Don’t forget to bring an axe when you’re packing for your next camping trip. This sometimes overlooked tool is essential for long treks when you need to build a campfire.
Not sure which camping axe is right for you? Keep reading to discover the best axes for campers and hikers.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Gerber Pack Hatchet
Best Budget:
Coleman Camp Axe
Best Long-Handled:
Cold Steel Trail Boss Axe
Best Compact:
Fiskars XXS Camping Axe
Best Overall
Gerber Pack Hatchet
Gerber provides some of the best-edged tools and weapons on the market. This leading knife manufacturer also designed the perfect hatchet for hiking.
This compact camping axe is excellent for stowing in your pack or strapping onto your belt. It is less than 10 inches long, so you will barely notice it on your trek.
Despite its small size, this hatchet can tackle tough jobs on the trail. It features a stainless steel head with a full tang for unparalleled durability.
The molded plastic and rubber handle is bolted to the tang for comfort and control. The ergonomic finger grooves enable you to choke up on the tool for wood shaving and detailed work.
This one-handed axe weighs a well-distributed 1.3 pounds, providing decent heft to each swing. Plus, the razor-sharp edge makes quick work of kindling and brush.
The Gerber Pack Hatchet is sturdy, lightweight, and versatile. Once you try it, you’ll soon reach for this hatchet instead of your pocket knife around the campsite.
This camping axe is the best choice for avid backpackers who need a dependable hatchet. It is small, so consider packing a full-sized axe if you plan to fell adult trees or split heavy logs.
Pros
- The full tang design offers exceptional durability
- This hatchet is small enough to stow in a pocket
- The weight is well-balanced for chopping and throwing
Cons
- This axe might be too tiny for users with big hands
- The head is too thin to be useful as a hammer
Best Budget
Coleman Camp Axe
Coleman has provided affordable, quality camping gear for over 120 years. You can trust that the Coleman Camp Axe adheres to this legacy of quality despite its small price tag.
This camping axe is a fantastic option for budget backpackers and beginners. It is well-constructed and tough enough to tackle most campsite chores.
The sturdy steel head mounted to a lightweight steel handle provides stability and balance. The rubberized grip absorbs shocks, making this axe comfortable to use.
The wedge-shaped head is ideal for hammering tent stakes. You can easily pull them out with the notch on the blade when it’s time to break camp.
At 13 inches long, this camping axe might be too large for your backpack. In that case, you can purchase a leather sheath separately for safe storage on your pack.
The Coleman Camp Axe weighs 2 pounds with a 1.25-pound head. It provides terrific leverage, giving you the most force from each swing.
This axe is ideal for the casual camper who needs a cheap, light-duty axe. If you want to take long thru-hikes, you should consider a more durable option.
Pros
- This camping axe is inexpensive
- The rubber-wrapped steel handle is comfortable and sturdy
- This axe has enough heft to chop most firewood
Cons
- The head doesn’t hold an edge for very long
- After extended use, the head can deform where it meets the handle
Best Long-Handled
Cold Steel Trail Boss Axe
Do you want an axe that can fell trees and split logs? If so, you need a long-handled axe like the Trail Boss.
This full-sized axe features a 27-inch handle, providing the leverage needed for tough wood. The 4.5-inch European-style head maximizes the cutting edge for more power.
Most camping axes are small, one-handed hatchets to cut down on weight and bulk. The Cold Steel Trail Boss lets you bring a serious axe on your trek without weighing you down.
This is the best long-handled axe for camping due to its lightweight construction. The handle is American hickory, and the head is a steel alloy, so the overall weight is just under 3 pounds.
This axe is easy to sheathe and strap on the back of your pack while hiking. You will barely notice it on the trail due to the sleek, straight handle and featherlight design.
The Trail Boss is an ideal camping axe for woodcraft enthusiasts. It enables you to cut and process just about any type of tree around your campsite with ease.
This lightweight axe probably won’t replace your heavy-duty axe and maul splitter at home. The alloy head only weighs 1.75 pounds and may deform after heavy use.
Pros
- This 27-inch camping axe can chop any log
- The lightweight design makes it easy to haul this 3-pound axe
- The handle is quality American hickory
Cons
- The steel-alloy head can deform after extended heavy use
- The long handle can be cumbersome for some hikers
Best Compact
Fiskars XXS Camping Axe
Fiskars probably isn’t the first name that comes to mind for camping equipment. Still, this brand brings its sharp edges to many tools besides scissors.
The Fiskars XXS Camping Axe is a quality hatchet convenient for home and trail use. It is sharp, compact, and extremely lightweight.
This nine-inch hatchet weighs just a single pound, so you will surely have enough space for it. It also comes with a sturdy plastic carrying case that snaps on for easy stowing.
The stainless steel axe head is easy to sharpen and holds its edge well throughout your camping trip. The handle is reinforced plastic molded directly onto the head for a secure fit.
