Best Multi-tools for EDC and Outdoors in 2025: Our Top Picks
Whether we’re on a road trip or simply need something for EDC, we love packing a good multi-tool for the occasional fix-up and odd job that might come up.
Multi-tools are also one of our camping essentials, and are super useful for small tasks around camp such as pulling tent pegs, maintaining equipment and as a secondary knife for prepping meals and feather-sticking wood for a fire. In a pinch, we’ve even used ours to pull out splinters and thorns.
For this post, we picked 5 of our favourite multi-tools that we know you’ll be able to rely on for EDC, road trips and camping. We’ll take an in depth-look at the specs of each model and list our pros and cons to help you choose the best model to bring on your next adventure.
Let’s get started!
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Leatherman Wave Plus
© Leatherman
Made of: 420HC stainless steel frame and blade
Number of tools: 18
Weight: 8.5 ounces / 240.97 g
Size folded: 4 inches / 10 cm
Size deployed: 6.25 inches / 15.8 cm
Blade length: 2.9 inches / 7.37 cm
The Leatherman Wave Plus has been our main multi-tool for years to use at home, at work and outdoors, and offers arguably the best bang for your buck out of the entire Leatherman lineup.
It’s equipped with 18 tools that include a fantastic bit driver with double sided tips (only takes Leatherman bits, however) small scissors that are great for precision work and a handy saw, along with the classic Leatherman pliers. It’s an incredibly versatile tool that comes handy in almost every type of manual work we do both at home and on the road.
When spending time outdoors we find the pliers to be really handy for pulling stuck tent stakes out of the ground. The saw is great to prep wood for a fire, which you can light by combining the included wood / metal file with a ferro rod.
On top of the various tools, the Wave+ is equipped with two 420HC blades, one straight edged and the other serrated. Both blades are held in place by liner locks, which allows them to be deployed one handed but also means they’re not ideal for heavy duty tasks such as batoning. They can still be used for food prepping and light bushcraft, and we have even used the serrated blade as a pry bar to lift stubborn nails.
A minor drawback is that the Wave Plus is not sold with a pocket clip, although you can purchase one separately. With that said, we find that due to the weight it is actually much more comfortable to carry on a belt in the included nylon sheath rather than in a pocket. As with most Leatherman tools, it’s also not very ergonomic, and we recommend using gloves to make prolonged usage more comfortable. Aside from that, it is easy to see why this multi-tool is one of the most popular in the world!
Pros:
Incredible value for money
18 tools
The interchangeable screwdriver is a huge plus
The scissors are perfect for small precision cuts
Great for both EDC and outdoors use
Cons:
A little on the heavy side
Not super ergonomic
Doesn’t come with a pocket clip
Leatherman Signal
© Leatherman
Made of: 420HC stainless steel frame and blade
Number of tools: 19
Weight: 7.5 ounces / 212.62 g
Size folded: 4.5 inches / 11.4 cm
Size deployed: 6.75 inches / 17 cm
Blade length: 2.73 inches / 7 cm
While it lacks some important features, such as scissors, a file and a large flathead screwdriver, the Leatherman Signal is instead equipped with tools that are meant to be used outdoors.
These include a removable ferro rod to start a fire, a blade sharpener and a built-in hammer that is very useful to pound tent stakes. The signal also has an awl that can be used for various repairs and crafting in survival situations, as well as a safety whistle that can come in handy to signal your location if you’re in trouble.
One thing we’re not fans of, however, is the half serration of the Signal’s blade, since it’s a pain to sharpen properly without the proper gear and often causes the blade to get caught in whatever we’re cutting. We would have much preferred if there was at least an option to have a plain-edge blade. We also found the Signal to not be very ergonomic due to the sharp cutouts in the handle that are meant to reduce the weight, so we again recommend gloves for prolonged use.
Overall, we still really like the Signal. Sure, most regular campers and hikers will likely already have all of the included outdoor items in the load out, but there is something oddly satisfying about having a small survival kit built into your multi-tool.
Pros:
The best multi-tool for outdoor use
The built-in hammer is super useful
We love the interchangeable screwdriver
Has a pocket clip and a carabineer
One of the best looking Leatherman multi-tools
It has better pliers than the Wave Plus
Cons:
Lacks a couple of tools we find essential
We’re not fans of the serrated blade
Not ergonomic
Gerber Armbar Drive
© Gerber Gear
Made of: Aluminium frame and unspecified stainless steel blade
Number of tools: 8
Weight: 3.1 ounces / 88 g
Size folded: 3.6 inches / 9 cm
Size deployed: 6.5 inches / 16.5 cm
Blade length: 2.5 inches / 6.35 cm
While not as complete as other multi-tools on our list, the Gerber Armbar Drive makes up for it by trading functionality in favour of a lightweight, compact and utilitarian design.
Our favourite feature by far is the double-sided bit driver that, unlike Leatherman, can fit standard 1/4" hex bits. Since most of us probably have a bunch of those sitting around somewhere in a tool box, being able to pair them with this multi-tool is a pretty big money saver, and definitely less of a problem if you happen to lose one. On the offside, however, the bit driver does not lock in place, which can cause it to fold if you apply too much pressure during use.
