Weight
Backpackers know weight and every tenth of an ounce counts. We only considered potty trowels weighing less than 1.5 oz. However, most trowels weigh less than that, about 0.6 oz.
Material hardness (eg, aluminum, titanium, plastic)
Most of the trowels we’ve considered are made of titanium, a strong material that won’t bend during digging. Aluminum is lighter than titanium but not as strong, so trowels that use aluminum use it in areas where it is unlikely to break. Some trowels also use plastic in non-essential areas.
Dimension and cohesion
Backpackers and hikers will want to keep their potty trowel in an easy-to-reach location for emergencies that nature calls for. We usually keep our potty trowel in a slotted pocket on the outside of our pack. However, that material is limited so finding the right trowel for your packing system is important. Some trowels are designed to “roll” the edge of a Smartwater Bottle (another item many backpackers carry in a pocket outside of their pack). Some are designed to have rounded edges so that they do not damage the soft materials of the backpack when stored in the brain of the pack or in the pocket.
Digging efficiency
Digging efficiency is one of the biggest differentiators between potting trowels. Although they all seem very similar, it’s when you dig in that you really see the difference.
The efficiency of drilling depends on the location. A single trowel may work well on say, sandy soil while not working well on rocky soil.
Soil compatibility (eg, rocky, sandy, or compacted soil)
We tested how potty trowels dig 6-8″ cat holes under the following conditions:
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The soil is sandy and loose with gravel
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Rocky soil
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Soil with roots and heavy, wet
The best potty trowels will thrive in all of these soil types. However, if you spend most of your time hiking in one area (for example, I spend a lot of time backpacking in the Sierra on rocky soil), you may be better off choosing a trowel indeed it goes through the type of soil you are likely to encounter.
Ergonomic design (easy to use and hold)
The grip was another area where I noticed a big difference between pot trowels. Some grip your hand (pun intended) as you hold the edges. Some have soft top surfaces that make it easier to get some power. Some have long handles that can accommodate the entire width of the hand while others have short handles that only need to use part of your hand to hold. Some have soft rubber handles and some have flat handles that are easy to grip, and some have no handle design at all.
Additional features (eg, split edges, multi-tool capabilities)
Potting trowels with rounded edges can often cut roots well. However, they can sometimes cause damage to the soft fabrics of an ultralight backpack if stored incorrectly, or your hand if you’re not careful.
I especially like when trowels can have multiple uses like a tent stake. Trash trowels are wider and sturdier and sometimes longer than most light stakes, so they are well suited for setting up a tent in sandy soil or snow. I like trowels with holes that make it easy to attach guylines.
Most trowels have additional holes to reduce the weight of the trowel. But many of these holes can be used to insert a stick and get more power when digging. Rarely, if ever, do we find the need to do this. But it’s a trick you should know about and it’s the reason for the design of some of the trowels mentioned here.