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How To Choose the Right Multi-tool for Camping

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Admittedly, camping multi-tools are a bit of a personal fascination of ours, and have always been something we’ve “geeked out on” over the years. But the reality is that camping multitools, like the ones we’ll highlight in this post, are incredibly useful and pack a TON of utility into a small pocketable form factor.

In this post we’ll cover the four main things to look for when trying to select the best camping multitool for your adventures, as well as outline ten of the best multitools for a variety of camping styles and budgets.

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What to Look for in a Camping Multitool

  • Functions (Tools)

You’ll want to consider both the number and utility of tools and functions each particular camping multitool has in order to select the best one for your needs.

The best camping multitools have enough tools to be functional for a variety of uses while not feeling too gimmicky. Functions like a variety of blades, as well as frequently used tools like pliers, a wire-stripper, and both flat and phillips screwdrivers are typically high on our list of considerations.

  • Materials and Quality

The build quality and materials your multitool is constructed of are equally important to consider, because what good is a multitool for camping if it breaks when you need it?

There are 3 main types of materials used in the construction of camping multitools:

  1. Stainless Steel - strong and corrosion resistant, but heavier

  2. Titanium - strong, lightweight, and corrosion proof, but expensive

  3. Aluminum - lightweight and corrosion resistant, but less durable (often only used in sheathing material to keep weight down)

  • Design

A good camping multitool’s design will compliment its functionality by making tools easier to access, use, or store. These are things like butterfly vs non-butterfly closures, how easy it is to access each tool, safety features such as lockable blades and tools, as well as user-replaceable bits and tools so that if something breaks or wears out it can be easily repaired.

  • Size

While typically not as critical as other factors, a camping multitool’s size will impact how “pocketable” or easy it will be to store and carry along on your adventures.

The 10 Best Camping Multi-tools [Updated 2024]

We’ve broken down the ten best multitools for camping into several distinct design categories so you can find one that fits your specific budget, needs, and that has the best combination of tools and functions for your adventures.

Best High End Camping Multitool - Leatherman ARC

High end (and high quality) camping multitools utilize more esoteric materials such as titanium alloys, high carbon steel, and some even use carbon fiber as well (though admittedly this is more of a gimmick than a real weight-saving design feature). We found the new Leatherman ARC to be a good balance of high-end materials, without sacrificing functionality for flash.

  • Functions (20 Tools):

    • MagnaCut Knife Blade

    • Needle Nose Pliers

    • Regular Pliers

    • Replaceable Wire Cutters

    • Replaceable Hard-wire Cutters

    • Electrical Crimper

    • Wire Stripper

    • Saw

    • Spring-action Scissors

    • Cutting Hook

    • Impact Surface

    • Can Opener

    • Bottle Opener

    • Wood/Metal File

    • Diamond-coated File

    • Edge File

    • Large Bit Driver

    • Small Bit Driver

    • Large Screwdriver

    • Pry Tool

  • Materials: High Carbon Stainless Steel, DLC Coating, MagnaCut Steel

  • Closed Length: 4.25 in (10.78 cm)

  • Weight: 8.6 oz (243.8 g)

  • Thickness (“Pocketability”): 0.68 in / 1.7 cm

The Leatherman Arc camping multitool is the first multitool to include a MagnaCut Steel blade that holds an edge longer, is more corrosion resistant, and easier to sharpen than other blades. It’s also designed to be entirely one-hand operable, so it’s faster and easier to get to the tool you need when you need it.


Best “Bang-for-Your-Buck” Camping Multitool - Leatherman Wave Plus

If you’re looking for the best all-around camping multitool that can be used day in and day out without the higher cost of the more exotic multitool materials, it’s hard to beat the Leatherman Wave+.

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  • Functions (18 Tools):

    • Needle Nose Pliers

    • Regular Pliers

    • Replaceable Wire Cutters

    • Replaceable Hard-wire Cutters

    • Electrical Crimper

    • Wire Stripper

    • Knife

    • Serrated Knife

    • Saw

    • Spring-action Scissors

    • Ruler (8 in / 19 cm)

    • Can Opener

    • Bottle Opener

    • Wood/Metal File

    • Diamond-coated File

    • Large Bit Driver

    • Small Bit Driver

    • Medium Screwdriver

  • Materials: High Carbon Stainless Steel

  • Closed Length: 4 in (10 cm)

  • Weight: 8.5 oz (241 g)

  • Thickness (“Pocketability”): 0.7 in / 1.78 cm

    The Leatherman Wave+ offers a huge variety of tools at a great value. This is the camping multitool we personally chose for our adventures and it literally gets used every day both on and off the trail. Like all Leathermans, it is made in the USA and backed by their 25-year warranty.


Most User Friendly Camping Multitool - Leatherman Free P4

The majority of camping multitools utilize a butterfly design that requires fully opening the multitool to access each of its functions. But if you want something a little more user-friendly, finding one with externally accessible tools may be the best choice for your camping multitool, and the Leatherman Free P4 is top of class in this regard.

