There is no denying that there are multiple uses for a shovel, from gardening to camping - you can do it all with just one tool.
This is especially the case when it comes to folding shovels. When my kids were growing up, the folding shovel was like a one-stop shop for our camping and hiking needs. There is not much that you can’t do with modern shovels like these, thanks to the additional features that companies keep including.
Which got me to wonder - what are some impressive folding shovels available now? Hi, my name is Stacy, and if you are looking for a good quality folding shovel, then you’re in luck. I have gathered some information and put together this comprehensive guide and review on the best folding shovel online markets have to offer.
Enough chit-chat. Let’s dig in a bit deeper, shall we?
Top 5 Folding Shovel Reviews
1. Coleman Folding Shovel with Pick
On a camping trip a while ago, I borrowed my friend Angie’s folding shovel. However, I was so impressed by it that I had to get one for myself as well. Read on below to know how I feel about the Coleman folding shovel.
Product Highlights
From the moment you first hold it, you know this one is made to last. The Coleman folding shovel can be used in the garden to pick out roots or cut branches or even at a campsite to dig a fire pit. This multi-purpose tool is made with durable steel, so you know it is sturdy. Additionally, it has a serrated edge for sawing.
You will also appreciate how easily portable it is. When folded, this shovel is about 7 inches long, and it comes in a handy pouch which makes it easy to carry and store. It is about 16 inches at full length and has a safety lock that keeps it in place. Furthermore, it can be used during the winter, to clear snow or ice.
In a nutshell, this is quite the tool to have since it can be used as a shovel, pick, or saw in any given weather.
What’s There To Like About It?
I have always been a fan of multi-purpose tools, and so this one caught my eye. I got to use this to dig a fire pit when we went camping. But that’s not all; I also used this for moving soil in the garden once I bought one for myself.
Moreover, the ease in portability was quite impressive too. Once folded, this shovel snugly fits into the pouch, which fits pretty much in any bag.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
As sturdy as the tool may be, I found it to be a little lightweight, which might throw you off. The issue I faced was that, initially, I was holding back on using it with full force. However, I realized later that it is pretty well made and long-lasting so I had nothing to worry about.
Pros and Cons of Coleman Folding Shovel with Pick
Pros
Cons
- Compact tactical shovel is made of durable steel with a serrated edge for sawing
- Can dig a fire pit, pick out roots, and cut small branches to clear your next campsite
- Measures 7 in. when folded and fits inside the included carrying case
2. SOG Folding Shovel
The next one on this list is the SOG folding shovel. This was one of the earliest ones I used, and I was pretty pleased with it for a long time. Having been by my side for a while, this one had to make the list.
Product Highlights
If you are looking for something compact yet highly efficient, look no further. The SOG folding shovel is a tool that’s slightly bigger than your hand and yet has plenty to offer. It can be used to shovel snow, sand, and even soil. Additionally, it makes for the perfect multi-purpose camping tool for adults.
Interestingly, it has a three-way folding design which brings the total length to 10 inches. However, upon opening, it extends to 18.5 inches. Moreover, it comes with a small pouch that can be carried in a bag pack with ease. It is incredibly lightweight as well, so not only will it take less space, it won’t also be a pain to carry around.
You will also appreciate that this shovel is made with tough steel to make its way through anything. Plus, it has a serrated edge on one side which works perfectly as a mini-saw.
What’s There To Like About It?
The thing that stood out for me the most was the price and the value that it had to offer. Finally, I was getting a compact, multi-purpose tool that served me well in the garden and for my hikes at a reasonable cost. Moreover, since it is small, my grandkids could have a go at it too.
Another highlight for me was the different modes I could pick from which were - shovel, pickaxe, hoe, and saw.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
As I mentioned, there are different modes this tool can go into, but it was the “hoe” configuration that I was disappointed with. In that mode, the tool becomes a little too loose for my liking. The head loses its rigidity in that mode making it challenging to use. But other than that, this has been an excellent addition to my toolbox.
