Coleman Folding Shovel Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been wilderness camping for over 26 years.When I first started (as a Boy Scout), a folding shovel was high on my list of "must have" camping gear.After purchasing one, however, and carrying it with me on a number of outings, I soon came to a different conclusion.

Why do most people want to carry a shovel? I usually hear three reasons: 1) to dig a trench around a tent, 2) to shovel ash out of the fire pit, and 3) to dig a scat hole (a hole for depositing excrement).Let me address those three items, and then address some different types of camping or outings that may further influence your decision.

TRENCHING AROUND TENTS
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Simply put, this is an outdated practice that causes erosion in campsites.Trenches eventually fill and overflow, carrying off soil and altering the conditions in the site.In fact, most campsites (and all National Parks and wilderness areas) prohibit trenching.If you really want the floor of your tent to stay dry on the inside, purchase a tent with a tub floor (where the seams are raised off the bottom of the tend) and a good rain fly.

SHOVELING ASH
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While a shovel can be used to shovel ash out of a fire pit, so can small gargen trowel, a metal cup, a metal plate, or even a frying pan.You're likely already going to be carrying a cup, plate, or pan, so there is no need to carry the extra gear (the shovel).A large stick can be used to stir coals in an active fire, and the cookware can be rinsed with water after using it to dig out the fire pit.

SCAT HOLES
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When digging a hole for human waste, you typically need to turn only a few inches of soil.I've found that a garden trowel does a splendid job, and it weighs only a few ounces compared to the 2.4 lbs. of this shovel.

DIFFERNT CAMPING METHODS REQUIRE DIFFERENT GEAR
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Let's face it, it makes a difference if you are driving into a campsite rather than hiking in.If driving in, you are less concerned about how heavy your gear is, so a shovel like this one may be a nice luxury.If backpacking or on any wilderness excursion where you are carrying everything you need, you feel every extra ounce you carry.In such cases, a gardening trowel makes more sense.You can get one made from composite plastics that is very hard and durable, but weighs only a few ounces.

In my years of experience, I found that the weight of the shovel was not worth the benefit I received from it while on wilderness treks.However, I love keeping one of these in the trunk of my car to help dig out if I get stuck in the snow.

The Coleman folding shovel is a nice little tool.You just need to decide if you want to carry it with you when you spend time in the wilderness.

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Product Description:
Shovel, Folding - Double

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