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  • Functions (21 Tools):

    • Needle Nose Pliers

    • Regular Pliers

    • Replaceable Wire Cutters

    • Replaceable Hard-wire Cutters

    • 420HC Knife

    • 420HC Serrated Knife

    • Spring-action Scissors

    • Saw

    • Pry Tool

    • Package Opener

    • Awl

    • Can Opener

    • Wire Stripper

    • Ruler (1.41 in / 25 mm)

    • Wood/Metal File

    • Bottle Opener

    • Electrical Crimper

    • Phillips Screwdriver

    • Medium Screwdriver

    • Small Screwdriver

    • Extra-small Screwdriver

  • Materials: High Carbon Stainless Steel

  • Closed Length: 4.25 in (10.78 cm)

  • Weight: 8.6 oz (243.8 g)

  • Thickness (“Pocketability”): 0.68 in / 1.7 cm

The Leatherman P4 offers a wealth of tools that are externally accessible making it easier to use day-to-day, and despite the fact it lacks a removable bit driver, the P4 offers a wide enough variety of screwdrivers to meet the majority of needs while camping. And it’s also made in the USA and backed by Leatherman’s 25-year warranty.


Best Survival Multitool for Camping - Leatherman Signal

If your camping adventures take you into the wild and untamed recesses of the outdoors, carrying a camping multitool that’s designed to meet the needs of basic survival may be a good idea. Enter the Leatherman Signal.

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  • Functions (19 Tools):

    • Needle Nose Pliers

    • Regular Pliers

    • Replaceable Wire Cutters

    • Replaceable Hard-wire Cutters

    • Wire Stripper

    • 420HC Combo Knife

    • Saw

    • Hammer

    • Awl w/ Thread Loop

    • Can Opener

    • Bottle Opener

    • 1/4” Hex Bit Drive

    • Bit Driver

    • 1/4" Box Wrench

    • Carabiner

    • 3/16" Box Wrench

    • Safety Whistle

    • Ferrocerium Rod

    • Diamond-coated Sharpener

  • Materials: High Carbon Stainless Steel

  • Closed Length: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)

  • Weight: 7.5 oz (212.6 g)

  • Thickness (“Pocketability”): 0.63 in / 1.6 cm

While the Leatherman Signal includes most of the everyday utility found in other multitools, the inclusion of functions such as a Ferrocerium Rod for starting fires, a Safety Whistle for signaling for help, and a blunt hammer for tacking down shelter stakes makes it uniquely qualified for bushcraft or survival scenarios.



Most Pocket Friendly Multitool for Camping - Leatherman Skeletool CX

One of the biggest downsides to carrying a multitool is the bulk and potential discomfort they can cause when carried in your pocket. Many option a belt clip or carrying case as an alternative means of keeping your multitool on hand, however these workarounds may not suit your style or preference. The Leatherman Skeletool CX is light-weight and slender enough to not cause discomfort when pocket-carried, while still offering a good amount of functionality while camping.

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  • Functions (7 Tools):

    • Needle Nose Pliers

    • Regular Pliers

    • Hard-wire Cutters

    • Wire Cutters

    • Knife

    • Carabiner/Bottle Opener

    • Large Bit Driver

  • Materials: High Carbon Stainless Steel

  • Closed Length: 4 in (10 cm)

  • Weight: 5 oz (142 g)

  • Thickness (“Pocketability”): 0.52 in / 1.32 cm

The Leatherman Skeletool CX is a nice light-weight and pocket-friendly multitool for camping, and its comfortable design makes it an excellent everyday carry too. Plus Leatherman’s 25-year warranty assures you a lifetime of use on your adventures.


Best Budget Multitool for Camping - Victorinox Trekker

The famed Victorinox Swiss Army Knife pioneered the camping multitool market. And with their “Camper'' specific design being a personal source of inspiration and intrigue as a child, it was only fitting that it make the best camping multitool list. However, Victorinox made a budget friendly sequel to the Camper, called the Trekker, that offered many of the same functions with a few user-friendly improvements - such as the inclusion of a philips screw driver, a locking blade that can be opened single handedly, and a locking 5mm flathead screwdriver that doubles as a pry.

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  • Functions (12 Tools):

    • Large Blade (lockable, one-hand open)

    • Reamer

    • Punch

    • Bottle Opener

    • Screwdriver 5 mm (lockable)

    • Wire Stripper

    • Wood Saw

    • Phillips Screwdriver

    • Can Opener

    • Screwdriver 3 mm

    • Tweezers

    • Toothpick

  • Materials: Stainless Steel

  • Closed Length: 4.4 in (11.176 cm)

  • Weight: 4.6 oz (130.4 g)

  • Thickness (“Pocketability”): 0.7 in / 1.778 cm

We carried the Victorinox Trekker for years on our earlier travels and adventures, and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a budget friendly camping multitool.


Best Mini Multitool for Camping - Gerber Dime Mini

If you’re looking for a camping multitool that’s easy to throw in your pack or pocket and forget about until you need it, a mini multitool may be the perfect solution. The Gerber Dime Mini is a tinified version of their slightly larger Dime model, and packs a ton of functionality in a diminutive form factor.

