Multi-tools for camping laid out on a wooden surface
Best Gear 2026

Best Multi-Tools for Camping

Tested for build quality and tool selection — top picks from Leatherman, Gerber, Victorinox, and SOG.

Quick Picks

Best Overall

Leatherman Wave Plus

$100 · 8.5 oz

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Best Budget

Gerber Suspension-NXT

$30 · 7.6 oz

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Best Ultralight

Leatherman Skeletool

$65 · 5.0 oz

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Best for Features

Victorinox Swiss Champ

$95 · 6.2 oz

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Best Value Premium

SOG PowerAccess Deluxe

$55 · 7.5 oz

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In This Review

  1. Leatherman Wave PlusBest Overall
  2. Gerber Suspension-NXTBest Budget
  3. Leatherman SkeletoolBest Ultralight
  4. Victorinox Swiss ChampBest for Features
  5. SOG PowerAccess DeluxeBest Value Premium
  6. Buying Guide
  7. FAQ

The Best Camping Multi-Tools for 2026

A good multi-tool is the single most versatile piece of equipment in a camp kit. It repairs broken gear, opens cans and bottles, cuts rope, tightens loose stove fittings, and handles dozens of small tasks that would otherwise require carrying dedicated tools. We tested models across the full price range — from $30 budget picks to $100 premium options — evaluating plier quality, blade steel, tool selection, weight, and long-term durability.

Pair your multi-tool with our picks for the best camping first aid kits and best headlamps for a complete emergency preparedness setup. Our camping gear for beginners guide covers how to build a complete first kit without overbuying.

Comparison at a Glance

Multi-ToolTools CountWeightMain MaterialLock TypePrice
Leatherman Wave Plus18 tools8.5 ozStainlessOne-hand blade lock$100
Gerber Suspension-NXT15 tools7.6 ozStainlessButterfly open$30
Leatherman Skeletool7 tools5.0 ozTitanium handlesOne-hand blade lock$65
Victorinox Swiss Champ33 tools6.2 ozSwiss steelSlip-joint (no lock)$95
SOG PowerAccess Deluxe21 tools7.5 ozStainlessCompound leverage pliers$55

Full Reviews

Leatherman Wave Plus
Best Overall
#1 Pick

Leatherman Wave Plus

$100

Tools Count

18 tools

Weight

8.5 oz

Main Material

Stainless

Lock Type

One-hand blade lock

The Leatherman Wave Plus is the benchmark by which every other camping multi-tool is measured. Eighteen tools accessed via outer and inner handles include needle-nose pliers, regular pliers, a wire cutter with replaceable blades, a hard-wire cutter, two knife blades, a saw, a file, a ruler, and four screwdriver options. Critically, both knife blades and the saw can be opened with one hand while the tool is closed — a feature that matters when your other hand is occupied.

Build quality is exceptional. The stainless steel construction feels solid and precise, the locking mechanism on each tool is positive and reassuring, and after heavy use the hinges don't develop slop. The wire cutter with replaceable blades is a standout feature — it's the sharpest, cleanest wire cutter we've used on any multi-tool, and you can replace the cutting element rather than sharpening or discarding the whole tool when it dulls.

At 8.5 ounces the Wave Plus is a full-size multi-tool — this isn't a gram-counting backpacking choice. But for car camping, canoe trips, group outings, and anyone who wants a tool they can rely on for years, the Wave Plus earns its weight every time. Leatherman's 25-year warranty backs up their confidence in the build. This is the one to buy if you buy one multi-tool and want it to last a decade.

Best for: All-around campers and hikers

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Gerber Suspension-NXT
Best Budget
#2 Pick

Gerber Suspension-NXT

$30

Tools Count

15 tools

Weight

7.6 oz

Main Material

Stainless

Lock Type

Butterfly open

The Gerber Suspension-NXT delivers a capable 15-tool kit at a price point that's hard to argue with. The butterfly-open design deploys both jaws of the pliers simultaneously, making it faster to open one-handed than many competing designs. The tool lineup covers the essentials well: needle-nose and regular pliers, wire cutter, two knife blades, a saw, a file, a crosshead screwdriver, and a flathead screwdriver among others.

For the price, the build quality is genuinely good. The Gerber Suspension-NXT feels denser and more solid than its cost suggests. The blade holds an edge for light camp tasks, and the pliers have good mechanical advantage for gear repairs. The pocket clip is a practical addition for everyday carry. Where it falls behind Leatherman is in steel quality — the blades dull faster under sustained use, and the wire cutter lacks the cleanness of Leatherman's replaceable-blade design.

If you're equipping a group kit, buying a backup tool, or testing whether a multi-tool earns a place in your pack before investing in a premium option, the Suspension-NXT is the right starting point. It covers all the basic scenarios a camper encounters without a significant financial commitment. At $30, it's a practical, no-regret purchase.

