Thanks for the summary!I've own many a trowel listed above. Considering some of the ground I've dug in, I don't buy shoes or poles as viable options.
-The plastic orange trowel also is a poor option. Not only is it heavy, it tends to break in Rocky soil where it doesn't have the strength needed.
-Snow stake (aluminum) at 1oz. Dual use and will dig in hard ground. Not as efficient as other options below though.
- Montbell's Handy Scoop at 1oz is Steele and works best in the hardest soil. Looks like a flat spoon. Used for years out west and for the PCT and AT.
-Deuce of Spades @.6oz is a great overall trowel that I currently backpack with for the past 3 years with over a 1000 miles. Can dig in hard rocky ground without issue. Not as good at it as the Montbell's but good enough at half the weight.
-Qiwiz's small shovel. Good trowel, but the handle hurts my hand in hard ground as the plastic paint isn't enough along with the small narrow handle. Probably should have got the larger size which likely is more comfortable. Carry it when I expect better ground to dig in. It is lighter than DofS above. Better than a boot for sure.
-Suluk46 mentioned above. Also have it but also bothers my hand in Rocky soil. Very well made and light and usually is in my day pack since it weighs nothing.