What is the best multi-tool in 2026?

The Leatherman Wave+ is the best general-purpose multi-tool in 2026 — 18 tools including one-hand-opening blades, pliers, wire cutter, saw, and scissors. The 25-year warranty and decades of professional user base make it the default recommendation. The Leatherman Skeletool is better for users who want a lighter, slimmer carry at 5 oz — fewer tools but the most important ones (pliers, knife, bit driver). The Victorinox Swiss Army Fieldmaster is the best option when plier quality is less important than knife and tool variety, and at a price point accessible to most buyers.

Is Leatherman or Victorinox better?

Leatherman for plier-centric use: construction, field repair, wire work, and any task requiring a proper plier jaw. Victorinox for knife quality and tool variety at lower weight and cost. The fundamental design difference is that Leatherman centers the plier as the primary tool with everything else folding around it; Victorinox uses a slip-joint knife as the primary tool with scissors, saw, and implements as secondary. For outdoor and field use where plier capability matters, Leatherman is the choice. For hiking, travel, and everyday tasks, either works — price and tool set preference drive the decision.

What tools does the Leatherman Wave+ have?

The Leatherman Wave+ has 18 tools: needlenose pliers, regular pliers, premium replaceable wire cutters, premium replaceable hard-wire cutters, 420HC knife, 420HC serrated knife, saw, spring-action scissors, diamond-coated file, wood/metal file, package opener, ruler, can opener, bottle opener, wire stripper, lanyard attachment, screwdrivers (small, medium, large), Phillips screwdriver, and a bit driver. The two knives and saw are accessible from the outside of the handle without opening the pliers — a significant practical advantage for field use.

Are multi-tools worth carrying?

Yes, for outdoor use, field work, and travel — with one caveat. A multi-tool is not a substitute for dedicated tools when you need maximum performance. The pliers on a Leatherman are better than no pliers but worse than a proper pair of pliers. The knife is quality but not a substitute for a dedicated fixed blade. The value of a multi-tool is having 10–18 functional tools in a 9 oz package — you'll reach for them constantly in camp, on the water, in a vehicle, and in the backcountry. For anyone who spends meaningful time outdoors, it's one of the highest value-to-weight-and-cost items available.

Best Multi-Tool 2026: Leatherman Wave vs Skeletool vs Victorinox Ranked

Last updated: 2026-06-16

Multi-tools earn their keep through repetition: the zip tie that needs cutting, the screw on a binding that works loose, the fish hook that needs reshaping, the splinter that needs pliers. A quality multi-tool is used constantly because it's always available — the threshold for reaching for a full toolkit rises significantly when the toolkit is somewhere else.

Here's what separates the three tools worth buying from the rest of the market.

The Core Multi-Tool Decision

Every multi-tool is a trade-off between plier quality, blade access, size/weight, and tool variety. The category leaders have each found a distinct position:

Leatherman Wave+: Maximum capability in a full-size frame. The best pliers and wire cutters in the category, two outside-accessible blades, 18 total tools, 25-year warranty. At 8.5 oz with the clip, it's heavier than the competition — the price of capability.

Leatherman Skeletool: Minimum weight for maximum essentials. 5 oz, pliers, knife, carabiner clip, and a bit driver that accepts standard Torx/Phillips/flathead bits. No scissors, no saw, no file. The right tool for users who want plier capability without carrying a full multi-tool.

Victorinox Swiss Army Fieldmaster: The Swiss Army knife with the best everyday utility balance. 3.9 oz, no pliers, but a high-quality blade, scissors, saw, wood chisel, and several implements. Better value per dollar than Leatherman; weaker for plier-dependent tasks.

What Matters in a Multi-Tool (and What Doesn't)

Plier quality: This is the primary differentiator. Leatherman's needlenose pliers have more precise jaw alignment and better leverage geometry than the competition at the same price point. This matters for any fine-wire work, hook removal, or mechanical repair. Knockoff multi-tools consistently underperform at plier tasks because the jaw tolerances are wider.

Wire cutter quality: Replaceable wire cutters (available on Wave+, Charge TTi, and others) matter if you do any significant electrical or fence work. Standard wire cutters on budget multi-tools dull quickly and eventually fail to cut clean.

Outside blade access: The ability to open the knife blade without first opening the plier handles is a significant quality-of-life feature. The Wave+ has two outside-accessible blades — one straight, one serrated. The Skeletool has one. Budget multi-tools often require opening the entire frame to access any blade.

Tool set variety: Manufacturers list impressive tool counts. The practical ones: pliers, knife, saw, scissors, screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead), wire cutter, and bottle opener. Everything beyond that adds marginal value. A toothpick and a magnifying glass are technically tools; they're not why you buy a multi-tool.

What We Recommend

Leatherman Wave+ — The best general-purpose multi-tool. 18 tools, two outside-accessible blades, replaceable wire cutters, 25-year warranty. The professional default and the highest-capability tool in the category. Best for: Outdoor, field use, vehicle kit, anyone who wants maximum tool capability in one unit. ~$110

Leatherman Skeletool — Best for users who want lightweight daily carry with plier capability. 5 oz, carabiner clip for belt carry, bit driver accepts standard bits. The right choice when you want the most important features without carrying the full Wave+. Best for: Minimalist EDC, outdoor users who prioritize carry weight, complement to a fixed-blade knife. ~$75

Victorinox Swiss Army Fieldmaster — Best value and best for knife-centric use. 3.9 oz, high-quality Victorinox blade, scissors, saw, without pliers. The right choice when everyday utility tasks — cutting, opening, file work — matter more than plier capability, or when price is the primary consideration. Best for: Everyday carry, hiking and travel, budget-conscious buyers who want quality tools at an accessible price. ~$45

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Multi-Tool as Part of a Survival Kit

A multi-tool earns its place in both an everyday carry setup and a survival kit. For the full kit framework — where a multi-tool fits alongside a knife, water filter, and fire kit — see our best survival gear 2026 guide. For a complete EDC breakdown, see our bug out bag checklist.

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