Best for: Budget-conscious campers

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Leatherman Skeletool
Best Ultralight
#3 Pick

Leatherman Skeletool

$65

Tools Count

7 tools

Weight

5.0 oz

Main Material

Titanium handles

Lock Type

One-hand blade lock

The Leatherman Skeletool is the answer to the question: what's the minimum viable multi-tool for serious backpacking? Seven tools — needle-nose pliers, wire cutter, a replaceable-blade knife, a bit driver with double-end bit (Philips/flathead), a carabiner/bottle opener — in a 5-ounce open-frame design with titanium-accented handles. It's nearly half the weight of the Wave Plus while keeping the most-used tools.

The open-frame skeleton construction is what makes the weight savings possible, and it also makes the tool visually distinctive. The partially serrated blade on the CX variant (the standard Skeletool) uses 420HC steel and holds an edge well for camp tasks. The integrated carabiner clip means you can attach it to a pack loop or gear loop without needing a separate sheath or pocket. The bit driver accepts standard 1/4-inch bits, so you can customize the driver selection for your gear.

The trade-offs are real: no scissors, no saw, no file, no can opener. If you cook from cans or need a saw for camp processing, the Skeletool leaves you short. For a modern backpacker running freeze-dried meals and pre-cut food, those absences rarely matter. This is the multi-tool for someone who has thought carefully about what they actually use in the field — and eliminated everything else.

Best for: Ultralight backpackers

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Victorinox Swiss Champ
Best for Features
#4 Pick

Victorinox Swiss Champ

$95

Tools Count

33 tools

Weight

6.2 oz

Main Material

Swiss steel

Lock Type

Slip-joint (no lock)

The Victorinox Swiss Champ is the Swiss Army knife taken to its logical extreme — 33 implements covering tools that no other knife on this list carries: a magnifying glass, a fish scaler, a hook disgorger, a compass, an altimeter, a toothpick, and tweezers alongside the expected blades, screwdrivers, can opener, and scissors. For overlanders, fishing trips, or anyone who wants to genuinely cover every scenario, this is the most comprehensively equipped option tested.

Victorinox steel has an excellent reputation for quality that holds up over decades of use. The scissor mechanism on Swiss Army knives is noticeably better than scissors found on plier-based multi-tools — they cut cleanly and precisely. The main blade, can opener, and bottle opener are all class-leading. The absence of pliers is the meaningful gap compared to Leatherman and Gerber tools — for gear repair tasks requiring grip and leverage, this knife falls short.

At 6.2 ounces the Swiss Champ is lighter than both the Wave Plus and the Suspension-NXT despite having nearly double the tool count, because Swiss Army knives use thinner layer construction rather than the bulkier plier-jaw housing. The slip-joint design (no blade lock) is the only real safety consideration — the tools fold under pressure rather than locking open. For anyone whose camp kit doesn't revolve around gear repair and who values breadth of tools over plier quality, the Swiss Champ is a distinctive and compelling choice.

Best for: Campers who want every tool covered

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SOG PowerAccess Deluxe
Best Value Premium
#5 Pick

SOG PowerAccess Deluxe

$55

Tools Count

21 tools

Weight

7.5 oz

Main Material

Stainless

Lock Type

Compound leverage pliers

SOG's PowerAccess Deluxe stands out for one engineering distinction: its compound leverage plier mechanism generates roughly 152% more mechanical advantage than standard plier designs. In practice this means crushing or gripping tasks that strain standard multi-tool pliers — crimping wire, gripping stuck fasteners, bending metal — feel noticeably easier with the SOG. It's a meaningful functional difference for anyone who uses the pliers hard.

The 21-tool lineup is comprehensive: compound pliers, wire cutter, hard wire cutter, three screwdrivers, can opener, bottle opener, awl, file, and three blade options including a partially serrated main blade. The tools deploy cleanly and lock positively. Build finish and fit are competitive with tools at twice the price point — SOG over-delivers on quality for what they charge.

The main practical limitation is availability: the PowerAccess Deluxe is occasionally out of stock through major retailers, which is why it carries a null ASIN in this guide. When you can find it at $55, it's the best value in the mid-tier multi-tool category. The compound pliers give it a genuine performance advantage over comparably priced competition, and the 21-tool count covers everything a camper needs without unnecessary redundancy.

