Best camping cutlery 2024 | Tested and reviewed

Making something as mundane as cutlery into something interesting is a challenge but Gerber seems to have done it. The German tool brand's ComplEAT cutlery set may have a silly name, but it's actually wicked in all areas, from weight to performance. Call us sad, or even a bit weird, but we absolutely love it and will probably talk about it at the pub unprompted.

It's made up of four components: a spatula, fork, spoon, and multitool. But you can combine the spatula and spoon to make tongs for a fifth tool. The multitool is a bottle opener, can opener, package opener, and peeler.

If you've used Gerber gear before, you'll know it's well-made but also relatively good value. It's the same story here. We also like how the set only weighs 65g, and all fits together into a compact little set. A worthy winner for your dinner.

Of all the million and one basic camping cutlery sets, we like this one because it is durable, lightweight and comfortable to use.

The set is 18/8 stainless steel, making it very corrosion resistant and therefore ideal for camping and also the dishwasher. The simple leather sleeve is similarly robust, so although you could spend even less on a cutlery set, this Primus Campfire Cutlery Set is worth spending a little more because of the longevity it offers.

We've used this set for quite some time, and it's a great. It weighs just 56g and manages to do so by being made from 7075-T6 aluminium alloy. This type of aluminium alloy is very light and very strong and often used in the aerospace industry as a result.

So, you've got that to shout about. But this Magware Magnetic set is also very easy to keep together because little magnetic studs hold the cutlery in a firm embrace. The set comes in a recycled polyester pouch with a Velcro strap. The downside? It's a pricey bit of kit only worth having if you know you're not going to lose it down the side of a car seat.

If you're a sporker, you're a gram counter. And as a gram counter, you'll be besotted with this titanium spork, which at 12g, is hilariously lightweight. For lightweight camping adventures and overnight bivvies it's our top contender - we just wouldn't recommend trying to eat a full roast dinner with it (we've tried), or attempting to cook anything that involves more than stirring together pasta and sauce (we've also tried).

Going for titanium has other advantages beyond lightness. It's also very strong, corrosion-resistant and food safe. We like the shape, and that it comes with a carabiner. The only disadvantage we can see is that if you lose it, it's relatively expensive to replace. And we've lost three over the course of 10 years. Bottom line though: if you can keep track of it, it'll last decades and weigh next to nothing in your pack.

Those who eat camping meals directly from the pack can save themselves carrying extra kitchenware. Sporks are usually only just long enough to reach into the pouch, which can mean you can't get to all the food properly and end up with chilli-con-carne smeared hands. Not ideal.

Optimus' extending spoon is the solution to these problems because it can extend by 6cm (17.5 to 23.5cm). In giraffe mode, it can easily reach into the pack while keeping your fingers well away from the contents. Sure it might feel like a bit of a gimmick at first slide, but if you're genuinely only eating MREs and freeze-dried food, it's actually a bit of a lifesaver. It's also great value for its weight.

This looks like a food jar with a spork attached, and you might wonder why it's in a cutlery article. But if you look more closely, you'll see it's actually a spork with a food jar attached. So, it's welcome here.

For your hot and cold meals alike, this design from Stanley is a winner. It'll keep contents hot or cold for up to 12 hours, and it features the brand's highly reliable leakproof seal. Along with a spork, you'll also find a removable compartment in the lid you can use for food storage too. We really like using the Stanley food spork and associated jar for winter warmers: you'll be the envy of everyone on the hill when you're spooning hot stew into your face at minus 2 and they're stuck with a half-frozen sandwich.

And sure, it's not the lightest spork option on test, by Jove is it durable. We love it and wouldn't be seen on the hill in the chilly weather without it.

The LunchKit gives you bountiful and versatile food storage. Despite being called a ‘plate-to-mouth delivery system’ we like the LunchKit for its clever design and eco credentials.

There are three bowls, with the smaller two fitting inside the larger for a compact packed size. The lid for the larger bowl is 500ml, so is large enough to be used as a fourth receptacle. A trusty plastic spork is included and there is a holder for it on the large bowl lid.

The LunchKit is made from a biobased plastic called Ecozen, which is both microwave and dishwasher-safe.