Best Camping Multi-Tools
Updated How we research
Leatherman Wave Plus Multi-Tool, 18 Tools with Lockable Blades, Made in USA, Black with Molle H
The Leatherman Wave Plus multi-tool packs 18 tools with lockable blades and a Molle holster, a US-made all-rounder for camp repairs.
Our score8.8/10Premium
OPINEL No. 08 Stainless Steel Folding Knife, Beechwood Handle + Sheath
OPINEL's stainless steel folding knife with beechwood handle and sheath is a classic simple camp knife for food prep and whittling.
Our score7.4/10Budget
A camping multi-tool is a compact device that folds together pliers, blades, screwdrivers, and other implements for quick repairs and everyday tasks at camp. It helps car campers handle gear fixes, food prep, and small jobs without carrying a full toolbox. When choosing one, think about which tools you actually use, since a bloated model adds weight without value. Look for solid pliers, a sharp locking blade, and the specific extras you need, such as scissors, a can opener, or a bit driver. Stainless steel resists rust, and a one-hand-opening design speeds up use. A belt sheath or pocket clip keeps it within reach whenever a small problem comes up at the site.
The short version
We compared 11 picks. Our scores range from 7.2 to 8.8 out of 10, across $, $$, $$$ price bands.
- Best overall:Leatherman Wave Plus Multi-Tool, 18 Tools with Lockable Blades, Made in USA, Black with Molle H. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.8/10.
- Also great value:Victorinox Huntsman Swiss Army Knife, 15 Functions, Swiss Made Pocket Knife - Red. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Solid build:Victorinox Swiss Army SwissChamp Pocket Knife, 33 Functions. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.3/10.
- Feature-rich:LEATHERMAN Wave Multitool, Stainless Steel with Nylon Sheath. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.0/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.Leatherman Wave Plus Multi-Tool, 18 Tools with Lockable Blades, Made in USA, Black with Molle H8.8/10$$$Check price
- 2.Victorinox Huntsman Swiss Army Knife, 15 Functions, Swiss Made Pocket Knife - Red8.4/10$$Check price
- 3.Victorinox Swiss Army SwissChamp Pocket Knife, 33 Functions8.3/10$$Check price
- 4.Victorinox Camper 13 Function Swiss Army Pocket Knife, Red8.2/10$$Check price
- 5.LEATHERMAN Wave Multitool, Stainless Steel with Nylon Sheath8.0/10$$$Check price
- 6.Gerber Gear Suspension-NXT EDC Multitool 15-in-1 with Pocket Knife, Needle Nose Pliers, Black8.0/10$$Check price
- 7.Gerber Gear Truss 17-in-1 EDC Needle Nose Pliers Multi-Tool with Pocket Knife, Gray with Sheath8.0/10$$Check price
- 8.LEATHERMAN Skeletool CX 7-in-1 Lightweight Minimalist Multi-Tool, Black & Silver7.4/10$$Check price
- 9.OPINEL No. 08 Stainless Steel Folding Knife, Beechwood Handle + Sheath7.4/10$Check price
- 10.Buck 110 Folding Hunter Wooden Pocket Knife, 420HC Clip Point Blade, Made in USA7.4/10$$Check price
- 11.OPINEL No. 08 Outdoor Folding Knife, Stainless Steel Blade (Blue)7.2/10$Check price
#1The Leatherman Wave Plus multi-tool packs 18 tools with lockable blades and a Molle holster, a US-made all-rounder for camp repairs.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + 18 tools cover pliers, blades, drivers and files for most camp fixes
- + Lockable blades fold out one-handed and stay secure while cutting
- + Molle-compatible holster rides on a pack strap or seat organizer
- - Heavy for a pocket, so it usually lives in a sheath or glovebox
- - Premium price compared with basic multi-tools that cover simple chores
#2Victorinox Huntsman Swiss Army Knife offers 15 functions in a Swiss-made red pocket knife, handy for food prep and light camp chores.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 9/10
- + 15 functions include a saw, scissors and can opener for camp use
- + Swiss Made quality with well-finished, sharp blades
- + Slim red handle is easy to find in a gear bin
- - No pliers, so it cannot handle tent pole or wire repairs
- - Small blades are not meant for heavy wood processing
#3The Victorinox SwissChamp packs 33 functions into one pocket knife, a do-everything tool for campers who like having options.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + 33 functions include pliers, magnifier and multiple blades
- + Swiss craftsmanship keeps many tools in a compact body
- + Replaces several separate camp gadgets in one knife
- - Thick body is bulky in a pocket compared with slimmer models
- - Many tools are small, so some are less practical in use
#4The Victorinox Camper 13 Function Swiss Army pocket knife is a slimmer camp knife with a saw and corkscrew for everyday site tasks.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 9/10
- + Wood saw handles small branches and kindling prep
- + 13 function set covers opening cans, bottles and cutting food
- + Light enough to carry in a pocket all day at camp
- - Fewer tools than the Huntsman, including no scissors
- - Non-locking blades need care during harder cutting
