10 Best Multitools For Backpacking

Introduction 

The best multitools packs a lot of huge, bulky tools into a tiny, portable package, so you’re ready for anything you come across while traveling.

To compile this list of the top multitools on the market, we spent hours researching, pouring through specs, and putting tools to the test in real-world scenarios. 

Quick Recommendations For The Best Multitools

Some quick recommendations are given below before getting into in-depth reviews:

• Victorinox Army Knife is the best superior quality multitool.
• Leatherman Wingman is the best affordable multitool.
• Leatherman Raptor is the best multitool for an emergency.
• Leatherman Skeletool CX is a full-size, simplified tool.
• Gerber Dime is the best small but cheap multitool.
• Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman is a multitool with many features in a small package.
• Gerber Suspension NXT is the best inexpensive small multitool.
• Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD is the best keychain tool.
• Leatherman Squirt PS4 8is the best small multitool.
• Leatherman Wave Plus is the best overall multitool for quality, durability, and value.

Important Considerations While Choosing The Best Multitools For Backpacking

Price

When it comes to a multitool that you’ll take with you and use every day, excellent quality is typically worth the investment. Nonetheless, some of our favorite multitools are both inexpensive and effective. As a result, we put a variety of high-quality multitools in various price ranges to the test. 

E.g., Leatherman Squirt PS4 and Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman are the best multitools for the money.

Number of Functions

It’s nice to be prepared, but its versatility doesn’t always determine the value of a multitool. In reality, we prefer multitools with fewer unnecessary features that we are unlikely to utilize.

e.g., Leatherman Wave Plus, Gerber Suspension NXT, and Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman are the multitools with the most functionality.

Size & Weight

Full-size multitools are more ergonomic and provide more leverage for long-term use. On the other hand, small, lightweight multi tools can be a wonderful alternative for everyday carry because they can fit snugly in a pocket without feeling bulky.

There are three sizes of size which are given below:

• Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD, Leatherman Squirt PS4 & Gerber Dime are the best tiny multitools.
• Victorinox Huntsman is the best medium-sized multitool.
• The finest big-size multitools are Leatherman Skeletool CX, Leatherman Wave Plus, Gerber Suspension NXT, and Leatherman Raptor.

Travel 

If you often fly and don’t want to check your tool, you’ll need a TSA-approved one. Unfortunately, the TSA-approved models do not have sharp properties like scissors and are of minimum length. 

E.g., Gerber Dime Travel, Victorinox Swiss Army Jetsetter, Leatherman Style PS, and SOG Baton Q1 are the best tools while traveling.

Durability

The multitools in this list are all high-quality and long-lasting. Many of the tools on the list suit heavy-duty jobs. A lightweight, more dense multitool can best suit you if you don’t use your devices with a lot of force.

e.g., Leatherman Wave Plus, Leatherman Squirt PS4, Gerber Suspension NXT, and Leatherman Raptor are the most durable multitools.

10 Best Recommended Multitools For Backpacking

1. Victorinox Army Knife

Best superior quality multitool.

Short description:

• Price: $36
• Weight: 0.08 Pounds
• Functions: The ultimate multitool is the Victorinox Army knife. It has you covered whether you require a magnifying lens to see tiny writing or a metal saw to penetrate through any metals. These tools contain screwdrivers, bottle openers, scissors, and a blade.

Pros: This is the most common type, which comes with only the most essential tools and is tiny enough to fit on your keychain.

Cons: The blades get dull quickly.

Why should we consider it good?

This multitool has the main spear point blade as well as additional blades and tools. The tools are a can opener, a pair of scissors, screwdrivers, a saw blade, and other items. This knife’s numerous tools are high-quality steel with precisely adjusted qualities that are important for specific use. The steel is tempered, annealed, and polished to attain the required toughness and resist corrosion.

2. Leatherman Wingman

Best affordable multitool.

