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Sea to Summit AlphaLight Spork - Long Review

This extra long utensil is the perfect tool for camp cooking but not without a minor sacrifices in comfort.
The Sea to Summit AlphaLight Long Spork
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Price:  $10 List | $9.95 at REI
Pros:  Great for JetBoils and dehydrated food bags, lightweight
Cons:  Awkward shape for eating, doesn’t pack well
Manufacturer:   Sea to Summit
By Leslie Yedor ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 17, 2018
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75
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#3 of 10
  • Eating - 35% 5
  • Durability - 30% 9
  • Cooking - 20% 9
  • Cleaning - 15% 8

Our Verdict

The Sea to Summit AlphaLight Long takes the versatility of a combination utensil to a whole new length. It not only doubles as a spoon and a fork, but its extra long handle makes it ideal for cooking in the backcountry. No need to worry about messy fingers or missing out on the last few bites when using this product to cook in a dehydrated food bag. Unfortunately, prioritizing cooking comes at the cost of comfort. Most of these technical utensils may seem strange to eat with, but this model is particularly awkward with its long handle and the L-shaped bend where the shaft meets the bowl.

If ease of use with a JetBoil or dehydrated food bags is your primary concern, this is your spork. If comfort while eating is a must, even in the backcountry, then some of the other contenders ay be a better fit for you.


Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award  Best Buy Award 
Price $9.95 at REI$7.39 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers		$9.94 at Amazon$13.18 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers		$2.95 at REI
Compare at 2 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Pros Great for JetBoils and dehydrated food bags, lightweightFamiliar feel, long lasting, versatileSuper lightweight, quality material, comfortable to eat withDoes not break, easy to clean, large capacityDurable plastic, excellent value
Cons Awkward shape for eating, doesn’t pack wellToo short for deep potsDoesn’t reach the bottom of dehydrated food bags, priceyMore expensive than mostUncomfortable to hold, not very sanitary
Bottom Line This extra long utensil is the perfect tool for camp cooking but not without a minor sacrifices in comfort.This model is a utilitarian, familiar, and practically indestructible on-the-go utensil, earning it our Editors' Choice Award.This is our favorite model for long distance backpacking due to its durability despite a very minimal weight.The classic, two-sided design gets a significant upgrade in the form of this titanium model.This durable plastic utensil performed well across the board and boasts an inexpensive price tag, earning it our Best Buy Award.
Rating Categories AlphaLight Spork - Long Snow Peak Titanium Spork Vargo Titanium ULV Light My Fire Titanium humangear GoBites Uno
Eating (35%)
10
0
5
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
0
6
Durability (30%)
10
0
9
10
0
9
10
0
9
10
0
9
10
0
7
Cooking (20%)
10
0
9
10
0
7
10
0
7
10
0
7
10
0
7
Cleaning (15%)
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
8
Specs AlphaLight Spork -... Snow Peak Titanium... Vargo Titanium ULV Light My Fire... humangear GoBites...
Material Aluminium alloy Titanium Titanium Titanium High-temp nylon
Measured weight (oz) 0.4 oz 0.6 oz 0.3 oz 0.7 oz 0.5 oz
Length 8.5" 6.5" 6.5" 6.75" 6.5"
Dishwasher safe? No Yes Yes Yes Yes - Top Rack

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Sea to Summit AlphaLight Long is 8.5-inches from tip to tines, a full 2-inches longer than the other competitors, and it only weighs 0.42 oz. With these specs, this utensil was clearly designed with one purpose in mind- feeding hungry backpackers. Although somewhat unnatural in your hand, this technical piece of backpacking equipment also received high marks for its strength and simplicity to clean.

Performance Comparison


This is a cooking-forward utensil that also works for shoveling food from pot to mouth on backcountry ski missions.
This is a cooking-forward utensil that also works for shoveling food from pot to mouth on backcountry ski missions.

Eating


As you can see reflected in its low score in this category, consuming food with this utensil is quite possible, but it's certainly not its best attribute. Its small bowl only held 2.75 cc's of fluid so putting down a large quantity of soup or stew is going to require some patience. The long handle feels clumsy in hand, and holding your utensil midway down the shaft draws your attention away from your food.

Eating with such an unusually long utensil takes some getting used to.
Eating with such an unusually long utensil takes some getting used to.

The rough texture of the aluminum alloy is also not as pleasant as the smooth surface of the titanium models, but the sides are soft on your gums. While the act of eating is easily accomplished with this utensil, it's not difficult to get distracted from your food by its unusual feel. At the end of a long hike when you're too hungry to care, you'll be psyched for the added reach to help you wolf down every last bit from the bottom of your bowl.

Durability


The long shaft and the thin metal make it slightly more prone to bending with significant torque, but with standard use (think cooking, not back-up aid-wall pin), it will last the duration of your adventure from start to finish.

While a little odd for eating this model excels at backcountry cooking.
While a little odd for eating, this model excels at backcountry cooking.

Cooking


This utensil is the king of camp cooking. Its extra-long handle and curved bowl are excellent for stirring and sauteing. No need to worry about singeing your tips while making breakfast halfway up El Cap as this model keeps your fingers high above the flame.

Designed with cooking in mind this model was our favorite for backcountry meal prep.
Designed with cooking in mind, this model was our favorite for backcountry meal prep.

JetBoil Cooking Systems have cooking cups that range around 6 to 8.5-inches deep. With shorter utensils, cooking and eating out of JetBoil cup means getting your fingers dirty or foregoing the bottom few inches, but not with this utensil. If you plan to regularly cook and eat out of a JetBoil or dehydrated food bags, this model is a must-have.

Cleaning


While it rinses and wipes clean fairly easily, it holds onto oils and tastes without more thorough washing. Hoping to run it through the dishwasher as part of your post-trip de-mob? Sorry, this product is the only model we tested that is not dishwasher safe.

The gritty texture causes food to cling a little tighter but a little snow and some elbow grease left this model sparkling.
The gritty texture causes food to cling a little tighter, but a little snow and some elbow grease left this model sparkling.

Value


This product is one of the least expensive metal models we tested. If you're looking for a utensil geared for backcountry cooking and don't mind some awkwardness while eating, this product fills that niche at a reasonable price.

This niche backpacker's cooking tool utensil hybrid maximizes versatility and thrives in a backcountry setting.
This niche backpacker's cooking tool, utensil hybrid maximizes versatility and thrives in a backcountry setting.

Conclusion


The Sea to Summit AlphaLight Long is a product designed for the specific purpose of backcountry cooking. It is great for getting at hard to reach spaces, easy to keep clean, and made of strong material, but its awkward feel while eating knocked it out of the awards.


— Leslie Yedor