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Plates and Bowls

Top Picks

How we choose: The best plates and bowls highlighted here were selected based on 43 reviews of 25 products. Our top picks are those that are readily-available in the United States and have received the highest overall ratings from reviewers.

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Sea to Summit X-Set 2-Piece

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (2 reviews)

Unique and innovative products that fill the niche of collapsible dishware, this two-piece set includes the X-Bowl and X-Mug. This is a good solution to increasing the size of your soloist cookset in order to accommodate additional companions, without significantly increasing occupancy inside your packed spaces.

Reasons to Buy

  • Collapsable
  • Modular, nesting designs
  • Bright colors
  • Fun conversational pieces

Reasons to Avoid

  • May retain strong flavors such as coffee
  • Lifespan of silicone walls may not be as long as solid dishware

Specs X-Bowl:  5” dia. (though I measured 6”) x 2.25” tall, 650 ml capacity, 2.9 oz. The bottom is solid and can be used as a small cutting board. X-Mug: 4.5” dia. x 3.25” tall, 480 ml capacity (I measured only about 400 ml), 2.2 oz. The mug has a solid rim which facilitates sipping and handling.The mug and bowl set weigh a little over 5 oz.; 5.9 oz. if you include the complimentary storage bag. They reportedly withstand a temperature range of -40° to 180° C. I didn’t test this.

Read more: Sea to Summit X-Set 2-Piece reviews (2)

Sea to Summit X-Bowl

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (6 reviews)

I bought this bowl at EMS last minute before a week long trip in the Boundary Waters. It works great and folds flat so it fits in your pack perfectly. The bottom actually makes a good cutting board. JUST BE CAREFUL WITH SHARP KNIVES. It is easy to lose concentration when you are using the cutting board and slice through the side wall. The only flaws it has are the heat transfer through the silicone, and the ability to slice it to shreds with a sharp knife. The first time I used it eating ramen with hunks of chicken I poked a hole in the side with my spork.

Read more: Sea to Summit X-Bowl reviews (6)

Sea to Summit X-Plate

user rating: 5 of 5 (1 review)

Packs flat for easy carry while backpacking. Can be easy to place in luggage and use instead of less-environmentally-friendly throwaway options. Easy to clean.

Reasons to Buy

  • Easy to clean
  • Easy to pack in luggage and backpack
  • Environmentally-friendly option

Reasons to Avoid

  • Price

This is my second Sea to Summit purchase and it was worth every penny! I was able to pack this in my backpack and in my luggage for using on my last hiking trip to GA. Used this plate in the hotel room I stayed at as an alternative to throwaway plates, thus saving money and being a bit more environmentally-friendly.   Easy to clean and can be use as a bowl when the sides are up. It can also be used as a cutting board, although I have never used it in that format. This was handy to add to my collection and will be part of my camping and travel gear from now on.

Read more: Sea to Summit X-Plate review (1)

Silipint Lidded Bowl Set

user rating: 4 of 5 (1 review)

A set of three lidded bowls (10oz, 20oz, and 30oz) that function well and have nice secure lids and non-slip silicone surfaces. Smallest one is good for a cup or small container, biggest one makes for a great bowl. Easy to use and easy to clean. Just wish the sizes were a little different.

Reasons to Buy

  • Secure lids
  • Quiet open/closure (good when hunting)
  • No-slip/slide base (good for little kids)

Reasons to Avoid

  • Would prefer larger size differentiation (currently 10oz, 20oz, and 30oz.)

Conditions:  I’ve used the Silipint Lidded Bowl Set for three months and have tested them in a variety of manners, including: Storing trail snacks Storing soup to be reheated later Making soup while hunting in the backcountry Storing kid’s snacks for road trips and day hikes As a cup for both hot and cold drinks (I’ve only used the smallest of the three bowls for this).   Most of my testing has occurred during winter months in the Mid-Atlantic, meaning I’ve had the bowls exposed to cold temps and haven’t noticed any impact on usability due to cold temps.

Read more: Silipint Lidded Bowl Set review (1)

UCO 6-Piece Mess Kit

user rating: 4 of 5 (1 review)

UCO's 6-Piece Mess Kit packs all the tools needed for campsite dining into an easy to carry package. A bowl with tight fitting lid carries a collapsible cup inside. Outside the tether holding the lid onto the bowl secures UCO's 2-piece Switch Spork set. Great for front country use, but worth carrying on back country trips for folks who like to eat well in the wilderness.

