Camping utensils must be lightweight and robust. Unfortunately, a lot of them are low quality and snap after a couple of uses.
This article will give you 12 suggestions for the best camping utensils on the market right now. I’ve selected a range of designs because I know that everyone has different preferences. (Sporks are my number one pet hate!)
No matter what your price range, one of these should be perfect for your next camping meal. I hope you find what you’re looking for!
In a Hurry? Here Are My Top 5 Picks
12 Best Camping Utensils
BEWBOW Bamboo Travel Set
This bamboo travel set is ideal for environmentally conscious campers.
Bamboo is a wonderful material for kitchenware. First, it’s stronger than hardwood. But it’s also lightweight and sustainable. Unlike plastic, it doesn’t need chemical processing. And unlike metal, you don’t have to mine to get to it.
Bamboo is fast-growing, so it’s easier to produce than other types of wooden cutlery. (It can grow 5 meters in a year!)
In this set, you get a fork, a knife, a spoon, a straw, chopsticks, a toothbrush, and a cleaning brush.
All of these slot into a durable canvas bag so that you can keep your cutlery clean and safe on the move. (A bottle opener is even attached to the bag to help you crack open a cold drink when you’ve made camp!)
This set is gorgeous, but it isn’t as strong as metal cutlery sets. I don’t eat meat, so that shouldn’t be a problem for me. But if you will be barbecuing steaks, I don’t think the bamboo knife will be up to the job.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Eco-friendly
- Beautiful
- No chemicals
- Bonus toothbrush
Cons:
- Not the strongest
Qyyiguf Wheat Straw Cutlery
I think you’ll get the best value for your money with this four-pack of wheat straw cutlery.
I love that each little cutlery set comes in its own box, color-coded for different family members. The boxes will also help keep your utensils clean at the campsite, so you don’t have to worry about dirt or creepy crawlies making it into your meal.
You get a fork, spoon, and serrated knife with this model. (No chopsticks but I don’t understand why so many camping sets include them anyway!)
The handles are a little shorter than those on regular cutlery but this makes the utensils even more compact. They are lightweight and sturdy. I love that they are compostable, too.
Don’t worry; they aren’t going to start composting as you’re washing them. They have to go to a proper compost facility to start breaking down!
Pros:
- Great value
- Color-coded
- Sealed in boxes
- Compostable
- Light
- Compact
Cons:
- Not as bombproof as metal sets
Zoku Pocket Utensil Set
Zoku Pocket Utensils are probably your best overall choice for a camping cutlery set. They are made of stainless steel, so you don’t have to worry about them breaking under pressure. Your fork, knife, and spoon neatly stack so they can slip into a small hard case.
This will keep your cutlery clean while also preventing you from losing one of the utensils along the way.
I know that we like to get our pack weight down as low as possible but I’d rather have a decent set of cutlery than eat with a weird mutant spoon. (No offense, spork lovers.)
A proper set of utensils will not significantly weigh you down, and it will be a lot more comfortable than some of the ultralightweight alternatives.
Some users do say that the case isn’t very tough, so make sure to pack this somewhere sensible, where the rest of your gear won’t crush it.
But whether you’re car camping or backpacking, the Zoku set is most likely your best bet.
Pros:
- Strong stainless steel
- Carry case
- Compact
Cons:
- Carry case isn’t very durable
PATTAYALA Biodegradable Wooden Cutlery
If you’re camping with a large family group and limited facilities, I can understand why you might want to go for disposable cutlery. If that’s the case, I highly recommend Pattayala biodegradable wooden cutlery.
This way, you get all the convenience of disposable without contributing to plastic pollution. Once you’ve finished your meal, you can toss your wooden cutlery on the campfire. It will be one less thing to take home with you.
Or, if you want to keep costs low, you can write each camper's name on their cutlery with a sharpie pen and wash the cutlery between meals. It will be fine so long as you use a soft sponge and warm, soapy water; a scrubbing brush would be too abrasive.
Then you can dispose of the cutlery at the end of the trip and spend the money you saved on ice cream or a beer!
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Compostable
- Convenient
Cons:
- More expensive than plastic disposables
DESIOLE Portable Camping Tool
The Desiole Portable Camping Tool is a good choice for ultralight backpacking. Given any choice at all, I would bring proper cutlery for a camp but I understand why some people prefer space-efficient kit like this.
This is a double-ended spoon and fork with a serrated edge for cutting. There’s also a built-in bottle opener, and you can use one side of the tool to open tin cans.
