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Our team of veteran gearheads has tested more than 40 different multi-tools over the last 9 years, and we recently bought and tested 18 of the best models to compare side-by-side. We used each tool for months while tackling tasks around the house, workplace, and while camping. From bike repairs to light fixture installation to removing fish hooks, we assessed each model based on functions, construction, ergonomics, and portability. Our team boasts decades of combined handy-person experience and unmatched attention to detail. We tested each product for at least a few months, and in some cases, we have products in our lineup that have been actively tested for more than six years. We've compiled this comprehensive review to help you find the best multi-tool based on your needs and budget.
Our team of experts has tons of experience with the tools you might need to help you through gear fixes, whether in the backcountry or your backyard shed. Our in-depth reviews cover all the tools you might need for your next camping trip, including the best pocket knives, the best axes for chopping wood, and the best folding saws. For those planning a bikepacking trip, our biking experts have also tested the best bike-specific multi-tools for fixes on the road or trail.
Editors' Note: We updated this review on May 15, 2023, to retest our award-winning lineup, including an updated version of the Leatherman Wave+.
The Leatherman Charge+ TTi is a dense piece of versatile equipment with a magical mix of attributes packed into its functional design. This tool is made from impressive materials more often seen on high end knives and outdoor gear, and has proven to have the best blades in our test. The materials are chosen for maximum function and durability. There are at least four types of steel (including top-shelf S30V stainless steel blade) plus titanium and diamond components. At about half a pound, the Charge is average in weight for a full-size tool. It's equipped to be carried many ways. Plus, Leatherman's low-profile bit driver and the included bits nearly double the overall number of functions.
On the flip side, the Charge+ TTi is very expensive. It costs more than any other product we evaluated. Additionally, we wish that Leatherman included a full-size 1/4" bit driver instead of their proprietary "squashed" interpretation. They could cut out the generic flat screwdriver/"pry bar" and use the extra space for the larger driver, for example. As it is, you must use either an adapter/extender or Leatherman's proprietary bits. Even better would be a bit driver whose geometry centers the driver relative to the handle. Build the pliers to lock and include the above modifications, and we'd have our dream multi-tool. The Charge TTi is a top-of-the-line product despite our very minor gripes. We heartily recommend Leatherman's flagship tool that pulls no punches for anyone needing the best model for frequent use.
Having four tools (dedicated serrated and straight blades, a diamond coated file, and a saw) accessible on the exterior of the closed Leatherman Charge+ TTi makes this tool incredibly useful for a variety of tasks.
If the Charge+ TTi gracefully crams as much function into a reasonably sized tool, the Leatherman Skeletool CX is its antithesis. The Skeletool aims for maximum utility from less individual tools, making it more comfortable to carry. This tool only has a fraction of the Charge's features, but it is much less noticeable in your pocket or clipped to your belt, as an everyday carry. Further, the features included with the Skeletool are arguably more usable and cleaner. Both being from Leatherman, though, they share common high-quality materials and build. This tool is great for daily use or as a backcountry tool.
The few tools it includes — an upgraded steel blade, good pliers, screwdrivers, and a bottle opener — are the most often used, and this tool gets these right. But that's it; if you're seeking all the tools possible, you'll be let down with this stripped-down modal. Of the remaining tools, though, our biggest complaint is with the bit driver. With the Skeletool CX, even more than with other models, Leatherman could have easily included a standard 1/4" bit driver. Still, we have tested this model for over three years, and it has slowly grown on us. Thus, the Skeletool is our top recommendation for a portable, daily multi-tool to leave clipped on your person at all times.
The Leatherman Wave+ brings heaps of value to the Leatherman line-up. Leatherman takes 90% of what makes the Charge so impressive and sells it for 60% of the cost. What you get is the Wave+ and an excellent value. The Leatherman Wingman is even less expensive, by a significant margin, but has fewer features and is made with lesser quality materials (though most users may not notice the weight savings of steel vs. titanium casing). For a full-featured tool, the Wave+ is the bargain shopper's choice.
