig Holes?
When hundreds of miles away from any bathroom backpackers need to find a way to properly dispose of their waste. Digging holes to dispose of waste is the easiest and by far most common method backpackers use.
Digging a hole for your waist helps prevent contamination of the surrounding area. Rain and other weather conditions can easily spread your waste to surrounding areas. Even worse it can be carried to nearby streams and lakes completely contamination any water source.
By digging a hole you are containing your waste and greatly reducing the chance of contamination to nearby areas or water sources. Creating a hole that is at least 6 inches deep then filling in your hole when you are done makes it so your waist will properly decompose without harming anything or anyone in that area.