Coghlans Trowel is a lightweight tool for wilderness that works on the principle of “Leave No Trace.” It is an essential gear to keep while backpacking.
Our Verdict
I have had Coghlan’s Trowel for a while now. I use it for digging holes, cutting through soft and medium soil and other small tasks around my camp. It is handy and lightweight, which has enabled me to carry it around. I like lightweight when I pack my gear.
The ABS plastic trowel is surprisingly durable and resilient despite its lightweight, which makes it my favorite choice in trowels. With its extended handle, this trowel becomes more efficient and effective. While there may be better and even effective models of trowels, the price and portability of this trowel exceed expectations. So, this trowel wins the argument owing to its ease of use, handiness, portability, and price tag.
Related: Best Trowels For Backpacking
Coghlans Trowel: Our Testing Results and Analysis
Ease of Use
During our hikes, we are pretty much on our own. We need to dig holes, make temporary channels, direct rainwater around the canopy, and do many other tasks. A trowel is a basic necessity for long hikes.
Coghlan’s trowel made it effortless, as it has a pointed sharp tip, which makes penetration trouble-free and shoveling easier. The handle is an important part of shovels and trowels. Coglan’s trowel has a short but comfortable handle, which is effective for shoveling with no blisters.
For tougher soil, I had to put in some extra effort, but as a whole, this trowel made digging hassle-free and straightforward.
Durability and Performance
Coghlan’s trowel contains ABS plastic, which makes it sturdy and resilient. For soft and sandy soil, the trowel worked exceptionally well. I often used it to dig holes and shovel away dirt and soil to make the place inhabitable.
In hard-packed soil, it needed more effort, however; the trowel didn’t break or show any signs of cracking or breaking. This shows that the trowel can withstand stress and force to a large extent.
It is crucial to note that this trowel consists of plastic; it may bend in case of rocky terrains. It is mandatory to note here that you must use this trowel with care.
Hammering with it and using it as a lever may not yield the desirable results. It may break or creak from the tip or from the handle if used brutally and carelessly. Rest, the trowel offers adequate durability and resilience.
Size and Portability
With its 55g weight, it stands out among other tools of the kind. For me, as a lightweight hiker, this gadget is almost unnoticeable in my backpack.
With its lightweight, I found it highly portable to carry around. It could comfortably fit in both the side pockets of the inside gear compartments of my bag. I always found it reachable and quick to pick when I needed it.
Whether it is a small hole or a cat hole, Coghlan’s trowel is one of the easily accessible and portable options to carry around as a hiker.
Pros and Cons of the Coghlans Trowel
Pros
This lightweight gadget has the following benefits:
- It is 55 g in weight, which is the category of extremely lightweight gadgets.
- This trowel is the easiest one to store and carry around when it comes to packing.
- It contains ABS plastic, which adds to its resilience.
- t has a small handle, which adds to its efficiency.
- With all the above benefits, its price is reasonable and affordable for budget-conscious hikers.
Cons
- Due to its plastic body, it struggles with rocky terrains.
- It is not an absolute alternative to metal shovels and trowels.
Comparing the Coghlans Trowel to Other Backpacking Trowels
While comparing, the standout features of the Coghlan’s Trowel are its affordability and lightweight. Let’s look at some of its competitors:
It is a metal trowel, which sums up the basic difference from Coghlan’s trowel. TentLab’s Deuce is a lightweight and durable option for hikers, offering an upper hand on digging harder soils and roots. Comparatively, it has higher prices than Coghlan’s Trowel, which makes it a better option for those who want to spend more on such gadgets.
BoglerCo Backpacking Trowel is yet another comparison to the Coghla’s Trowel. This trowel offers an aluminum body, offering a far better and more robust shape and efficiency. Comparatively, BoglerCo’s trowel has more weight and a higher price. This becomes a concern for both lightweight backpackers and low-budget hikers.
While both are desirable options, Coghlan’s trowel is favorable owing to its lightweight, affordability, and durability, and it works under the principle of Leave No Trace.
Conclusion: Is the Coghlans Trowel Worth It?
The Coghlan’s Trowel is a reliable and excellent tool for the hikers who prefer lightweight and simple gadgets. This tool is useful owing to its simple yet effective shape. The pointed tip helps in digging while the handle provides a grip. It may not withstand durability tests like its metal counterparts, but it surely is a great tool for the hikers who favor simple and minimalist designs that offer affordable prices and effective work.
To put it in a nutshell, Coghlan’s Trowel offers a resilient, semi-durable, and handy gadget at an affordable price to the hikers who value minimalist designs and lightweight.
