When heading out on a camping trip, having durable camping plates and bowls is crucial for enjoyable and hassle-free meals in the wilderness.
After all, flimsy dinnerware that cracks or shatters means you’ll be eating with your hands or struggling to find makeshift alternatives from nature.
To spare you this headache and ensure your plates and bowls last for years of camping trips, here’s what to look for when shopping.
Focus on Durability Over Aesthetics
The priority when selecting camping dishes should always be durability and resilience rather than appearance or decorative flair. As survival expert Creek Stewart puts it:
“Leave the fine china at home. Out in the woods, the prettiest plates and bowls are the ones that don’t break after years of use.”
When browsing options, pay more attention to construction material, weight rating, and drop test results rather than colors, patterns, or stylish shapes. Function over form is the name of the game.
Sturdy materials designed to endure frequent impacts and heavy loads are what matter. So read on to discover the ideal materials and key indicators of true resilience.
Opt for Hard-Wearing Materials
Certain materials naturally lend themselves better to withstanding years of outdoor use and abuse. Here are the best options to look for:
- Stainless Steel – Extremely durable metal that resists corrosion. Can sustain very heavy loads without damage. Provides great thermal insulation. Easy to clean.
- Melamine – Shatterproof synthetic polymer that excels in durability tests. Used in commercial kitchenware. Stain resistant and easy to clean.
- Polypropylene – Flexible thermoplastic polymer widely used for kitchenware. Withstands pressure and retains shape without cracking or warping from hot/cold contents.
- Enamelware – Metal coated with glass enamel creating a non-porous, water-resistant surface. Chipping-resistant and easy to clean. Can develop small dents over time with heavy use.
Steer clear of more delicate materials prone to breaking like ceramic, glass, crystal, or bone china. Remember, the environment will be unforgiving, so the construction material must be resilient.
Assess Key Indicators of Durability
Don’t just take marketing claims of durability at face value. Look for key specifications and ratings that offer measurable proof:
- Drop Test – Distance from which plates/bowls are dropped onto a hard surface during testing without sustaining damage. Higher is better.
- Load Capacity – Maximum content weight that plates/bowls can reliably hold when carried or stacked without cracking. Look for at least 45 lbs capacity.
- Dishwasher Safe – Means materials can withstand high water pressure and temperatures for frequent easy cleaning.
- Microwave Safe – Ensures no leaching of hazardous chemicals when exposed to microwave radiation.
- FDA Approved – Meets U.S. standards for food-safe contact materials to avoid contamination.
- Warranty – Multiple years of coverage backing durability claims. More years = more confidence inspiring.
Meeting these credibly quantified measures means your dishes can genuinely survive and thrive out on the trail for seasons to come.
The Best Built-To-Last Camping Plates and Bowls
Keeping all this advice in mind, below are top-rated ultra-durable plates and bowls purpose-designed for campers:
GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Steel Plate and Bowl
- Aircraft grade stainless steel construction with interlocking base ring prevents warping
- Sustain over 200 lbs of weight without deformation
- 15-year warranty vouches for quality
Light My Fire MealKit 2.0 BPA-Free Polypropylene Set
- Unbreakable and shatterproof material won’t crack from drops or impacts
- Break-resistant polypropylene carries 55 lbs load rating
- Flexes to absorb force rather than shattering
GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Backpacker Set
- Set of plates, bowls, mugs in color-coded, anodized aluminum
- Durable, non-conductive material won’t burn fingers
- Lightweight, space-saving nested design
While none match fine bone china in beauty, the unbreakable build of these wilderness-worthy options means you’ll enjoy intact plates and bowls meal after meal into the distant future. No shattered dinnerware or emergency whittling of wood cutlery required.
