GSI Open air Glacier Stainless Spork & Sticks Utensil Evaluation

Backside Line

The GSI Open air Glacier Stainless Spork and Sticks fills an apparent area of interest of people that desire chopsticks over Western cutlery. Nonetheless, the cowboy shouldn’t be completely forgotten on this combo set, as the massive spork is ideal for slurping stew. We gave this set a full shakedown at dwelling and on backpacking and rafting journeys within the Rocky Mountains. Whereas it’s not our go-to utensil, it has its time and place. 

The chopsticks’ light-weight wood development and the sturdy chrome steel spork completely complement one another in each weight and performance. When mixed, the utensil has an unbelievable attain, however at the price of some stability. 

Although you possibly can argue its practicality till the cows come dwelling, its sturdiness and design are par to GSI’s status for modern and high quality tenting cookware.

The GSI Spork and Sticks is little doubt very totally different from our different favourite tenting utensils, however for the precise backpacker, this set might be a dream come true.

How We Examined

We examined this utensil set together with comparable merchandise each at dwelling and on the path. We introduced it alongside on rafting and backpacking journeys, testing it on dehydrated hiker meals and ‘actual’ meals. We verified its specs with producer claims and professionally evaluated each final function so that you don’t need to.

Performance

The GSI Spork and Sticks is unquestionably one of the modern designs on our record of favourite utensils, however utilizing it to its full potential takes slightly finesse. First, let’s speak concerning the chopsticks. They’re comparable in size to plain chopsticks, however noticeably lighter than high quality chopsticks. Additionally they really feel like they lack a definitive fulcrum – the important thing to straightforward maneuverability. That stated, we’re admittedly not essentially the most savvy chopstick customers, so the performance will fluctuate from individual to individual.

The spork may be very straightforward to make use of. It has a big, 6mL capability spoon that cradles a slurpable quantity of soup with out being too huge to really feel uncomfortable. The spork options 5 tiny quarter-inch prongs (in comparison with the extra typical 4 lengthy prongs) to retain extra spoon quantity. It even stabs meals surprisingly effectively (however not so good as a fork).

The chopsticks alone provides you with virtually 8 inches of attain (when you maintain them on the very finish), and the spork will present slightly over 6. When mixed, the combo reaches virtually 12 inches lengthy! The caveat is the sacrifice in stability and threat of the set coming aside.

Design

The spork is unquestionably extra snug to make use of than the chopsticks (positive, we didn’t develop up chopstickin’). However we’re not simply saying that as a result of we’re horrible at utilizing chopsticks. The spork deal with is ergonomically curved to comfortably relaxation in your hand, with an excellent upturn on the finish for additional leverage. The numerous weight is a refreshing change from ultralight plastic and titanium designs. The chrome steel is a well-recognized materials that feels such as you’re consuming with dwelling silverware. 

Regardless of their lack of adequate weight, the chopsticks are easy and polished for a snug hand and mouth really feel. 

The standout function of the Glacier Spork and Sticks design is the flexibility for the 2 utensils to nest collectively for an ultra-long tremendous spork. Though it’s a neat design, it’s extra novel than efficient.

Development

The Glacier Spork and Sticks are each sturdy and fragile. The chrome steel spork bends pretty simply, but it surely bends again to its authentic form simply as simply and isn’t brittle like plastic, so it received’t snap. The chrome steel may be very straightforward to scrub, however typically meals can get caught within the prongs of the spork. 

The chopsticks will certainly snap with out a lot strain. They do flex slightly earlier than snapping, but it surely’s greatest to deal with them with extra care than your typical backpacking cookware.

Weight & Packability

The entire set weighs in at 1.94oz (55g), far heavier than any particular person utensil. If you happen to select to go away half of the set at dwelling, the spork weighs 1.41oz (40g), and the chopsticks weigh simply 0.35oz (10g). It can save you an extra 5g by leaving the stuff sack at dwelling. 

The packed size of the package is about 8.75in. It’s not essentially the most packable utensil set in comparison with different collapsible choices, however not less than it has a bag to maintain your utensils clear!

Ought to You Purchase the GSI Open air Glacier Stainless Spork & Sticks Utensil?

Merely put, when you love utilizing chopsticks, this set is for you. If you happen to don’t, there are higher choices for much less cash. Such is the character of those area of interest objects. Nonetheless, the set provides first rate performance in a considerate design.

The spork and sticks complement one another properly to create an entire set for nearly any type of meal. The spork has wonderful capability, sensible prongs, and a snug ergonomic design. The sticks lack some heft, however assist hold the general weight down and are efficient in the precise arms. Collectively, they type a brilliant spork lengthy sufficient to steal out of your neighbor’s plate. 

For a 2-piece set, the GSI Glacier Spork and Sticks are very moderately priced, packing a ton of worth and flexibility into an reasonably priced and comparatively light-weight bundle. For the precise backpacker, this area of interest utensil set is an absolute win.

What Different Tenting Utensils Ought to You Think about?

Don’t fear, there are many conventional tenting utensils to select from in our information to the most effective tenting utensils. Listed below are some contenders: 

Out of doors Edge ChowPal Evaluation: The ChowPal is a multi-tool design full with spoon, fork, and a pointy knife. The chrome steel design could be equally mixed for a really lengthy attain, however not fairly so long as the Spork and Sticks.

Humangear GoBites Bio-Uno Lengthy Evaluation: The Uno Lengthy comes the closest to reaching the identical size because the Spork and Sticks in a single utensil. It options two devoted utensils on a single deal with and provides important weight financial savings over the Spork and Sticks. 

Snow Peak Titanium Spork Evaluation: If you happen to’re significantly intrigued by the spork a part of the GSI Spork and Sticks, the Snow Peak Titanium Spork is essentially the most comparable by way of measurement. It lacks the identical deal with consolation, however is far lighter.