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  • Functions (10 Tools):

    • Needle Nose Spring-loaded Pliers

    • Wire Cutter

    • Fine Edge Blade

    • Retail Package Opener

    • Scissors

    • Medium Flat Driver

    • Crosshead Driver

    • Bottle Opener

    • Tweezers

    • File

  • Materials: Stainless Steel (3Cr13)

  • Closed Length: 2.75 in (7 cm)

  • Weight: 2 oz (62.3 g)

  • Thickness (“Pocketability”): 0.6in / 1.524 cm

The Gerber Dime Mini isn’t one of Gerber’s made in the USA options, but it’s robust enough for the majority of camping multitool needs.


Best Minimalist Multitool for Camping - Gerber Armbar Slim Drive

Not everyone needs a ton of tools in their pocket, and a camping multitool doesn’t need to include everything and the kitchen sink to be highly useful. Gerber’s Armbar Slim Drive multitool for camping includes the bare essentials in a nice slender design.

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  • Functions (4 Tools):

    • Fine Edge Blade

    • Bit Driver

    • Medium Flat Driver

    • Crosshead Driver

    • Bottle Opener

  • Materials: Stainless Steel

  • Closed Length: 3.8 in (9.65 cm)

  • Weight: 2.6 oz (73.7 g)

  • Thickness (“Pocketability”): 0.5in / 1.27 cm

The Gerber Armbar Slim Drive is certainly spartan when compared to other camping multitools in the list, but its minimalist simplicity is a great compromise between a multitool and a basic pocket knife.


Most Functional Camping Multitools - Victorinox SwissChamp and Victorinox EvoGrip S54

Now for the other end of the spectrum: the camping multitools with the MOST function. These two classic Victorinox Swiss Army knives lean much more heavily towards an everything-and-the-kitchen-sink design.

Victorinox SwissChamp

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  • Functions (33 Tools):

    • Large Blade

    • Small Blade

    • Reamer, Punch and Sewing Awl

    • Can Opener

    • Screwdriver 3 mm

    • Bottle Opener

    • Screwdriver 6 mm

    • Wire Stripper

    • Scissors

    • Pliers

    • Wire Cutter

    • Wire Crimping Tool

    • Fish Scaler

    • Hook Disgorger

    • Ruler (cm)

    • Ruler (inches)

    • Wood Saw

    • Nail File

    • Nail Cleaner

    • Metal Saw

    • Metal File

    • Magnifying Glass

    • Phillips Screwdriver

    • Screwdriver 2.5 mm

    • Chisel 4 mm

    • Multipurpose Hook

    • Toothpick

    • Tweezers

    • Pressurized Ballpoint Pen

    • Pin, Stainless Steel

    • Key Ring

    • Mini Screwdriver

    • Corkscrew

  • Materials: Stainless Steel

  • Closed Length: 3.6 in (9.14 cm)

  • Weight: 6.5 oz (184.27 g)

  • Thickness (“Pocketability”): 1.3 in / 3.3 cm

The Victorinox SwissChamp multitool for camping provides you with a wide array of handy features in a rugged and time-tested stainless steel design. While certainly not the most pocket-friendly, you’ll appreciate it every time you don’t have to run to the toolbox or camper for something it can do.


Victorinox EvoGrip S54

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  • Functions (32 Tools):

    • Toothpick

    • Tweezers

    • Large Blade

    • Nail File

    • Nail Cleaner

    • Corkscrew

    • Bottle Opener

    • Wire Stripper

    • Screwdriver 5 mm (lockable)

    • Can Opener

    • Screwdriver 3 mm

    • Reamer, Punch and Sewing Awl

    • Wood Saw

    • Magnifying Glass

    • Screwdriver 3.5 mm

    • Compass

    • Sight Line

    • Ruler (cm)

    • Ruler (inches)

    • Pliers

    • Wire Crimping Tool

    • Wire Cutter

    • Nut Wrench

    • Adjustable Opening

    • Serrated Edge Scissors

    • Metal Saw

    • Metal File

    • Fish Scaler

    • Hook Disgorger

    • Phillips Screwdriver

    • Universal Wrench (M3, M4, M5)

    • Key Ring

  • Materials: Stainless Steel

  • Closed Length: 3.3 in (8.38 cm)

  • Weight: 7.8 oz (221.13 g)

  • Thickness (“Pocketability”): 1.8 in / 4.57 cm

The Victorinox EvoGrip S54 offers a couple unique multitool features that distinguish it from other Swiss Army style camping multitools; notably the pliers, serrated scissors, universal wrench, compass, and metal saw - making it a highly useful piece of gear to keep on hand for your outdoor adventures (despite it’s rotund form factor).


Carrying a multitool for camping or just general day-to-day needs is a real gamechanger. We use ours multiple times a day while camping, traveling, and at home. And we hope this guide helps you find the best camping multitool for your needs and adventures.

If you’re interested in more camping, family travel, or overlanding guides be sure to SUBSCRIBE for our twice monthly blog updates.

And as always, thank you for reading!



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