MSR Folding Spork Tenting Utensil Assessment

Backside Line

The MSR Folding Spork is a light-weight, compact possibility constructed for ultralight backpackers, thru-hikers, and minimalist campers who need to shave ounces with out sacrificing primary performance. Its intelligent folding design makes it almost invisible in a pack, but it nonetheless reaches deep into meal pouches, protecting arms clear and pots empty.

Whereas it handles mushy, mushy meals nicely, it struggles with denser meals, and the light-weight plastic building feels a bit flimsy. Sticky or pasty meals can cling to the textured floor, and the folding mechanism probably received’t maintain up in case you eat like Cookie Monster. One CleverHiker workers member has been utilizing theirs for over 6 years with none points. 

Regardless of these limitations, the spork performs its core duties reliably, is simple to pack, and excels in conditions the place weight and area financial savings are the highest priorities. For hikers and ultralight lovers in search of a easy, useful, and budget-friendly utensil, the MSR Folding Spork is our prime decide.

Nonetheless need to see what different intelligent designs are on the market? Head again to our greatest tenting utensils gear information.

How We Examined

We examined this mealtime multi-tool on a Colorado River raft journey with a feast match for kings and on a number of nights backpacking with typical dehydrated meal pouches. We additionally put it by means of quantitative assessments at house, changing into intimately aware of each final attribute and quirk that units it aside from the competitors.

Performance

That is your traditional, trusty spork, however with the added benefit of each a protracted attain and collapsible packability. It handles the fundamentals of a multi-use utensil decently, nevertheless it has some downfalls.

The 1.75-inch by 1.5-inch spoon is a pleasant measurement, balancing capability and luxury. In idea, it might maintain about 5 milliliters of liquid if it weren’t for the massive spork prongs. The big slots let about 80% of the liquid slip proper by means of.

As a fork, it has no downside with mushy meals however struggles with something denser than a potato. Most backpacking meals fall into the forgiving mushy class, so it’s not a dealbreaker—however for automobile tenting with actual meals, you’ll need one thing sturdier.

The large win with the MSR Folding Spork is its lengthy 8-inch attain, mixed with its packability. This factor can match inside even small prepare dinner units whereas concurrently reaching down into the deepest depths of a Mountain Home Meal.

Design

The MSR Folding Spork has a intelligent folding mechanism, however the general really feel positively reminds you it’s a budget-friendly possibility and must be dealt with as such. To break down it, squeeze the edges of the deal with, flexing the plastic. This opens the locking mechanism and permits the spork to fold neatly in half. It’s easy, efficient, and streamlined, nevertheless it feels prefer it might positively put on or break over time. 

In hand, it’s light-weight and somewhat floppy beneath a full load of chow. The odd feeling, textured plastic can cling to pasty meals, and the spoon bowl is a contact too deep, making it tough to scrape clear with a single chunk. The close to round spoon additionally isn’t the most effective for cleansing pots, both.

That stated, these are minor quibbles, and it’s our job to nitpick gear. The spork nonetheless performs its job, folding away neatly for packing and saving weight with out breaking the financial institution.

Building

The MSR Folding Spork retains prices and weight down through the use of minimal materials. We haven’t had any main failures but, however the folding mechanism depends on bending that plastic, which in all probability received’t survive without end. We even noticed a few tiny plastic burs on the spork – an indication of low price or rushed machining. Stirring and scraping denser meals proves the fabric is superflexible, which is sweet that it resists snapping, nevertheless it isn’t very efficient. 

The feel isn’t the smoothest both. It’s somewhat tough, which implies pasty meals like peanut butter or mashed potatoes like to cling to it. That may make consuming a bit messy and cleansing somewhat extra annoying than with smoother supplies.

Weight & Packability

In case your foremost objectives are shaving ounces, saving pack area, and protecting your arms clear whereas emptying Mountain Home pouches, the MSR Folding Spork is a giant win. At a mere 0.35 ounces (10 grams), it’s the lightest utensil in our full information.  It’s uber ultralight, and its compact, 4.25-inch packed measurement makes this spork almost invisible in your pack. It may possibly even be hung by the deal with if you would like it to dangle in your pack like a tiny culinary decoration.

In contrast to different ultralight sporks that compromise on usability, this spork nonetheless provides you a full usable size.

Ought to You Purchase the MSR Folding Spork?

The MSR Folding Spork is constructed for ultralight backpackers, thru-hikers, and minimalist campers who need to shave each ounce from their pack with out giving up primary performance. Its compact, 4.25-inch folded measurement and featherweight 0.35-ounce design make it good for anybody prioritizing minimal weight and area. It retains your arms clear, reaches deep into Mountain Home pouches, and collapses neatly when not in use.

That stated, it’s not excellent for campers in search of a sturdier and extra sturdy utensil. Should you’re somebody who eats heavy, non-mushy meals within the backcountry, this type is perhaps a letdown. The light-weight plastic and folding mechanism received’t stand up to excessive abuse, and sticky meals cling to the textured floor.

Regardless of its limitations, the Folding Spork presents wonderful worth for hikers and ultralight lovers. You get a totally usable spork that saves weight and area whereas nonetheless performing the fundamentals.

What Different Tenting Utensils Ought to You Think about?

You may see how the MSR Folding Spork stacks up towards different choices in our full information to the most effective backpacking utensils.

Humangear GoBites Bio-Uno Assessment: The Bio-Uno nonetheless shaves helpful weight, however is far sturdier and long-lasting. The twin fork and spoon ends present devoted features in comparison with a single mixed spork finish. The Bio-Spin folds in half to attain a packed measurement even smaller than the MSR Folding Spork.

UCO Utility Spork: The Utility Spork weighs solely .5 ounces however you get the dual-end utensil with a devoted spoon and fork ends. It’s additionally one of the vital reasonably priced utensils.

Snow Peak Titanium Spork Assessment: This spork’s performance, high quality, and sturdiness are method past the MSR Folding Spork because of its titanium building. It options a big spoon, a snug deal with, and vibrant colours. It’s a little heavier and costlier than the MSR Spork, although.