6 Best Backpacking Multitools For The Trail

Your trekking pole clamp loosens on a steep, dusty descent, threatening to send you tumbling. A stubborn fuel canister refuses to thread onto your stove as daylight fades and the temperature drops. These aren’t dramatic survival scenarios, but they are the small, frustrating problems that can derail a great day on the trail.

09/12/2026 06:02 am GMT

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Key Multitool Features for Backpacking Trips

When you’re miles from the trailhead, the most important tools are the ones that solve the most common problems. For most backpackers, this boils down to three core functions: a reliable knife blade, a sturdy pair of pliers, and a functional screwdriver. A good blade handles everything from slicing cheese to cutting cordage for a tent repair, while pliers are invaluable for bending a bent tent stake back into shape or gripping a hot pot.

Screwdrivers, often in the form of interchangeable bits, are the unsung heroes of gear maintenance. They tighten loose screws on everything from trekking poles and snowshoe bindings to stove pumps and sunglasses. Don’t get mesmerized by a tool with 25 functions you’ll never use; that just adds dead weight to your pack. Focus on these core three, and you’ll be prepared for 90% of trailside fixes.

Beyond the basics, a few other features add significant value without much extra weight. A good pair of scissors is arguably the most useful addition, perfect for precise tasks like trimming moleskin for a blister or cutting medical tape. An awl is excellent for punching new holes in a leather belt or a nylon pack strap for a field repair. While less critical in the age of pouch meals, a can opener can still be a trip-saver if your food plan includes it.

The real art is balancing capability against weight. A full-sized, heavy-duty multitool is overkill for a weekend hike, but a tiny keychain knife won’t be enough to fix a critical stove failure on a week-long expedition. The right tool isn’t the one with the most features; it’s the one with the right features for your trip.

Leatherman Skeletool CX: The Ultralight Standard

Imagine you’re counting every gram for a fast-and-light trip, but you refuse to sacrifice the problem-solving power of real pliers and a proper screwdriver. This is the exact scenario the Leatherman Skeletool CX was designed for. It strips away all the non-essential tools, leaving a lean, 5-ounce chassis built around the most critical functions.

Its genius lies in its simplicity and quality. You get strong needle-nose and regular pliers, wire cutters, a universal bit driver, and a carabiner clip that doubles as a bottle opener. The star of the show is the premium 154CM steel blade, which holds a sharp edge far longer than standard steels, meaning less hassle for you on the trail. It’s a minimalist design, but it delivers maximum utility where it counts.

The Skeletool CX represents a deliberate trade-off. By eliminating tools like scissors, a file, or a saw, it achieves an incredible strength-to-weight ratio. This is the perfect choice for the experienced backpacker who knows exactly what they need and, more importantly, what they don’t. It provides robust repair capability without weighing you down.

Victorinox Classic SD for Minimalist First Aid

For the true ultralight purist, even five ounces can seem excessive. Enter the Victorinox Classic SD, a multitool so small and light (0.7 ounces) that it’s more of a keychain accessory than a traditional tool. But don’t let its size fool you; its utility for personal care and first aid is unmatched.

This tiny tool’s power lies in its precision. The small, sharp scissors are perfect for trimming fingernails, cutting bandages to size, or snipping a loose thread from your puffy jacket. The tweezers are a backcountry essential, ready to pull out a painful splinter or, critically, remove a tick safely and effectively. The small blade and nail file (with a tiny screwdriver tip) round out its capabilities.

It’s crucial to understand the Classic SD’s role. You aren’t going to be performing major gear surgery with it. It has no pliers and its blade is tiny. Think of it as a dedicated first-aid and grooming tool that complements a separate, lightweight primary knife. For the minimalist thru-hiker, this combination is often the perfect ultralight solution.

Leatherman Signal: Built for Survival Scenarios

When your route takes you deep into remote territory where self-sufficiency isn’t just a goal but a necessity, the Leatherman Signal becomes a compelling option. This tool is designed not just for convenience, but for contingency. It takes a standard, capable multitool foundation and adds a layer of dedicated survival features.

Beyond the excellent pliers, blade, and drivers, the Signal includes tools you hope you never need. A built-in ferrocerium rod allows you to create sparks for fire-starting even when wet, and an emergency whistle is integrated into the design. It even includes a diamond-coated sharpener, allowing you to maintain your blade’s edge during a long expedition without carrying a separate stone.

