With the rapid spread of modernization, we are moving away from nature at a greater pace. Though some are more content with the new technological lifestyle, many people miss Mother Nature. Therefore, camping is the best possible way to satiate the thirst for being close to nature. But camping isn’t that easy. Having the best camping multi tool in your tactical bug out bag can offer an array of handy advantages.
In fact, you need to put in a lot of effort for a memorable trip. From removing a fish hook to opening your beer can, you need a number of tools at hand. However, carrying that many tools is also not quite sensible. The easiest solution to this problem is a camping multi-tool.
Whenever planning your camping trip, keep this wonderful tool at the top of your list. It will surely save you a lot of extra effort.
Top 8 Best Camping Multi-Tools 2021 – Quick Snapshot!
- RoverTac 12 in 1 Multitool With Safety Lock
- LEATHERMAN Surge Heavy Duty Multi-Tool
- Leatherman Skeletool Multi-tool
- Gerber Center-Drive Multi-Tool
- Stanley 12-in-1 Multi-Tool
- Victorinox Swiss Army Swisstool Spirit X Multi-tool
- LEATHERMAN Rebar Multi-tool
- SOG Multitool with Pliers
What Is a Camping Multi-Tool?
A camping multi-tool contains almost every tool required for a camping trip. From a screwdriver to a pocket knife, or a beer opener, everything should be contained within this multi-tool.
You can find these tools in various sizes, shapes, and qualities. Always go for the best quality, minimum size, least weight, and maximum functions. It will help you resolve all your camping problems without carrying a huge toolbox.
Buyers’ Guide – How to Pick the Best Camping Multi-Tool
Whenever you buy a camping multi-tool, be cautious of fraud. To help you out, here is a quick buying guide for anyone on the lookout for the best camping multi-tool.
• Multiple Functions
As evident by the name, we are looking for a multi-tool. Therefore, it is evident that the tool should have a number of uses. Do not get fooled by a multi-tool having 5-8 functions, as you can easily find ones with up to 20 or more uses.
However, it also partially depends on your requirements. For example, a 7-tool multi-tool might be enough for you if it contains everything you need. On the other hand, a 20-tool multi-tool might be less if it misses any required tools.
• Lightweight
Though there will be a large number of tools combined in one, the weight should remain at a bearable level. This is because buying a heavy multi-tool is of no use. As a result, you should look out for multi-tools that have a maximum of 12oz weight.
• Good Quality
Though the weight should remain at a minimum, there must be no compromise on the quality – every tool should work at its best. The blades should be sharp enough to cut strong wires and other objects. In addition, the material should be sturdy enough to carry out forceful tasks. Also, the construction should be reliable and rust and corrosion-resistant. Furthermore, the wear and tear should also remain at a minimum.
• Easy Access
A multi-tool should be easy to access. Many multi-tools will provide you with one-hand or even only thumb access, which are relatively easy to use. For example, consider yourself holding a tail in place; now, you only have your other hand free. A one-hand access multi-tool would be beneficial in such instances.
• Size and Design
The multi-tool should be small and have a portable and easy-to-use design. On the other hand, a large multi-tool would be challenging to handle and would kill the purpose of buying such a product. After all, what would be the use of a multi-tool if it takes almost the same space as your toolbox? Therefore, you should look for multi-tools that have a minimum size.
• Price
Multi-tools are not highly expensive products. Though they contain several different tools, the price would hardly cross the price of two tools combined. This low price is one of the main reasons people opt for multi-tools.
8 Best Camping Multi-Tools on the Market
Here is a list of the top 8 best camping multi-tools you can find on the market, along with their pros and cons to make your choice easier. So have a look to find the best camping multi-tool for your next outdoor adventure.
1. RoverTac 12 in 1 Multitool With Safety Lock
As indicated by the name, the RoverTac 12 in 1 Multitool contains a total of 12 tools. This combination will fulfill all of your tool-related requirements during the camping trip. Some of the essential tools included are as follows:
- Plier
- Knife
- Saw
- Screwdriver
- Wire-cutter
The tools mentioned above can help you out in any situation you may come across, so you will never need another spare tool for any of your tasks. In other words, RoverTac provides all the essential tools for a smooth camping experience.
