Best 10 Backpacking Bowls Of 2024

Tableware sets are very important backpacking gear to have. They make eating a lot easier. Some tableware can be used as a cookware as well. It is important to have a nice backpacking bowl whenever you are going on a backpacking trip. It is because bowls have a lot of use like being a container for foods, water, and so on. There are lots of materials to choose from so I have listed some amazing backpacking bowls below to help people out. These backpacking bowls are quite nice which is why I always highly recommend them.

Best Backpacking Bowls – Quick Chart

How To Choose A Backpacking Bowl

Types Of Backpacking Bowls

Cookware

There are a lot of backpacking cookware that can be used as bowls as well. These cookware are great for the outdoor because they are multipurpose and can function as a cookware and tableware at the same time. These items are often made out of metal like stainless steel or titanium.

Tableware

Backpacking bowls are meant to be used as a tableware. So you will see a lot of bowls that are meant to be used as a tableware bowl. These items are often made out of plastic or wood. Items that cannot be used to cook with. Bowls that are meant to be used as a pure tableware are often very compact and lightweight.

Disposable

There are also bowls that are disposable. Unfortunately, most people do not bring these types of tableware to their backpacking trip since they do not want to litter or throw trash into nature. There are disposable backpacking bowls but I do not recommend getting them.

Choosing The Backpacking Bowl Material

There are different types of material. The common ones are silicone, BPA free plastic or food grade plastic, Stainless steel, aluminum, titanium and so on. It is really a preference. The stainless steel and metal type ones are very durable but the silicone and plastic ones are foldable and more compact. All materials are pretty good so it is really up to you which one you want. But each type of material has their strengths and weaknesses.

Wood

There are not a lot of backpacking bowls that are made out of wood. There are people who bring them though. They look nice and they are very good for photography and social media. Wood is a good material depending on the manufacturer. There are also wooden bowls that are cheaply made.

Stainless Steel

I love stainless steel for my backpacking equipment. Stainless steel is very durable, easy to clean and heats up easily. Most backpacking gear that are made of this material can be used as a tableware and cookware at the same time. This material is lightweight, scratch resistant and rust resistant which makes them very ideal for backpacking.

Hard-Anodized Aluminum

There are a lot of bowls that can be used as a cookware as well, are made out of hard anodized aluminum. This type of metal is very cheap and affordable. A lot of affordable mess kits sold today are made out of this material. The cookware are often coated with Teflon nonstick coating.

Plastic

There are a lot of bowls that are made out of plastic. Plastic is very durable, flexible and this material works well for backpacking and camping purposes. Plastic is also lightweight and compact. Just make sure that the item that you are getting is BPA free.

Titanium

Titanium is one of the best materials for backpacking but it is very expensive. Most of the titanium bowls feel very flimsy and thin. Most of the time, this is because the company wants to keep the item as budget friendly as possible. Titanium has a lot of the benefits of stainless steel but titanium is often lighter than stainless steel.

Health Concerns You Need To Consider

Teflon Non-Stick Coatings

Most of the hard anodized aluminum mess kits and equipment that you will see are coated with Teflon. Teflon had a very bad reputation before but most companies took out the dangerous toxic substances. Teflon is once again used in a lot of cookware.

Ceramic Non-Stick Coatings

Ceramic non-stick coatings are a lot safer than Teflon and they have a better reputation as well. The only problem is that ceramic coatings are more expensive than Teflon. You will only see this coating in some of the expensive cookware for backpacking.

BPA-Free

If you are getting a bowl made out of plastic, then you should make sure that it does not have BPA. BPA has been known to make people sick. Most items will tell you whether their items have BPA or not. This is just something to look for whenever you are getting plastic.

Other Considerations You Should Think About

Number Of Bowls

It is important to know how many bowls you are going to need. It is often cheaper to get multiple items than individual pieces. You will often get some sort of bulk discount by getting a lot of bowls. It is important to know or plan how many bowls you are going to need in your backpacking trip.

Bowl And Pot Size

The capacity of the bowl is also very important. I like my bowls big. I usually cook instant soup or ramen. The best bowls for that are pretty big. I like my breakfast with eggs, ramen and coffee. Big bowls can serve as a container for soup, beverages and even dry foods. Sometimes if I want mac and cheese then I prefer having a bowl with a big capacity.

Packable / Compact

Not all of the bowls are packable. Some have a nested design and can be used to store other items. Some do not. A lot of the plastic and silicone bowls are foldable and packable. Most of the metallic bowls are not. You have to buy the whole cookware set and they are designed to be nested or stored together. In a way the metallic bowls are packable as well. This is something that you should think about also.

