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One good multitool replaces a whole drawer of gear. When you head into the backcountry you leave your modern conveniences behind, yet you still have to cut, clip, fix and pry your way through a dozen small jobs a day. Packing a separate tool for each one costs money and weighs you down. A single multitool folds knives, scissors, screwdrivers and pliers into a pocket-sized package that handles nearly all of it.
Whether you are deep in the woods, climbing a ridge or settling into a snowy campsite, the right multitool can quietly save the trip. The trouble is that there are dozens to choose from and they are not all built the same. Some are heavy-duty workhorses, others slip into a coat pocket, and a few double as a hammer or a hatchet.
We rounded up nine of the best camping multitools across every style and price point, with honest trade-offs for each, plus a buying guide to help you match a tool to the way you actually camp. Some are built for one-time weekend use, others are made to last for decades, and a few sit somewhere in between. The goal here is not to crown a single winner for everyone, but to help you find the tool that fits your trips, your budget and your hands.
LEATHERMAN Surge Heavy Duty Multitool
It pairs long blades and large locking pliers with one-handed operation and a 25-year warranty, making it the most capable all-around tool on the list.
Check price on AmazonQuick Comparison
| Rank | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Gerber Gear Truss Multitool | Campers who want a do-everything tool under fifty dollars | Check price |
| #2 | LEATHERMAN Surge Heavy Duty Multitool | Campers who tackle heavy jobs and want maximum cutting power | Check price |
| #3 | LEATHERMAN Sidekick Pocket Size Multitool | Everyday carry and lightweight backpacking | Check price |
| #4 | HIKAYA Mini Hammer Multitool | Campers who want a packable hammer for stakes and small repairs | Check price |
| #5 | ROXON S801S Storm Multitool | Campers who want a corrosion-resistant tool with a bit set | Check price |
| #6 | Victorinox Swiss Army Multitool | Light travelers who want a classic, pocketable design | Check price |
| #7 | KerSK Camping Accessories Hatchet Multitool | Campers who want an axe and survival kit in one | Check price |
| #8 | BDE Labs Camping Gear 12-in-1 Hammer Multitool | Family campers who want a safe, all-in-one steel kit | Check price |
| #9 | SOG Belt Buckle Multitool | People who want a discreet everyday tool they can wear | Check price |
The Reviews
Gerber is one of the best multitool makers in the world, and it designs its products around the real needs of a camper. After consulting mechanics, designers and people from the armed forces, the company built the Truss around a single piece of original suspension chassis. You get 17 tools in total, and a built-in tool lock keeps everything safe in use.
The handle is cut from one section of steel, which makes it both strong and sleek, and it opens out in the shape of a butterfly. At just 8.4oz and MOLLE compatible, it is easy to carry. Not a single tool in the set is filler, and the whole package comes in at just under fifty dollars. You get spring-loaded needlenose pliers, standard pliers, a wirecutter, a wire stripper, scissors, a cross driver and a can opener.
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Spring-loaded pliers are designed not to tire your hands
- 17 useful tools in one package
- Excellent value for the price
Cons
- Blades are comparatively short
Leatherman is another of the most respected names in the category, and the Surge heavy-duty multitool earns its reputation through long blades and large pliers. Those extra-long tools need extra protection, so the Surge uses an all-locking design that keeps it safe to use and carry. It can be operated with just one hand.
Heavy-duty multitools are usually less portable than pocket models, but the Surge stays compact and easy to carry. It is built from black oxide metal, weighs only 14.4oz, and backs all of it with a 25-year guarantee. If you want a durable, long-lasting tool, this is the pick. Highlights include replaceable wire cutters, spring-action scissors, a MOLLE sheath and a saw with a blade exchanger.
Pros
- Elegant matte black finish
- Ideal for heavy tasks
- Made in the USA with a 25-year warranty
- All-locking feature with long pliers and blades
Cons
- The handle can be uncomfortable during extended use
The Sidekick is Leatherman's pocket-size option, packing 14 useful features into a tool built to ride in your pocket for daily use. It is made largely of plastic and weighs just 6.8oz. If a plastic-bodied tool makes you nervous about longevity, the 25-year guarantee should put you at ease. Like the Surge, you can operate it single-handedly.
