The Birth of an Ultralight Classic

In early 2004, a visionary customer from the U.S. brand BPL (Backpacking Light) approached me with a challenge: create an ultralight spoon designed for eating from dehydrated food pouches, with a weight target of under 20 grams.

At the time, few realized that pouch meals would become a staple for outdoor adventurers. But BPL saw the future, and together, we set out to design the ideal tool for the job.

Precision in Every Millimeter

The first hurdle was finding the perfect length—long enough to reach the bottom of a food pouch without getting hands messy, yet compact enough to remain practical. After testing, 220mm emerged as the sweet spot. Any longer, and it would be cumbersome to carry.

Revolutionizing the Ultralight Spoon

To meet the 20-gram weight limit, I had to rethink the traditional handle design. Instead of a thick, solid piece, I developed a method to stretch and shape 1mm-thick titanium, increasing stiffness while keeping it featherlight. This innovation became a standard in the industry, now widely adopted across the market.

A Smarter Way to Scoop

Another challenge was maximizing food retrieval. Traditional rounded spoon heads struggled to scoop from flat-bottomed pouches, leaving food behind. The solution? A square-shaped head, designed to scrape every last bit from the sides and bottom effortlessly.

To test this, I used a 3D printer—then a cutting-edge tool, now an essential part of my design process. The results were undeniable: the square head significantly improved efficiency, reducing waste—an essential factor for outdoor meals.

The Evolution: Designed for Pasta Lovers

Eight years ago, customer feedback inspired another innovation: small teeth along the edge, making it easier to twirl pasta from pouches. The updated version quickly became a favorite among backpackers.

A Legacy of Innovation and Quality

Since its debut in 2004, the Toaks Long-Handled Spoon has continued to thrive, growing alongside the popularity of pouch meals. To date, we’ve sold over a million units, with imitations pushing that number to over two million.

 

Practical, durable, and trusted by adventurers worldwide, the Toaks Long-Handled Spoon is available on our official website, REI stores, Amazon, and authorized dealers.