The material used for constructing the RoverTac 12 in 1 Multitool is strong and durable. Furthermore, the black oxidation stainless steel protects the material against potential damage. As a result, you won’t experience any rust or corrosion-related problems. The product is also perfect for forceful tasks.
On top of that, the product comes with a strong nylon pouch. You can keep your multi-tool in the pouch and attach the pouch to your belt. Therefore, you will hardly ever feel its presence, as the small size makes it portable and easy to carry along.
RoverTac provides its customers with a lifetime guarantee for this multi-tool. Also, the exchange policy is convenient, and you won’t face any difficulties regarding that. If you manage the product with care and precautions, you won’t ever have any problems. Still, in case of any mishap, RoverTac is there to provide exchange and repair services.
Pros
- The material is strong and durable
- The product comes with a lifetime guarantee
- It comes along with a nylon pouch
- The product is small-sized for easy carrying
- The handles are covered with rubber for easy application
Cons
- The product is a bit heavier as a multi-tool
- The size of the tools is quite large
2. LEATHERMAN Surge Heavy Duty Multi-Tool
Leatherman provides a wide range of useful and amazing multi-tools. This LEATHERMAN Surge Heavy Duty Multitool is surely the best one among all of them. It contains a number of amazing features that you may not be able to find in any other multi-tool, let alone the Leatherman ones.
The best thing about this multi-tool is its variety of functions. You can find a total of 21 functions in this small multi-tool. Some of these that you can access using the LEATHERMAN Surge Heavy Duty Multitool are:
- Blade exchanger
- Replaceable premium wire cutters
- Four outside-opening blades for quick access to any of its 21 premium tools
It also has a comparatively larger size, but not too large to make it harder to handle. The bigger size helps with power handling, as some tasks need a little higher power. A small multi-tool might not be suitable for such tasks, but that is not the case when using the LEATHERMAN Surge Heavy Duty Multitool.
Furthermore, it has an easy-to-use design, so you can open the blades with just one hand. With a little practice, you can handle the multi-tool with great ease and professionalism. Though the size is large enough for powered tasks, it’s still quite portable and allows you to keep it along with you on every trip.
Pros
- It has 21 tools which is one of the greatest numbers available in the market
- The design is easy to use, so you can open the multi-tool with one hand
- It is compatible with high-power tasks
- Available in a portable size
- It contains all the tools required for a smooth camping experience
Cons
- Blades should have been a little sharper
3. Leatherman Skeletool Multi-tool
The Leatherman Skeletool Multi-tool contains only seven tools, which is surely a little less. Most multi-tools provide something like 18 or 19 tools. In fact, some even offer more than 20 tools. The essential tools included are as follows:
- A knife
- Wire-cutters
- A bottle opener/carabiner
- An extra bit is stored in the handle
- A large exchangeable bit driver
- Pliers
If you doubt that you can manage yourself with these few tools, you should consider some other multi-tool. But if you can make do with minimal tools, this product is worth a try. Keeping the smaller number of tools aside, the Leatherman Skeletool Multi-tool also has some positive aspects.
First of all, the entire multi-tool has one-hand access. So you can use open pliers, bit drivers, and every other tool with one hand. In fact, the lockable knives also have one-hand opening access. This makes the experience relatively easy and smooth.
The Leatherman Skeletool Multi-tool weighs only 5 oz, which is exceptionally light. Apart from that, it has a pretty small size. As a result, it perfectly fits into your pocket and also leaves room for other stuff. Furthermore, the fantastic design gives you easy access to the multi-tool.
The company smartly worked on the fundamental tools, excluding all others, though they also excluded some required ones. However, this led to the formation of the most compact, portable, and easy to access multi-tool.
Pros
- It is very lightweight
- The size is small, making it highly portable
- All the tools have one-hand access
- The carabiner can even open a paint can
- The knife is sharp and easy to access
Cons
- The price is too much for just seven tools
- The pliers might hurt your hand when clenching a tight object
4. Gerber Center-Drive Multi-Tool
The Gerber Center-Drive Multi-tool was made after a lot of research. The primary purpose while manufacturing this product was to build a concise tool that fulfilled all the requirements.