Compared to the Charge, the Wave+ has less sophisticated blade and frame materials. It also does not come with many accessory bits or with the pocket clip or lanyard loop that Leatherman includes with the Charge. Aftermarket bits and pocket clips are available for the Wave+, but adding these will significantly close the price gap. Featuring the same general layout, tool selection (including replaceable wire cutter jaws), and dimensions, the Wave+ and Charge are effectively the same, other than materials and included accessories. If the referenced compromises are acceptable to you, save some dollars and choose the Wave+.
The Leatherman Wingman brings the manufacturer's long pedigree, quality craftsmanship, and an excellent selection of functions to a very affordable product. The Wingman includes features virtually none of the other models do: the package opener is quirky but invaluable; the return spring in the pliers reduces hand strain and increases efficiency in certain types of extended use; and the scissors are the biggest on any multi-tool we've tested. They lock in place and have a great spring-action to them as well — they're so nice we think users won't need to seek out a stand-alone pair in most cases.
At this price point, however, there are some compromises. The lone blade features a hybrid straight and serrated edge made of mid-grade steel, which will require regular sharpening depending on your use. The straight portion is easily reconditioned, but sharpening serrations requires special techniques. Further, that blade is significantly shorter than it needs to be. There is almost a half inch of extra space in the handle that Leatherman conspicuously does not utilize. Overall though, you get far more than you pay for with the Leatherman Wingman, including some truly unique features not seen in even high-end models. If you use a multi-tool for basic tasks but are prone to losing it, the Wingman won't hurt quite as much to replace.
The Gerber Center Drive Plus displaces its non-Plus predecessor for this specialized award. The Plus takes all we liked about the original Center Drive and adds scissors and a larger blade, which we deem significant and worthy upgrades. The Center Drive screwdriver configuration has a long extension and a handle ready for more torque. This award-winning Gerber centers the bit along the handle's long axis, vastly improving ergonomics and making it feel like a true, single-purpose screwdriver. The 12 bits that come with this model fit inside the included leather sheath along with the tool.
If your multi-tool use includes a lot of driving screws, choose the Center Drive Plus. It is the best tool we know of for that purpose. Otherwise, it's more average as a general multi-tool. The rattly construction holds up well but doesn't instill high confidence. The pliers are more prone to pinching than more sophisticated options, and accessing tools other than the blade, pliers, and bit driver requires multiple steps.
The Gerber Dime virtually disappears on all but the most minimalist keychains and is smaller than your typical modern car key "fob." A few essential and useful tools are packed into this dense nugget. We are confident that you will find a use for one or more of these functions nearly every day. Having it as handy as your keys will mean that you have it and will use it.
We describe it as a keychain tool, but it could also be considered a keychain bottle opener that does other things. The bottle opener protrusion is always available and might be all you need to justify a Dime purchase. It is the ready bottle opener that sets the Dime apart from other tiny tools. Other options have similar feature sets but don't have the bottle opener so handy. You won't turn large bolts or do extensive whittling with the Dime, but for light-duty house and travel tasks, it is just right.
The Leatherman Signal earns mention here for its truly unique set of functions. This is the most specialized tool we review here. Its feature set is, initially, familiar. It has a blade, a saw, and some openers and drivers. On top of those "normal" things, it has a hammer surface, fire starter striker, signal whistle, and blade sharpener. To do this the Signal includes two parts that can be removed from the body/arms of the pliers. It is sold with a belt sheath and also includes the option of pocket clip or carabiner carry.
We wish the main blade were not serrated. Yes, a serrated edge cuts a few things a little better than a straight edge. But that serrated edge suffers or completely fails to cut other things, especially when it is dulled. Once dull, a serrated edge is more difficult to sharpen, whereas the included sharpener on the Signal could be used to resurface an entirely straight-edged blade. The inclusion of a serrated portion on the blade seems like a marketing move more than a practical one. The Signal is unique and functional. It isn't too huge or too clumsy to use. With it, Leatherman comes another step closer to abandoning their proprietary bit driver interface. They built in the expected "squashed" bit driver, but they also included a standard 1/4 inch drive bit holder. We like this. The standard bit holder isn't oriented in an ideal fashion, but it is better than nothing. For survivalists looking for a multi-tool designed with bushcraft in mind, while also functional around the home, the Signal is a great piece of gear to add to the kit.
