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⚡ Quick Answer: The best multi-tools for camping and fishing — why pliers-based tools win, which features matter (locking blades, scissors, one-hand access), and top Leatherman picks.
A multi-tool is the piece of gear you forget you’re carrying until the moment it saves the trip — a stripped tent pole, a hook buried in a fish, a loose reel screw, a stubborn food pouch. One good multi-tool replaces a toolbox you’d never pack. Here’s how to pick one, and the models that have earned permanent pocket space.
What Actually Matters in a Multi-Tool
- Pliers first: for camping and fishing, the pliers are the tool you’ll use most — pulling hooks, bending wire, grabbing hot pot handles. Get a pliers-based tool, not a knife with extras.
- Locking blades: a blade that folds onto your fingers under pressure is how trips end early. Locking implements are non-negotiable.
- One-hand access: outside tools (blade, scissors) you can open without unfolding the pliers are worth paying for.
- Scissors quality: the sleeper feature — bandages, fishing line, moleskin, food packets. Cheap tools have terrible scissors.
- Warranty: the best brands back tools for 25 years. That is not marketing; it is a build-quality signal.
Top Multi-Tools
Leatherman still sets the standard. The Wave+ is the do-everything favorite, the Wingman is the best value entry point, and the Sidekick suits lighter duty:
- A Leatherman for Everyone: For the last 40 years, Leatherman has been empowering millions to conquer the expected & unex…
- Engineered to Withstand: From our Portland, Oregon factory and backed by our 25-year warranty, our multi-tools are built…
- Our Best-Selling All-Rounder: From household fixes & DIY pursuits to gardening and exploring the outdoors, Wave+ helps y…
- ONE OF OUR BEST: A classic, designed and assembled with premium materials; The Wingman is your go-to tool for projects a…
- 14 TOOLS IN 1: Equipped with 14 tools to handle almost anything: knife, pliers, screwdrivers, wire cutters, a wire strip…
- OUR GUARANTEE: We’re proud to stand behind every product that leaves our factory in Portland, Oregon; That’s why we offe…
- Your sidekick: A clean and versatile multitool that fits in your pocket and has all the features you need to get project…
- 14 tools in 1: The Sidekick is equipped with 14 tools, including knives, pliers, screwdrivers, wire cutters, bottle and …
- Our guarantee: We’re proud to stand behind every product that leaves our factory in Portland, Oregon; That’s why we offe…
Which One Fits How You Camp?
- General camping and fishing: the Wave+ — the 18 tools cover essentially every campsite problem.
- First multi-tool or a gift: the Wingman — 80% of the capability at a fraction of the price.
- Ultralight hikers: consider carrying just a small knife and repair tape instead; ounces add up.
- Anglers: prioritize needlenose pliers and built-in wire cutters for hooks and leader.
Care and Carry Tips
- Rinse and dry after wet trips, then a drop of oil on the pivots — grit is what kills the action.
- Keep it on your belt or pack hip pocket, not buried in the bottom of the pack.
- Remember it is in your pocket before airport security. (Everyone donates one to TSA eventually.)
- Touch up the blade with a pocket sharpener a few times a season.
Pair a good multi-tool with the rest of your repair-and-fix kit — see our gear care guide if you have one, or start with our camping gear picks and day-hike checklist to round out the essentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a multi-tool?
Consider the tools you will actually use, most often pliers, a knife, scissors, screwdrivers, and a bottle opener, plus solid build quality, one-hand access, and a comfortable size and weight. A locking blade adds safety. Choose a tool matched to your typical tasks rather than the one with the most gadgets.
Are multi-tools worth carrying?
For campers, anglers, and anyone who tinkers, a multi-tool earns its place by handling gear repairs, food prep, and small fixes without a full toolbox. The pliers and knife alone solve countless trailside and campsite problems, making a compact multi-tool one of the handiest things in a pack.
What is the difference between a multi-tool and a pocket knife?
A pocket knife focuses on a blade or two for cutting, while a multi-tool folds many implements, especially pliers, into one body for versatility. If you mainly cut, a knife is lighter and simpler; if you need to grip, cut, screw, and fix, a multi-tool does far more in one package.
Written by Jake Miller · Camping & Gear
Jake grew up pitching tents before he could drive and has spent 15+ years camping, car-camping, and gear-testing his way across the country. If it can be cooked over a fire or packed into a trunk, he has an opinion on it.
