Coleman Backpacking Folding Shovel with Carry Case

I’m not sure if hardcore outdoorsmen would rate this so high, but I’ve found it very useful camping.

PROS:
–Great for camping, digging fire pits, removing small rocks/roots, maintaining campfire.
–Durable: have used the camping several times, including shoveling hot coals maintaining fire. Stands up to heat, digging, everything.
–Very portable, folds down for those times when you’re trying to pack light.
–Strong feel. Even after several uses, the only wear and tear I can detect is visually with the scrapes, scratches and burns that I’ve put on it.

CONS:
–None! It has been very useful on several of our camping trips, really love this tool.

I can strongly recommend it for those who camp occasionally, car campers, short hikers, etc. More hardcore outdoorsmen who might want a tool for digging latrines or large fire pits may want something more heavy duty.

We used this to put up our tent. So easy to assemble and sturdy. Gave 4 stars since the inside got rusted after one use

This is EXCELLENT for what is intended for. What is it intended for? BACKPACKING. If you are trying to get a shovel for an archaelogical dig, or to dig big holes, or to dig up metal at the beach, buy a full size shovel. Invariabialy, as evidenced by a few negative reviews, there’s always some guy that doesn’t get it, and thinks that all shovels are these big full size behomoths you get at the hardware store. NO!

The clue should be the measurements. Another clue is the word COLEMAN. Coleman makes outdoor supplies. Camping stuff. Not “camping” as in park the Winnebago and step outside once in awhile to take pictures, but camping as in “roughing it: ” tent, on the ground, or, if you’re hardcore like me, backpacking with gear, on a trail, mountains, inaaccessible areas, whatever. Or, if you want to have “easy camping” , a tent, on the ground, next to your truck which is loaded with gear, coolers, lanterns, etc. (this is camping, too, but not “roughing it;” anything else is NOT camping Living in a big, driveable portable hotel (that can easily carry 20 full size shovels in it’s storage area) sounds fun, but I don’t know what you would call this activity. Rving, I guess. .

Why would a backpacker want a little shovel? There are specific shovels often referred to as “bowel trowels,” which are super small, lightweight pieces of metal for digging a hole for bodily “exit functions.” In backpacking there is hardly any other reason to have a digging implement.

It is clear, however, that this little shovel would perform that duty (no pun intended) and then some some. Weight is an important consideration, and this handly tool, with it’s pick, justifies it’s few extra ounces.

Have not used it yet but quality seems good. The bad reviews calling it a toy are nonsense. This tool is designed to be small and is not intended for large jobs that require a lot of digging. If you are looking for a small camping/hiking/emergency shovel then this is perfect. If you are digging a swimming pool then use a regular shovel.

Worked super when packing in back country. In off season I leave in my vehicle for emergencies and it does not take up a lot of room.

Don’t make a mistake paying more than you need to on items that have way more bells n whistles than you need. For example, a shovel with a knife, saw kit and compass… it’s just sacrificing weight and quality of all the items. It’s not as though you’re going to pull out the little compass on the shovel to navigate the trail when you’re lost, right? No, you’ll use one of two things, your fancy app watch/gps device or a traditional compass and a map.

So avoid the BS marketing and get this shovel because I’m confident you’re purchasing a shovel to dig a hole to drop a number two in the bush.

Happy poops people!

OK kids, This is not the standard size military issue e tool that military uses. This is more like a gardening tool size e tool. E tool as in entrenching tool. I like that this is small and compact. Keep in mind when camping, you are probably not going to be digging a fox hole with a grenade sump under heavy enemy fire. You do want some form of small shovel in your bugout bag to dig a small fire pit in a survival situation and this little guy is very well suited for this task. For a survival fire you need a shallow pit with a small diameter so you can keep your fire under control so you don’t torch the entire forest. This little shovel with help you make this type of fire pit. Then when you break camp, you can back fill the hole like a good boy scout. This shovel meets my specifications and needs for my gear. The pouch will fit on a standard G I ISSUE pistol belt with ease or just leave it in your bugout bag. You want compact and light weight tools in a bugout bag so consider this tool for that reason.