5 of the Best Leatherman Multi-Tools for Camping

There are a few philosophies that people tend to follow when camping. The first is to fill the car with everything you might need: chairs, tables, portable grills, and lots of cool camping gadgets you can add to the list. The other way is to travel light – just you, a backpack, and all the camping essentials you need to enjoy your trip. In either case, an essential addition to your kit is a good multi-tool.

Whether you’re pitching a tent, preparing food, starting a fire, repairing equipment, or just dealing with the kinds of problems the great outdoors tends to throw at you, a compact tool that fits easily into a pocket or backpack and covers multiple tasks saves you time, space, and a whole lot of frustration as you search the car for that elusive knife or hammer.

Of course, when we think of multi-tools, one of the first names that invariably comes to mind is Leatherman. Since the first Leatherman multi-tool hit the market in 1983, the company has continued to innovate, and the Leatherman line now includes more than two dozen multi-tools, each backed by the company’s 25-year limited warranty. Choosing the right camping tool from this selection can be intimidating. So, to help you in your approach, we have put together a list that stands out for use while camping; each brings a different mix of tools, weight, and versatility, all of which are useful not only around the campfire, but for a multitude of DIY and other household chores when the tent is put away for the winter.

Topping the list of pure camping features is the Leatherman Signal multi-tool. While most Leatherman tools handle a range of outdoor tasks, this model has several features that make it a camping must-have. A unique feature you’ll be happy to have on hand is a ferro rod for starting fires; This will be more than useful if your lighter is lost or forgotten. Another notable addition is the included emergency whistle. This is a feature you’ll hope you never have to use, but you’ll be glad it’s there if you ever do.

Of course, it’s much more than just a fire starter and a whistle. In total, the Signal has 19 tools, many of which you’ll be happy to have with you while camping. The 420HC combination blade and saw takes care of everything from cutting rope to trimming small branches. It also includes a small hammer – not the kind you’d tackle a carpentry job with, but certainly useful if those tent stakes start to loosen during a midnight gale. You also receive a bottle opener (essential for beer), an awl, pliers, screwdrivers, a carabiner and even a diamond pencil sharpener. All of this comes in a package that weighs just 7.5 ounces and measures just 4.5 inches long when closed.

As of this writing, the Leatherman Signal Multi-Tool is available on the Leatherman website for $149.95. It may not be the cheapest multi-tool money can buy, but it’s not the most expensive either, and if camping is your thing, the investment might be worth it.

While the Leatherman Signal might be considered designed for camping, it’s also versatile enough to do everything you’d expect from a Leatherman. The next tool on the list is a bit of the opposite of that; The Leatherman ARC is designed for everything, including camping. This is Leatherman’s most advanced multi-tool, and that’s reflected in its steep price of $249.95 on the Leatherman website. However, a sharp knife is one of the most important tools you can take camping, and the ARC takes care of that with its MagnaCut steel blade. MagnaCut is a steel specially developed for knife blades. Released in 2021, this steel offers several advantages over traditional steels. For the purposes of this article, it is enough to note that the MagnaCut blade is both durable and will retain its sharpness with prolonged use – both important things when camping.

In total, the ARC combines 20 tools in one package with a closed length of 4.25 inches and weighing 8.6 ounces. Granted, some of these tools are unlikely to be used while camping; The wire stripper and electric crimper come to mind, but it also includes many tools that could prove invaluable on your camping trip. Among these are a saw blade, two sets of pliers, a pry tool, an impact surface and, of course, a bottle opener. The Leatherman ARC multi-tool can be purchased directly from the Leatherman website and, as already noted, will cost you $249.95 at the time of writing.

If the price of the ARC is more than you want to spend on a multi-tool, then the next tool on the list is more economical. The Skeletool CX is also a great option for campers who want to stick to the essentials; at just five ounces, it’s one of the most compact tools in the Leatherman line, and its streamlined functionality may be important for those who value lightness without sacrificing too much. Of course, every camping tool needs a knife, and the Skeletool’s 61-inch stainless steel blade has that covered.

Despite its lightweight design, it’s more than just a knife; With just nine tools, it covers the basics: pliers, needle-nose pliers, screwdriver, carabiner, bottle opener and wire cutters. It may not have the same range of tools as ARC or Signal, but that’s not the point. This tool is designed to be as portable as possible; it easily clips to a backpack strap or slips into a pocket, and on the trails you’ll barely notice it, but you’ll be glad it’s there when you need it. The price won’t break the bank either. As of this writing, the Leatherman Skeletool CX is available on the Leatherman website for $99.95.

Leatherman describes the Wave Plus as the reliable workhorse of the Wave multi-tool family. Although not specifically marketed as a camping tool, any tool described as a “workhorse” will certainly find uses in the outdoors. Indeed, aside from camping, the Leatherman Wave Plus’s stainless steel construction and collection of 18 tools also make it a multi-tool that would come in handy during backpacking trips. Among the tools included with the Wave Plus are a 420HC knife, saw, pliers, screwdrivers, scissors, can opener, bottle opener, and diamond file. All of this comes in a package that measures four inches long when closed and weighs 8.5 ounces.

The first Wave multi-tool was introduced in 1998 and was an instant success. The fact that the Wave debuted at that year’s Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Show (SHOT) speaks volumes about its pedigree as a tool for the great outdoors. A unique feature for its time – and still relevant today – was that the Wave allowed you to access the knife’s features with one hand, without having to open the tool first. This simple one-handed operation is definitely a feature that can come in handy in many camping scenarios.

The Leatherman Wave Plus Multi-Tool costs $129.95 and is available on the Leatherman website.

Not everyone takes the kitchen sink with them while camping. For some people, the whole point of camping is to travel light and brave the elements with only the bare essentials. In these circumstances, where every ounce counts, a small, lightweight multi-tool that doesn’t compromise too many essential features can make all the difference. Enter the Leatherman Wingman: a lightweight tool (7 ounces) that still manages to squeeze 14 tools into its 3.8-inch closed length.

The Leatherman Wingman is available on the Leatherman website for $49.95. At that price, it’s also a tool that fits your budget and ranks well on our list of multi-tools that compare well to the Swiss Army knife, but cost less. In terms of practicality as a camping tool, it may be missing some features like a ferro rod or impact surface – however, it covers the essential bases. Among its 14 tools are two sets of pliers, a 420HC combo knife, drivers, a can opener, a wood/metal file and the proverbial bottle opener.

If you’re someone who values ​​portability, practicality, and value, then this multi-tool might just be the ideal wingman for your next camping trip. Finally, if you want to save a few dollars or have a Leatherman multi-tool that you no longer use, Leatherman offers a multi-tool trade-in program that you may not know about.