What's the Best Ultralight Trowel for Backpacking?

Ah the humble trowel - a backpacking necessity for sure. But which one is the best? Here I go over all of the trowels I have used and rank them by their best use.

0:00 Trowel Showdown
0:18 Hilltop Packs / Apex Giant Dirt Digglers
1:58 Stansport Prospecting Hand Trowel
2:46 PACT Lite Bathroom Kit
3:54 BoglerCo UL Backpacking Trowel
4:58 UST U-Dig-It
6:12 Best UL Trowel
7:24 Best Non-UL Trowel
7:56 Best Bathroom Kit Trowel
8:21 Best Budget UL Trowel
8:39 Worst UL Trowel
8:59 Deuce of Spades???

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[DanielCrist]

I had one that had a hollow cylindrical handle so it was much more comfortable in the hand, for just a little bit more weight, HOWEVER, this allowed me to drill two holes in the handle to insert two wingnut screws, and then I could grab any stick in the woods, insert, tighten the wingnuts, and have nearly a fully functioning shovel for digging larger projects where you want more leverage so you don't get tired as quickly, like for rain trenches. You still needed to hold one hand down low on the actual handle, but it provided so much utility for the weight and size.

[raccoonspirit]

Thank you, this video was quick and concise. I just started day hiking and am starting to gather the 10 essentials. This is a nice intro video introducing what types of trowels are available.

[HikerGal]

Love your reviews. So thorough and specific!

[CameronVirrill]

Well done: specific, brisk, and clear.

[BenMcmillen]

Great job. New trail name. doug the duece whisperer

[tomd]

I use the Bogler. I’ve used it quite a few times now, it’s plenty functional and light. After knee surgery a few years ago, every gram counts to keep me on the trail.

[gregmortonoutdoors]

Nice video Doug, thanks for the review. Deuce of Spades is "ok" at best. The edges tend to dig into your hand when applying pressure but I've seen people wrap 550 cord around the handle to make it more comfortable. Personally, I found on the East Coast it's just as easy to use your trekking pole as the Deuce.

[Hal-ycjd]

What a great review. Thanks for posting!

[TheAdventuresofEli]

Great Video! Been rocking the Dirt Diggler for a little bit but just picked up The Pact kit.. going to be trying that out this week on the Eagle Rock Loop. Hopefully it goes well.

[gwmtnbiker]

I am here (watching this video) because frustration with The Deuce. Used it exclusively for 4 years now. Hurts my hand, bends often and doesn’t cut thru roots well (too common here in the NW). Because of all the roots here, would you recommend Bogler over the one from Hilltop?

[wohlhabendermanager]

I have a Deuce 2, and while it's true that it is a bit sharper around the edges, I don't think it's too uncomfortable to hold. It's best to start digging with the "handle", because that way you can use both hands to on the "shovel" side to get a good hole going, then switch it and dig out the rest.
Have been carrying this around in one of the outer pockets of my backpacks, so far I haven't noticed that it cut through anything.
I never had a U-Dig-It, though so I also cannot really compare the two. :D

[Earthpet]

PACT just dropped a new Ultralite version. I wonder how you would rate that one.

[joker]

How can we see your Excel sheet you briefly showed a portion of in this video? Also, I have the BoglerCo trowel, but am considering the AG Diggler. Is the Diggler more sturdy and does it have softer edges?

[shawnr]

I like the pact kit might have to look into it. Currently I use a folding steel trowel that is actually lighter and cheaper than the stansport, that's kinda funny .

[-waliof]

I don't think price should be a concern here. Anyone on a strict budget will get an orange Coleman (or nothing). For the vast majority of people a few bucks won't make a difference for an item that can be used almost indefinitely. Weight is for me by far the most important consideration since a trowel is almost exclusively carried. And for the few minutes of usage I can deal with a little more work. To me the Bogler is the winner. It replaced the Deuce of Spades No 2 for me which is uncomfortable.

[mikeprice]

What! I don't need a 10lb army shovel anymore? Didn't even know these exist, just got the apex giant and I can think of many other uses.

[TheFraziers]

Bogler trowel for me! But of course, I am a gram weenie.

[philipreasons]

Thank you
I seriously thought that Stansport was a Fiskars from homedepot.

[TheNypenfan]

Deuce is decent, but it does dig into your hand and while I don’t think it would cut your hand, it does dig in uncomfortably. I put gorilla tape along the edges of the handle and it’s much better. Also, I would say (based only on watching your video) that the deuce isn’t as flexible as that UST.

[jhayft]

I got a small shovel, it’s a little bulkier but it was .99 at Walmart and I didn’t want to spend $17 on amazon for one lol.