#5LEATHERMAN Wave is a stainless steel multitool with nylon sheath, the classic earlier Wave for campers who want proven versatility.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Stainless steel build resists rust from damp campsites
- + Outside-accessible blades open without unfolding the pliers
- + Nylon sheath keeps the tool handy on a belt or pack
- - Older Wave lacks some upgrades found on the Wave Plus
- - Compare the tool selection against the newer Wave Plus before buying
#6Gerber Gear Suspension-NXT is a 15-in-1 EDC multitool with pocket knife and needle nose pliers at a budget-friendly price.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 15-in-1 layout includes pliers, blade and drivers for camp fixes
- + Outboard pocket knife opens without unfolding the whole tool
- + Low price makes it a good spare for a second vehicle
- - Build feels less refined than Leatherman tools
- - Black coating can wear off with frequent use
#7Gerber Gear Truss 17-in-1 EDC multi-tool includes needle nose pliers, a pocket knife and a sheath for campers on a budget.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 17-in-1 set covers pliers, scissors and screwdrivers
- + Sheath is included for belt or pack carry
- + Value price compared with premium multi-tools with similar counts
- - Tools lock less smoothly than higher-end rivals
- - Heavier than minimalist tools for pocket carry
#8LEATHERMAN Skeletool CX is a 7-in-1 lightweight minimalist multi-tool for campers who want essentials without bulk.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + 7-in-1 layout keeps just the pliers, blade and bit driver you use most
- + Skeletonized frame is far lighter than full-size multi-tools
- + Pocket clip lets it ride in trousers without a sheath
- - No saw, scissors or can opener for broader camp tasks
- - Fewer tools than the Wave means more gaps for repairs
#9OPINEL's stainless steel folding knife with beechwood handle and sheath is a classic simple camp knife for food prep and whittling.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Thin stainless blade slices food and rope cleanly
- + Beechwood handle is light and comfortable to grip
- + Included sheath protects the blade in a kitchen bin
- - Wood handle can swell if left wet overnight
- - Single blade, so there are no extra tools for repairs
#10Buck 110 Folding Hunter is a wooden pocket knife with a 420HC clip point blade, a US-made heritage knife for camp chores.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + 420HC steel is easy to sharpen and resists corrosion
- + Lockback design keeps the blade secure during cutting
- + Made in USA with classic wood handle styling
- - Heavy for a folding knife, with brass bolsters adding weight
- - Single blade means no pliers or screwdrivers
#11The OPINEL Outdoor folding knife in blue has a stainless steel blade and bright handle for campers who drop gear in the grass.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Bright blue handle is easy to find on the forest floor
- + Stainless steel blade holds up to wet camp conditions
- + Light and inexpensive for everyday camp cutting
- - No extra tools beyond the blade, so pair it with pliers for repairs
- - Outdoor model has a simpler build than wood-handled Opinel classics
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Heavy for a pocket, so it usually lives in a sheath or glovebox (Leatherman Wave Plus Multi-Tool, 18 Tools...)
- No pliers, so it cannot handle tent pole or wire repairs (Victorinox Huntsman Swiss Army Knife, 15...)
- Thick body is bulky in a pocket compared with slimmer models (Victorinox Swiss Army SwissChamp Pocket...)
- Fewer tools than the Huntsman, including no scissors (Victorinox Camper 13 Function Swiss Army...)
- Older Wave lacks some upgrades found on the Wave Plus (LEATHERMAN Wave Multitool, Stainless Steel...)
- Build feels less refined than Leatherman tools (Gerber Gear Suspension-NXT EDC Multitool...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among camping multi-tools?
Leatherman Wave Plus Multi-Tool, 18 Tools with Lockable Blades, Made in USA, Black with Molle H is our top overall pick. The Leatherman Wave Plus multi-tool packs 18 tools with lockable blades and a Molle holster, a US-made all-rounder for camp repairs. It earns our score of 8.8/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
OPINEL No. 08 Stainless Steel Folding Knife, Beechwood Handle + Sheath is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. OPINEL's stainless steel folding knife with beechwood handle and sheath is a classic simple camp knife for food prep and whittling.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span $ to $$ to $$$ price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Car Camp Picks independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
Popular right now
- Fall Car Camping: How to Plan and What to PackArticle
- Keeping Cool When Camping in Hot WeatherArticle
- Best Portable Camping Sinks for Car CampingBuying guide
- Tailgate tent explainedGlossary
- Safety Tips for Sleeping in Your CarArticle
- Best Camping Cookware SetsBuying guide
Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.