When backpacking, space is always at a premium; tableware takes up precious pack space and weight. Two companies, Orikaso and Fozzils, have created an innovative solution to this problem: flat, foldable dishware.

The Orikaso (the original Fold Flat Tableware) and Fozzils (ThinkFLAT™ designs) both contain a full dishware set: cup, bowl, and plate. However, the Fozzils set also contains an additional item: a spoon.

Both sets are made of polypropylene (and recyclable). Even in a fully stuffed pack, they take up minimal space and slide in nicely, with the addition of being very lightweight (5 oz.).

The Fozzils dishware is very easy to assemble, with their snap closure design. The spoon is another story—after a few tries, it came together, but it left me wondering why I would bring this along, considering it weighs the same as a polycarbonate spoon, and seems like a gimmick. The Orikaso set is a little trickier to assemble the first time; the directions for assembling the cup have ten steps. The bowl and plate are a little easier to fold than the mug, but overall, I did not feel that they were as sturdy as the Fozzils dishware.

While the Orikaso and Fozzils sets are approximately the same size when flat, the Orikaso bowl and plate can hold considerably more food when assembled, but that comes at a price. The sides felt flimsy and they were difficult to hold. I wouldn’t feel comfortable eating anything with a lot of liquid in it, as they are prone to bending and spillage. In comparison, both the Fozzils bowl and plate fit nicely in my hand. The construction is sturdy and I did not have to fear that my meal would spill out onto my lap when I was eating. However, the Fozzils plate will leak if it is filled with liquid above the line, but if you were eating a very runny dish, wouldn’t you use a bowl anyway? I also found that the polypropylene does warm up considerably when hot foods are placed in it, so ease of handling is important to consider for both dishware sets.

An added bonus to the Fozzils Duet set (2-pack) is the different color sets, orange and blue. This is great if you’re backpacking with a friend, as it is easy to tell them apart. The Orikaso 2-pack is only one color. The Fozzils set also has a functional case, with sleeves for each of the sets, something that the Orikaso set is lacking.

Overall, I have to say that I preferred the Fozzils to the Orikaso. Sturdiness of construction was my main concern for both and the Fozzils set performed much better in this area. In the future, I wouldn’t bother bringing the spoon or cup—the spoon is gimmicky and I already pack a Nalgene so I do not have a need for the cup. For less than 20 dollars, they are worth giving a try, and I am looking forward to the weight and space that I will be saving in my pack on future backpacking trips.