It is a 12 piece multi-tool, i.e., it provides you with 12 different options. Though this seems to be lower than many other multi-tools, it contains all the essential options. The company removed all the non-essential ones to make the product concise and easy to handle.
Gerber did full-fledged research among every professional to ensure that they contained every tool that is a must-have for camping. They also asked about possible issues with other tools and provided solutions for them. This made the Gerber Center-Drive Multi-tool one of the best multi-tools available on the market.
The product has a replaceable magnetic head on its screwdriver, which also provides maximum rotation. This screwdriver is one of the best ones among all the multi-tools available on the market. Other than that, the knife is also the longest.
Apart from all these pros, the product also has some cons, such as the ugly pouch and the not-so-sharp knives and scissors.
Pros
- The product is concise and contains no extra tools
- The fewer number of options has decreased the weight of the multi-tool
- Constructed from high-quality material
- Has one-thumb opening sliding jaws
- It is manufactured in the US
Cons
- The pouch isn’t as convenient since it takes both hands to take out the multi-tool
- Though the other tools work great, the blades aren’t sharp enough
- The jaws of the pliers are too wide
5. Stanley 12-in-1 Multi-Tool
This multi-tool comes with 12 different built-in tools. In addition, it is available in two different varieties. One is stainless steel, and the other is a black pouch. Both look elegant and well-designed. Furthermore, both provide protection from potential damage to the material.
This multi-tool contains fewer tools, but it still has the ones you may need for a camping trip. Some of the essential tools included within the mentioned number of 12 are as follows:
- Pliers
- Wirecutter
- Saw
- Screwdriver
- Knife
You can easily manage a smooth camping experience with these tools, so you will hardly ever need any other tool. In short, spending a few dollars on this product will provide you with all the essentials for your trip.
Apart from that, the product has a bit of an inconvenient design, so it’s not very easy to open and close. Also, there is no thumb or even one hand opening technique applicable, making the product a little less preferable.
The most prominent drawback of this product is probably the screwdriver. It contains four different screwdrivers, and almost all of them are entirely useless. This is because most of the screwdrivers have small heads, rendering them impractical for some of the most common tasks. Hence, if you are buying a product, keep a separate screwdriver with yourself.
Pros
- The wire cutter is sharp and allows you to do electric wiring
- The material used is stainless steel
- It comes with a reliable nylon holster
- It is relatively cheaper than most other equivalents
Cons
- The screwdriver head might be too small for many vital tasks
- The file isn’t of high quality, so it will not be able to file hard materials
6. Victorinox Swiss Army Swisstool Spirit X Multi-tool
This model contains the most robust tools available in the Victorinox range. The Victorinox Swiss Army Swisstool Spirit X Multi-tool has many advantages over other multi-tools available in the market. It will be your go-to multi-tool for the next camping trip. From pliers to bottle openers, it contains everything for a smooth camping experience.
The materials used are of top quality, so you will not experience any issues regarding the quality of your multi-tool. In addition, stainless steel prevents rust and other processes that may destroy your multi-tool. As a result, you can use it with no precautions, and it will be a long-running tool. In fact, it comes with a lifetime guarantee, ensuring a long-term commitment.
Furthermore, the Victorinox Swiss Army Swisstool Spirit X Multi-tool provides you with almost every tool you might need for your camping trip. There are a total of 24 different tools available within this small multi-tool so that it will act as a small toolbox for all your needs.
With the Victorinox Swiss Army Swisstool Spirit X Multi-tool in your pocket, you won’t need any other tool at all. It’ll cover all your needs and requirements. Some of the tools available in the Victorinox Swiss Army Swisstool Spirit X Multi-tool are as follows:
- Pliers
- Multipurpose hook
- Can opener
- Crate opener
- Wire bender
Pros
- It has a great number of tools, almost every tool that you will ever need
- The blades of knives, scissors, and saws are very sharp
- Though it has a significant number of tools, the weight is still relatively light
- The product is manufactured in Switzerland
- It is small-sized and easy to carry
Cons
- The handles don’t align
- Users often experience defaults in their purchased products
7. LEATHERMAN Rebar Multi-tool
This LEATHERMAN Rebar Multi-tool contains a total of 17 tools which is quite a lot. However, it gives you access to all the basics and even some rarely used tools. Here are some of the tools included in this set:
- Bottle opener
- Knives
- Can opener
- Pliers
- A file
- A ruler
You will hardly ever need any other tool except for the ones mentioned above. The LEATHERMAN Rebar Multi-tool will take care of all your basic needs regarding tools.
