6 Best Pliers For Summer Camping That Solve Annoying Gear Failures

The sun is setting, the air is cooling, and your camp stove sputters and dies just as the water was about to boil. A tiny, loose jet is the culprit, but it’s too hot and too small to tighten by hand, and dinner is now on hold. This is the moment a simple pair of pliers becomes the most valuable piece of gear in your entire pack.

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Fixing Gear Failures: Why Pliers Are Essential

A multi-tool with a good set of pliers is your pocket-sized insurance policy against a trip-ruining gear failure. When you’re miles from the trailhead, you are your own repair person. Pliers are essential for gripping, bending, and twisting parts that your fingers just can’t manage, from a bent tent pole ferrule in a surprise windstorm to a stubborn fuel canister that won’t seat properly on your stove.

More than just a gripping tool, the modern camping multi-tool is a compact toolbox. It combines pliers with knives, screwdrivers, saws, and files, consolidating solutions for dozens of potential problems into a single, packable unit. This isn’t about being a survivalist; it’s about being self-sufficient and having the confidence to solve common issues so you can get back to enjoying your trip.

Even for car campers with a full toolkit in the trunk, a multi-tool offers immediate convenience. Instead of digging through a heavy box for one specific tool, the fix is right on your belt or in your pocket. For a backpacker, that efficiency isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity, saving critical weight and space while providing peace of mind.

Leatherman Wave+: The All-Around Camp Workhorse

If you could only have one multi-tool for general outdoor use, the Leatherman Wave+ would be it. It’s the quintessential workhorse, built around a pair of strong, reliable pliers that can handle everything from heavy-duty wire cutting to delicate adjustments. Its genius lies in placing the four most-used tools—two knife blades, a saw, and a file—on the outside, allowing for quick, one-handed deployment without opening the entire tool.

This is the ideal companion for the car camper, overlander, or week-long canoe tripper who needs a comprehensive solution for a wide range of tasks. It can saw a branch for a pot-hanger, file down a sharp edge on a broken camp chair, and drive almost any screw with its interchangeable bit driver. The Wave+ is built for people who value capability and want to be prepared for nearly any mechanical mishap at basecamp.

The primary tradeoff, of course, is weight. At 8.5 ounces (241g), it’s a noticeable addition to a backpacker’s load. The key decision is whether its incredible versatility is worth the weight penalty on your back. For short trips or when you’re not counting every gram, the answer is almost always yes.

Gerber Suspension-NXT: A Reliable, Budget Tool

When you need solid performance without the premium price tag, the Gerber Suspension-NXT delivers. Its standout feature is the spring-loaded pliers, which open automatically after you squeeze. This small detail makes one-handed tasks significantly easier, whether you’re holding a guyline taut or trying to fix a fishing reel.

This tool hits the sweet spot for the weekend warrior, the scout troop leader, or anyone building their first comprehensive gear kit. It provides a useful array of locking outboard tools in a slim profile that carries easily with its deep pocket clip. It has everything you need for the most common camp repairs without the bells and whistles that drive up cost and weight.

To meet its accessible price point, there are compromises. The steel used for the blades and tools may not hold an edge as long as more expensive models, and the overall feel is less refined. However, for occasional use and common camp tasks, the Suspension-NXT provides incredible value and reliable function where it counts.

Leatherman Skeletool CX for the Minimalist Hiker

Imagine you’re ten miles into a three-day hike and the locking mechanism on your trekking pole fails. The Skeletool CX is made for this exact moment. It strips the multi-tool concept down to its bare essentials: quality pliers, a great 154CM steel knife blade, a bit driver, and a carabiner/bottle opener clip.

This is the go-to tool for the ounce-counting backpacker, thru-hiker, or fast-and-light adventurer. Weighing a mere 5 ounces (142g), it provides solutions to the most probable gear failures without burdening your pack with functions you’ll likely never need in the backcountry. It’s about carrying just enough to fix what’s most likely to break.

The minimalist design means you’re intentionally leaving other tools behind. There’s no saw, no file, and no scissors. You are making a calculated choice to sacrifice versatility for significant weight savings. If your outdoor philosophy is to carry less and solve problems creatively, the Skeletool CX is your perfect partner.

Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X: Precision and Polish

Where other multi-tools feel like they came from a hardware store, the SwissTool Spirit X feels like it was born in a watchmaker’s shop. Every tool opens with silky smoothness, locks with a reassuring click, and is polished to a mirror finish. The ergonomic, curved handles make using the pliers exceptionally comfortable, even when applying significant force.

This tool is for the outdoor user who appreciates superior craftsmanship and needs to perform tasks requiring finesse. Its needle-nose pliers are perfect for delicate work, like repairing a pair of glasses, adjusting the intricate parts of a camp lantern, or working on small electronics. It’s a complete toolbox where every single implement is designed to perform its job flawlessly.

The SwissTool is not a brute-force tool; its pliers are more precise than burly. It also carries a premium price tag that reflects its Swiss manufacturing and impeccable quality. It’s a choice for those who prioritize refined engineering and a superior user experience over raw, rugged power.

SOG PowerPint: A Pocket-Sized Problem Solver

The SOG PowerPint punches well above its weight class. Thanks to SOG’s Compound Leverage technology, the small pliers deliver a surprising amount of gripping power, easily doubling what you could apply with a tool of a similar size. It packs 18 tools into a tiny, 4.2-ounce package that disappears in your pocket.

This is the perfect tool for someone who finds keychain tools too flimsy and full-sized multi-tools too bulky. It’s an excellent choice for a day-hike pack, a fishing vest, or a bike repair kit. It provides a truly useful set of pliers and drivers in a format so compact and lightweight there’s no reason to leave it behind.

The compact size is both its greatest strength and its main limitation. While the pliers are strong, the individual tools are small, which can make them awkward for larger jobs. The PowerPint is a master of convenient, quick fixes, but it isn’t designed to replace a full-sized tool for major repair projects.

Gerber Dime: The Keychain Fix-It for Emergencies

The Gerber Dime is built on a simple premise: the best tool is the one you have with you. This tiny, keychain-sized device isn’t meant to handle major repairs, but it excels at solving the small, annoying problems that can pop up anywhere. Its spring-loaded pliers are perfect for pulling a splinter, bending a zipper pull back into shape, or holding a tiny nut.

This is the tool for everyone, from the ultralight thru-hiker who carries nothing extra to the day-tripper who just wants a backup. Its most unique feature is a blade specifically designed to safely open frustrating plastic clamshell packaging. The Dime is your first line of defense for minor issues before they become major frustrations.

You must have realistic expectations for a tool this small. You won’t be tightening major bolts or sawing branches with it. Its value is its near-zero carry cost and its ability to be there for you when you thought you didn’t need a tool at all.

Choosing Your Camp Pliers: Key Features to Consider

The most important decision you’ll make boils down to a classic outdoor tradeoff: weight versus functionality. The right tool for a month-long expedition is the wrong tool for a 15-mile day hike. Your choice should be dictated by your activity.

• Car Camping/Basecamp: Weight is not a primary concern. Opt for a feature-rich, robust tool like the Leatherman Wave+ or Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X for maximum problem-solving capability.
• Weekend Backpacking: Seek a balance of useful features and manageable weight. The Gerber Suspension-NXT, SOG PowerPint, or Leatherman Skeletool CX are excellent mid-range options.
• Thru-Hiking/Ultralight: Every gram is scrutinized. A minimalist tool like the Skeletool CX or a keychain option like the Gerber Dime is often all you need.

Beyond the weight, consider specific features that enhance usability. Outside-accessible blades save you time and hassle. Spring-loaded pliers reduce hand fatigue during repetitive tasks. Finally, look at the tool materials—better steel means a knife that stays sharp longer and components that better resist rust after a rainy trip.

Ultimately, there is no single "best" multi-tool, only the one that’s best for your adventure. Think honestly about the types of problems you’re likely to encounter and the weight you’re willing to carry. The goal is to choose a tool that gives you confidence without weighing you down.

A multi-tool won’t make you a master mechanic, but it will empower you to solve the most common gear failures that can derail a great day outside. Choose the one that fits your needs, toss it in your pack, and then stop worrying about it. The real adventure is out there, not in your gear closet.