MSR Folding Spork Camping Utensil Review

Bottom Line

From river rafting trips to backpacking in the Colorado Rockies, we put the Outdoor Edge ChowPal multi-tool to the test against the most challenging foods and backpacker mush. Despite its novel, quirky design, the ChowPal impressed us with its well-rounded functionality.

While some of its multi-tool features—like the wrench and can opener—are more a handy novelty than capable of replacing your go-to multitool, the real standout is its sharpened blade. Unlike most included knives in camping cutlery sets, the ChowPal’s knife actually slices. Paired with the long, sturdy fork prongs, it’s a capable setup for campers who like a little more utility in their mess kit.

Built from sleek, polished stainless steel, the ChowPal feels solid in hand and is tough enough to last for years. Of course, that durability comes with extra weight, so ultralight hikers may want to check out our other favorite camping utensils. For bushcrafters, car campers, and short backpacking trips, though, it’s a fun, functional piece of gear that pulls its weight—literally.

How We Tested

We tested this mealtime multi-tool on a Colorado River raft trip with a feast fit for kings and on several nights backpacking with typical dehydrated meal pouches. We also put it through quantitative tests at home, becoming intimately familiar with every last characteristic and quirk that sets it apart from the competition.

Functionality

This is your classic, trusty spork, but with the added advantage of both a long reach and collapsible packability. It handles the basics of a multi-use utensil decently, but it has some downfalls.

The 1.75-inch by 1.5-inch spoon is a nice size, balancing capacity and comfort. In theory, it could hold about 5 milliliters of liquid if it weren’t for the large spork prongs. The large slots let about 80% of the liquid slip right through.

As a fork, it has no problem with soft foods but struggles with anything denser than a potato. Most backpacking meals fall into the forgiving mushy category, so it’s not a dealbreaker—but for car camping with real food, you’ll want something sturdier.

The big win with the MSR Folding Spork is its long 8-inch reach, combined with its packability. This thing can fit inside even small cook sets while simultaneously reaching down into the deepest depths of a Mountain House Meal.

Design

The MSR Folding Spork has a clever folding mechanism, but the overall feel definitely reminds you it’s a budget-friendly option and should be handled as such. To collapse it, squeeze the sides of the handle, flexing the plastic. This opens the locking mechanism and allows the spork to fold neatly in half. It’s simple, effective, and streamlined, but it feels like it could definitely wear or break over time. 

In hand, it’s lightweight and a little floppy under a full load of chow. The odd feeling, textured plastic can cling to pasty foods, and the spoon bowl is a touch too deep, making it tricky to scrape clean with a single bite. The near circular spoon also isn’t the best for cleaning pots, either.

That said, these are minor quibbles, and it’s our job to nitpick gear. The spork still performs its job, folding away neatly for packing and saving weight without breaking the bank.

Construction

The MSR Folding Spork keeps costs and weight down by using minimal material. We haven’t had any major failures yet, but the folding mechanism relies on bending that plastic, which probably won’t survive forever. We even spotted a couple of tiny plastic burs on the spork – a sign of low cost or rushed machining. Stirring and scraping denser foods proves the material is superflexible, which is nice that it resists snapping, but it isn’t very effective. 

The texture isn’t the smoothest either. It’s a little rough, which means pasty foods like peanut butter or mashed potatoes love to cling to it. That can make eating a bit messy and cleaning a little more annoying than with smoother materials.

Weight & PAckability

If your main goals are shaving ounces, saving pack space, and keeping your hands clean while emptying Mountain House pouches, the MSR Folding Spork is a big win. At a mere 0.35 ounces (10 grams), it’s the lightest utensil in our full guide.  It’s uber ultralight, and its compact, 4.25-inch packed size makes this spork nearly invisible in your pack. It can even be hung by the handle if you want it to dangle on your pack like a tiny culinary ornament.

Unlike other ultralight sporks that compromise on usability, this spork still gives you a full usable length.

Should You Buy the MSR Folding Spork?

The MSR Folding Spork is built for ultralight backpackers, thru-hikers, and minimalist campers who want to shave every ounce from their pack without giving up basic functionality. Its compact, 4.25-inch folded size and featherweight 0.35-ounce design make it perfect for anyone prioritizing minimal weight and space. It keeps your hands clean, reaches deep into Mountain House pouches, and collapses neatly when not in use.

That said, it’s not ideal for campers looking for a sturdier and more durable utensil. If you’re someone who eats heavy, non-mushy foods in the backcountry, this style might be a letdown. The lightweight plastic and folding mechanism won’t withstand extreme abuse, and sticky foods cling to the textured surface.

Despite its limitations, the Folding Spork offers excellent value for hikers and ultralight enthusiasts. You get a fully usable spork that saves weight and space while still performing the basics.

What Other Camping Utensils Should You Consider?

You can see how the MSR Folding Spork stacks up against other options in our full guide to the best backpacking utensils.

Humangear GoBites Bio-Uno Review: The Bio-Uno still shaves valuable weight, but is much sturdier and long-lasting. The fork and spoon ends give you dedicated functions over a single combined spork end. The Bio-Spin folds in half to achieve a packed size even smaller than the MSR Folding Spork.

UCO Utility Spork Review: The Utility Spork is the second lightest utensil on our list. It doesn’t pack down as small, but has dedicated spoon and fork ends. It’s also one of the most affordable utensils on our list.

Snow Peak Titanium Spork Review: This spork’s functionality, quality, and durability are way beyond the MSR Folding Spork thanks to its titanium construction. It features a large spoon, a comfortable handle, and vibrant colors. It is a little heavier and more expensive than the MSR Spork, though.