Personally, I wouldn’t risk using the can opener because I’d be worried about breaking my gear. But it’s good to know you’ve got that option for an emergency!
At only 0.1 pounds, this is an extremely lightweight piece of equipment. It’s made of stainless steel, but it’s still really cheap. I highly recommend it for the more intrepid explorers amongst us!
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Compact
- Multifunctional
Cons:
- Not as comfortable as conventional cutlery
Core Element 100% Titanium Three-Piece Utensil Set
I really like the Core Element Three-Piece Utensil Set. There is a handy hole for you to pop a clip through, so you don’t lose any of your cutlery. You can also use this to attach the utensils to your bag if you would like.
This cutlery set is lightweight and durable, but I doubt that it’s genuinely titanium. It’s far more likely that this is an aluminum cutlery set anodized with titanium.
Looking at the price, weight, and dimensions of the product, I’m just not convinced.
I may be wrong about this but proceed with caution if having titanium utensils is important to you. You could determine whether the product is genuine by drilling into it and checking the color of the sparks but that’s going to be a waste of your equipment!
So, I do like this set for camping but I’m not sure I trust the specs.
Pros:
- Well designed
- Lightweight
- Great value (if it’s genuinely titanium)
Cons:
- Possibly misleading description
KINLINK 4-in-1 Camping Utensils
Kinlink stainless steel utensil sets lock together when they’re stacked, so they are easy to transport without losing any components!
You get three sets, which include a fork, spoon, and knife. The knife is sharp enough to cut meat easily, and it also has a built-in bottle opener. The quality of this cutlery does make it on the heavy side!
I think this offers good value for money, though three sets is perhaps a slightly unusual number. I tend to go camping with just my husband or with a larger group of friends, though I suppose you could always keep the third set for spares. (I’m constantly losing something when I go out camping!)
There’s not much more to say about this product. It’s simple but effective, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
Some users report that they got only two sets after ordering, so make sure to check your parcel and let customer service know if you need any help ASAP.
Pros:
- Good quality
- Clever stacking design
- Sharp knife
- Built-in bottle opener
Cons:
- Over 300 grams
OUTXE Titanium 2 in 1 Fork and Spoon Combo
The Outxe Fork and Spoon Combo doesn’t have a serrated knife edge. While this might not be convenient for everybody, it does mean that you can get it through airport security without any problems.
It also means you aren’t sticking a knife edge into your mouth when using your fork!
For most camping meals that I make, this little piece of kit would work just fine (especially because I always have a penknife with me if I really need to cut something).
But it’s the kind of kit you want to take for your ration packs on the mountain trails rather than for a family car camping trip.
Just like with the Core Element utensils I mentioned earlier, I’m a little doubtful about whether this is really titanium. I don’t mean to be mistrustful but you shouldn’t be able to bend a true titanium kit with your hands.
This would be a good choice for a lightweight camper, especially anyone who has cut their tongue on a serrated fork in the past and wants to play it safe!
Pros:
- Safe
- Lightweight
- Deep spoon
Cons:
- Possibly misleading specs
Ka-Bar Tactical Spork
The Ka-Bar Tactical Spork is an interesting two-in-one utensil made of polymer plastic. Now, you know how I feel about sporks, so this isn’t the best choice for me.
But it’s pretty cool how the knife slides up into the fork like a Russian doll, saving you space in your pack.
This is a strong and durable piece of kit that massively divides opinion. Half of the users seem to love it, and the other half can’t stand it! Major complaints include the fact that a little hole in the stacking system traps food and makes it difficult to clean.
Some people find it practical and say that the serrated knife is much sharper than you’d find with most lightweight eating utensils.
This seems to be a decent choice for backpackers but it’s not everybody’s cup of tea!
Pros:
- Space-saving
- Sharp, serrated knife
Cons:
- Difficult to clean
- Small
IKEA BPA-Free Flatware Set
The Ikea BPA-Free Flatware Set isn’t as intriguing as the Ka-Bar Tactical Spork but it’s a cheap and cheerful choice for a family of six. Each fork, knife, and spoon set is a different color, making it easy to identify whose is whose.
This cutlery is lightweight and durable. Plus, it’s microwave and dishwasher safe, though I doubt you’ll have access to those appliances at your campground.
There is nothing wrong with this utensil set, and it’s much more sustainable than buying disposable plastic cutlery.
But you can probably buy the same thing cheaper inside an actual IKEA store rather than on Amazon (though you’d have to spend money on gas to get there).
