Digging is not how you would imagine spending your weekend. However, sometimes it is a necessary chore, and there’s nothing you could do but go out there and handle the situation, especially when you are military personnel and you are in emergency circumstances.
We sincerely hope that you have never had to dig a trench or a big hole without a shovel since then you would be aware of how exhausting and challenging digging can be.
Blisters, gashes, and bruises all ruin your hands and make even the best camping vacation or military action into an agonizing experience. However, you will be able to handle everything if you have one or two survival shovels nearby.
Last update on 2023-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Tactical Shovel
With a tactical shovel, you would be able to dig through everything from dirt and sand to snow and ice. Finding the best survival shovel is essential if you want to complete your survival gear.
For this reason, we’ve put up a list of the best 10 survival shovels that might really save your life whether you’re out hiking, camping, taking a quick stroll through the woods, playing sports outside, or even going about your military duties.
Camping Shovel, Shovel Folding, Portable, Multitool, Foldable Entrenching Tool
Tactical shovels are a must for everyone who loves spending time in the open. With its 35 inch length, this item offers practical assembly, functionality, and security. It can be extended to a comfortable size for digging while standing, and it won’t cause you any backache or hand blisters due to its rubber handle.
The blade of this unit is made of high-carbon steel that is wear-resistant and can dig through all kinds of soil.
In addition to being able to adjust the shovel’s length to fit your size by simply attaching extensions, you can also carry the shovel by storing it in the tactical waist pack that it comes with.
This is one of the best foldable shovels available online, and aside from the usual whistle and cap opener, it also has an ice-axe and pickaxe.
The unit could also be used as a hook, so if you have to climb up tough terrain, you would be able to do it with ease.
FiveJoy Folding Shovel (C1)
Folding shovels are more than comfortable since you can easily carry them in your backpack wherever you go. This FiveJoy folding shovel is a portable multi-tool that is super lightweight but also very sturdy.
The blade is made of high-quality carbon steel, whereas the knife is constructed of carbon steel and aerospace-grade aluminum. Both are rust and water-resistant and are surely built to last.
As you can probably guess, this unit comes with many different survival tools. You get a rope attached to the end handle, an emergency whistle, a food cutter, a bottle opener, and a small saw.
Besides all these essential survival tools, we also loved the thoughtfully engineered handle that is suitable for all glove types and minimizes hand fatigue.
What we were really impressed with, however, was the unique lock adjustment of the device. The shovel head can be adjusted, and you can use the spade at a 30°, 85°, or 180° angle as a reliable hook, rugged hoe, or sturdy shovel.
With this tactical folding shovel, you will be prepared for any unexpected adventure!
US GI Military Original Issue E-Tool Entrenching Shovel
Considering the fact that this foldable survival shovel is made for the military, it is obvious that it is pretty near indestructible under normal use. The unit is durable and sturdy, and we guarantee it is made to last a lifetime. This foldable military shovel won’t break during heavy-work usage, and it can also be used as a shovel, saw, mattock, or ax.
This recommendation should be taken into account while looking for a survival shovel. It has a solid pin where the shovel pivots to the handle, a steel blade, and an aluminum handle. Because of this, you can be certain that the appliance won’t bend or crack.
This US GI survival shovel may not come with so many additional accessories like some of our other suggestions, but it is one of the sturdiest units out there that will get you through any situation. The black powder-coat finish also ensures its durability.
Zune lotoo Annihilate Tactical Shovel
This Zunelotoo survival shovel is the ideal gadget to add to your outdoor survival gear. Since it is a folding shovel, you can easily fit it in the trunk of your car or in your bag. The unit has no weak points as it is made of heat-treated steel that is super durable.
The shovel head is easily adjusted by simply pressing one button, and you get to close from 6 different angles.
Aside from the fact that the head of the shovel has 10mm joint parts that make it super strong, the unit itself combines 23 different survival tools. We really liked the hidden tactical knife since it is sharp and could help you in any unexpected survival circumstances.
With this Zunelotoo camping shovel, you also get a strong ax, whistle, and one of the best fire starters. The 7.08inch extension tube is also a great addition. With such a shovel, survival in the wild will be a piece of cake, and even if you are attacked by wild animals, you will have effective and reliable protection.
Schrade SCHSH1 Telescoping Shovel
Well, we read a lot of customer reviews and tried many different survival shovels manufactured in the united states and in other countries, and we were really impressed by this next suggestion on our list. The Schrade SCHSH1 folding shovel not only looks professional but works that way as well.
The dimensions of the unit are: 16.6inch open length, 10inch collapsed length, 20inch fully extended length. With its weight of 1 lb 15.7 ounces, you could easily take it with you wherever you go, just throw it in the boot of your vehicle or put it in your bug-out bag.
You don’t need a lot of product info to see how sturdy this survival shovel is. It is made of reliable 3Cr13 S.S, and it has a comfortable T-shaped grip. Since the unit comes with a polyester sheath, you will have quick and easy access whenever you want.