Short description:  

• Price: $70  
• Weight: 7.0 ounces 
• Functions: This multitool is your handy tool for chores at your home, workplace, or campground. It is a wonderful compact stainless-steel tool with a one-hand opening blade and modified spring-action jaws.

Pros: 

• It is lightweight and pocket-sized 
• It is made of stainless steel.

Cons:

• It is a slightly below-sized tool 
• Low in price.

Why should we consider it good?

The Leatherman Wingman is a medium-sized tool with an affordable starting price. It outperforms the competition with a few outwardly opening multitools and a distinctive package opener.

3. Leatherman Raptor

It is the best multitool for an emergency.

Short description:   

• Price: $80
• Weight: 5.8 oz.
• Functions: It can be used to cut rings, a wrench for oxygen tankers, a glass breaker, and a ruler. 

Pros: 

• It is of superior quality 
• Durable and sharp shears
• Holster included 

Cons:

• It is bulkier than some
• It has fewer functions than others. 

Why should we consider it good?

For first responders or anybody who requires a pair of superior quality, transportable scissors, the Leatherman Raptor is the most incredible tool on the market. It includes every piece of tool you need in an emergency without being overly complicated when you need to do it rapidly. It is tough, razor-sharp, and engineered to be dependable and efficient. The Raptor is also a great, small cutting tool for gardening, fabric cutting, and other tasks.

4. Leatherman Skeletool CX

It is a full-size, simplified tool.

Short description:

• Price: $89.95
• Weight: 5 oz.
• Functions: The multitool has wire cutters, pliers, wire cutters, and a knife. It can also open a bottle and be used as a large bit driver.

Pros: 

• It is not heavy.
• Have a locking blade
• Outside accessible tools.

Cons:

• It has fewer functions than others. 

Why should we consider it good?

The Leatherman Skeletool CX has a clean, uncomplicated design that you’ll love. It’s a full-size multitool that has been pruned down to concentrate on the tools that people use the most a good cutter, pliers, and a screwdriver. It gives the Skeletool a stylish aesthetic while keeping it lightweight, thin, and pleasant to carry about. In addition, the pocket clip is fascinating since it can be attached to a belt loop. Furthermore, you can open it with one hand when necessary. 

5. Gerber Dime

It is the best small but cheap multitool.

Short description:

• Price: $24
• Weight: 2.4 oz.
• Functions: It functions as a knife, scissors, medium flathead, or screwdriver. Besides, you can use it to open bottles or packages. 

Pros: 

• It is ultra-lightweight.
• Affordable in price
• Compact and durable
• Outside accessible tools.

Cons:

• Some tools are difficult to open, and the file isn’t perfect.

Why should we consider it good?

Especially at its low price, the Gerber Dime is a small multitool. The pliers are practical, the small scissors are strong, and they have very sharp cutter blades. It also has atomic tweezers in the event you get a chip. Moreover, you can attach it to a belt loop using the carabiner provided.

6. Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman

Multitool with various features in a small package.

Short description:

• Price: $44.99
• Weight: 3.4 oz.
• Functions: You can use it as scissors, hook for various purposes, saw for wood, or corkscrew. Furthermore, it can also function as a bottle opener, screwdriver- small or medium, toothpick, tweezers, knife-both small and large, etc. 

Pros: 

• It’s a large and small knife.
• Have multifunctional tools.
• Affordable in price.
• Lightweight for the number of tools.

Cons:

• It is bulky.
• It does not come with pliers.
• Some tools are not necessarily used often.
• Some equipment is challenging to open.

Why should we consider it good?

For a multitool with so many capabilities, it’s surprisingly tiny and light. In addition, Swiss Army Knives are famed for their well-honed workmanship and exceptional fit and finish. Finally, although the multitool lacks pliers, it is well-built for campers with numerous knives, a bottle and can opener, and a corkscrew. As a result, the Huntsman is a favorite choice for everyday carry or outdoor activities if you’re searching for a cheap medium-size multitool without pliers.

7. Gerber Suspension NXT

It is the cheapest small multitool.