The other tools included are a small pair of scissors, an awl and a hinged pry bar that doubles as a small hammer when closed. The awl is really useful for punching holes and performing small repairs, although it lacks a sewing hole.
The Armbar drive is equipped with a sturdy frame-locked blade than can easily be deployed one-handed. We couldn’t find exactly what type of stainless steel it’s made of since Gerber does not list it on their spec sheet, but it’s nevertheless sharp and holds a decent edge.
All in all, the Gerber Armbar Trade is a lightweight multi-tool that offers an incredible value for its price. It’s not as loaded with options as some of the other choices on this list, but it makes for an awesome tool to carry both in the city and on the trail.
Pros:
Lightweight and compact design
Bit driver takes standard 1/4" hex bits
Cons:
Screwdriver does not lock
Awl has no sewing hole
Leatherman Skeletool CX
© Leatherman
Made of: 420HC stainless steel frame and 154CM stainless steel blade
Number of tools: 7
Weight: 5 ounces / 141.75 g
Size folded: 4 inches / 10 cm
Size deployed: 6 inches / 15 cm
Blade length: 2.6 inches / 6 cm
For anyone looking to cut down on the bulk of a regular Leatherman without loosing too much functionality, then the Skeletool CX might be the answer.
This multi-tool is stripped down to basics to make it slim, lightweight and easier to carry around, but still includes essential tools such as a bit driver and pliers. It also features a carabineer that doubles as bottle opener and an opening in one the arms to store an additional screwdriver bit.
In addition, the Skeletool CX is equipped with a straight-edge blade made of stainless steel 154CM, an upgrade over the usual 420HC typically used by Leatherman that offers better edge retention at the cost of being marginally more difficult to sharpen. This, along with a sturdy liner lock, make the CX one of our favourite backup knives and multi-tools to EDC and carry on outdoor trips.
Alternatively, the Skeletool is available in two variations: One is standard Skeletool, which features the same tools as the CX along with a 420HC combo-blade. The other RX, designed for EMTs and first responders, that instead has a fully serrated 420HC blade and a carbide glass breaker bit.
Now, if we had to pick something we don’t like about the Skeletool is that the bit driver is not foldable. That means that, unless you remove the bit, you always have a sharp tip sticking out of the bottom when using the pliers. Also, since the bit driver is covered by the carabineer when the Skeletool is closed, you’re supposed to use it with the multi-tool sort of half-folded out, which is just a little awkward.
Still, this does little to detract from how much we love the Skeletool. It’s the perfect minimalist option, and we absolutely recommend checking it out.
Pros:
One of the lightest Leatherman multi-tools
154CM blade is a great steel upgrade
We really like the bit storage
Cons:
Bit driver does not fold
Using the screwdriver is a bit awkward
SOG Powerpint Mini
© SOG Knives
Made of: Unspecified stainless steel frame and 5Cr15MoV stainless steel blade
Number of tools: 18
Weight: 4.20 ounces / 119 g
Size folded: 3.1 inches / 7.8 cm
Size deployed: 5 inches / 13 cm
Blade length: 2 inches / 5.3 cm
Costing about a third of the price of a mid-range Leatherman and with 18 tools in a small and lightweight package, the SOG Powerpint Mini is an incredibly complete and affordable multi-tool.
It has everything you’d need for small fix-ups around the house or at work, and we found it super useful even during hikes and when spending time in nature. Our favourite feature is definitely the gear-assisted Compound Leverage pliers, which offer a surprisingly strong and secure grip. We also found the integrated bit driver on the top of the multi-tool to be an effective design, although we didn’t love not having a place to store the bit when not in use.
The rest of the tools are fairly standard, although the sheer number is impressive. They include a variety of screwdrivers, scissors, an awl and a file, all super useful in any situation. Now, the quality and finish of the tools is not amazing, which is understandable considering the price range; we especially recommend giving the scissors and the knife blade a proper sharpening after unboxing, ours really needed it.
Speaking of the knife blade, it’s a straight edge 5Cr15MoV that is easy to sharpen, which you’ll be doing regularly since this Chinese steel doesn’t hold a great edge. With that said, it’s efficient enough for small tasks like cutting up cartons and rope.
Despite some flaws, the SOG Powerpint Mini really surprised us. While we still reach for the Wave Plus for most works and repairs, this little guy still gets its fair share of use both for EDC and outdoors.
Pros:
A palm-sized multi tool
It offers a surprisingly good grip despite the compact size
It’s equipped with more tools that the majority of multi tools in its category
Cons:
No storage for the bit driver
5Cr15MoV isn’t the best type of steel
It lacks a bit when it comes to fit and finish
And there you have it!
These are a few of the multi-tools we know we can always count on to take care of small repairs and works in any situation, whether it’s daily use or campouts in the wild.
What about you, what’s your go-to multi-tool?
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Having a reliable EDC knife is always a solid idea. If you’re anything like us, you might already have a few knives sitting around, but it’s always exciting to go and check out what other amazing designs are left to try out on the market!