This preparedness comes at a cost: weight. At 7.5 ounces, the Signal is a significant piece of gear. Many of its emergency features are also redundant if you already carry a dedicated fire kit and whistle as part of your standard 10 Essentials. This tool is for the backpacker venturing into rugged, isolated terrain who values the redundancy and integration of an all-in-one emergency system.

Gerber Armbar Drive for Simple Camp & Gear Fixes

Sometimes the most common trail problem isn’t a bent stake, but a loose screw. From a wobbly camp chair armrest to a trekking pole flick-lock that needs tightening, screws are everywhere. The Gerber Armbar Drive is built specifically to solve these common, simple frustrations with an elegant, pocket-friendly design.

Its standout feature is a 2.5-inch-long center-axis driver that gives you the reach and torque of a real screwdriver, something stubby multitool drivers can’t match. It comes with a two-sided bit (Phillips and flathead) to handle most common fasteners. This is paired with a plain-edge blade, sharp scissors, and an awl, covering the basics for camp life and light repairs.

The major omission here is a pair of pliers. This makes the Armbar Drive a poor choice for trips where you anticipate needing to bend or grip things with force. It’s the ideal tool for weekend warriors, car campers, and day hikers whose gear repairs are more likely to involve tightening a screw than fixing a mechanical failure.

Gerber Suspension-NXT: A Capable Budget Option

If you want a full-featured, pliers-based multitool without the premium price tag, the Gerber Suspension-NXT is a tough, reliable workhorse. It’s the spiritual successor to one of the most popular multitools ever made, updated with a slimmer profile that carries better in a pocket or pack. This is a fantastic option for a beginner backpacker or anyone who is notoriously hard on their gear.

The butterfly-style opening reveals spring-loaded pliers that are comfortable and easy to use. It packs in 15 different tools, all of which lock for safety. You get everything from wire cutters and multiple screwdrivers to a file and a pry tool. It’s a toolbox that fits in your hand, ready to tackle nearly any repair you might encounter.

The trade-offs for its accessible price are weight and materials. At 6.7 ounces, it’s on the heavier side, and the blade steel is a basic stainless that will require more frequent sharpening than premium options. However, for the backpacker who prioritizes function-per-dollar over shaving every last gram, the Suspension-NXT delivers incredible capability.

Leatherman Style PS: The TSA-Compliant Traveler

Flying to a national park or a trailhead on the other side of the country presents a unique gear challenge: you can’t bring a knife in your carry-on bag. The Leatherman Style PS is the brilliant solution to this problem. It’s a "bladelcss" multitool, meaning it’s fully TSA-compliant and can travel with you in the cabin.

Despite its tiny size and lack of a knife, the Style PS is surprisingly useful. It features excellent spring-action pliers, scissors, tweezers, a nail file, and a small screwdriver. This toolset is perfect for last-minute gear tweaks in the airport, fixing your luggage, or serving as your primary repair tool once you buy a simple knife at your destination.

This tool is not meant to be a standalone backcountry powerhouse. Its purpose is to ensure you have a functional set of pliers and scissors the moment you step off the plane. It’s the perfect multitool for the adventure traveler, serving as an essential part of a two-piece system: the Style PS in your carry-on and a more substantial knife in your checked bag or purchased upon arrival.

Comparing Specs: Which Multitool Fits Your Pack?

Choosing the right multitool is about honestly assessing your needs. Don’t just buy the one with the most tools or the lowest weight. Instead, think about the last three problems you had on the trail that a tool could have solved. Was it a loose screw, a splinter, or a broken buckle that needed to be gripped and bent? Your personal experience is the best guide.

Use this simple breakdown to match a tool to your hiking style:

• For the Ultralight Thru-hiker: The Leatherman Skeletool CX offers the best balance of core function (pliers, driver, premium blade) and low weight.
• For the Minimalist & First-Aid Focused: The Victorinox Classic SD provides essential scissors and tweezers for almost no weight penalty.
• For the Remote Expeditionist: The Leatherman Signal integrates survival tools for peace of mind when help is far away.
• For the Weekend & Camp Fixer: The Gerber Armbar Drive excels at simple repairs with its excellent screwdriver.
• For the Budget-Conscious Adventurer: The Gerber Suspension-NXT gives you a full suite of tools without breaking the bank.
• For the Globetrotting Hiker: The Leatherman Style PS is the TSA-compliant tool that ensures you’re never without pliers and scissors.

Ultimately, the tool you choose should reflect the reality of your adventures. A day hiker has very different needs than someone spending a month on the Continental Divide. Be realistic, choose wisely, and then put that tool in your pack and forget about it until you need it.