Reasons to Buy

  • Tethered kit maintains organization
  • Switch Spork very functional
  • Easy to clean surfaces
  • Sharing opportunities for minimalist eaters

Reasons to Avoid

  • Weight in pack
  • Volume in pack
  • No cup lid
  • Spork discoloration

  The UCO 6-Piece Mess Kit as packaged for sale UCO continues to rethink and engineer outdoor gear with their 6-Piece Mess Kit. With their 2-piece Switch Spork tethered to the tight sealing lid and a collapsible cup inside there is everything a person needs to eat a civilized meal even if they are in an uncivilized setting. It comes in three different color schemes which can be nice to help families keep things in order. They also offer a simpler 4 Piece Mess Kit which uses a one-piece spork and lacks the cup found in this kit.

Read more: UCO 6-Piece Mess Kit review (1)

Sea to Summit Delta Bowl with Lid

user rating: 3.5 of 5 (1 review)

Holds up well, easy to clean, and silverware kit fits inside.

Reasons to Buy

  • The bowl is sturdy, and can hold a decent amount of food.
  • Works well for stews, and other foods with high liquid content.

Reasons to Avoid

  • Lid is hard to put on, take off.

This is my fourth version of mess gear for Boy Scout camping, seems to do the trick. The bowl is deep enough to hold plenty of food, and thick enough to keep it reasonably warm during colder campouts. The diameter is big enough that I can store my utensils inside with the lid closed, and there is even enough room for my headlamp, or small flashlight. Easy to clean when out in the woods. The thumb grip on the side can accept a carabiner, and in a pinch, there are measurement increments on the inside. The lid is tuff to get on/off, which is my only real gripe about this product.  I think they could have made the seal a little looser, just my opinion. All in all, I think this will be my go-to mess kit for the foreseeable future.

Read more: Sea to Summit Delta Bowl with Lid review (1)

Guyot Designs Original Squishy Bowl and Cup Set

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (6 reviews)

Specifications: Squishy Bowl Large Bowl - 3.3 oz, 4.7" diameter x 3" tall Squishy Bowl Cup - 1.7 oz, 3.45" diameter x 2.45" tall Travel Shot - 0.5 oz, 1.95" diameter x 1.42" tall Made of food grade silicone. Available in tomato red, tahoe blue, lime green, and slate dark grey. Purchased for $14.95Guyot Designs asserts that the squishy bowl series is flexible, durable, dish washer safe, and heat resistant. We submitted the Squishy Bowl set of Large Bowl and Cup ($14.95 together in our store) and Travel Shots ($7.55 for a set of two) to several (unbiased, but not entirely scientific) tests of these claims.First up, flexibility.

Read more: Guyot Designs Original Squishy Bowl and Cup Set reviews (6)

Orikaso Bowl

user rating: 5 of 5 (2 reviews)

Innovative, excellent product for the backpacker.

Reasons to Buy

  • Lightweight
  • Compact
  • Excellent design
  • Durable
  • Fun to use

Reasons to Avoid

  • None

I have used this product since 2008. I purchased two from REI at a clearance price of $2.34 each. I have used this wonderful bowl on all my backpacking trips.  What is to love about this product?  The material. The material is durable, extremely durable, and easy to clean, very easy to clean. The capacity is just right for "cup" of tea, or a bowl of soup, cereal, noodles, whatever.  The design is ingenious. Simply fold and tuck the three tabs in the three corners and you have a bowl. Versatile design can be a plate, a cutting board, a bowl.  When folded flat, the slick plastic rinses or wipes clean quickly.

Read more: Orikaso Bowl reviews (2)

Fozzils Bowlz Set

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1 review)

A nice, light way to pack flat in your pack and to have something nicer than a rock to eat off of. Relative to its price, it's a decent piece of gear.

Reasons to Buy

  • Lightweight
  • Just under 3 oz (both bowls combined)
  • Large bowl fits a good size meal
  • Stable
  • About $10

Reasons to Avoid

  • Flat, unsnapped plate does not have enough structural integrity to carry a load of food

In use with a great meal of African cassava leaves and dried smoked minnows! Ease of Use: The Fozzils bowl/plate is easy to use. It has four snaps that lock folds into place to create a bowl that is sturdy enough to hold a full meal. It is also able to hold liquids and soups successfully with its design. When you're finished eating, it wipes down easily and unsnaps into a flattened disk that stows away nicely into your pack.Bowl snapped together Flattened bowl Features: Plastic snaps (similar to those you would find on a Patagonia jacket or other articles with lightweight snaps.

Read more: Fozzils Bowlz Set review (1)

More Reviews of Plates and Bowls

Trailspace reviewers have shared 43 reviews of 25 different plates and bowls.

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Other Types of Cookware

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