Rounded handles give you the grip you need to work the spring-action jaws comfortably. The Sidekick has everything to make a camping trip easier, and it is just as useful at home or in the yard. All-locking systems keep things safe, and it is genuinely pocket-friendly at under sixty dollars. Tools include spring-action needlenose and regular pliers, a compact saw, screwdrivers and wire tools.
Pros
- Made in the USA with a 25-year warranty
- Compact and lightweight at 6.8oz
- Affordable for the brand
- 14 tools with one-handed operation
Cons
- Plastic body feels less rugged than metal tools
Hikaya built something different from the usual keychain or pocket multitool: a hammerhead tool with 12 separate features. Imagine carrying a real hammer in your backpack that weighs only 10.6oz. It is easy to use and easy to carry, so you can bring it camping, hiking or trekking without feeling weighed down by hammer-like bulk.
It is well packed and comes with a belted bag that keeps it secure on the move. The mini hammer is light on your back and light on your wallet at just under twenty-five dollars. The set includes the mini hammer, a nail claw, pliers, a knife, flathead screwdrivers, a carabiner and a bottle opener.
Pros
- 12 built-in features including a usable hammer
- Very affordable
- Safety lock and lightweight design
- Comes with a belted carry bag
Cons
- The manufacturer offers no warranty or guarantee
The Roxon Storm is an updated take on Roxon's 3Cr13 and 5Cr14Mov steel tools, designed to cover the full range of camping jobs. The advanced material resists corrosion and stands up to the weather. Along with 16 tools, it ships with an extra set of bits for different screw-driving tasks.
The Storm weighs just 1.21 pounds and is moderate in size, which makes it a genuinely portable partner without leaving capability behind. Better still, it backs all of that with a 10-year manufacturer's warranty that does not cost a premium. Notable tools include a lockable saw, glass breaker, rope cutters, a threader, a box opener, a can opener, wire cutters and flat screwdrivers.
Pros
- Stainless steel build resists corrosion
- 16 unique tools plus a bit set
- Lockable saw and solid 10-year warranty
- Lightweight, well-designed and durable
Cons
- Knife blades are comparatively short
The Swiss Army knife is a legend, and the Victorinox Swiss Army Multitool takes it up a notch by staying ready for whatever comes, whenever it comes. It is meant to work for outdoor travel and everyday life alike. The 2.45-inch blade is joined by a screwdriver, pliers, bottle openers and a corkscrew, so it is just as handy around the house or at a backyard barbecue.
It is finished in traditionally hand-polished ABS scales that give it a sleek look and real durability. The compact size makes it easy to carry and easy to conceal, measuring 3.6 inches long and 1.3 inches high, small enough to tuck into a breast pocket. Victorinox is known for quality across its range, and this tool carries a lifetime guarantee.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Superbly durable build quality
- Multiple useful tools in a classic design
- Backed by a lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Tools may be too small for heavy-duty tasks
Carrying every tool you might need is smart when you are camping, since you never know what the day will demand, but hauling a heavy toolbox works against traveling light. The all-in-one KerSK Hatchet Multitool gives you both a lighter load and plenty of options outdoors, with a range of tools on hand for whatever comes up. It is a reliable companion for setting up camp, cooking dinner and managing chores.
The kit includes an axe, knife, pliers, bottle opener, screwdriver, hex wrench, fish descaler and a file, along with a rope cutter and box cutter. That covers just about every campsite task, and it makes a strong trekking partner when you want your essentials handled. It is built from stainless steel with a black oxide finish and a stylish red aluminium alloy handle, and an onboard safety lock keeps it secure.
Pros
- Covers a wide range of camping uses
- Doubles as a reliable survival kit
- Non-corrosive stainless steel build
- Includes a 15-in-1 toolkit with safety lock
Cons
- Heavier than most tools on this list
Multipurpose tools always carry the risk of a nicked finger, and the BDE Labs Hammer Multitool is built to take that worry off the table. It is a concealed stainless steel kit equipped with almost everything you need outdoors, and it is designed for safe, secure handling, even around children. It comes with its own carry bag, which makes it easy to travel with the family.