When testing these tools, we consider what appeals to people on the fringes of the group of devoted consumers. Most multi-tools are purchased for "everyday carry" for use on tasks that come up in day-to-day life where versatility and portability are paramount. Blue-collar users require that each function is very efficient, and they can justify fewer features. For those users, the Leatherman Crunch is a clear choice. A definite improvement over the other non-locking pliers in our review, the locking ones of the Crunch are this product's undisputed highlight.
The trade-off is the selection and readiness of other attributes, such as easy blade access and more driver and tool options. The Crunch has about half the number of overall features as the Charge+ and requires a few steps to activate the blade. There is an integrated bit driver, but to use it will require the time-consuming removal of the locking mechanism screw. However, if you use your multi-tool as pliers in a mechanical or construction-oriented fashion, the Crunch is a great choice. Its locking pliers are nearly as useful as stand-alone versions.
Almost all the features of the Crunch, on display. Because of the locking mechanism, only one "arm" of the pliers is available for stowed tools.
Credit: Jediah Porter
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Vehicle issues are stressful enough, especially in remote areas. Stack the odds in your favor when any sort of mechanical breakdown is likely and consequential by carrying a multi-tool and just the most rudimentary mechanical knowledge.
Credit: Rosie De Lise
Why You Should Trust Us
As we do with all GearLab reviews, we started by scouring the market and looking back at the list of dozens of tools we have assessed over the years. We purchase the best, and each tool gets weeks of day-to-day testing that features a battery of exercises. Sometimes, our testing period is more like months or years. With each blade, we cut things such as tomatoes, rope, and wood. We turn rusted out screws and bolts, and cut and bend wire clothes hangers. We use the other functions in their intended situations and press them to be used in an improvised fashion. As with all the testing we do, the most informative results are those gleaned in "real world" use. Recent remote car and trailer repairs, for example, highlighted some genuine observations of multi-tool functionality.
Our multi-tool testing and scoring are divided into four performance metrics:
Functions (40% of overall score weighting)
Construction Quality (25% weighting)
Ergonomics (20% weighting)
Portability (15% weighting)
Homeowner, camper renovator, world traveler, fix-it guy, and IFMGA mountain guide Jediah Porter coordinates our multi-tool review. We employed him initially for his mountain experience, but his "side hustles" qualify him for this category. Since we've known him, Jed has dabbled in vacation rental management, completely renovating a "Four Wheel Camper", bicycle building, kitchen installation, apartment renovation, and roadside car repair. He uses a multi-tool almost every day, much to his own chagrin. He'd much rather be out skiing huge peaks and slicing cheese for charcuterie back in the tent. With each multi-tool, Jed solicits the input and opinion of other guides, professional contractors, hunters, motorcyclists, fishing enthusiasts, and tradespeople.
Recently, fellow IFMGA mountain guide Jeff Dobronyi joined the review team. Jeff's busy outdoor lifestyle requires having the right tool for the job, whether that's repairing ski gear or mountain bike components in the field or doing repairs, or slicing food at home.
Industrial designer, forever tinkerer, home renovator, and general Colorado wilderness outdoor enthusiast Kyle Hameister coordinates our multi-tool reviews. We employed him initially for his product design experience on the Tech Gear Lab side of things, and found his affinity for tools and a-fixin' things made him perfect to carry over to this category. He carries and uses a multi-tool every day, and though he's sad to see his beloved Gen 1 Juice S2 retired, now he gets to cycle through a cadre of the best multi-tools on the market.
The Leatherman Charge TTI, comes with all the bells and whistles.
Analysis and Test Results
The "multi-tool" market is immense. Any single product that combines more than one tool is a "multi-tool." We confine our investigations to those products that feature pliers, a blade, and at least one screwdriver. We further refine our focus on tools that are targeted to either daily all-around use or outdoor pursuits. We have a long list of day-to-day multi-tools and a couple built for hunting and survival in our test suite. We score each model across the same rubric to assess them equally and share our findings below.
