Surviving an emergency situation often comes down to the quality of tools you have with you. A shovel can be an invaluable tool for surviving outdoors.
Whether you need to dig or need to create a snow cave for shelter in the winter, digging is a fundamental part of wilderness survival. When buying a survival shovel, you want to make sure it’s up to the task of getting you out of tough spots in the wilderness.
Being a prepper is the first step to being ready for any kind of disaster, whether it’s natural or man-made. However, it can be difficult to choose one that’s right for your needs to help you make a decision.
In this guide, we’ll take you through some of the best survival shovels available on the market, what they’re designed for and why they’re so useful. We’ve also included some top picks and considerations on how to choose the right survival shovel for your needs.
Benefits Of Best Survival Shovels
Best Survival Shovels offers many benefits to preppers. These include Some of the major benefits of best survival shovels are as under.
Creating A Shelter From The Elements:
Whether digging a snow cave in the winter or using a shovel to create an emergency shelter, you’ll need to dig.
Scouting:
Most wilderness survival requires you to move through different terrain and conditions. Whether it’s flattening dirt under your feet for walking on or removing excess vegetation that might identify you as a human, scouting is vital when trying to survive.
Building A Fire:
In addition to an emergency shelter, you might need to create a fireplace in order to stay warm when it’s cold outside. A shovel will help move rocks and start building a foundation for your fireplace. You can also use the blade of the shovel as a cooking pan or other implement in order to build your campfire resources.
Creating Tools For Hunting Or Fishing:
When you’re trying to survive, every little bit of the game counts. Digging with your shovel will help create traps that are less likely to give you away in order to capture small prey. You can also use the wire found on some models as a line in order to catch fish when it’s safe to do so.
Chopping:
In addition to using your shovel as a tool, you can also use it as a makeshift axe or machete in order to chop down small trees and plants that will help build your shelter, create tools and more. Many models come with specific features and blades for this purpose.
As A Weapon:
Shovels can also be used as effective weapons in certain scenarios. Crawling through small spaces might require you to use your shovel as a shield, for example. If we’re talking about survival it is always better to be safe than sorry so having the best survival shovel at hand is never a bad idea!
Digging Up Roots And Plants To Eat:
Many plants are subterranean, so you’ll need a shovel to find them before you can consume them. Whether it’s wild onions or other local plants that might be able to keep you alive during an emergency, digging is crucial for your survival.
Best Survival Shovels – Our Top 5 Picks!
There is a lot of information out there about survival shovels. Given the importance of a survival shovel, it is important to know what makes one good and another bad.
In this article, we decided to review five of the most popular survival shovels for you. We hope you enjoy reading this as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you. We highly recommend the survival shovels mentioned below:
1. SOG Entrenching Tool Survival Shovel
Products Information
| Material | Carbon Steel |
| Color | Black |
| Brand | SOG Specialty Knives |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 12 x 9 x 3 inches |
| Item Weight | 24.5 Ounces |
| Style | Entrenching Tool |
| Is Foldable | No |
Our Review:
This Entrenching tool survival shovel has a comfortable handle and saw edge that could be useful in a variety of circumstances. That’s because of the saw teeth on one side. They really come in handy for cutting through branches and brush when you build a shelter campfire or animal trap. It is lightweight, foldable, and compact for storage in an average backpack.
It has an 18″ shovel blade and an 8″ saw blade. You have no need to bring along two separate tools. Thanks to the serrated edge, you can cut through wood with ease.
We used this shovel because it is also a camping shovel that has multi-functional features.Whether you’re camping out in the wild or going abroad on a vacation, this handy tool builds shelters or just prepares a spot to relax with your friends.
High-carbon steel construction and its ultra-compact trifold design enable it to pack completely flat, making it easy to pack in your backpack or even clip onto a belt loop. The long handle of this tactical shovel can be used as a life saving tool in any kind of emergency situation.
Not only will it dig through the snow, but it has the added ability to act as a pry bar, screwdriver, axe or hammer when you need it most.
In our opinion, a great thing about this shovel is that it is a tactical tool for life, always ready to handle the toughest situations, making it a great gift for any of your loved ones and a family member.
This is a survival shovel and multi-tool that meets the demands of military, tactical and emergency preparedness professionals, the first choice in survival situations. We highly recommend this product to help you do it better.
Pros:
- Lightweight survival shovel
- folding shovel
- Triangular handle
- Space saver
Cons:
- No fire starter included
2. FiveJoy Folding Shovel
Products Information
| Material | Heat-Treated High Carbon Steel, Aerospace Grade Aluminum |
| Color | Black |
| Brand | FiveJoy |
| Is Foldable | Yes |
| Grip Type | Ergonomic |
Our Review:
FiveJoy Folding Shovel is a multifunctional shovel with a sharpened blade and a serrated saw edge. It can be used to shovel the earth, dig the soil, clear snow, cut through roots, split wood. The hammer on the handle is ideal for driving in nails or pounding stakes into the ground. No matter what you need it for, this survival tool will always be ready when you are. Great addition to your backpack or bug-out bag!
