Gear
Camping plate and bowl
Plastic or titanium, folding or fixed — and why many manage perfectly well without one on simpler trips.
On a tent trip you need something to eat from. Many eat straight from the cooking pot or the freeze-dried pouch — that needs no plate, but it limits variety. For longer trips or several people, a plate or bowl per person is standard.
Three main types
Plastic bowl with lid (Sea to Summit DeltaLight, Sigg, Stansport) — light (~80–150 g), packs inside the rucksack or clips on the outside. The lid keeps food warm during a break. Price: 100–300 kr.
Folding silicone bowl (Sea to Summit X-Bowl, Stojo) — packs flat (~3 cm high), opens out into a normal bowl. Easier to pack in the rucksack when space is limited. Price: 200–400 kr.
Titanium bowl (Toaks, Snow Peak) — robust, taste-free, durable. Heavier than plastic (~80–150 g), but lasts longer and withstands a direct flame. Price: 300–600 kr.
For an ordinary Norwegian trip the plastic bowl is standard. Folding silicone is for those who are short on packing space.
Volume
- 400–500 ml — one portion of freeze-dried food or packet soup
- 600–800 ml — a normal meal portion, good for varied food
- 1,000+ ml — a large portion or shared between two
For one person on an ordinary trip, 600 ml is standard.
Plate or bowl?
A bowl is more practical — it holds liquid food (soup) better, is easier to eat from with a spork, and warms your hands on a cold trip.
A plate (flat) is for those who fry or serve solid food — rarely needed on a trip.
For 95% of trip conditions, a bowl with a lid is all you need.
With or without a lid?
With a lid keeps food warm during a break, prevents spills in the rucksack, and can be used as an extra small bowl. Recommended.
Without a lid is lighter and packs more easily. For warm weather and a quick trip.
Packing
With a lid: packs like a box in the rucksack. Many choose to pack other small items (tea bags, salt, spices) inside to save space.
Folding: packs in the top or the side of the rucksack.
Maintenance
Wash with warm water and biodegradable soap after each use. Plastic is dishwasher-safe (check the manufacturer’s instructions). Titanium withstands anything.
Text: Snuitide (2026).