Best for: Value shoppers who want premium plier performance

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Buying Guide: Choosing a Camping Multi-Tool

Full-Size vs. Mini — When Each Makes Sense

Full-size multi-tools (7–9 oz) like the Leatherman Wave Plus are the right choice for car camping, group trips, overlanding, or any scenario where you have the pack space and want maximum utility. They deliver better plier leverage, larger blades, and more complete tool sets. Mini or ultralight tools like the Leatherman Skeletool (5 oz) are purpose-built for backpacking — you give up tools you rarely use in exchange for a meaningful weight saving. If you're not counting ounces, go full-size. If every gram matters, go ultralight or consider whether a compact Swiss Army knife better serves your actual use cases.

Key Tools to Prioritize

Needle-nose pliers are the most-used tool for camp repairs — gear loops, stove fittings, and wire all require grip you can't generate with fingers alone. A sharp main blade handles food prep, cord cutting, and gear modification. A saw matters if you process wood or cut branches at camp. A file is useful for sharpening hooks and smoothing metal edges. Screwdrivers (both Philips and flathead) cover stove maintenance, tripod adjustments, and hardware on most outdoor gear. Don't be swayed by tool count alone — a 7-tool kit with high-quality versions of these essentials outperforms a 33-tool kit with mediocre steel.

Brand Comparison: Leatherman vs. Gerber vs. Victorinox vs. SOG

Leatherman sets the standard for plier-based multi-tools — best steel quality, tightest tolerances, 25-year warranty, and the widest range of models. Gerber delivers solid performance at lower price points and is the best budget choice. Victorinox (Swiss Army) excels in blade and scissors quality but lacks pliers — they're the right choice if scissors and breadth of tools matter more than grip and leverage. SOG offers competitive quality with the distinctive compound-leverage plier advantage that outperforms all competitors for heavy-duty gripping tasks. For most campers, Leatherman is the default recommendation; the others make sense for specific use cases.

Maintenance

Multi-tools last decades with minimal care. After trips involving salt water, sand, or heavy use, rinse the tool with warm water and dry thoroughly before folding. A light application of oil (mineral oil, 3-in-1, or WD-40) on the hinge points every few months keeps actions smooth and prevents corrosion. Sharpen blades with a ceramic rod or diamond file at the factory bevel angle — most Leatherman blades use a 30-degree inclusive angle. Replace wire cutters on Leatherman tools rather than sharpening them; replacement cutting elements cost under $10 and restore factory performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the most important tool in a camping multi-tool?
Needle-nose pliers are the single most important tool in a camping multi-tool — they handle the widest range of tasks from fixing gear to handling hot cookware. After pliers, a sharp blade and a can opener (or bottle opener) cover the majority of camp needs. Screwdrivers and a file round out a practical everyday carry toolkit.
Can I bring a multi-tool on a plane?
Multi-tools with blades over 2.36 inches (6cm) are not allowed in carry-on luggage by TSA rules — they must go in checked baggage. Multi-tools with no blade or a blade under that threshold may be allowed in carry-on, but policies vary by airline and country. When in doubt, pack your multi-tool in checked luggage to avoid confiscation.
What's the difference between Leatherman and Gerber?
Leatherman is widely regarded as the premium standard — their tools use higher-grade steel, have tighter tolerances, and include a 25-year warranty. Gerber offers good value at lower price points and their tools are more than adequate for casual camping use. For serious outdoor use or everyday carry, most gear testers prefer Leatherman's build quality. Gerber wins on budget and accessibility.
How many tools do I actually need?
Most campers use 3–5 tools the majority of the time: pliers, blade, screwdriver, can opener, and file. Tools in the 15–21 range cover all practical camp scenarios without being oversized. The 33-tool Swiss Army knives exist for collectors and professionals who genuinely use every implement — for camping, more tools usually just means more weight and a thicker body.
Should I get a full-size or mini multi-tool for backpacking?
For backpacking where every ounce counts, a lighter multi-tool like the Leatherman Skeletool (5 oz, 7 tools) is the better choice — you get the essential pliers and blade without the bulk. Full-size multi-tools (8–10 oz) are worth the weight for car camping, basecamp trips, or any situation where you need a wider range of tools. If you're cutting pack weight aggressively, a compact Swiss Army knife may serve you better than any plier-based multi-tool.

Our Verdict

The Leatherman Wave Plus is the best overall camping multi-tool — the benchmark for build quality, tool selection, and long-term value. Budget shoppers get genuine capability from the Gerber Suspension-NXT at $30. Ultralight backpackers should look seriously at the Leatherman Skeletool — 5 ounces of essential tools without any dead weight. The Victorinox Swiss Champ is the right call if you want the widest tool coverage and prioritize scissors over pliers. The SOG PowerAccess Deluxe is the best value at the mid-tier when you can find it in stock.

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Reviewed by the Peak Gear Guide Editorial Team. Our testers spend 50+ nights per year in the field. All products independently selected; we may earn a commission if you buy through our links.

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