If you’re not a fan of bulky survival tools, then this shovel is for you. This survival shovel is made to be easily accessible in times of emergency. This shovel is fully capable of extracting you from almost any tricky situation or emergency. Full-size one-piece tool with an all weather durable polymer coating.
Due to its high quality, this shovel has been added to our top picks of camping tools. We also use this shovel. The shovel comes in a very compact size and lightweight that makes it easy to carry with you.
The ropes on both sides of the handle allow you to easily tie down the tool to your backpack, or even to hang it on your tent. It also features teeth at the end of the blade to help pry unspecified objects. We highly recommend this survival shovel to hunters, hikers, backpackers and boy scouts everywhere!
It is multifunctional and useful in emergency situations such as earthquakes and hurricanes, or when you need to dig ditches, build a fort or simply bury trash quickly. The strong double hinges make the shovel foldable, greatly saving space for your travelling and storage.
Pros:
- Lightweight shovel
- Portable design
- Adjustable lock
- Fire starter included
Cons:
- No compass included
3. Zune Lotto Survival Shovel
Products Information
| Material | Aluminum |
| Color | Gray |
| Brand | Zune Lotoo |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 11.8 x 8.7 x 3.9 inches |
| Item Weight | 3.97 Pounds |
| Style | Basic |
| Handle Material | Aluminum |
| Is Foldable | No |
Our Review:
Zune Lotoo Survival Shovel is a multifunction tool for outdoor activities, including building snowmen, digging snow ditches, climbing hillsides and digging holes. Survival shovel is made of aluminium alloy, hard and durable but lightweight which gives you the best experience. The shovel head can be adjusted for length or height to fit various situations. It can meet your requirements according to your activity.
It’s built with a sturdy, one-piece aluminium shaft, a high-impact moulded plastic handle. It also has an anti-slip soft grip handle that ensures a comfortable grip, even when your hands are wet.
One of the best features we saw in this product is its special 7 Key angle lock prevents vibration and makes all operations exceptionally stable. The shovel is made from a high quality, breathable polymer and includes a plastic handle cover.
The entire kit comes in a special package that includes an integrated carabiner for carrying the kit on your belt or backpack. Inside the shaft on the handle, you can find a compass that isn’t affected by all of the metal.
The blade can also be used like a straight razor or to scrape bark off of trees to make tinder and also includes an emergency whistle and compass.With this shovel, you can resolve any emergency situation caused by heavy snow, landslides, floods, etc.
Pros:
- 7 Key Angle Lock
- Best for rescue
- Excellent finish
- Comfortable use
Cons:
- No fire starter included
4. iunio Camping Shovel
Products Information
| Material | High Carbon Steel |
| Brand | Iunio |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 35 x 5.5 x 0.98 inches |
| Item Weight | 3.86 Pounds |
| Style | Premium E-tool |
| Blade Material | High Carbon Steel |
| Is Foldable | Yes |
Our Review:
Iunio Camping Shovel for outdoor adventure. You can use it as a survival tool and light equipment during outdoor activities or as a gardening tool that ensures effective work outdoors. The portable folding shovel has been constructed with high quality materials such as solid plastic mounted on metal fittings to produce a sturdy and durable all-purpose tool.
It consists of a handle and an attachment. It is designed to help you dig up those small holes, trenches and build your shelter faster. No more bending down and feeling exhausted for you any more.
This blade has been crafted from Air-Hardened Steel to ensure that it won’t bend or break like those flimsy shovels sold in the outdoor section of department stores. It is designed to cut through soil easily and even works well as a garden shovel. The overall length is perfect for fitting into a backpack or luggage without taking up too much space. The handle can be removed from the blade for compact storage and further transport.
As a result, we have used this product because it is designed specifically with quality and value in mind. At the very core of its design, material selection and finish was essential to deliver a high-quality and great looking product that will withstand all environments.
The lightweight and portable shovel is easy to carry, doesn’t take up much space and is a great gift for nature lovers. Camping and offroading enthusiasts will love this Iunio military portable folding survival shovel.
Pros:
- Durable for all purposes
- Compact design
- Military foldable shovel
Cons:
- No adjustable shovel head
5. REDCAMP Tri-fold Handle Shovel
Products Information
| Material | Carbon Steel |
| Color | Black Upgraded |
| Brand | REDCAMP |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 9.5 x 6.7 x 9.5 inches |
| Item Weight | 2.61 Pounds |
| Is Foldable | Yes |
Our Review:
REDCAMP Tri-fold HandleShovelWorks in wet or dry ground, especially fine sand or soft clay. Can be used to dig foxholes for concealment. The shovel can be used as a probe for detecting trip wires or land mines before stepping on them. It weighs one pound, fits in a small rucksack and is hardly noticeable even if worn with a backpack or assault vest.