Value
Value in multi-tools is a function of the purchase price and how it relates to functions, materials, construction, and ergonomics. We find that the materials and construction are the primary compromises. A multi-tool inherently has multiple tools. Whether cheap or expensive, your multi-tool will do various things that will add value over having to seek out purpose-made tools for every task. Similarly, multi-tools naturally compromise on ergonomics. A stand-alone screwdriver will be better than one built into the handle of a pair of pliers regardless of how much you pay, but said pliers can absolutely compete with some cheaper ones in your toolbox based on the heftier handle alone. The upgrade in price will get you a longer-lasting design, flashier materials, and tighter tolerances. We've found that ergonomics don't increase appreciably with higher price tags.
We give out awards for specific applications and niche uses. There is the everyday carry, incredible value of the Leatherman Wingman, which provides enough functionality to satisfy the majority of small tool needs in your day-to-day life. The relatively affordable Leatherman Wave+ provides almost the same performance as the top-ranked Charge+ TTi at a significantly lower price. Similarly, you can find lower-budget versions of the award-winning Leatherman Skeletool CX. Some models, like the Amazon Basics 10-in-1 cost less than a simple meal at a restaurant, but generally, you get what you pay for.
One-handed easy open, externally accessed blades are the only way to go on a high-end multi-tool these days, seen here with the S30V hardened stainless steel blade of the Charge+ TTi.
Credit: Kyle Hameister
Functions
In assessing a product's functions, we count the components, compare those to what most consumers find most useful, and evaluate each feature's size and utility. Besides the sheer number of tools built into a given product, the design and usability of each count for much more. A product that has ten well-designed parts is more valuable than one with 20 minutely different functions crammed into it just for utility's sake. A good example is a combination straight and serrated blade — it's usually better having one or the other.
Particular functions are especially critical in day-to-day use. Most valuable are a nice blade, tight-and-pointy pliers with wire cutters, scissors, and integrated bit drivers. The only tools in our test that have the features on this list in high quality are the Leatherman Surge, Leatherman Charge+ TTi, Gerber Center Drive Plus, and Leatherman Wave+. Additionally, there are those out there who will surely appreciate the innovative package opener on the Leatherman Wingman and the Gerber Dime.
Everything included with the Charge+ TTi.
Credit: Kyle Hameister
Note that each company counts its functions and features differently. For instance, it is claimed that the Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X has 26 tools. The SOG PowerAssist has claimed 16 features. The Spirit has scissors, and the SOG does not, but otherwise, the actual feature set is very similar. Victorinox merely counts its features more generously. With its Suspension device, Gerber provides adequate feature sets at a low price. The Leatherman Skeletool series and Gerber Center Drive, have relatively few features, but they are ergonomically optimized.
The SOG Baton flips the script on typical multi-tool format.
Credit: Rosie De Lise
The Leatherman Crunch, with locking pliers, is among the most feature-deprived products we tested, but the tool is fully functioning, and the pliers lead the entire field. The bit driver of the Gerber Center Drive Plus has the best screwdriver function of our test fleet, and the Gerber Gear Armbar Drive has a decent screwdriver function in a small, portable package.
The Gerber Gear Armbar Drive has less functions than most multitools on the market, but it has a good screwdriver and blade, among other functions, in a small and easy-to-carry package.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
With the smallest products in our test, the feature set is remarkably similar. The Gerber Dime has a package opener, while the Leatherman Squirt PS4 has a file. Besides that, they are virtually the same. However, the Gerber Dime edges ahead with a bottle opener that is more readily accessible than that on the Leatherman.
These four functions are accessible from the outside of the closed Wave+ pliers
Credit: Jediah Porter
The Leatherman Free P4 is a helpful tool, with functions that pivot smoothly with virtually no resistance. Instead of friction (as on most other products), magnets and springs hold the hinges in place. But its function selection lags behind the manufacturer's other class-leading tools. Notably, the Free P4 does not have a bit driver. If and when the Free series expands to include a bit driver (even better would be a standard 1/4" bit driver and an included extension that centers the bit with the tool handle) and somehow figures out how to integrate locking pliers, we'll have our ideal tool. For now, the Free P4 is an interesting exercise in development — but before it holds our full attention, it will need a few more functions.
