GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Spork and Sticks Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Spork and Sticks | |||||
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Awards | Best Overall | Best for Ultralight Backpacking | Best Bang For Your Buck | ||
Price | $15.00 List | $8.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $12.00 List $11.95 at Amazon | $8.95 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $4.49 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | While a bit too heavy for deep backcountry use, this utensil combines 3 pieces of cutlery into one | The best model for your on-the-go meal needs | This model has an exceptionally low weight and top-notch durability, making it the ideal backcountry utensil | A great option for the backcountry due to its comfortable and lightweight design | This sturdy plastic model offers the best price to performance ratio |
Rating Categories | GSI Outdoors Glacie... | Snow Peak Titanium... | Vargo Titanium ULV | Toaks Titanium | humangear GoBites Uno |
Eating (35%) | |||||
Durability (30%) | |||||
Cooking (20%) | |||||
Cleaning (15%) | |||||
Specs | GSI Outdoors Glacie... | Snow Peak Titanium... | Vargo Titanium ULV | Toaks Titanium | humangear GoBites Uno |
Material | Stainless steel, wood | Titanium | Titanium | Titanium | High-temp nylon |
Measured weight (oz) | 1.8 oz | 0.6 oz | 0.3 oz | 0.6 oz | 0.5 oz |
Length | 10.7" | 6.5" | 6.5" | 6.625" | 6.5" |
Dishwasher safe? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes - Top rack recommended |
Our Analysis and Test Results
There isn't much you can't eat when armed with chopsticks, a fork, and a spoon. The GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Spork and Sticks packs a punch and delivers all three culinary tools in a single device. Weighing in at nearly 2 ounces and reaching 10.5 inches when combined, this was the heaviest and longest model we tested. While it's good for car camping, it's not worth its weight in the backcountry.
Performance Comparison
Eating
This product was designed for chopstick lovers. It handles food like any classic set and was wonderful to have when eating noodles. The stainless steel spork, on the other hand, was cumbersome. The metal handle curves to allow the chopsticks to be securely inserted, but the shape makes holding the handle without the chopsticks uncomfortable. The tines are also tiny and close together which impedes its fork-like function of stabbing food.
Durability
The metal portion of this model is considerably hefty, rendering it practically indestructible. The chopsticks, on the other hand, are quite the opposite. Thinner than traditional chopsticks, this pair is prone to breaking, particularly in a rugged backcountry environment. Unfortunately, the unique shape of these chopsticks is required for combining this product and the manufacturer does not sell replacement chopsticks.
Cooking
Although we liked the added reach of the extended configuration, it felt flimsy in hand and occasionally came apart with vigorous stirring. A non-stick pan is no match for this competitor. One pass across the non-stick surface and it left a deeper gouge than any of the other models we tested.
Alone, the chopsticks excelled at cooking and made a great addition to a camp kitchen. They also won't scratch your non-stick pans. If you have space, try bringing a pair on your next backpacking trip, but opt for one of our other contenders as your accompanying utensil.
Cleaning
The smooth titanium surface of the spork made cleaning a simple task, but the wood chopsticks were a different matter. Food particles clung to the unfinished wood making them difficult to rinse clean. The teeny tiny holes at the tops of the chopsticks also accumulated food that we still haven't figured out how to remove without a needle.
Value
If you're a chopstick lover, this is a great buy, but it's also one of the most expensive models of all of the products we tested. There are more other contenders that are a bit more practical and affordable.
Conclusion
The GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Spork and Sticks was better than many competing products, but it didn't blow our socks off. While it scored slightly above average in every category, it was just too middle of the road to take home any awards.