GSI Outdoors Cathole Trowel
Published · Researched 2026-09-21
Brand: GSI Outdoors · Model: Cathole Trowel · Category: Plastic cathole trowel Lineup note: GSI's recycled-polycarbonate trowel — the budget, leave-it-in-the-truck option in the trowel category.
Version Lineage (2023–2026)
- The GSI Cathole Trowel has been sold through 2023–2026 with no announced redesign.
- Current: $8.95 (Backcountry, 2026); local retailers $6.50–$7.99.
- Backcountry cites a lifetime warranty.
Overview
A recycled-polycarbonate trowel with a serrated edge for cutting roots and a 6-inch depth scale molded in — the scale is genuinely useful for Leave No Trace's 6–8 inch cathole guideline. At 10.3 × 2.6 × 1 in it is full-size and comfortable; at ~3.2 oz it is no ultralight item, but at $8.95 it is the cheapest credible trowel.
Key Specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | Recycled polycarbonate |
| Weight | 3.0–3.2 oz / 85–90 g (sources vary; 3.2 oz / 88 g used as working figure) |
| Dimensions | 10.3 × 2.6 × 1 in |
| Features | Serrated edge, 6 in depth scale |
| Warranty | Lifetime (per Backcountry) |
Pricing (dated 2026-09-20)
- $8.95 (Backcountry, 2026); local retailers $6.50–$7.99.
In the Box
Trowel.
Warranty
Lifetime warranty cited by Backcountry. Exact written terms are UNVERIFIED — confirm with GSI before purchase.
Support & Parts
Support is through GSI Outdoors. No serviceable parts.
Community Verdict (qualitative)
The GSI trowel is the "good enough" recommendation — it digs fine in normal soil, the depth scale is a nice touch, and at under $9 nobody cries if it is lost or left at a trailhead. It is not competitive with titanium trowels in hard or rocky ground, and at 3.2 oz it is heavy by ultralight standards. No sampled consensus in this pass.
Care
- Rinse after use; polycarbonate needs nothing else.
- The serrated edge can dull — it is a consumable-grade tool at this price.
Buying Traps
- Weight listings: 3.0–3.2 oz across sources; plan on 3.2 oz.
- Hard ground: Polycarbonate flexes and can snap in rocky soil — this is a soft-soil tool.
- Lifetime warranty: Retailer-cited; confirm GSI's actual written terms.
Additional Voices
- No direct owner quotes were retrievable in this pass.
Spec Gap-Fill
- UNVERIFIED: exact weight; written warranty terms; official MSRP.
Comparisons
deuce-of-spades-trowel(existing): The Deuce is the ultralight aluminum standard (~0.6 oz); the GSI is 5× heavier plastic at a third of the price — budget vs ultralight.qiwiz-big-dig-trowel(this round): QiWiz is handmade titanium at $36 / 0.6 oz; GSI is $8.95 / 3.2 oz plastic — opposite ends of the trowel market.pact-lite-bathroom-kit(this round): PACT Lite ($40, 4 oz) is a complete bathroom system including an aluminum shovel; GSI is the trowel-only budget component.
Images
images/gsi-outdoors-cathole-trowel-1.jpg(primary)images/gsi-outdoors-cathole-trowel-2.jpgimages/gsi-outdoors-cathole-trowel-3.jpgimages/gsi-outdoors-cathole-trowel-4.jpg(green trowel studio shot; verified exact product 2026-09-20; source: atmosphere.ca/sportchek.ca)images/gsi-outdoors-cathole-trowel-5.jpg(green trowel studio shot, different photo; verified exact product 2026-09-20; source: sportano.cloud)images/gsi-outdoors-cathole-trowel-6.jpg(green trowel studio shot, different photo; verified exact product 2026-09-20; source: herooutdoors.com)
All six images visually verified 2026-09-20 as the GSI Outdoors Cathole Trowel.
Researched 2026-09-20. Weight range flagged; warranty terms left UNVERIFIED.