You can lock all the tools in place. This feature allows you to use the multi-tool with precaution and care. This premium quality multi-tool is optimized for strength and power. As a result, the strong pliers and screwdrivers are perfect for opening tight bolts, nuts, and nails. The wire-cutters are also ideal for cutting hard wires. Furthermore, you can carry out all the power-driven tasks with your LEATHERMAN Rebar Multi-tool.
Though it contains a large number of tools of premium quality, the size is still maintained at a manageable range. Moreover, the small size and lightweight make it portable along with all the other amazing features.
LEATHERMAN provides this amazing Raber Multi-tool with outstanding features along with a 25-year warranty. In addition, you can get your multi-tool repaired or even replaced in case of any mishap.
Pros
- You get a total of 17 tools
- The pliers and screwdrivers provide strength for forceful tasks
- The product is manufactured in Portland
- The product comes with a guarantee of 25 years
- It is lightweight and small in size
Cons
- The blades flop around until locked
8. SOG Multitool with Pliers
This SOG Multitool has a total of 18 tools incorporated into one. This number is neither too big nor too little. It includes almost all the necessary tools, excluding the useless ones, to make for an easy-to-carry multi-tool. Some essential tools included are as follows:
- Pliers
- Screwdriver
- Bottle and can openers
- Folding knife blade
The best thing about this multi-tool is that it is a high-quality product and provides maximum power. As a result, it can be your go-to multi-tool for any power-driven task. For example, whenever you need a powerful screwdriver to open a jammed bolt, the SOG multi-tool provides the required strength.
Furthermore, stainless steel provides additional power and protection for the multi-tool. It prevents potential damage to the product and makes it a long-running one. When used with basic precautions, the tool runs for more than what average products do.
On top of that, the pliers are powerful and can turn hard wires, open tight bolts, and do many more things for your smooth experience. The knife included in the multi-tool is also way better than many other expensive alternatives.
The small size and lightweight make it portable and easy to carry. You can bring the SOG multi-tool on all your camping trips to carry out the essential tasks.
With the benefits mentioned above, there is another surprise. The product comes with a replacement and repair warranty. So if your multi-tool is damaged in case of a mishap, the company will repair the product. In fact, they might even consider a replacement.
Pros
- It contains all the tools you may need for camping
- It is very light in weight, so you can carry it easily
- Available in four different styles
Cons
- The can opener doesn’t work well
- The overall quality could have been better
Why Are Multi-Tools Important for Your Camping Trip?
Carrying a multi-tool is a must when going on your camping trip. It will help you with almost every task. The best part is that even though it contains everything you might need, it is also easy to carry and light in weight.
Although some products vary from each other in some aspects, the basic framework remains the same. All these multi-tools help you on your camping journey and do not require much space in your backpack. In fact, you can easily fit it into your pocket.
You never know what the great outdoors has in store for you, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Besides, not only is a multi-tool easy to carry, but it can also help you tackle pretty much any dire situation. As a result, this is the one product you have to add to your camping checklist.
Final Thoughts
Some of the top companies providing different multi-tool models include LEATHERMAN, Stanley, Gerber, SOG, RoverTac, and many more. They have several different multi-tools varying with respect to price range, quality, and the number of functions.
Whenever you buy a multi-tool, always consider your unique requirements. A multi-tool may be perfect for someone else but might not be suitable for you. Though many great multi-tools are available in the market, the LEATHERMAN Surge Heavy Duty Multi-tool has been the best one so far. It contains a large number of tools, and the quality is also robust. Therefore, it provides the users with a premium experience.
Other than that, the LEATHERMAN Skeletool is also preferable over others. It contains several excellent features, such as one-hand access to all the tools and sharp knives.
In our list above, we’ve reviewed some of the best camping multi-tools available in the market. Each comes with its own benefits, so make sure to go through them thoroughly, and you’ll easily find the one that ticks all your boxes.
