Unearth The Voyage
After months of testing dozens of multi-tools, knives, and repair gear on real trails, I finally figured out which ones actually earn their weight in my pack. Some tools promised the world but fell apart after a few trips, while others quietly became my most-reached-for pieces of gear. Whether you’re planning weekend hikes or multi-day backpacking adventures, having the right tools can turn a potential disaster into a minor inconvenience—and these are the ones that proved themselves when it mattered most.
1. Leatherman Wave+ — Best Overall One Tool to Rule Them All
Ask any gear junkie what multi-tool they’d grab if they could only have one, and the Wave+ comes up again and again. With 18 different tools packed into a rugged frame, this thing handles everything from cutting paracord to fixing broken tent poles. The pliers feel solid enough for real work, not just for show.
What makes it shine on the trail? Outside-accessible blades mean you don’t have to unfold the whole tool just to cut something. The saw chews through tent stakes and small branches surprisingly fast, while the file helps smooth rough edges on gear that’s seen better days.
Sure, it’s not the lightest option in your pack, but when your stove needs adjusting or your glasses lose a screw miles from anywhere, you’ll be glad you brought it.
2. Leatherman Signal — Best for Outdoors-Specific Add-Ons
Built specifically for backcountry adventures, the Signal packs survival features that most multi-tools skip entirely. A built-in ferro rod lets you spark fires even when matches fail, and the emergency whistle could literally save your life if things go sideways. There’s even a small hammer designed for pounding tent stakes into rocky ground.
The removable diamond sharpener keeps your blade ready for action, and when the firestarter finally wears out after countless campfires, replacement modules cost just a few bucks. Outdoor Gear Lab consistently ranks it among their top picks for hikers who value self-reliance over shaving ounces.
If your adventures take you beyond cell service and into places where being prepared matters, this tool delivers peace of mind.
3. Leatherman Skeletool CX — Best Lightweight Minimalist
Sometimes less really is more. The Skeletool CX proves you don’t need 20 tools when four or five excellent ones will do the job. Pliers, a sharp blade, and a bit driver cover most trail emergencies, all in a package light enough for everyday carry or fast-and-light trips.
Independent testers love how this thing disappears on your belt until you actually need it. The carbon-fiber scales look sharp and shed weight without feeling flimsy. Every tool locks securely, so you’re not worried about accidental closures when applying pressure.
Perfect for hikers who’ve learned that carrying less gear often means having more fun. When your pack weight matters and you still want quality tools within reach, this minimalist wonder delivers exactly what you need.
4. Gerber Suspension-NXT — Best Budget Full-Size
Not everyone wants to drop serious cash on a multi-tool, and that’s where the Suspension-NXT shines. Around 15 tools live in a slimmer, lighter body than you’d expect from a full-size pliers tool. CleverHiker consistently recommends it for budget-conscious hikers who refuse to compromise on capability.
The spring-loaded pliers work smoothly, and the tool selection covers most camp and trail scenarios without overwhelming you with redundant gadgets. Gerber built this to compete with pricier options, and honestly, they succeeded.
If you’re new to backpacking or just don’t want to invest Wave+ money before knowing what you’ll actually use, grab one of these. It punches way above its price point and won’t leave you wishing you’d spent more when you’re three miles from the trailhead.
5. Victorinox Huntsman — Best Classic Knife for Camp Chores
Sometimes you don’t need pliers—you need a really good knife with camp-friendly extras. The Huntsman delivers 15 functions wrapped in that iconic red Swiss Army design your grandfather probably carried. The wood saw cuts through branches way better than its size suggests, making kindling prep almost enjoyable.
Those scissors? Absolute game-changers for food prep, trimming moleskin for blisters, or removing splinters with precision pliers can’t match. Multiple sources including CleverHiker praise it for tasks where finesse beats brute force.
Lightweight and slim enough to ride in your pocket all day, the Huntsman excels at the hundred small jobs that make camp life easier. When you’re slicing cheese, opening packages, or fixing gear with tiny screws, this classic tool feels like an old friend.
6. Gerber Dime — Best Keychain Multi-Tool
Who says useful tools need to be bulky? The Dime packs spring-loaded pliers and roughly 10 to 12 functions into something small enough to dangle from your zipper pull or key ring. You’ll forget it’s there until that moment when you desperately need tweezers for a splinter or scissors for a clothing tag.
Gerber designed this for people who want preparedness without commitment. The pliers actually grip well despite their size, and the package opener gets more use than you’d think. It’s the tool that lives on your gear and saves the day during first-aid tweaks or small repairs.
Toss one on your pack’s zipper and you’ll wonder how you ever hiked without it. For the weight of a few coins, you gain surprising capability.
7. Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X — Best Premium Build
Some tools feel like they were assembled by robots in a hurry. The SwissTool Spirit X feels like it was hand-finished by Swiss watchmakers who take pride in their work. Every surface is polished, every pivot smooth, every lock crisp—this is what premium looks and feels like.
Outdoor Gear Lab testers consistently praise its refined operation and build quality. Yes, it costs more and weighs a bit extra, but you’re paying for engineering excellence that’ll outlast cheaper alternatives by years. The scissors cut like surgical instruments, and the pliers grip with authority.
If you appreciate tools that feel special every time you use them, and you don’t mind investing in quality that lasts, this Swiss masterpiece belongs in your pack. It’s functional art that works as hard as it looks good.
8. SOG PowerAccess — Best for Stubborn Hardware
Ever fought with a stuck stove jet or a mangled zipper pull while your regular pliers just couldn’t get enough grip? SOG’s Compound Leverage technology changes that game completely. These pliers multiply your hand strength, letting you tackle stubborn hardware that would normally require bigger tools.
The PowerAccess delivers serious gripping power and torque without adding crazy weight or bulk to your kit. Gun Values Board and other reviewers note the excellent value for the feature set you’re getting. When you’re doing trailhead car fixes or persuading bent tent poles back into shape, that extra leverage makes all the difference.
If your adventures involve mechanical gear that occasionally needs convincing, this tool gives you the muscle to handle it. Strong, capable, and surprisingly affordable for what it does.
9. Morakniv Companion — Best Sub-$20 Fixed-Blade
Here’s something different—not a multi-tool but a single-purpose knife that does one job brilliantly. The Morakniv Companion costs less than most restaurant meals, yet GearJunkie calls it perhaps the best bargain in knives. That grippy rubber handle feels secure even when wet, and the carbon steel blade sharpens easily around the campfire.
Many experienced hikers carry one fixed-blade for food prep and camp tasks, then pair it with a small multi-tool for everything else. The Companion excels at slicing vegetables, processing firewood, and general cutting jobs where you want a real blade, not a folding compromise.
For under twenty bucks, you get shocking capability and reliability. Throw in some Tenacious Tape and a mini-tool, and you’ve built a complete trail repair kit for less than one premium multi-tool costs.
10. Gear Aid Tenacious Tape — The Flat, Featherweight Tool Every Pack Needs
Not all essential tools have moving parts. Tenacious Tape might be the single most important item in your repair kit, and it weighs basically nothing. SectionHiker and Outdoors Magic both call it the go-to solution for in-field repairs that would otherwise end your trip early.
Ripped tent fly? Torn rain jacket? Punctured sleeping pad? This stuff sticks aggressively to nylon, Gore-Tex, and most outdoor fabrics, creating waterproof patches that actually hold through weather and abuse. Toss a small strip in your first-aid kit and forget about it until disaster strikes.
Experienced hikers know that preventing gear failures matters more than having fancy tools. For a few bucks and almost zero weight, Tenacious Tape gives you insurance against the rips and tears that happen when you’re really using your gear.