Pros:
- Cheap and cheerful
- Color-coded
- Durable
Cons:
- Cheaper in-store
4 Sets Bamboo Travel Utensils Set
If you’re camping as a family, this could be an excellent eco-friendly choice. The bamboo utensils aren’t dissimilar from my top choice but you’ve got four sets, each of which has a unique canvas pouch to make it easier to identify which one belongs to each person. (Kind of like a more sophisticated version of color coding!)
I love the design of both the pouch and the cutlery, which includes a serrated knife, a fork, a spoon, a straw, and chopsticks. I’d probably leave out the straw and chopsticks if I were backpacking but there’s no reason they can’t come along for a car camping trip.
Though made of wood, this cutlery is heat- and stain-resistant. The utensils are hand polished with care but they are surprisingly durable and strong!
A couple of users said their cutlery came with splinters, so make sure to check them carefully when they arrive. They’d be an excellent choice for some but they won’t be as hard-wearing or strong as the metal sets I mentioned in this article.
Pros:
- Beautiful
- Easily distinguishable
- Eco-friendly
- Stain- and heat-resistant
Cons:
- Weaker than metal
WiTisve Camping Cutlery Set
This utensil set intrigued me because I’ve never seen anything like it. The fork, spoon, and knife are regular-size when in use but once you’re done, you can unscrew them into two halves, so they fit into a box around the size of a smartphone. (The box will also help keep your cutlery clean at the campsite!)
There aren’t enough user recommendations to get a good overview of the kit, so please comment on this article with your opinion if you’ve ever seen them in the flesh!
They seem like a pretty good choice for camping because the box is nice and compact, while the stainless steel is solid and durable. I like the twisting mechanism to put them together but, at 272 grams, they are pretty heavy.
This could be a good choice for car camping but I wouldn’t bring it backpacking with me!
I guess this choice would be a bit of a wildcard. I’m interested to see if the design becomes more popular in the coming years.
Pros:
- Compact design
- Strong stainless steel
- Good size cutlery
Cons:
- Heavy
- I haven’t tested them
Camping Utensils Buying Guide
Choosing camping utensils isn’t rocket science, so I think you should have already found something you like in this article!
But if you’re struggling to make a decision, here are a few pointers to help you out.
Weight
Cutlery will never be really heavy but if you’re backpacking or thru-hiking, you’ll have to be careful. It would be a waste to bring 300-gram cutlery when you could be investing that weight in a better sleeping bag or pad.
So, if you’re not car camping, try to choose something lighter than 50 grams.
Durability
It can be hard to get the right balance between weight and durability. User reviews would be your best bet because buyers will leave a comment if their utensils broke too quickly.
Then again, a lot of reviews are fake these days. (Either positive ones from the company or negative from the competition!) So, try to read some three-star reviews, which are probably the most honest.
Materials
When it comes to camping utensils, there are a few options:
- Stainless steel
- Titanium
- Bamboo
- Plastic
- Other wood
Stainless steel is more durable than plastic or bamboo but it is also heavier.
Titanium is a lightweight and strong metal but some companies try to sell aluminum products with a titanium coating as the real thing. So, be careful!
Personally, I love bamboo cutlery but it’s not going to last as long as plastic utensils, and there is a chance you could get some splinters on the wood.
Make certain any plastic products are BPA-free and go for wooden rather than plastic disposable utensils.
Size
For me, full-sized cutlery is important. I hate scrabbling around in my mess tin with a tiny little spork!
But if you’re feeling less high maintenance than I am, you can get a mini spork with a serrated edge; it won’t take up much space in your pack at all. Be careful with serrated forks, though, because they can cut your tongue if you aren’t careful.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to get so lost in picking your kit that you never end up making it to the trails.
So, instead of wasting any more time looking for utensils, grab whatever your gut is telling you to go with and get packing!
My personal favorite is the BEMBOW bamboo travel set but the PATTAYALA Biodegradable Wooden Cutlery would be better value for a family of four.
The Zoku Pocket Utensil Set is the best overall choice because it’s durable, affordable, and well designed. But if you’re thru-hiking, you might be better off with something like the DESIOLE Portable Camping Tool.
I hope you’ve found this article helpful, and I wish you many happy camping adventures!
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Rachel Horne
Rachel is a freelance adventure writer and founder of Highly Sensitive Nomad. When she isn’t writing, she can be found wild camping in the mountains and swimming in the lakes of Europe.
