The great outdoors is full of things to see and do. From camping and hiking to wilderness survival, there’s no shortage of adventures right outside your door.
If you want to be prepared for everything Mother Nature has to offer, you will need the proper tools. But how do you prepare for the unknown? Cue the survival shovel!
Whether you’ve run out of firewood or food, strayed from your path, or encountered a life-threatening situation, the best survival shovel will have everything you need to tackle your obstacle.
So, forget about making a list of all the survival tools you’ll need for your next adventure, and check out this list of the best survival shovels for any type of outdoor enthusiast.
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What Is a Survival Shovel?
A survival shovel is a multi-purpose tool. It typically includes a heavy-duty shovel, sharp axe, saw blade with a serrated edge, hammer, and other survival tools.
Survival shovels go by many names, including entrenching tools, tactical shovels, and camping shovels. But no matter what you call them, they’re lightweight, versatile, and portable, and you can use them for a range of diverse outdoor survival tasks.
Things To Consider When Purchasing a Survival Shovel
Before we move on to reviewing the best survival shovels, there are a few things you should consider to make sure you choose the right tool for your needs.
Purpose
The essential consideration is what you will be using a survival shovel for, as it will help determine how much you should spend on it, what material you should look for, and what capabilities the shovel needs.
For instance, if you’re into survivalist adventuring, you’ll want to go for a highly durable survival shovel with many capabilities. These usually cost much more than a simple survival shovel.
On the other hand, if you simply want a tool to store in your car or emergency kit to get out of sticky situations, then you can get away with a cheaper, more basic survival shovel.
With this in mind, the list below includes a variety of survival shovels, from low-cost and simple to expensive and complex. So, there’s sure to be a survival shovel on this list for whatever purpose you have in mind.
Material
Most survival shovels are made from carbon steel. Carbon steel is stronger and harder than stainless steel, making it extremely durable.
There are different types of carbon steel, though. For example, some of the more durable survival shovels on this list are made from high-carbon steel or military-grade carbon steel, making them ideal for activities involving intense force, like felling a tree or picking ice.
The type of material you want depends on what you’ll be doing with the shovel and how often you’ll use it. Of course, higher-grade carbon steel will be more expensive.
Price
If you’re not going to be using your survival shovel often, you can get away with spending around $20 for a decent tool. However, if you’re going to use it often and it will replace a lot of your other tools, you’ll likely be spending $50 to $100.
Warranty
Typically, the pricier survival shovels on this list will have a warranty. While a warranty won’t help you if your tool breaks out in the wilderness, it’s certainly nice to have.
A warranty is an indicator that the product you’re buying is high-quality and the manufacturer has confidence in the product. So, not only will it save you money if anything goes wrong, it will give you more peace of mind when making a purchase.
7 of the Best Survival Shovels
Now that you know what to look for, here’s the list of the top seven survival shovels to make your next outdoor adventure more manageable.
SOG Entrenching Tool – Best for Long Trips
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast who frequently embarks on multi-day hiking adventures, this is the perfect survival shovel for you.
At just over a pound, this foldable multi-use tool fits easily into your backpack, and you won’t even notice you’re carrying it. In addition, it comes with a carrying bag, so you won’t have to worry about sharp edges knicking your tent or other valuables.
The spade head has a sawtooth edge to cut branches or roots on your path. It can also be adjusted to use it as a hoe.
Since it’s so compact, the handle isn’t very long, so keep that in mind if you’re on the taller side or have a bad back/knees. The size makes it easy for kids to use, though. So, it’s ideal if your whole family loves outdoor exploration.
At just over $20, it’s a great little tool to add to your arsenal. You never know when you’re going to need it!
Product Information
Dimensions: 12 x 9 x 3 inches
Weight: 24.5 ounces
Material: Carbon steel
Pros
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Good value for money
Cons
- Not as sturdy as other shovels
- Short handle makes it difficult for some to use
Sahara Sailor Survival Shovel – Best for Multipurpose
Are you looking for a survival shovel that can do it all? Look no further than the Sahara Sailor Survival Shovel! It is a 24-in-1 survival shovel, so you’ll be ready to tackle whatever task comes your way.
Some of the popular tools this shovel has are a whistle, screwdriver, compass, spear, knife, bottle opener, wrench, axe, and saw. This shovel’s capabilities make it ideal for hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and more.
