X-Bowl - Folding
[BUR-XBOWLBK]

The Sea to Summit X-range includes a folding mug, bowl and plate. The mug has a silicon body which folds into a polycarbonate rim while the bowl and the plate have hard polycarbonate bases with flexible silicon sides that folds up to produce the bowl effect. At between £8 - £12 each the price is quite reasonable.

The mug weighs 60g is 11cm in diameter 9.5cm tall when popped out but only 1.5cm when folded and has a capacity of 480ml. (Just over 8/10th of pint in old money) It and is calibrated as a measuring cup on the inside as is the bowl. The bowl weighs 80g has a diameter of 15.5cm and pops out to 6cm tall with a capacity of 650ml. The plate weighs 164g has a 22cm diameter and stand 4cm tall when unfolded..The bowl and the plate are described as unbreakable with cut resistant bases that can be used as chopping boards for preparing food. The ones I got are black but they are available in other colours.

To test them I took them on a 5 day EX. Stowage was no problem. They bowl and the plate fitted unobtrusively in a day sack and the mug is easily carried in a pocket. Unfortunately eating ORP I had no need to use the plate and only used the bowl for the sake of testing it.

I did test them both at home for usability I’ve had soup out of the bowl and I’ve used the plate as a chopping board to prepare sandwiches as well as eating beans on toast off it. I hate using mess tins and so I could see the bowl being ideal for range stew, a lot easier to carry and clean just a pity you can’t cook on it.

The mug however is a real star! The issue 58 mug or the metal copies are OK but you can’t get them in your pocket. Thermal mugs might squeeze in a smock pocket as long as you’re not carrying webbing but not a lightweight jacket and the only other folding mugs I’ve ever seen don’t have much capacity and they don’t fold down that much either. Taking it out of your pocket, popping it out and putting a brew in it is one of those smile on the face moments that help to lift up your day!

Date Added: 14/10/2011 by Arrse Reviews