A good multi-tool is the one piece of gear that quietly saves a trip — a loose tent pole, a snapped strap buckle, a stubborn cook pot lid, a splinter nobody wants to deal with by hand. The trick is picking one sized for what you’re actually doing: a full pack of pliers-and-everything for car camping and base camp, or a stripped-down ounce or two for backpacking where every gram is counted.
Here’s what’s actually worth carrying.
The full-size multi-tool standard — spring-loaded pliers, a genuinely sharp knife blade, and 17 other tools that don't feel like an afterthought.
Check Price on Amazon →Our Top Picks
| Multi-Tool | Weight | Tools | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leatherman Wave+ | 8.5 oz | 18 | Best all-around | Amazon |
| Leatherman Skeletool CX | 5 oz | 7 | Lightweight full-size | Amazon |
| Gerber Dime | 2.2 oz | 12 | Best budget | Amazon |
| Leatherman Squirt PS4 | 2 oz | 9 | Keychain / ultralight | Amazon |
| Victorinox SwissTool Spirit | 8.4 oz | 26 | Most tools, no knife-lock laws issue | Amazon |
| Gerber Suspension NXT | 7 oz | 15 | Rugged mid-size | Amazon |
1. Leatherman Wave+ — Best Overall
Weight: 8.5 oz | Price: ~$130 | Tools: 18, incl. spring-loaded pliers, knife, saw, scissors
The Wave+ is the multi-tool most gear reviewers reach for first, and for car camping or base-camp use it earns that spot. The spring-loaded pliers open one-handed and actually have enough leverage to matter, the primary knife blade is genuinely sharp out of the box (a lot of multi-tool blades aren’t), and the included bit driver adapter turns it into a passable screwdriver set. It’s not light, and it’s not cheap, but it’s the one that makes you stop carrying a separate knife and pliers.
2. Leatherman Skeletool CX — Best Lightweight Full-Size
Weight: 5 oz | Price: ~$110 | Tools: 7 (pliers, knife, bit driver, wire cutter, bottle opener)
The Skeletool strips a full-size multi-tool down to only the tools people actually use, and the weight savings show — it’s nearly 40% lighter than the Wave+ while keeping the same quality pliers and a genuinely premium knife blade (S30V steel on the CX version). If you’ve ever carried a Wave+ and realized you never once used the saw or the scissors, this is the tool that fixes that.
3. Gerber Dime — Best Budget
Weight: 2.2 oz | Price: ~$25 | Tools: 12, incl. pliers, scissors, knife, bottle opener
The Dime punches well above its price point — real (if small) spring-loaded pliers, a usable knife blade, and a surprisingly sharp pair of scissors, all in a package that costs a quarter of what the premium options run. It’s not going to replace a full-size tool for hard use, but for a backpacking or day-hiking kit where you want something on hand without the weight or cost, it’s the easy recommendation.
4. Leatherman Squirt PS4 — Best Ultralight / Keychain
Weight: 2 oz | Price: ~$40 | Tools: 9, incl. spring-loaded pliers, scissors, knife
Don’t let the keychain size fool you — the Squirt’s pliers are spring-loaded just like its full-size siblings, which is rare at this weight class. For thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers who want pliers on the trail without committing 8+ ounces to it, this is close to the only real option that doesn’t feel like a toy.
5. Victorinox SwissTool Spirit — Most Tools
Weight: 8.4 oz | Price: ~$120 | Tools: 26
If the goal is maximum function per tool, the SwissTool Spirit wins on sheer count — 26 tools including a genuinely useful reamer/awl, a proper wire stripper, and multiple screwdriver sizes built directly in rather than needing bit adapters. Worth noting for anyone who travels internationally with gear: some jurisdictions treat locking blades differently than non-locking, and the Spirit’s knife is non-locking, which occasionally matters for airline/customs rules that a locking Leatherman blade can run into.
6. Gerber Suspension NXT — Best Rugged Mid-Size
Weight: 7 oz | Price: ~$60 | Tools: 15
The Suspension NXT sits in a sweet spot between the featherweight options and the full-size Wave+ — real pliers, a solid knife blade, and a one-hand-opening design, at roughly half the price of the premium Leatherman options. It’s the pick if you want most of the Wave+’s capability without the full price tag.
How to Pick the Right Size
Car camping / base camp: go full-size (Wave+, SwissTool Spirit). Weight isn’t a concern and you’ll actually use the extra tools — saw for kindling, scissors for first aid, real pliers for a stuck stove valve.
Backpacking, weight-conscious: Skeletool CX or Suspension NXT — real pliers and a good knife without the full weight penalty.
Ultralight / thru-hiking: Squirt PS4 or Gerber Dime. You’re trading tool count for weight, but spring-loaded pliers at 2 oz still cover most trail repairs.
Everyday carry / keychain: Gerber Dime or Squirt PS4 — small enough to forget it’s there until you need it.
Bottom Line
Best all-around: Leatherman Wave+ — the one most people should buy if weight isn’t the deciding factor.
Best for backpacking: Leatherman Skeletool CX — real pliers, real knife, a fraction of the weight.
Best budget: Gerber Dime — genuinely capable for a quarter of the price.
Best ultralight: Leatherman Squirt PS4 — spring-loaded pliers at keychain weight.
Related Guides
- 📚 Ultralight Backpacking Gear Guide — the complete guide
- Backcountry Essentials & Small Items
- First Aid Kit for Ultralight Backpacking
- Backpacking Gear Checklist
- Can You Go Stoveless?
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