The Leatherman Skeletool CX is a full-sized minimalist tool, meaning that each function of the Skeletool is likely as large as you need it to be, and each is almost perfectly optimized for function. Our initial hesitations are pretty exclusively related to the bit driver. We keep repeating this, but we wish that Leatherman tools included a standard 1/4" bit driver instead of their proprietary configuration.
The Havalon tool is pretty simple but requires some accessories. Notably, the readily changed blade configuration requires carrying extra blades, a tool to make the change, and cases for all the parts.
Credit: Jediah Porter
The only model in our entire review that features a user-replaceable main blade is the Havalon Evolve. Havalon's proprietary scalpel-style blade interchange is unique and welcome to specific applications. The interchangeable blade is thin, which allows it to be exceptionally sharp but also flexible and flimsy. We wish the Havalon also included a more traditional blade on the Evolve for more substantial use. Aside from the blade, the Havalon Evolve feature set and layout are pretty similar to the Skeletool CX.
Yes, this is the very start of a campfire. All that was required was dry grass and the parts of the Leatherman Signal. It didn't even require any special skill or patience.
Credit: Jediah Porter
The SOG PowerAccess Deluxe is SOG's most feature-rich multi-tool, but it still comes up short compared to other options. Notably, it doesn't have scissors. It does have a clever (if redundant) suite of the screw, bit, and socket driving options. The feature-set of the Leatherman Signal also deserves mention. The Signal is optimized for outdoor and survival use. It has numerous attributes that appear on no other tools in our test. There is a signal whistle, fire starter, hammer surface, and blade sharpener.
We shouldn't be surprised when a multi-tool includes a multi-surface blade (serrated and straight). We wish these blades were all straight, but we must be in the minority here.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Construction Quality
The quality of manufacturing varied in the products we tested. Hinges and locking mechanisms reveal the attention paid to detail, and to safety. Sturdy materials, tight manufacturing tolerances, and intelligent construction stand out in a tool the end-user could handle every day for years. High-quality construction stood out virtually right away in our testing and only increased in value as time and usage wore on. The Charge TTi, Skeletool CX, SOG PowerAssist, Wave+, Surge, Free P4, Signal, and Victorinox Swisstool have excellent "out of the box" construction quality feels. Is the friction a bit too high, requiring oiling of some joints? Our evaluation of their construction quality was initially subjective. Does it "feel" sturdy and confidence-inspiring? It inevitably followed that some aspects of the tool's mechanical function would act finicky when this almost-aesthetic assessment came up short for a given contender.
The Squirt PS4 and the Gerber Dime are small and don't have construction quite as rugged as the others. To miniaturize tools like these, manufacturers must downsize all the individual components, generally resulting in a weakened structure. Of these smaller tools, the SOG and Gerber Dime are the most robust. A bit too big in this niche for the liking of our testers, the SOG is just large enough that it doesn't readily hang well on most keychains.
Leatherman brand tools, especially their higher-end versions, are works of art in many ways. The construction quality of this Free P4 is near immaculate, making it a joy to use.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Plier hinges are the most vulnerable to poor construction quality and are often what puts the definitive nail in a product's coffin. The quality of engineering here has improved dramatically across the industry over the years though. Virtually all of our tested products hold up very well in this respect these days. In terms of the "smoothness" of construction, we appreciated the Swiss precision of the Victorinox SwissTool Spirit XC.
We recommend you don't work on the regulator of your backyard propane tank. But if you must, do so with a handy and effective multi-tool, chosen with our advice.
Credit: Jediah Porter
The Leatherman Crunch is rugged and built for serious use. Because of the design criteria of the locking pliers, the hinges have more play in them. The blades and drivers of the Crunch are reliable and adequate, though a little small. Locking pliers will always have more play than non-locking, and the locking mechanism takes up space that compromises multi-tool features.
The blade of the Wingman could be 3/8" longer to fill out the body of this multi-tool.