Short description:

• Price: $39
• Weight: 6.7 oz.
• Functions: It functions as pliers, knife scissors, flathead drivers, and cross drivers. Furthermore, it can be used to open a can or bottle, used as a ruler, strip wire, etc. 

Pros: 

• Affordable in price.
• All tools lock into place.
• Durable and outside-accessible tools
• Spring-loaded pliers.

Cons:

• Bulkier than others.

Why should we consider it good?

One of the cheapest big-size multitools on our list is the Gerber Suspension NXT. The best feature is its fantastic pliers that can be open wide. Besides, the pliers can be handled by one hand only when required. In addition, the NXT’s toolset is centered on the things users use the most to make it a little thinner and simpler to carry than previous Suspension models. The toolset on the NXT is targeted at the items that customers use the most, making it smaller and simpler to carry than prior Suspension models. As a result, the Suspension NXT is a fantastic value-for-money purchase with a lot to like.

8. Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD

It is the best keychain tool.

Short description:

• Price: $19.99
• Weight: 0.7 oz.
• Functions: It has a toothpick, scissors, nail file, screwdriver, tweezers, and a knife.

Pros: 

• Affordable in price.
• It is ultralight and very compact.
• It is included with sharp scissors.
• Available in many colors.

Cons:

• There are no pliers. 
• Small tools are confined to light-duty activities.

Why should we consider it good?

This multitool has everything required for light and easy tasks. For instance, you can open packages and groom. Moreover, the tools are quite small and are almost undetectable. As a result, it is well-liked among lightweight backpackers. Furthermore, it helps treat blisters and additional trail needs, yet it adds very little weight to your camping pack.

9. Leatherman Squirt PS4

It is the best small multitool.

Short description:

• Price: $39.95
• Weight: 2 oz.
• Functions: It functions as a bottle opener, plier, medium/flat screwdriver, knife, and scissor.  

Pros: 

• Affordable in price.
• It is ultralight and very compact.
• It’s of high quality.
• Outside-accessible tools.

Cons:

• No tweezers.
• More pricey than some tiny multitools

Why should we consider it good?

Leatherman Squirt PS4 can be your favorite tool for traveling outdoor. It has all the tools we commonly need, yet it’s so compact and light that we scarcely notice it in our pocket. The Squirt’s spring-loaded pliers, sharp tiny scissors, and decent-sized blades are sturdy. In addition, we like the Squirt’s aesthetically simple and small design when closed and its helpful, simplified toolset. Overall, because of its superb quality and practical, tiny size, the Squirt is our first pick for everyday preparedness.

10. Leatherman Wave Plus

The best overall multitool for quality, durability, and value.

Short description:

• Price: $109.95
• Weight: 8.5 oz.
• Functions: The package has cutters for wire, pliers, a knife, a saw to cut wood, and scissors. Besides, you can use it as a medium screwdriver, open bottle, electrical crimper, rule, etc.

Pros: 

• The equipment lock into place.
• Simple push-button for easy unlock.
• Replacement wire cutters.
• Holster included
• It is of high quality and durable.
• Outside-accessible tools.

Cons:

• Heavier than others.
• Pliers aren’t spring-loaded.

 Why should we consider it good?

The Leatherman Wave Plus is a worldwide bestseller multitool, a fantastic balance of quality and price. It has almost all the tools the tradespeople require regularly. Furthermore, it has additional tools all in one package to make all tasks easier. Some people may find it heavy for regular use. But if you require various tools regularly, it can be the best. With its superb quality and practical, tiny size, the Squirt is our first pick for everyday preparedness.

Conclusion 

A multitool may not be the most fantastic tool for difficult tasks, but they are capable of doing routine tasks. You can loosen, or tighten screws, measure anything, open a bottle, cut anything, score markings on a surface, etc. A multitool is a tool that performs many purposes in one unit. These tools on our list can be carried while traveling and do not take up much space. So it can just carry in your wallet, trouser pocket, or belt-mounted bag.