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You can pack the best gear in the world, but things can still go wrong at a campsite. A buckle can snap, a zip can get stuck, or a pole can need a bit of persuasion. On my first few trips, I used to lug a small toolbox with me. It was heavy, and I only ever used half of what was in it.
Then I discovered the joy of a good multi-tool. A quality multi-tool is a camper's best friend. It is a miniature toolbox that fits in your pocket, ready to handle any small repair or task that comes your way. But there are hundreds of them out there, from tiny keychain gadgets to heavy duty monsters. Here is my guide to the ones that have earned a permanent place in my camping kit.
My Top Recommendations in Brief
- ✔ Best Overall: Leatherman Wave+
- ✔ Best for Keychain: Gerber Dime Multi-Tool
- ✔ Best Classic Knife: Victorinox Huntsman
Quick Comparison Table
| Product | No. of Tools | Weight | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leatherman Wave+ | 18 | 241g | Serious Repairs |
| Gerber Dime | 12 | 62g | Keychain Carry |
| Victorinox Huntsman | 15 | 97g | Classic Camp Craft |
| Woggle Camping Tool | 10 | 396g | Tent Pegs |
| The Humble Spork | 2 | ~12g | Eating |
Detailed Reviews
1. Leatherman Wave+
Best Overall
Key Specs:
- Best For: Serious repairs
- Tools: 18
- Weight: 241g
- Key Feature: One-handed opening
This is the undisputed king of multi-tools, and my personal favourite. It is a serious piece of equipment. You get 18 tools, including fantastic pliers, replaceable wire cutters, two knives, a saw, scissors, and a full bit driver. The build quality is exceptional and it feels like it could handle any repair job. My favourite feature is that the four main tools can be opened with one hand without unfolding the whole thing. It is expensive, but it is a true 'buy it for life' tool that will not let you down.
Pros & Cons
- Exceptional build quality
- Huge range of genuinely useful tools
- One-handed opening is brilliant
- Very expensive
- Quite heavy for a pocket tool
- Locking blade is illegal for everyday UK carry (see FAQ)
My Verdict
If your budget can stretch, this is the best multi-tool you can buy. It is a miniature toolbox of the highest quality that will handle almost any campsite repair with ease.
2. Gerber Dime Multi-Tool
Best for Keychain
Key Specs:
- Best For: Keychain carry
- Tools: 12
- Weight: 62g
- Key Feature: Tiny size, spring-loaded pliers
The Gerber Dime proves that the most useful tool is the one you have with you. It is tiny, weighs next to nothing, and is designed to live on your keyring. Despite its size, it packs in 12 tools, including a surprisingly good set of spring-loaded pliers, scissors, and a clever blade specifically for opening tough plastic packaging. It is not for heavy duty jobs, but for all those little tasks like tightening a loose screw or cutting a bit of cord, it is absolutely brilliant. For the price, it is unbeatable value.
Pros & Cons
- Incredibly lightweight and compact
- Excellent value for money
- Spring-loaded pliers are very useful
- Blade is non-locking and under 3 inches (UK carry legal)
- The small tools are not designed for heavy-duty tasks
My Verdict
An amazing little gadget for a very low price. It is the perfect 'always have it with you' tool for small jobs, and a great backup to a larger multi-tool.
3. Victorinox Huntsman
Best Classic Knife
Key Specs:
- Best For: Classic camp craft
- Tools: 15
- Weight: 97g
- Key Feature: Non-locking (UK carry legal)
There is a reason the Swiss Army Knife is an icon. The Huntsman model is what I consider the perfect balance of tools for a traditional camper. You get two razor sharp blades, a surprisingly effective wood saw, scissors, and of course, the essential bottle opener and corkscrew. It is not for heavy duty repairs, but for whittling, food prep, and general camp craft, it is a joy to use. The build quality is legendary, and it is a reliable, pocket-friendly companion for any trip.
Pros & Cons
- Timeless design and superb Swiss quality
- Lightweight and pocket-friendly
- The wood saw is brilliant
- Non-locking blade is UK legal for everyday carry
- It does not have pliers, which can be essential for some repairs
My Verdict
An absolute classic for a reason. If your camping tasks are more about craft and cooking than heavy repairs, the Huntsman is a beautiful and very capable tool to own.