Credit: Kyle Hameister
The Gerber Suspension, SOG PowerAccess Deluxe, and Gerber Center Drive Plus are nothing special in terms of construction quality. The Gerber Suspension is a little more tightly assembled, but the pliers flex, and the components are small and get dinged up in use. The slide-to-deploy pliers of the Center Drive require loose tolerances resulting in rattly construction that seems to hold up but doesn't inspire confidence. Similarly, an early tester version of the Center Drive's main blade came to us with a bead of unpolished metal burrs along the very edge. It cut adequately, but that bead indicates sloppy manufacturing. A subsequent tested version (the updated "Plus" version) had all the edges better finished than the original we tested.
The Gerber Center Drive is innovative but a little rough. Literally. The machine-finished edge had a visible line of burrs at initial purchase. This is easily remedied with home sharpening, but shouldn't be necessary.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Ergonomics
The ergonomic quality of a multi-tool is a function of handle shape's comfort, plus accessibility and utility of the various features. Excellent ergonomics stand out right away, and quality becomes more apparent with use.
Most of our test models are a set of pliers with other parts built into the handle, where the pliers themselves fold into the handles. However, some multi-tools do this more elegantly than others. For the pliers (and wire cutters) to be most functional, the handle's exposed parts must be rounded and smooth. All of our tested products meet this test, with the Charge+ TTi and SwissTool being the most smooth-handled products. The plier handles on the Leatherman Free P4 are almost entirely smooth. Interrupting the sleek lines is a pair of peculiar and sharp protrusions. The Gerber Center Drive Plus is pretty smooth but has more plier pinch potential than others on the market. Other and older models on the market aren't as comfortable. For instance, the Leatherman Crunch has just a little bit of rounding to protect the user's hands from the sharp plier handles. Leatherman's Skeletool CX has smooth plier handles, but the handles are a little thinner than ideal.
The proprietary squashed driver bit common among Leatherman's product offerings.
Credit: Kyle Hameister
Regarding the roundness of plier handles, the SOG PowerAssist is remarkably similar to the Crunch. The closer the pliers handles come to one another, the more likely you are to pinch your hand while using them. The Gerber Suspension is best in this respect, with the Victorinox not too far off. Both of these have handles that curve away from one another, leaving plenty of room. Though otherwise very intelligently designed, the Center Drive Plus and SOG PowerAssist have a fair amount of most pinch potential. The Leatherman Charge, Wave+, and Surge all have moderate pinch potential.
Each of the functions is compromised by the fact they are bolted to other components. We gave high marks to devices with the most commonly used functions accessible with minimal folding and unfolding moves.
Admittedly small, the Wave+ scissors are still capable for more precision jobs the knives can't handle.
Credit: Ashley DiRuggiero
Notably, the main blades of the following tools are accessible with one thumb and without deploying any other tools: Leatherman Wave+, Skeletool, Charge+ TTi, Wingman, Signal, and Free P4; the Gerber Suspension, and Center Drive Plus; the SOG PowerAccess Deluxe and PowerAssist; and the Havalon Evolve. One-handed opening for the blade is a great trend. A blade that deploys with one hand is vital to scoring high in the ergonomic department. Special mention must be given to the innovative ergonomic features of the SOG PowerAssist. The two blades deploy from the "outside" of the stowed pliers, and each has assisted opening that we see nowhere else in our multi-tool review. The pliers include a mechanical advantage gearing system that significantly increases the holding power. The SOG PowerAccess Deluxe has the same advantaged pliers, but the knife blade is hard to open with one hand, features no assist, and is much smaller than that on the PowerAssist.
This photo shows the geometry of the Gerber Center Drive bit driver. It is a subtle thing, but that it aligns with the center of the handle really makes it easier to use.
Credit: Jediah Porter
To get to the blades and drivers of the Crunch, one must deploy the pliers, open the piece you need, and then close the pliers. The smaller products in our test make inherent ergonomics compromises. It is in ergonomics that one "pays the price" for the portability of the Gerber Dime and Leatherman Squirt PS4. Each of these tools' features is much smaller and less useful than its dedicated counterpart.
For real handiwork, there is nothing like locking pliers. The Irwin Vise Grip is locking pliers with a knife blade and bit driver integrated.