Remember, the goal isn’t to accumulate the perfect set of gear; it’s to have experiences in the wild. A multitool is just a small, helpful partner that keeps minor annoyances from becoming major problems. So pick the one that makes sense for you, and get back to what really matters: the trail ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a backpacking multitool?

A backpacking multitool is a compact, folding handheld implement that combines several backcountry utility tools into one lightweight frame. Most models include pliers or scissors, a locking knife blade, screwdrivers, and a can opener. Unlike standard heavy utility tools built for trade work, these trail-oriented versions prioritize pack weight, typically weighing under five ounces. Popular examples include the Leatherman Skeletool and Victorinox Swiss Army Knife, which help hikers adjust stove parts, cut gear tape, and manage basic campsite repairs.

What features are essential on a backpacking multitool for long hikes?

Essential features on a backpacking multitool for long hikes include a sharp cutting blade, small scissors, pliers, and a flathead screwdriver or scraper. Pliers help remove cactus spines, handle hot cookware, and bend bent zipper sliders back into alignment. Scissors work better than knives for trimming moleskin blister patches and leukotape precisely. Tweezers and a bottle opener are helpful secondary additions, while heavy implements like wood saws or metal files are rarely needed on well-maintained trails and only add unnecessary pack weight.

How do I clean and maintain a backpacking multitool after a wet trip?

To clean a backpacking multitool, rinse the tool thoroughly in warm soapy water, scrub joint crevices with a small toothbrush, and dry it completely. Use compressed air or a soft microfiber towel to remove moisture hiding inside the pivot points and handle slots. Once fully dry, apply two drops of light mineral oil or synthetic lubricant like 3-In-One to each folding hinge. Work the implements back and forth to distribute the lubricant, then wipe off any excess oil to prevent trail dust and dirt from collecting.

How do you use a backpacking multitool to repair a broken tent pole?

Repairing a broken tent pole with a backpacking multitool involves straightening jagged aluminum ends with the pliers and securing an emergency repair sleeve over the crack. First, use the plier jaws to crimp out sharp dents or smooth down burrs that prevent the pole sleeve from sliding into place. Slide your aluminum pole splint directly over the center of the fracture. Finally, wrap heavy-duty duct tape or gear repair tape tightly around both ends of the splint to hold the sleeve firmly against the pole until you finish your trek.

Which is better for hikers, a full-sized multitool or a keychain backpacking multitool?

Keychain backpacking multitools are generally better for typical three-season hikers because they offer necessary utility while shaving significant pack weight. Keychain models like the Leatherman Micra or Victorinox Classic SD weigh between one and two ounces, providing small scissors and blades sufficient for cutting food packaging and medical tape. Full-sized multitools weigh six to nine ounces and feature heavy pliers and wire cutters. Choose a full-sized tool only for remote off-trail expeditions, winter trips with complex binding gear, or bikepacking adventures requiring substantial mechanical leverage.

How much should a backpacking multitool weigh for an ultralight kit?

An ultralight backpacking multitool should ideally weigh between 0.7 and 2.5 ounces to keep base pack weight as low as possible. Minimalist thru-hikers often select micro tools like the Gerber Dime at 2.2 ounces or the Victorinox Classic SD at 0.74 ounces. Carrying a standard multi-tool that weighs over five ounces quickly offsets the weight savings of costly ultralight tents and packs. Evaluate your specific shelter and stove setups before buying; if your gear has no screws or nuts, a sub-one-ounce tool is plenty.

What is the most common mistake hikers make when choosing a backpacking multitool?

Buying a heavy, feature-packed backpacking multitool with implements they will never realistically use on the trail is the most common mistake hikers make. Backpackers often carry heavy 10-ounce models equipped with wire strippers, serrated saws, and multiple rulers when all they require are scissors, tweezers, and a small blade. These redundant implements add needless base weight to your backpack. Before purchasing, audit your packing list and select a model with only the specific implements needed to maintain your footwear, camp stove, trekking poles, and shelter.

Can you bring a backpacking multitool with a knife blade on an airplane?

Transportation Security Administration regulations prohibit carrying any backpacking multitool with a knife blade inside commercial aircraft cabin baggage. You must pack any multitool containing a blade or sharp scissors with blades longer than four inches into your checked luggage. If you travel carry-on only to your trailhead destination, consider a bladeless multitool option like the Leatherman Style PS. Otherwise, buy a cheap disposable razor or utility blade upon arrival at your gateway town, or check your backpack at the airline ticket counter.