4. Woggle Camping Multi-Tool
Best for Tent Pegs
Key Specs:
- Best For: Campsite setup
- Tools: 10
- Weight: 396g
- Key Feature: Hammer & peg puller
This is a tool designed specifically for the jobs you do most when you arrive at a campsite. It is a chunky, heavy-duty bit of kit that combines a hammer for knocking in tent pegs and a very effective peg puller hook for getting them out again. It also includes a small axe, saw, knife, and basic pliers. It is too heavy for your pocket, but as a dedicated tool to keep in your pitching bag, it is surprisingly useful, combining the job of a mallet and a peg puller into one.
Pros & Cons
- Combines a hammer and peg puller
- Very robust
- Great value for money
- Very heavy and bulky
- The quality of the individual tools is not as high as premium brands
My Verdict
A very handy and affordable tool to keep with your tent. It is not a precision instrument, but it is a tough workhorse that makes setting up and packing down a little bit easier.
5. The Humble Spork
Best for Eating
Key Specs:
- Best For: Eating
- Tools: 2 (or 3!)
- Weight: ~12g
- Key Feature: Ultralight simplicity
Sometimes the best multi-tool is the simplest. The spork, which combines a spoon and a fork, is a classic of minimalist design. I never go on a trip without one. It saves space, saves weight, and is one less piece of cutlery to wash up. A good quality one made from hard-anodised aluminium or titanium will last a lifetime, weigh almost nothing, and often comes with a mini carabiner to clip it to your pack so you never lose it. It is simple, but it is perfect.
Pros & Cons
- Extremely lightweight and strong
- Minimalist design
- Easy to clean
- Can be awkward for certain foods like soup
- It only does one job (eating)
My Verdict
An essential for any camper, from the family car camper to the ultralight hiker. It is a perfect example of a simple gadget that just works. Every camper should have one.
My Buyer's Guide: What to Look For
A multi-tool is personal. Here's how I narrow down the choice.
What Type Do You Need?
Think about your main use. Plier-based tools like a Leatherman are best for repairs. Swiss Army Knives are more pocket-friendly and better for smaller camp craft. Heavier tools with hammers are great for setting up but are not for carrying around.
Key Tools for Camping
For me, the most useful tools are always a good pair of pliers, a sharp knife, a can opener, a bottle opener, and a wood saw. Scissors are also incredibly handy. Pick a tool that has the functions you will use most often.
Weight and Portability
There is a huge range here. A keychain tool is just 60g, while a heavy duty campsite tool can be over 400g. If you are a car camper weight is not a big issue, but for backpacking every gram counts, so a lighter Swiss Army Knife is a much better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to carry a Leatherman in the UK?
Important Legal Note: I am not a lawyer, and this is not legal advice. Please check the official gov.uk website.
This is a critical point. In the UK, it is illegal to carry a knife in public if it has a **locking blade**, or if it's a folding blade over **3 inches (7.62 cm)**, unless you have a 'good reason'. Many Leatherman tools, like the Wave+, **have locking blades** and are therefore **illegal for everyday public carry**.
However, having it with your gear *on the way to, at, or returning from a campsite* (where you need it for a specific purpose) is generally considered a 'good reason'. You must not just leave it in your pocket when you go to the shops. In contrast, many Victorinox knives (like the Huntsman) use non-locking 'slip joint' blades under 3 inches, which makes them legal for everyday carry. Always check your specific tool.
What is the best multitool for camping?
This really depends on your needs! For all-round repairs and serious use, I think the Leatherman Wave+ is the best. For lightweight, classic camp craft like whittling and food prep, the Victorinox Huntsman is fantastic. If you just want to be prepared for small tasks, the tiny Gerber Dime is the best value as you'll always have it on you.
Which is better, Leatherman or Victorinox?
It depends on the primary tool you need. A Leatherman is a plier-based tool; it's a set of pliers that also has a knife. A Victorinox (Swiss Army Knife) is a knife-based tool that also has other gadgets. For heavy-duty repairs (fixing poles, pulling hot pans, bending metal), a Leatherman is better. For general camp craft, food prep, and lighter tasks, a Victorinox is often lighter and easier to carry.
What are the most important tools for a camping multi-tool?
In my experience, the most useful tools are always a good pair of pliers (for fixing zips or handling hot pots), a sharp knife blade (for cutting cord or food prep), a can opener, and a bottle opener. A wood saw and scissors are also incredibly handy. Pick a tool that has the functions you will use most often.
Is a heavy-duty 'axe tool' good for camping?
It can be useful, but only for car camping where weight isn't an issue. Tools like the Woggle are great for hammering in tent pegs and pulling them out. The small axe is okay for splitting kindling but won't replace a proper axe for processing firewood. I see it as a 'pitching and packing' tool, not a 'survival' tool.