Weight

A lot of bowls for backpacking are very lightweight. Still, there are differences in weight. Most are under a pound. Some are less than half a pound. There are lots of bowls that are very unique and there are lots of bowls to choose from also. We have lots of choices and it is really up to your personal preference what to get. But definitely, have to keep in mind the weight of the bowl.

Lids

Lids are also very important and something we need to think about whenever we are thinking of getting a backpacking bowl. A lid will allow the bowl to retain heat. It does not matter if you are using the bowl as a tableware or cookware, a lid will keep the food hot for a longer period of time. Unfortunately, not all bowls come with a lid so this is something people have to consider.

Multipurpose

If the bowl can have more than one functionality, then it is great. A lot of metallic bowls can be used to cook foods also. The metallic bowls can be used as a cookware most of the time. This is great so that you don’t need to pack a lot of items. Most bowls can have more than one functionality. So a multipurpose bowl can help us a lot. Just be careful if you are using the bowl as a cookware. They become hot. Don’t put your lips or hands on the bowl. You may forget this because you are too tired or not familiar with the outdoors.

Best Backpacking Bowls

Here are some amazing backpacking bowls that are great for the wilderness. These items are very durable, lightweight and they are also very compact which makes them ideal for backpacking. All product links are affiliate links.

1. Light My Fire 8-Piece BPA-Free Meal Kit 2.0

Technical Specs
Weight: 13.5 oz
Material: BPA-free, Polypropylene
Solo Or Set: Set
Capacity: Largest bowl/plate holds 30.4 oz or 900 ml
Feature Summary: Durable and does not break easily, stowing and serving food on the go, snap-lock lids, waterproof snapboxes, spork original is an all-in-one utensil

Short Review: There are a lot of people who love this backpacking mess kit. The set is constructed out of bio based plastics from plants that is BPA free and very non-toxic. This features airtight storage containers with lid which makes this multipurpose and can be used in various outdoor activities. This includes everything you need to enjoy your foods while in the outdoors. This is pretty high quality and incredibly durable at the same time. It has a big bowl that holds around 30 oz of liquid and equipped with a lid. Great item that has everything you need to enjoy your food while in the outdoors. BPA free and non-toxic as well.

2. GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Bowl with Handle

Technical Specs
Weight: 5.2 oz
Material: Stainless Steel
Solo Or Set: Solo
Capacity: 30 oz
Feature Summary: Compact and very good, rustproof, lightweight, built to last, dinnerware, cooking pot, serving bowl, attached handle

Short Review: There are a good deal of things that I really like relating to this backpacking bowl. This has a large amount of features that are really useful. This is made of stainless steel which makes it very durable. This is constructed out of forged glacier stainless steel is rust-proof, fire-proof and will not become discolored when used with acidic ingredients. This is not going to crumble or get squished while in your backpack. This has a handle also so that people will have an easier time holding it. Can be used to fry stuff also. The lightweight design makes this ideal for outdoor adventures. I am extremely satisfied I stumbled upon this because this is definitely one of the best.

3. MSR Alpine Stowaway Pot

Technical Specs
Weight: 0.97 Pounds
Material: Stainless Steel
Solo Or Set: Solo
Capacity: 1.1 Liter
Feature Summary: Made to last for years to come, made out of high quality materials, item is high quality

Short Review: One of the greatest things I have ever tried is this bowl or pot for the outdoors. The first thing I noticed about this item is how beautiful it is. It works well and very durable. This has a stainless steel construction that has its durability time tested and trusted by mountaineers. The cookware has the ability to be nested for easy and compact storage. If you would like a good and solidly built item that can allow you to eat soups, foods, cereals, breakfast and so on then this is a great choice. Lightweight items like this one are very easy to carry which gives people more energy to have fun. It is very simple but works well. Great for instant ramen and other types of soups.

4. Stanley Adventure Vacuum Crock Food Jar

Technical Specs
Weight: 3.4 lbs
Material: Stainless Steel
Solo Or Set: Solo
Capacity: 3 Quarts
Feature Summary: Easy to clean, nesting system save space, vented lids-BPA free, Prep kit brings indoor cooking outdoors

Short Review: I love this vacuum crock food jar and lots of people love it as well. I love the Stanley mess kits. They have a couple that they manufactured. This is a lot more than I expected! If you like to bring soups or chili or foods that are hot while on a backpacking adventure then this is a good choice. This has a good weight, beautiful and exceptionally sturdy. It is well known that a durable item like this one, lasts for quite a long time. This is made out of lightweight stainless steel material which makes this ideal for the outdoors. This terrific food is what I was trying to find and it has lots of amazing positive customer feedback. The drawback is that this is a little bit expensive and heavy but on the other hand, it is very good at keeping foods hot.

