We tested 5 products and found Leatherman, Wave Plus Multitool to be the best multitool for backpacking.
A multitool is essential for everyone who goes camping, hiking, climbing, hunting, or working in the outdoors.
There’s nothing a multi-purpose tool cannot do – from opening bottles to cutting up wood for your bonfire. However, finding the perfect one is not easy and that is why we’ve put up a list of the top multitools for you to take on your next adventure.
The Leatherman Wave Plus Multitool is our top choice for the best backpacking multitool. It is one of the most popular in the world, due to its excellent quality and affordable price. It gives you access to everything you’ll need for a great hiking vacation and comes with a few useful add-ons.
The Wave Plus is the only multi-tool you will need, filled with the essential tools for any task, be that car work or home improvements, the Wave Plus is easy-to-use with outside-accessible features. This durable multi-tool features replaceable wire cutters, regular and needlenose pliers, a powerful 7.37 cm lockable 420HC stainless steel blade and a 420HC serrated knife.
While still up to the challenge of the professional tradesman, the slimmer design and focused tool pack are ideal for EDC user. Successful features of the Suspension remain: all outboard tools, all locking tools, and spring-loaded jaws. New features to the Suspension-NXT include: wire stripper, medium flathead driver, awl, file, and ruler.
A colorful, keychain-size multitool with durable aluminum handles, spring-action pliers and more.
With a knife, pliers, screwdrivers, wire cutters, scissors & a bottle opener, this lightweight mini-tool handles everything from snipping fishing line to wrapping birthday gifts. The Squirt PS4 weighs just 2 ounces and is equipped with a key ring.
The Best Multitools for Hiking
Leatherman Wave Plus – Best Overall
The Leatherman Wave Plus is one of the most widely used tools due to its simplicity, efficiency, and durability. Its remarkable sturdy design also makes it excellent for the great outdoors. The Wave Plus is the perfect pick for you if you want to be prepared for anything and if you are willing to pay more for a multitool that will last for a long time.
Every hiker needs this incredible equipment. It includes almost everything most campers require and some useful features that make hiking much easier – all in a compact form. You can be confident that this tool is durable and will last a lifetime.
It also comes with a 25-year warranty. So if your tool breaks, you will be eligible for free repairs and replacements.
There isn’t much to complain about in general. As we said, this is a great choice if you want to be ready for everything and are willing to pay a little more.
Gerber Suspension-NXT Multi-Tool with Pocket Clip – Best Economy
The NXT is the newest addition to Gerber’s suspension multiplier range. Like the original Gerber Suspension, this new model has the same design and functionality that will please many consumers. It includes a pocket clip and can be kept in a pocket or on a belt. It has an increased tool count of 15 in sleek daily carry packaging.
Gerber’s Suspension is their brand’s finest tool, and it comes at a great price. The Gerber Suspension NXT Multi-Tool is built for everyday carry purposes and should suit users who require a pocket clip multi-tool for their tasks and activities.
The tools are simple to use, and Gerber’s unique locking system ensures that they are used safely and securely. This is a great tool due to the price and the customary Gerber quality.
Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD Pocket Knife – Best Multitool Keychain
The Army Classic SD is one of our favorite everyday multitools.
The Classic SD, despite its small size and weight of 0.74 oz and 2.25 inches, manages to fit in seven useful features. It has everything that you need from a basic multitool. Its weight makes it a favorite amongst ultralight backpackers.
The knife is handcrafted in Switzerland, and every tool is made of sturdy stainless steel.
It performs flawlessly even when compared to much larger and more expensive knives. For people who are considering a daily carry, we recommend the Victorinox Classic SD knife.
Leatherman, Squirt PS4 – Best Mini Multitool
The Leatherman Squirt PS4 is a small stainless steel multitool equipped with everything you’ll need for your daily life and hiking adventure.
We like Squirt’s robust spring-loaded pliers, compact sharp scissors, and decent-sized knives. The best part is that the maker offers a 25-year guarantee, so you can send it back for repairs if you face any troubles.
