Best Trenching Shovels

Built to last, the Truper Tru Pro is a prime example of a trenching shovel done right.

Thanks to a fiberglass handle, the overall shovel weight is extremely light, which makes it easier to wield for longer periods of time. Additionally, the fiberglass-hardened structure of the handle makes the shovel noticeably more rigid and harder to break.

But it’s not solely the handle that makes this model so great, as the comfort of use is also an important feature for any hand tool. This handy shovel features paddings on top of the handle and at the base of the spade for remarkably comfortable digging, regardless of weather conditions and the outdoor temperature. Thanks to these, you won't be holding a freezing-cold piece of metal when digging in lower temperatures.

Although the build quality of the spade is top-notch, its width of only 4 inches makes it quite uncomfortable to use with boots on or if you have rather large feet. Other than that minor inconvenience, the shovel will suffice not only your trenching needs but also many more, thanks to its big flat bottom spade.

To wrap things up, the Tru Pro from Truper is, perhaps, the best trenching shovel out there not only for a quick hand trenching but for all basic garden tasks. On top of that, the attractive price tag makes this model even more appealing to a broad range of customers.

This trenching model is not your typical shovel since there are a few things that make this particular product from Seymour stand out from the crowd of regular models out there.

Unusually curved as for a trenching tool, the Seymour S702 still is a great model of trench shovels suitable for a variety of different digging tasks besides creating ditches for irrigating. This is achieved thanks to the extra thick spade blade that is made out of 14-gauge steel. With 5 inches in width, the spade is capable of successfully penetrating the soft soil, dense ground, gravel, and even prying stones as well as tree roots. In order to decimate the latter, you will have to apply some additional force, though.

Unlike similar shovel models, the S702 doesn’t have a flat step surface in the spot where the blade meets the handle, which makes it harder to use in bad weather conditions or in the areas with high humidity level.

If you are looking for an efficient and versatile model, look no further, the S702 is a go-to pick for you - its all-purpose blade can withstand much more than simple trench digging, thanks to the industrial-grade steel used to make the spade. All that makes this shovel from Seymour a worthy pick for your daily garden chores.

Proudly made in the USA, this trenching shovel from Bully Tools embodies all the good aspects that your regular drain spade model should have. Made of commercial-grade materials (including high-quality steel of the spade and a fiberglass handle), this model is an exceptionally durable one.

Moving on, a special closed design of the spade makes it harder for soil and other kinds of debris to get stuck to its surface, hence, the cleaning process will take just a few moments. This is achieved by making the steel spade longer than a standard trenching tool, which has its downsides. The shovel itself is only 3 inches wide, so in case you're intent on digging a wide trench you will have to perform twice as many swings as you would normally do with a regular model. On the bright side, however, a narrow trench that was dug with this shovel will be much deeper, thanks to its extra long trenching spade.

The fiberglass material of the handle makes it both rigid and light at the same time, so it is convenient to hold and use even if your outdoor project will take a lot of time to complete.

All in all, this sturdy shovel with a long handle drain spade will be an ideal choice if you are looking for a shovel that does its job of digging deep well and doesn’t require regular maintenance.

This model from Fiskars might be one of the best blasts from the past out there and we will explain why in a bit.

First of all, the shovel features an old-school steel handle with a spade that is welded directly to it. This time-tested design is looking quite elegant but that's not all there is to it. Made of premium quality metal, the shovel just screams heavy duty, and that is no wonder - it is highly durable and can handle much more than just hard soil. The flat head spade is capable of easily cutting through ground, rocky soil, gravel and even hardened wooden roots if enough force is applied.

Since the spade is flat it might be hard to lift the load right from the get-go. Fortunately, the shovel is equipped with a D-shape handle that simplifies this process quite a bit. The only noticeable issue with this model is its somewhat short handle that might make it inconvenient to use for tall people. Other than that, this tool is perhaps the best trenching shovel with a square spade. The sharp ends of the blades make cutting the edges of the trenches an almost effortless task.

Perfect for all your garden or front yard needs, this general-purpose shovel will satisfy even the most demanding users out there. Whether it's cleaning a ditch of sods, burying a cable, or even doing a bit of landscaping, the shovel from Fiskars is your key to achieve the best results.

The Corona SS64104 trenching shovel is designed to handle various tasks in your yard, garden, or farm, and thanks to a flat-bottomed spade your time outside will be much shorter than with any other general purpose digging tool. Unlike the majority of trenching shovels, this model features a wooden handle instead of fiberglass.

Although fiberglass has its own benefits it is much easier to bend, contrary to the wood. The handle of this shovel is made of Northern Ash, one of the hardest types of wood that is used in other similar garden tools. Nevertheless, it is prone to soaking up the moisture from the air so it is important to store the shovel in a dry, well-ventilated room to keep the material from deteriorating.

As for the performance of the hand tool, it surely doesn’t disappoint. As mentioned above, the flat bottom shape of the spade makes it easier to grab more material with each strike of the shovel, and as a result, the digging becomes less time-consuming.

The spear headed tip of the spade contributes to better soil penetration so you won’t have any problems with landscaping or burying cables in a rough, rocky soil. In the end, the pointed tip of the spade makes this model the best trenching shovel with a wood handle in its price range and will be a perfect addition to your toolset if you don’t have one already.