Pros and Cons of SOG Folding Shovel
Pros
Cons
- 18.25 INCH FULL LENGTH, 24.5 OUNCES: Lightweight foldable outdoor, hunting, military shovel is versatile to get the job done. E-Tool features a wood saw edge to cut or chop small branches and trees for kindling or fire building
- COMPACT AND PORTABLE: The multi-use shovel folds down to be barely bigger than your hand. 10 inches in length when folded, it takes up about the same space as a stack of paper plates. A needed tool that is easy to pack and takes up no space in your backpack, or camp kit
- HIGH-CARBON STEEL CONSTRUCTION: Super durable to handle the long list of jobs the shovel was designed to handle in extreme conditions. Dig through dirt, sand, gravel mud, and snow with the tempered steel blade. The triangular handle is strong and fits the hand well for optimal use when digging, trenching, cutting, or slashing
3. REDCAMP Folding Shovel
This REDCAMP folding shovel was brought to my attention by my close friend, Phillip. Usually, he specifically recommends gardening gear, but this time, he said this one had to be a part of my camping gear too.
Product Highlights
Made with high carbon steel, this folding shovel by REDCAMP is ideal for every outdoor occasion. Be it hiking, fishing, gardening, or even if you’re military personnel, the fact that it is multi-functional allows you to shovel, dig, saw, and even hammer. Furthermore, the shovelhead can be used as straight or at a 90-degree angle based on the mode required.
Now, let’s talk about convenience and portability. This folding shovel by REDCAMP comes with a carrying pouch making it easy to take anywhere you go. Additionally, it has a tri-fold design that brings the total 22.8-inch length to a small 8.2 inches that fits perfectly in the bag.
But, don’t let the compactness fool you. It has a 1.5 mm thick, strong blade that doesn’t spare anything in its way. On this wide blade is a serrated edge that makes sawing much easier.
What’s There To Like About It?
I remember using this when one of my other shovels went missing for uprooting some weeds. And I was surprised to see how well it worked. Not just that, the serrated edge was sharp enough to cut through quite a few branches that came in the way that day.
I had never paid attention to it before, but it folds down to a very compact size. I appreciated that it does not take up as much space as some of the other ones.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
One of the things that I noticed every time I used this in the garden was that it does not work well with every kind of soil when using it as a shovel. It digs just fine when it’s rocky, but fibrous soil can be an issue. The fibers tend to get stuck in the nut of the handle, making it challenging to fold later.
Pros and Cons of REDCAMP Folding Shovel
Pros
Cons
- High Quality Material: This heat-treated mini folding camping shovel is crafted from high quality manganese steel with a long service life, rust resistance and deformation resistance.
- Portable Design: This camping shovel has a 3-fold design and comes with a storage bag. Weighing just 2.5lbs, it is convenient to carry and ideal for outdoor activities.
- Adjustable Shovelhead: The outdoor tool has a rotating nut that can be turned to lock or adjust the angle of the shovelhead. When the angle is 180°, it is suitable for shoveling, and 90° is suitable for hoeing or digging.
4. Sahara Sailor Folding Shovel
This one caught my eye because of how interesting the design was. But once I dug deeper (no pun intended), I found it efficient and quite popular among the masses. Let’s have a look at what it has to offer.
Product Highlights
One of its interesting features is that this shovel is made with military-grade steel. The solid carbon steel head is not just meant for gardening and camping activities, but it also can be used for survival activities and emergencies. Moreover, it serves more functions than most of the folding shovels in the market.
Elaborating a bit more on the functions; this tool can be used as a shovel, hoe, bottle opener, knife, whistle among other functions. Additionally, it includes a fire starter and a wire cutter. Finally, you will appreciate that it is collapsible as from a full 31 inches, it can go all the way down to 18.5 inches.