Credit: Jediah Porter
The bottle opener of the Gerber Dime is the one exception. As an extension of the handle, this can be used without deploying any of the other attributes. Compromising very little on ergonomics, the Leatherman Skeletool is a relatively compact, "full-sized" product. The limited suite of tools on the Skeletool is entirely convenient to use. The ergonomics of the Havalon Evolve are pretty similar to those of the Skeletool.
The Leatherman Surge is heavy duty and user-serviceable for extended electrical work.
Credit: Rosie De Lise
Leatherman's largest multi-tool is the ultra-sized Leatherman Surge. The size passes a critical threshold, and some of the tools are harder to use than those on a smaller tool, notably the knife blades. The closed handle is bulkier than an average to large hand can securely grasp under a heavy load or for extended periods.
Along with the Surge, Leatherman has upgraded their higher end models in recent years with replaceable wire cutter jaws, as seen here on the Charge+ TTi.
Credit: Kyle Hameister
Portability
A tool is only as useful as it is available. We liked ones that offered a variety of carrying methods. The Leatherman Charge+ TTi, although one of the larger competitors, can be carried with a pocket clip, attached to a lanyard or keychain, and stowed in the included rugged belt pouch. With aftermarket additions, the Leatherman Surge and the Leatherman Wave+ can be configured to carry the same way.
The Havalon Evolve is one of the few mid-sized multi-tools out there, a little bigger than the Skeletool line, for example. Furthermore, the interchangeable blades and blade changing tool take up space. Havalon ships the Evolve with a zip-closed carry case that holds the tool, extra blades, and blade-changing tool. The whole package is bulkier than most, while the pocket-clipped Evolve alone is sized somewhere between the Skeletool and Charge.
Having a diminutive-yet-tough design, the Gerber Dime virtually disappears on a keychain. The Leatherman Squirt PS4 is even smaller than the Dime. Our lead test editor carries a Squirt PS4 in his "go everywhere" emergency/first aid kit. The Gerber Armbar Drive is a screwdriver-specific tool featuring a quarter-inch bit drive and a straight blade, all in a conveniently small package, making it a great choice for those who want to carry a small screwdriver at all times.
One of the saws of the Leatherman Surge, in action on a plumbing project.
Credit: Rosie De Lise
Out of the tools that include full-size features, the Leatherman Skeletool CX is the most portable. It accomplishes this by adding fewer features and offering virtually all of the most common carry options. The Skeletool has just a few features, but each is nearly full size. The external profile of the closed Skeletool is smooth and there's an integrated carabiner-style clip which sets it apart (look here if you're the type to carry your keys on your belt loop!)
We love pocket clipped multi tools. Havalon came screaming out of the gates with their first product, nailing many of the performance and usability attributes we like best.
Credit: Jediah Porter
All the products tested except for the Armbar, Squirt, Wingman, and Dime came with sheaths made for belts or backpack webbing. The Skeletool no longer comes with a sheath, but no matter — it's carabineer-style clip is more than capable of making up for it. The Charge TTi, Wingman, Signal, Havalon, Free P4 and Skeletool come stock with a clip that can be clipped to the edge of one's front pants pocket, which really seems like a necessary feature for full-sized tools these days. The Wave+ and Surge can be equipped with an aftermarket pocket clip. The Squirt PS4 and Dime disappear on a keychain, while the Suspension and Charge+ TTi (among many others) have keyring/lanyard holes. The Leatherman Crunch is best carried in the included sheath or loose in your pocket. Models like the SOG PowerAssist, Amazon 10-in-1, and the Surge are large and are therefore only really feasible to carry them on-person in their sheaths.
The Amazon Basics 10-in-1 makes an effort at portability with its carabiner-like clip, but the tool is so heavy and bulky that it is best carried in its included belt sheath.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Conclusion
There's a broad and ever-expanding landscape of multi-tool options out there. From the outside, it might be hard to spot some of the important differences between these tools, and we hope that through our review you can better discern which will be the best to serve your needs. There are diamond-in-the-rough finds out there, and we work hard to stay on top of the market and get our hands on the best as often as we can. We conduct thorough examinations and sort our findings to deliver you the best possible information. What we present here is intended to help you quickly and effectively make the wisest purchase for your purposes, and we hope that it helps narrow down your choices.
GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.