You can use this hatchet for light chores around the campsite. It is ideal for shaving tinder and cutting kindling for the fire.
This camping axe is best for ultralight backpackers counting every ounce. It’s so compact and practical that you might use one as your everyday carry.
The lightweight handle can snap from excessive force. For this reason, consider a more durable option if you can spare the extra weight.
Pros
- This ultralight hatchet weighs only one pound
- The straight edge is easy to sharpen
- This XXS camping axe takes up very little space in your pack
Cons
- The plastic handle can snap under extreme pressure
- This axe might be too tiny for users with big hands
Camping Axe Buyer’s Guide
The basic axe is one of humanity’s oldest tools. We have perfected it through thousands of years of innovation and refinement for use on the trail and campsite.
What makes the best camping axe stand out from the competition? Check out the following shopping guide to understand which features you should compare to find the right fit.
Material
The materials a camping axe is made from determine its weight, durability, and comfort. This is one of the most significant factors you must consider when choosing the perfect axe.
High-quality axe heads are generally stainless or carbon steel. This metal makes them durable and easy to keep sharp.
The best camping axe features a full tang that extends the solid steel of the head through the handle. The tang is wrapped in a comfortable handle material like plastic, wood, rubber, or cord.
Not all axes feature a sturdy full tang. Instead, heads are sometimes mounted in lightweight handles made from fiberglass or wood. These handles absorb the shock of each blow, making them comfortable for frequent use, albeit less durable.
Handle Length
The length of your camping ax handle determines how easily you can chop through thick logs. Axes work off the principle of leverage to generate the power behind each swing.
Your grip acts as the fulcrum when you chop with an axe. The forward heft of the handle builds momentum through the arc of the swing. This energy then gets delivered to the fine edge of the blade.
Longer handles provide more force with each blow, enabling you to make quick work of tough wood. However, small axes are lighter and easier to haul while hiking.
Consider your overall pack weight and how strenuous your trek is to determine what size camping axe you need.
Generally, a compact hatchet is suitable for most thru-hikes when weight is a consideration. A long-handled axe is perfect for car and RV camping and a must-have around the house.
Weight
Handle length and material determine the weight of a camping axe. You must balance the quality and durability of your axe with the overall mass.
It’s tempting to save weight on the trails by selecting the lightest hatchet possible. However, a bit of heft behind each swing will make it easier to chop wood. Plus, some lightweight axes sacrifice durability by omitting the tang.
The best camping axes weigh between one and three pounds. This weight provides you with enough force to chop wood without being cumbersome.
Grip
The reverberation of each strike through the handle can swiftly leave you sore. To prevent strain on your hands, you must have a comfortable grip.
Many camping axes feature ergonomic grips made of rubber, leather, plastic, or cord. These materials help absorb the shock of each blow to protect your joints.
Not all axes feature absorbent grips. You should wear padded gloves whenever you use an axe without a grip. Gloves reduce the risk of blisters, cramps, and fatigue.
Durability
You need an axe that won’t quit when roughing it in the wild. Cheaply made axes could break on the downswing, which might lead to injury.
How can you determine if a camping axe is durable enough? Look for a full-tang axe that is solid steel from head to handle.
Wood, fiberglass, and plastic handles with mounted heads are inherently less durable than full-tang axes. However, they are generally lightweight and more comfortable to use.
Camping Axe Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need an axe for camping?
Yes—you should pack an axe for nearly any camping trip.
A hatchet comes in handy for cutting wood for a fire. However, there are ways to use your camping axe that are less obvious.
An axe is a basic form of protection against predators. You can also use it to clear brush, free yourself from snags, and hammer in tent stakes.
What is the difference between an axe, a hatchet, and a tomahawk?
Size and function determine when an axe becomes a hatchet or tomahawk.
A hatchet is a small axe with a slightly curved handle. This is an all-purpose woodcutting tool suitable for camping, hiking, and at-home use.
Hatchets are used to split wood and kindling and cut down saplings. A larger axe is required for chopping down full-sized trees and splitting large logs.
A tomahawk is an axe that’s slightly larger than a hatchet. It features a long, straight handle that is crafted for throwing and fighting.
Tomahawks have historically been used as weapons, but they are also great for camping and survival. The head is dual-purpose, with the axe edge balanced by a sharp spike for piercing.
Do you need to sharpen camping axes?
Yes—it is vital to keep your axe clean and sharp.
Quality camping axes are generally quite sharp right out of the box and hold their edges very well. Still, all axes dull over time and through heavy use.
When your axe starts losing its edge, you can easily sharpen it at home. Hone it back to brand new using a whetstone or knife sharpener and a dab of oil.
The Best Camping Axe for Outdoor Adventures
Now you know what gives the best camping axe an edge over the competition. After reading this guide, you probably can’t wait to hit the trails with your new hatchet.
You must be well-equipped with the right tools and knowledge for the best camping experience, and we are here to help. Check out our camping hub for the latest pro tips and gear reviews.