Moreover, the company guarantees that you will be satisfied with this product, and if you are not, they offer a lifetime warranty. This military-level folding shovel is a must-have at everyone’s home.
What’s There To Like About It?
One of the things I appreciated was the variety of uses this one shovel had. Having a bottle opener and a fire starter in one tool quickly became something all our neighbors and friends wanted to see. Moreover, it has plenty of other use inclusions like a screw, knife, and even a hack saw.
The whistle is the real eye-catching inclusion as it has been quite useful during an emergency too.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
While this has a ton of uses and did work the entire time I had it, I realized the quality of the tool deteriorated quite quickly. Moreover, another issue was that digging rocky soil with this one was difficult since the handles would become loose on heavy impact.
Pros and Cons of Sahara Sailor Folding Shovel
Pros
Cons
- Unbreakable Survival Shovel: This survival tool set constructed with military-grade solid carbon steel with aerospace grade anodized aluminum tubes that make it sturdy enough deal with survival activities or car/truck emergency
- Mufti-functional: This ultimate survival shovel incorporates 12 other functions and tools, including a shovel, hoe, saws, bottle opener, cleaver, whistle, knife, fish scaler, emergency hammer, flat-blade screwdriver, and 4 size wrench. These functions will ensure you survive camping with your kids
- Collapsible and Portable: his camping shovel can be folded and expanded by twisting lock for secure storage and carrying. A durable carry storage bag is coming with the package as camping gifts
5. CO-Z Mini Folding Shovel
The last one I would recommend is this CO-Z mini shovel. If you are looking for a beginner-friendly tool that is simple to use and understand, this is the one to consider.
Product Highlights
Made with high carbon steel, this mini folding shovel is heat-treated and is ideal for you and the whole family to use during your next outdoor adventure. Interestingly, this is a military-grade tool that can be used for shoveling, sawing, and chopping. Plus, it is rust-resistant and anti-deformation, so it can take a hit.
Thankfully, all these features do not come at the price of a heavy-duty build as this one is light and versatile. The Co-Z mini folding shovel weighs a little less than 2lbs and can be easily carried with you in the garden or around the campsite. To make things easier, it comes with a handy nylon pouch, so storing it is never a hassle as well.
You will appreciate that this tool has a thickened cutting blade made to dig through anything with ease. Plus, it has a zigzag tooth to the side of the blade, so you do not need to get an additional tool.
What’s There To Like About It?
When it comes to a mini shovel, there is not much that you can dislike; after all, how can you not like a small tool with just great value. For me, it was how easy it is to fold and store what stood out. In addition, their whole tool was smooth to touch and even smoother to tuck into that nylon bag.
I also like how light it is despite performing as many functions like any other shovel.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
I found this to be a great addition to any survival kit for out in the woods. However, it is a mini shovel, and it is quite light, so expecting it to work as well as the other is not advisable. In addition, while it may be efficient, it does require quite a bit of sharpening with a file frequently.
Pros and Cons of CO-Z Mini Folding Shovel
Pros
Cons
- PREMIUM MATERIALS: Carefully constructed with high-carbon steel, this heat-treated mini folding camp shovel is built to last with rust-resistance & anti-deformation. The tactical military shovel is a rugged tool for digging, shoveling, sawing, chopping, and entrenching
- COMPACT & VERSATILE: This ergonomically designed handle measures 11.8” while the 6.3” x 4.7” shovelhead increases your digging volume. It’s handy as a car camping trowel, beach shovel, or off-road accessory if you ever need to dig your car out of the mud
- THICKENED CUTTING BLADE: Thanks to the reinforced blade our foldable rescue shovel can dig into gravel with ease - a must-have for backyards, gardens, farmland, campers, forest rangers, and outdoorsmen
Buyers Guide
With tools like these, there is a lot to look into before finally selecting one. Folding shovels have many features, and when picking a new one, those features have to be there. But what are those features, you ask? That’s precisely what I am here to tell you.