The Squirt PS4 comes with nine tools that can be used in a range of circumstances. This is an ideal companion for off-the-beaten-path adventures, whether they’re fixing rope, cutting netting, delivering first aid, or simply cutting an apple for lunch.
Squirt is our option for everyday prep because of its high quality and practical, tiny size.
Leatherman, FREE P4 Multitool – Best Survival Multitool
The Leatherman Free P4 is a wonderful all-around multitool with the most up-to-date ergonomic features. You cannot do better than this if you’re searching for your first multitool and the Free P4’s basic feature set fits you.
With one hand, you can open and use every function on the Leatherman FREE P4 tool. This frees up your other hand for scenarios that call for multitasking or a free hand. The whole 21-item toolkit includes spring-action shears, wire cutters, bottle and can openers, a small screwdriver, and even a small ruler, among other essential items to make your hike easier.
The only drawback is the price, but you get what you pay for. If you want a high-quality product that is simple to use and will last for many years, the FREE P4 is a perfect choice.
Buying Guide
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A MULTI-TOOL FOR BACKPACKING
Purchasing a multitool can be a bit more complex than tools and knives.
Different people have different views about what it should be able to do. Find out exactly what kind of multitool you need and how you want to use it before you go out and get one.
Keep the following in mind:
1. Choose A Lightweight Product
When it comes to hiking, the size of every item, gear, or accessory matters. Full-size multitools are usually more practical and provide superior leverage for prolonged usage.
Ideally, everything should be kept as minimal as possible. This covers your multitool as well. Get yourself a tool that is tailored to your needs to drop any unnecessary features and size.
2. How Many Features are Included?
It’s a good idea to ask yourself what kinds of tasks you will perform regularly and then move forward from there.
A multitool’s main purpose is to provide a variety of tools in a lightweight and portable design. With that in mind, it’s important to consider how many tools a product has to provide. Some just have a few, while others have twenty plus.
A tool with additional tools will be a good investment if flexibility is important to you. Check that every item you plan to carry on your trip will be handy. It’s usually a good idea to be equipped, but the value of a multitool is not always determined by just how many things it can do.
Yes, numerous multitools have over 20 tools, but are they long-lasting? What is the tool’s quality like? And do you really need a ruler?
We suggest buying a multitool for hiking that meets your needs. A multitool that will merely wear you down for no reason is the last thing you need. Hence, learn about its functions before making a decision.
3. The Tool’s Quality
A bad set of tools might result in a terrible trip experience.
Create a list of the tools and functions that are essential to you before purchasing a new tool. It might be better for you to compromise with the number of tools in exchange for a smaller, higher-quality set.
Make sure the multitool you purchase is built of durable, long-lasting materials. The majority of tools from leading manufacturers will be built from high-quality stainless steel. Nevertheless, there seem to be a lot of companies out there that use cheaper materials. Just be sure you know exactly what you’re getting into before you click “buy.”
4. Price
The cost of a multitool is determined by the materials used, the construction, and the usefulness.
It’s wise to settle on your pricing range before you start looking at different possibilities. Quality and value are inversely related. In other words, if you want a luxury product, you may have to delve a little deeper into your wallet. However, just because something is pricey does not always mean it is the best.
If you plan to use it frequently and want it to last, go with a more renowned manufacturer like Leatherman or Gerber, rather than a cheap one with a lot of extra tools.
5. Material & Construction
The ideal product is expected to be light, sturdy, and long-lasting. It should also have a comfortable grip. Stainless steel is a popular material for high-end multitools.
It is corrosion-resistant, which means it’ll keep its sharpness and sheen for longer.
It is also simple to clean, making it a hygienic choice for your use.
And it has a fantastic strength-to-weight ratio, allowing even the most robust and complex instruments to weigh less than a pound!
Conclusion
A multitool will undoubtedly elevate your hiking or camping trip.
There are a lot of options out there. But hopefully, after reading this article, you should be able to determine which multitool is best for your needs.