The shovel has an axe-like shape that allows you to slice at targets and is razor sharp specially designed to penetrate armour and smash concrete. At the tip of the blade there is a screwdriver that you can use to take apart an enemy watch and use the hands as shrapnel against enemy soldiers.
The best reason to use this shovel is the fact that it is the best foldable shovel we have found. It is a perfect, durable design. It is great for any camping, hiking, or emergency purposes. It is very lightweight. The handle can be bent, but will never break. And as described, it folds down to fit in any bag.
This shovel is made of high quality stainless steel blade, convenient and practical, easy to carry. The shovel can also be used in engineering machinery and vehicles maintenance, construction machinery and railways ,gas pipeline protection, mining machines and complement labour.
If you are a camper, hiker, biker, etc., you know that situation when your shovel breaks and you have to use somebody else and it’s not that easy because the only available shovel is too big for your bag or backpack. Consequently, this shovel is highly recommended by us for achieving a better result.
Pros:
- Durable design
- Best for camping
- Use as a stick
- Portable handle
Cons:
- No rope included
Do You Need the Best Survival Shovel?
Survival Shovel is important if you are an outdoor person. It can cut, stab, chop and dig in the right circumstances. If it is compact, light enough to carry around or stored conveniently. You might consider a folding or collapsible shovel with a small size for easy storage when not in use.
There are many styles of survival shovels with different shapes and designs. The survival shovel may be used for digging, cutting, sawing, chopping or pounding in an outdoor setting. It will also provide you with multiple beneficial outcomes, so let’s see what they are!
- Easy to carry with camping gear.
- Helps to fight wild animals.
- Can be used to cut bushes and trees.
- Cover food coals when cooking over a fire.
- Dig trenches and latrines.
- Scrape or dig in hard ground or snow that regular tools can’t handle.
- Shovelling sand to get a grip on slippery surfaces such as an oil spill.
- Digging holes for planting trees or shrubs.
- A digging stick can be used to loosen dry dirt, sand, and gravel around tree roots before the tree is pulled from the ground to help prevent damage to the root ball.
How To Choose Best Survival Shovels – Buying Guide
Adjustable shovels: When choosing a survival shovel it is also important to consider the adjustable features that come with the shovel. It will help you dig faster, deeper and more efficiently than other shovels.
Comfortable grip: It is also important to choose a shovel that is comfortable to grip. When you’re cutting wood and stuff, and your hands are wet, you don’t want to lose your grip on the handle of your shovel.
Durability: You also want to find shovels that are durable enough that they will last. Check the quality of materials used in the construction of the shovel to make sure that it will last a long time.
Lightweight: If you’re looking for a survival shovel for camping or hiking then you should consider a lightweight shovel. This will give you the flexibility to use it anywhere.
Price: It is also important to consider the price of the shovel before you buy it. You want to find shovels that are affordable and fit within your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
Q. Why is a shovel important for survival?
It’s important to have a survival shovel on hand because it’s the most versatile tool that you can own. Survival shovels are great for camping, hiking, and bug out bags. They can be used as a weapon, a digging tool, an axe, and they can even help you start a fire.
Q. Why have a survival shovel?
Because it gives you options. If you’re in a car accident, or stranded on the side of the road or on a mountain, or lost in an unfamiliar part of the city, you can use it to dig a hole and find water. You can use it to dig a hole to bury trash.
Q. Why do you need a shovel when camping?
A shovel is a great tool to have when you go camping. You can dig a latrine, bury human waste, or use it to dig a trench to set up your tent.
Q. How much does a shovel weigh?
Well, if the handle of the shovel is 2 feet long, the blade is 4 feet long, and it’s made out of aluminium then it will weigh 2 pounds.
Q. What is a folding shovel used for?
The folding shovel also functions as a pick that can help crack ice or remove rocks. Because of its compact and space-saving design, this tool is great to have in any vehicle. It can also be used in building sand-castles and digging trenches during trips to the beach.
Final Thoughts:
In this blog post, we’ve provided you with 5 best survival shovels that are designed for your needs. We’ve conducted in-depth research, and after reading countless reviews and trying out some of the shovels ourselves, we’re confident that you’ll find the best fit for your needs.
If you are still confused about what to choose you can buy a Iunio Camping Shovel which is one of the best survival shovels for camping or hiking.
We hope that our reviews have helped guide you in choosing which shovel you can buy for your needs. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!