This shovel was also built to last and boasts a lifetime durability guarantee. If you should have any other issues with it, it also comes with a lifetime warranty. The customer service team at Sahara Sailor is top-notch; they’ll ensure your tool is repaired or replaced without any hassle.
While it’s a little on the heavy side compared to other shovels on this list, it makes several other tools unnecessary. So, your pack will probably end up lighter in the end.
The best aspect of this shovel has to be the design. Being all-in-one reduces the likelihood that you’ll lose or misplace something because all the tools are integrated into the handle, so you don’t need to carry anything extra.
Product Information
Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.9 x 3.5 inches
Weight: 5.74 pounds
Material: Military-grade carbon steel
Pros
- 24 functions in one tool
- Extremely durable
- Sahara Sailor has great customer service
Cons
- Many different attachments to remember
- Some have complained about the bag being low-quality
iunio Camping Shovel – Best Value
If you’re looking for a tool to add to your camping pack or throw in your car in case of emergencies, the iunio Camping Shovel is the product for you.
You can use this shovel as a saw or pickaxe, and it also has a bottle opener, compass, and nail extractor. This particular model is the basic model, but iunio also has a standard and premium model if you’re looking for more features.
The antiskid handle gives you a superior grip while digging, and the lock on the handle ensures the tool stays in place through rigorous use. It’s also foldable, so it’s easy to fit in any backpack or glove compartment.
It’s a lightweight shovel, meaning it’s quite small. But, if you’re only going to be using it for when you need to get out of a pinch, you can’t beat the price.
Product Information
Dimensions: 18.11 x 2.17 x 4.33 inches
Weight: 1.39 pounds
Material: Rubber, carbon steel
Pros
- Excellent value
- Sharp edge makes cutting and chopping a breeze
- Easy to grip
Cons
- On the smaller side
- Some have complained the ice pick is subpar
Suprock Survival Shovel – Best for Camping
The Suprock Survival Shovel is every camper’s must-have tool. Backwood campers will appreciate the axe, knife, saw, ignitor, and fish scaler the most among its many capabilities.
This survival shovel is made of high-carbon steel, making the axe capable of felling a tree. So you’ll never have to worry about running out of firewood. What’s more, if you like to catch your own dinner while camping, the fish scaler is super handy.
The tool comes with separate covers for both the spade head and axe head to keep them from getting damaged. The carrying bag comes with a strap, so it’s easy to attach to any other baggage you’re carrying. Though, some have complained the zippers break easily.
One of the best features of this shovel is the lifetime replacement warranty. While it’s unlikely you’ll run into any issues because of the shovel’s durability, if you do, you simply need to contact Suprock for a replacement.
Product Information
Dimensions: 10.71 x 8.78 x 3.31 inches
Weight: 4.69 pounds
Material: High-carbon steel
Pros
- Capable of heavy-duty jobs
- Good-sized spade head
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Bag is of lower quality
- No warranty
HUZSV Survival Shovel Set – Best Survival Set
This incredible multi-tool survival shovel set will be useful for various tasks. It has 28 different tools, including the following:
- Shovel
- Axe
- Saw
- Knife
- Flashlight
- Shears
- Hammer
- Fire starter
- Compass
The shovel and axe are made from a mix of chromium and high-carbon steel for maximum durability and rust resistance. And the axe’s blade is razor-sharp and basically unbreakable, optimizing efficiency when chopping wood.
With all these great features comes a drawback, though; it’s quite a sizeable set to lug around. But, if you’re serious about safety, it’s a small price to pay.
One of the stand-out features of this set is the case that comes with it. The case has a designated spot for each item, so you can keep your tools organized and always know where everything is when you’re in a bind.
Realistically, any problems you may encounter with this survival shovel will be easily solvable. What makes it the best survival set is that it has many helpful features, is sturdy and functional, and comes with a lifetime warranty that covers almost anything that might go wrong.
Product Information
Dimensions: 17.36 x 11.18 x 3.35 inches
Weight: 9.15 pounds
Material: Chromium and high-carbon steel
Pros
- Set includes everything you need for survival activities
- High-quality carrying case
- Great reviews
Cons
- On the expensive side
- Bulky
GRAMFIRE Survival Tactical Shovel – Best for Anglers
The GRAMFIRE Survival Tactical Shovel is a fantastic option because it is small, light, and versatile.