To help you pick the one(s) that is ideal for you and your needs, I have put together this little buyer’s guide. Hopefully, reading this list of features and coming to a quicker decision will not be an issue.
Time is of the essence, so let’s dive right into it.
1. Material
One of the first things to see is if it has been constructed well. The thing about folding shovels is that it has to be made with good quality materials because these tools tend to see a lot of high impact activity. For this purpose, I suggest buying something that is made with high-carbon steel or stainless steel. These materials are durable and can withstand almost anything.
Moreover, it helps if it is coated to prevent corrosion and rust as these tools are primarily used for outdoor activities. Even if they are correctly stored, having an anti-rust coating adds another protective layer.
2. Construction
Having a suitable material will make no difference if the construction is not done right. Most of the time, if a tool does not function to the best of its capabilities, it can be pointed toward it being poorly constructed. With folding shovels, since high-impact activities are every day, it has to have a sturdy enough build to withstand that.
The idea is to make sure the shovel does not chip, break or dent as soon as it hits something that can cause a bit of tension.
3. Ease of Use
One of the best things about having a folding shovel is that it is already quite easy to use. However, some features make the tool very beginner-friendly. Having a D or triangle-shaped handle is one of them. Additionally, collapsible handles and shafts of the tool make it easier to store.
4. Portability
Considering most of these tools are used for outdoor activities, portability plays a significant factor in this regard. For example, all of the shovels I have reviewed can be easily folded and stored in a bag that comes with it. What this does is, it makes it a lot easier to carry with you during outdoor activities like camping or hiking.
5. Design
While this is not an important or determining factor in selecting one, it sure does help to have an ergonomic design. One of the most common ones is the tri-fold, where the shovel can fold in three ways, making it super compact and easy to store.
Some shovels also have a two-fold design where the shovel will only have one hinge where it folds. In addition, collapsible designs are slowly gaining some traction and becoming a popular choice among many people.
6. Extra Features
It is no hidden fact that people are always looking for more when it comes to tools like these. Which is why having a multi-purpose tool is always popular. Any folding shovel will definitely shovel, dig, and saw, but some go above and beyond that.
If you are the kind of person who plans on using the tool a lot for varied activities, five functions are the minimum to look at. Some folded shovels can be used as an ax and hacksaw as well, which can be pretty helpful in a camping/hiking situation.
7. Size and Weight
Needless to say, this is an essential factor. The reason people opt for folded shovels is so that they can carry one small tool for multiple purposes. So naturally, it will be futile to have a small tool that weighs as much as a big one. I suggest looking for something that does not weigh more than 2 lbs. as anything more than that can become challenging to carry, especially along with camping gear.
Size-wise too, pay more attention to the size of the blade rather than the size of the entire tool. Even if the shovel is very small but has a decent-sized blade, it should get the job done.
FAQ’s
Not at all! All you need to do is keep it as far away as you can from water. This is because water might lead to it rusting and corroding, which obviously is not ideal, even if it has a coating.
Ensure to clean the tool with a dry cloth and store it in the pouch that comes with it. Just these basic steps can make the tool last a long time.
Absolutely not! All folded shovels can be sharpened from time to time. This ensures it remains in top condition and can always meet your every requirement. Sharpening methods differ from company to company, so the best thing to do is to refer to the manual or website.
Verdict
On that note, I conclude my review and guide on the best folding shovel available on the market. I hope this has been eye-opening and can help if you are considering a folding shovel. Trust me; it is one tool you need in the house.
If there is still some doubt in your mind, here are my top two. The first one would have to be the SOG folding shovel as the steelhead is quite durable, and storing it was a breeze. And the second would be the Coleman folding shovel. This one is a strong recommendation if you’re looking for a good blade with a serrated edge.
Now, I’ll sign off and be back soon with many more guides and reviews.
See you next time!