Camp Shovels and Trowels

Recent Camp Shovel/Trowel Reviews

TheTentLab Deuce of Spades #3

An essential tool for backcountry camping, where strength, durability, light weight and effectiveness are critical! Tentlab's Deuce #3 HD Trowel meets and exceeds on all counts!                                              The Deuce #3 HD Trowel  by TentLab One cannot really wax eloquent on a poop shovel, but if you could...it would be about TentLab's Deuce #3 HD Trowel. I have owned and used other shovels but when an extended trip where weight and durability was really a… Full review

TheTentLab Deuce of Spades #2

The #1 item for when I need to go #2. The Deuce of Spades is a great little trowel that works like a charm. I wrap a bandana around the handle to make it a little easier to use. I received this as a prize from Trailspace for being a Reviewer of the Month. A quick note: I was initially hesitant to write this review, since this product is already well covered here on Trailspace (at the time of writing, there are six reviews, all 5-stars), but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that… Full review

Vargo Dig Dig Tool

This is a very strong, durable, and functional backpacking potty shovel and spare tent stake with the added benefit of potentially being useful for a number of other applications on a backcountry trip or around camp. When I first received the Dig Dig Tool my general impression was that the design was very utilitarian/functional. After taking the Dig Dig Tool out on several trips I have found that it does a great job doing what it is intended to do, which is to dig catholes. Design and Construction… Full review

TheTentLab Deuce of Spades #2

If you need to drop a deuce, pop a squat, pinch a loaf, or grunt a stinky in the woods, then TentLab's Deuce of Spades is just what you need. However, as an all-purpose multi-tool, there are limitations. I received this as a gift from Trailspace for being a Reviewer of the Month. Undoubtedly, the Deuce of Spades is an outstanding trowel. However SOME of Trailspace seem to feel this is the only piece of equipment you need in you pack. (I'm not naming names, but can you really trust reviews written… Full review

Coghlan's Backpackers Trowel

Most of the titanium cat hole shovels weigh from .6 to 1.0 ounces, price around 30$, and they are short (about 6 inches), and not ergonomic . The Coghlan's is longer, more of a bulb planting garden trowel. It has a good handle for leverage and weighs 2 ounces . When lightening up gear, I figure about 10$ per ounce to upgrade is a fair price from old to new. The Backpackers Trowel vs the titanium is a 25 to 27$ per ounce cost. Not a good price to pay to lose one measly ounce. You decide. Strong plastic,… Full review

TheTentLab Deuce of Spades #2

Great lightweight spade, and super dependable! Wanted to add to previous review, that I've used the TentLab spade for several months, and have dug down in shale, hard gravel, and packed dirt in Yosemite and Santa Barbara San Rafael Wilderness area, and have had no issues with it! Great tool, and super lightweight as mentioned. Love also the fact, as pointed out, it fits nicely next to water bottle! If you don't pack a bottle, my only suggestion is to be careful packing it the wrong way in your pack… Full review

TheTentLab Deuce of Spades #2

This is a very light, durable, and functional camp shovel with the added benefit of being very useful for a number of other applications around camp that might not be so obvious. I want to first knowledge that I received my Deuce of Spades as a gift for being a past Reviewer of the Month here on Trailspace and I also want to confess (and I hate to admit...) that I was really excited to be receiving this "potty" shovel as a gift. I have always been interested in gear and equipment and when I first… Full review

TheTentLab Deuce of Spades #2

This is the best trowel to have on any backpacking trip! Small, lightweight, sturdy! It gets the job done! There are not many out there to choose from, but this is for sure the best one! I used to have a hard plastic one, but this one is way better! I received these matches as a prize from Trailspace for being a Reviewer of the Month. I brought this on my thru hike on the JMT in August. I love it! It was lightweight and small enough to fit in any side pocket of my pack. I like how strong it is. Full review

Ultralight Backpacking Titanium Cathole Trowel

Leave No Trace is a backpacker's greatest responsibility. Digging a cathole has become easy thanks to ultralight titanium trowels. They do not break like the orange plastic ones. They are super light, do not take up any space in a pack, carrabiner to the outside. Not too expensive. Everybody that backpacks and poops in the wilderness should have one. I got tried of the cheap, stupid, orange plastic cathole trowels that break all the time. I would end up using a stick, and it takes forever to dig… Full review