Depending on what you’re doing with it, there are various length and angle options for the durable high-carbon steel and aluminum shovel. For example, it can be angled to 180 degrees for shoveling and chopping, 90 degrees for hoeing, or 45 degrees to use as a hook.
A unique feature of this shovel is that it comes equipped with a spear for fishing. So, this survival shovel is ideal if you like to catch your dinner fresh from the water.
Unfortunately, this shovel doesn’t come with a warranty. However, you shouldn’t have any issues, as it’s corrosion-resistant, wear-resistant, and durable enough to withstand heavy-duty shoveling and digging.
Product Information
Dimensions: 11.97 x 8.58 x 2.6 inches
Weight: 3.58 pounds
Material: High-carbon steel and aluminum
Pros
- Easy-to-follow instructions
- Compact
- Highly durable
Cons
- No warranty
- Harpoon may not be of use for some people
Yeacool Folding Shovel – Best Spade Head
The Yeacool Folding Shovel is another shovel with a variety of crucial uses! Shovel, saw, camping axe, hoe, trowel, bottle opener, fire starter, safety hammer, hook, waterproof storage tube, screwdriver, whistle, compass, and wire cutter are just some of the tools you’ll get.
This shovel is very simple to assemble and replace individual pieces. For durability, it’s comprised of strong gauge steel and aluminum.
The best feature of this shovel is its spade head’s segmented design. Depending on your height, the adjustable handle can extend up to 40 inches at its longest or 16 inches at its shortest. In addition, the shovel head can adapt to any angle, thanks to the screw-twist locking mechanism, allowing you to switch between tasks effortlessly.
Additionally, a sturdy nylon carrying pouch is included with it, making it simple to store away in your backpack or car.
This survival shovel comes with a lifetime replacement warranty, so you can make your purchase with confidence.
Product Information
Dimensions: 39.71 x 5.98 x 1.38 inches
Weight: 4.6 pounds
Material: Aluminum, stainless steel
Pros
- High-quality material
- Lifetime replacement guarantee
- Great value for money
Cons
- Heavier compared to other shovels on the market
- Doesn’t include an ice pick
FAQs
If you still have questions about survival shovels, check out some of the most common questions below.
What is the number one survival tool?
It depends on who you ask. Arguably, a fire starter is the best survival tool to have. You can use it to stay warm, prepare meals, boil water, and sleep soundly without being concerned about predators.
A few of the survival shovels on this list have a fire starter, including the Suprock, Sahara Sailor,
Another indispensable survival tool is a compass. While most of us have compasses on our phones, phones can die or not work properly if there’s no signal. So, it’s better to have a compass that doesn’t rely on electricity or satellites. Most of the survival shovels on this list include a compass.
Are survival shovels worth it?
Absolutely. Not only will a survival shovel save you money, but it will also save you the effort of lugging around a bunch of different tools that you may not even use.
Think about it; instead of buying a shovel, axe, saw, etc., separately, which could run you hundreds of dollars, you can buy one tool for under $100. Likewise, instead of carrying all those tools, you’ll only have to carry one.
It’s best to buy a survival shovel early on in your survival adventures to avoid making other already purchased tools irrelevant. That said, even if you already have a bunch of other tools, it’s worth buying for the convenience it provides.
Who needs a survival shovel?
Survival shovels will get their most use with campers, hikers, survivalists, and other outdoor adventurers. However, a survival shovel is an indispensable tool for anyone.
Even if you don’t spend much time in nature, it’s a good idea to have a survival shovel in your car. That way, if you ever get stuck in deep snow or need to break the window of your car to escape, you have everything you need in one tool.
The survival shovel’s versatility makes it an ideal gift for the hard-to-shop-for person. It’s highly unlikely they won’t have a use for it, and they’ll certainly appreciate your concern for their safety!
What’s the best survival shovel?
Again, it depends on the purpose of the shovel. But, if we had to pick the best-of-the-best survival shovel, it would be the Sahara Sailor Survival Shovel.
The ideal survival shovel will fulfill several requirements. It will be strong, compact, versatile, useful, and long-lasting. These qualities and more are included in the Sahara Sailor Survival Shovel.
With 24 tools in one, you’ll be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws at you. Plus, with a lifetime warranty, you can be assured that you’re getting the best quality.