5. Boundless Voyage Ultralight Titanium Bowl

Technical Specs
Weight: 5.6 ounces
Material: Titanium
Solo Or Set: Solo
Capacity: Multiple Sizes
Feature Summary: Durable and foldable, titanium, lightweight titanium that provides hassle free transportation, easy to clean, dishwasher safe, great for travelers carrying in your backpack

Short Review: I am delighted to recommend this lightweight bowl considering that this is fantastic. Constructed out of high quality titanium, never rust, anti-corrosion, good heat, high hardness, no deformation, and solid structure. This easy to clean, dishwasher safe. Titanium plate has no metal flavor residue while also being rustproof and eco-friendly. This is one of the greatest that I have obtained on the web and this has presented me with a lot of usefulness. Solidly built tableware. A very good item to have if you love the outdoors because it is lightweight while being very durable. This is very durable and very compact which saves a lot of backpack space. Simple item but works well.

6. Guyot Designs Squishy Bowl and Cup Set

Technical Specs
Weight: 7 oz
Material: FDA approved food grade silicone packs
Solo Or Set: Set
Capacity: large bowl at 26 oz
Feature Summary: Designed to be compact to save space, BPA free, foldable, temperature resistant to 400 Degree F, easy to clean

Short Review: This backpacking bowl is amongst the finest that I am aware of. The affordable price tag of this item is amazing and this has lots of capabilities. I have gone through a lot of comparable items and such. This is by far one of the nicest ones. The weight is very light since this is made out of silicone. Works well while also being very durable. This has a compact and nested design which is great for people who need more room in their backpacks. I can use this as a dog bowl for hiking purposes also. It is an multi purpose set of bowls that is great for ramen, cereals and such.

7. Sea to Summit X-Bowl

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.8 oz
Material: Silicone
Solo Or Set: Solo
Capacity: 22 fl oz
Feature Summary: Durable and made by an amazing company, food grade nylon 66, BPA free, cool to touch hex pattern, cut resistant, carabineer hang loop

Short Review: This outdoor bowl not only will perform extremely well, but the effective capacity or characteristics of this item is outstanding. This is a collapsible bowl made of food grade, heat-resistant silicone packs flat for storage or backpacking. Sea to Summit is an amazing company that creates a lot of hiking supplies and backpacking gear. This is very good. The compact design makes packing our backpacks a lot easier. This features nylon base is cut-resistant and functions as a cutting board when flipped upside down. This is very useful, nontoxic and works well. Has a handle so people can pick it up easily and includes a carabineer so people can hang it outside of their backpacks.

8. MSR Alpine Nesting

Technical Specs
Weight: 3.5 oz
Material: Stainless Steel
Solo Or Set: Solo
Capacity: 25 oz
Feature Summary: Very durable construction, nested design, heavy duty durability, redesigned, popular company

Short Review: This bowl for camping that I have listed is amazing. This is an extremely stylish item with extraordinary performance for the price. I love stainless steel items because they are very durable. This has a nice capacity, great for ramen, cereals and soups. Compact or nested design makes this very desirable gear for the outdoors. Camping is a lot more fun if you have a good item like this because this works well. MSR is an amazing company and I love their mess kits, cookware and tableware as well. This is constructed out of rugged stainless steel that has been redesigned to nest with its mates for convenient storage.

9. Fozzils Snapfold Bowlz

Technical Specs
Weight: 0.181 pounds
Material: Plastic
Solo Or Set: 2 pcs
Capacity: 4 Ounces
Feature Summary: Construction is very durable, collapsible and expandable, can be used as pet bowls, BPA free

Short Review: If you are looking for an amazing lightweight bowl then you need to think about this. This is very foldable and very lightweight. Easy to carry and holds a decent amount of liquid. This is one of the simplest backpacking bowl that you can get. This is very simple but works well. The amazing compact and space saving construction is very useful for people who love the outdoors. Made out of BPA free and food grade silicone which allows it to be foldable. Can be used as a food bowl or water bowl for dogs as well. Pretty simple but pretty good.

10. Snow Peak Kettle

Technical Specs
Weight: 0.57 Pounds
Material: Stainless Steel
Solo Or Set: Solo
Capacity: 30.4 Oz
Feature Summary: The material is very easy to clean, no metallic smell or taste and will not rust, incredibly light, can be used for cooking

Short Review: I like this stainless steel bowl for the outdoors a whole lot and I know you will also. I have been getting a lot of stainless steel cookware lately and most of them felt very flimsy. It is because stainless steel is expensive. This one feels better than the ones I recently got. This is an extremely good and solid kettle that can be used as a bowl that is also quite budget friendly. Compact design is very useful especially if you want to bring lots of items a backpacking trip. Ideal item to have for backpacking purposes and this works very well. You can also cook with this if you want. One of the benefits of metallic tableware for backpacking is that they can be used to cook foods as well.