LIANTRAL Camping Shovel
LIANTRAL undoubtedly makes some of the greatest survival shovels available on the market, and this suggestion is no exception. This LIANTRAL multi-functional tool combines a shovel, whistle, fire bar, ice ax, safety hammer, and more. All of the tools you’ll get are sturdy.
The shovel itself is made of quality steel that is wear-resistant and high-strength. The extension bars and the hold, on the other hand, are made of Aerospace alloy. If you look for versatility, practicality, and security, you’ve just found it!
Let’s talk about some dimensions now. The shovel length is 30.3″ / 2.5ft, the ax length is 22″/ 1.8ft, and the weight of the unit is 4.76 lbs. The compact dimensions of the unit make it ideal for fishing, camping, or simply digging out your car tires during winter. And, if you’re still not impressed, just wait until you see the wolf engraved on the ax!
AG Military Shovel
The fact that this AG shovel is small and portable must not confuse you-it is sturdy, durable, and can be used for numerous tasks around the house or in the open while camping, off-roading, hiking, or hunting. The handle and the shovel blade are made of steel, which is wear-resistant, whereas the grip itself is made of rubber.
We also liked the quality of the finish, which is excellent.
This is one of the best military shovels available since it combines excellent mobility with remarkable durability. It comes with a handy carrying bag with a belt loop that can also be put on your backpack if that’s what you want, making it easy for you to keep by your side.
This multi-tool shovel features a saw, a cap opener, a nail extractor, and more. When it comes to the price, you will surely love this folding shovel even more because it is very affordable.
Gerber Gear E-Tool Survival Shovel
Camping doesn’t have to be dangerous, especially if you have a survival shovel like this. Even though it is the last on our list, this suggestion is just as durable and efficient as any other of the above-mentioned. Gerber Gear is one of the companies that offer the greatest life-saving products, designed with a lot of activities in mind.
This Gerber E-tool survival shovel is one of the strongest, lightest, and finest spades we tried, and we loved it not only because it has a completely badass design but also because it actually gets the job done. After all, could you expect anything less than a Nato-approved E-tool?
The Gerber E-tool features an anodized shaft and a glass-filled nylon grip. The dimensions of this camping shovel are 23.75inches when open and 9.25inches when closed, which means you can easily transport it anywhere you want. With this unit, you also get a cast pick, which is a great bonus for such a small shovel.
FiveJoy Folding Shovel Multitool (RS)
Here is another suggestion by FiveJoy that is a bit tougher than the last one. This RS shovel is made of ultra-durable carbon steel that is rust and water-resistant and will turn to entrench, chop, and dig into a child’s game.
The weight of this FiveJoy entrenching tool is only 2.16lbs, so you could easily fold it up and put it in your bug-out bag.
This device is surely worth the investment since you get a hoe, axe, shovel, and hammer all in one. When you unscrew the connecting tubes, you will find a rescue knife, bottle opener, fire starter, and emergency whistle. The extension tubes and the hollow tubes are also great features because you can store different emergency items there.
The heat-treated steel guarantees lifetime durability, but we also liked the perfectly engineered slip and sweatproof handle. It optimizes control and comfort, and your hands won’t get covered with blisters and cuts. The spade of this tactical shovel can also be used as a hook.
EVATAC™ Elite Tactical Shovel
This Evatac survival shovel is a heavy-duty unit that comes with 8 survival essentials. We could calmly say that this is a multi-tool shovel that has all the things you need to survive if you get lost in the wind with no shelter and food.
The shovel is made of stainless steel that can make digging in the hard ground a breeze. It is durable and sturdy, and when you flip the head to 90 degrees, you get yourself a gardening tool.
With this survival shovel, you will be able not only to dig a pit for your fire but also to chop firewood and clear fallen trees. Moreover, the unit has a built-in Ferro firestarter that sparks at 3000 degrees allowing you to instantly start a fire no matter where you are.
If this survival shovel still hasn’t impressed you, let’s take a look at some of the other features it has- a compass, a built-in ruler, and a 120db whistle.
Calling for help and finding your way won’t be a problem, but what about the emergency repairs that you may have to do while in the wild?
Well, this survival shovel comes with a double edge saw, a flat head, and a Philips head screwdriver. And as if that weren’t enough, this Evatac survival tool comes with a durable 1000D padded carry case and a bottle opener to crack open that cold beer once you’re done with the job.
Wrap Up
When you’re out there camping, the right equipment can make all the difference. For this reason, you need the perfect survival shovel. Survival shovels come in different sizes, shapes, and designs.
Some are foldable, others feature more than 20 other additional tools, like a fire starter or a whistle, but the thing you really need to be careful with is the material of the blade and the sharpness of the cutting edge.
Survival shovels are an essential tool, and if you have found the best item for your needs, thanks to our reviews, don’t hesitate to check our other articles connected to survival tools.