The tool replaces a separate kit by folding pliers, a nail puller, screwdriver, knife, bottle opener, wire stripper and cutter, hex wrench and a hammer into one package. The 12-in-1 design is reliable, durable and corrosion-free, and the maker says it is lab tested. If you want a single tool that handles camp jobs without drama, this one fits.
Pros
- Designed for safe handling around family
- Easy to carry with its own pouch
- Built to last and lab tested
- Non-corrosive stainless steel material
Cons
- Slightly heavy
Last but far from least is the SOG tactical multitool, an everyday companion with serious pedigree. SOG specializes in military-grade cutting equipment and traces its name back to MAC Vietnam. These compact pliers are state of the art and work just as well as a knife and a survival tool. The 5Cr15MoV stainless steel holds an edge well even after repeated use, so it stays reliable over the long term.
It measures 3.1 inches and weighs about 0.32 pounds, and it fits onto a belt of one and a quarter inches wide. The set includes straight blades, grippers, screwdrivers, files, scissors, a ruler and a wire cutter, each easy to access on its own. You can carry it discreetly, and you can even wear it as a belt buckle for a touch of style.
Pros
- Built for long-term use with superior edge retention
- Loaded with practical tools
- State-of-the-art design
- Easy to carry and conceal, even as a belt buckle
Cons
- Primary blades are small
- The full tool can feel large to grip
What to Look For
Build Quality and Materials
Quality comes down to the build and the material. The material determines durability, while the construction decides how well the tool performs. A well-designed multitool does the work without draining your energy, and the right material holds up in any weather. Material also drives weight and portability, and a camping tool is at its best when it is light.
Stainless steel, aluminum and titanium are the best materials for a camping multitool. Look for makers offering polished, chrome-plated tools. Heavier tools tend to be more durable and can last a lifetime. Plastic appears in some models, but a plastic-bodied tool that stays sturdy for years is rare.
Number and Usefulness of Tools
A multitool brings several working tools into one device, and the count of genuinely useful features is what sets a great one apart. The same tool can handle kitchen chores at camp and serve as survival gear in the wild, help on a hiking trip and chop wood for the campfire. Pick yours based on the kind of trip you have planned.
Look for unique, practical tools such as a saw, glass breaker, screwdriver, wire cutter and can opener. Some multitools are stuffed with features you will never touch. Skip those, because useless tools only add weight to the kit.
Jaw Style
Three jaw styles dominate among backpackers. Flat jaw tools have always been in demand and are the most common thanks to powerful gripping and strong jaws. Needlenose jaws are slender, which lets you work in tight, compact spaces and grab small objects that a wider jaw would miss. A specialized jaw swaps standard jaws for clippers, scissors and other cutting devices. Choose the style that matches the work you do most, because the jaw is the part of the tool you will use more than almost anything else.
Size and Design
Multitools come in different sizes and are designed around their type. Keychain and pocket multitools are compact and disappear into a jacket, while military-grade and hatchet-style tools are stronger and noticeably larger. Neither is better in the abstract. A pocket model wins when every ounce counts, and a larger tool wins when you need real leverage and a longer blade. Think about where the tool will ride, on a belt, in a pack or in a pocket, and pick the size and design that suits how you carry your gear.
Blade Material and Cutting Tools
The knife is the most used part of a multitool, so the blade material has to be good. The best lightweight, durable options are stainless steel, carbon steel and titanium, all of which keep their edge across changing camp weather. After the knife, pliers and scissors are the tools you reach for most. Pliers handle soldering and bending wire, while scissors cut and trim, so check that both are well made.
Affordability, Warranty and Safety
Price is the first thing to weigh, and you should set your budget against the material, functionality, size, weight and durability. Most multitools run between 25 and 100 dollars, and durable ones usually cost more than 40. For occasional use, an inexpensive model is fine, but for frequent use it is worth investing in something safe and durable.
A manufacturer's warranty is a sign of a smart buy, and some reputable brands offer guarantees as long as 25 years. Keep legality in mind too, since blade length can run into local laws, so research the rules in your state. Finally, prioritize a safety lock. It protects you and your pack from sharp edges, and a tool without a locking system can turn a good trip sour.