Well if you aren’t one of the people that has a multitool on your list of essentials, you should be! Multitools can be a lifesaver if you’re ever caught in a situation where you need a tool on the fly.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the best Leather multitools on the market to help make your buying decision a little bit easier.
However, before we get into the details of each Leatherman, here is our list of the best models for your EDC: Leatherman Wave+Plus, Leatherman Sidekick, Leatherman Wingman, Leatherman MUT, and the Leatherman Skeletool RX. Each of these models offers a variety of tools and capabilities that span a wide variety of lifestyles and applications.
Let’s take a look at each one in more detail to see if there may be a fit for you.
Why Carry a Leatherman Multitool?
If you already do everyday carry or have decided that you want to start having a great multitool for any situations that pop up, you can’t go wrong with a Leatherman. Named after Timothy Leatherman, who was traveling with his wife in Europe in 1975 and realized that he needed much more versatility than a standard pocket knife could offer.
Since he couldn’t find anything that suited his needs on the market already, Leatherman created the Leatherman Tool Group and his iconic first multitool, the PST. The rest is history, and 45 years later the Leatherman Tool Group is going strong and is producing some of the best multitools available on the market today.
5 Best Leatherman Multitools for EDC
Now that you know why you should carry a Leatherman multitool for everyday carry, let’s take a look at the five best options that Leatherman has. Creating this top five list came from ranking them based on a few different categories including versatility, number of tools, popularity, and more. Without further adieu, here are the five best Leatherman multitools for EDC.
1. Leatherman Wave + Plus
A highly anticipated inclusion on this list for anyone that uses a Leatherman multitool for EDC is the Wave Plus. The Wave is a perfect multitool for most situations when you would need one as it includes everything including knives, pliers, drivers, bottle and can openers, and more.
With the 18 available tools in the Wave Plus, you’ll likely never struggle to find what you need right when you need it. At 8.5-ounces, the Wave is a bit on the heavier side, but that’s due to its toughness, durability, and versatility so you’ll find that it’s worth the weight.
I’m still carrying my original Wave primarily based upon sentimental value, but the consensus stays the same. The Wave + is a serious contender and won’t let you down if you can afford the extra weight.
2. Leatherman Sidekick
Coming in as a close second is the Leatherman Sidekick. A little lighter in your pocket at 7-ounces, the Sidekick still packs a punch with its 14 available tools. Shocking for its low price, you’ll get various pliers, wire cutters, wire strippers, knives, can openers, and more.
You’ll be able to quickly access your knives with one hand thanks to the clever design. And with the stainless steel frame backed by a 25-year warranty, once you purchase a Sidekick, you’ll never be on your own again.
3. Leatherman Wingman
Third on the list is the close friend of the Sidekick, the Leatherman Wingman. Like the Sidekick, the Wingman features a stainless steel frame backed by a 25-year warranty so you’ll never lose your Wingman again.
With 14 tools — albeit a different selection than the Sidekick — you’ll have everything you need in seconds including multiple knives, bottle and can openers, wire cutters, wire strippers, and more. With the included pocket clip your Wingman will always be by your side.
Keep in mind, when Leatherman came out with the Wingman, they also introduced the Sidekick. These “sister” multitools offer Leatherman quality at an affordable price. Matter of fact, they are so close in nature we put together a comparison guide to help you determine which model may be right for you. Be sure to check it out.
4. Leatherman MUT
Coming in at the fourth-best option comes the military-grade Leatherman MUT. Specifically designed for the US military, this multitool is the perfect option for anyone that needs one for firearm maintenance or a durable tool that they know will last. When it comes to firearm maintenance, the MUT will offer its users a hammer, carbon scraper, cleaning rod and brush adapter, disassembly punch, and more. So if you’re into firearms and were looking for the perfect multitool to carry with you, look no further than the MUT.
5. Leatherman Skeletool RX
Rounding off the top five best Leatherman multitools is the option designed with first responders in mind, the Skeletool RX. Stripped down to the essentials, the Skeletool RX weighs only 5-ounces, so you’ll barely even notice it’s there. You’ll also be happy to find a locking mechanism to prevent tools from inadvertently coming out during use.
With specific uses such as an instant carabiner clip, a carbide glass-breaking bit, and a large serrated knife, you’ll be happy to have your Skeletool with you any time you or someone else needs it; it could mean the difference between life and death depending on how it’s used.
Multitool Buyer’s Guide
Now that we’ve gone over the five best Leatherman multitools out there for everyday carry, let’s dive into a few of the things that you should keep in mind any time you’re in the market for a new multitool. Some of the most important aspects of the tools that you should keep in mind include the number of tools, ease of carrying, tool access, and price.
Number of Tools
This is of course one of the most important aspects of any good multitool, the number of tools that it includes. This needs to be balanced though because while more tools generally will also mean more versatile the usefulness of the tools will often be more important than the number of tools included.
You don’t need to have a multitool that has multiple of the same knives or four different bottle openers, for example, so be sure to keep the specific tools in mind when you’re looking for your new Leatherman multitool.
Ease of Carrying
How easy the multitool is to carry is an often overlooked feature that you should keep in mind. This will include things such as the weight, how big it is when closed if it has any helpful carrying features such as a pocket clip, and more. This can go hand in hand with the number of tools, because a multitool with more tools inside till typically also weight more and be larger in size than a tool with fewer options.
Keep in mind that although some of these weights — like 8.5-ounces for example — may seem insignificant, when you’re carrying them around in your pocket every day, you’ll start to notice.
Tool Access
Another aspect of multitools that people tend to overlook is how hard it is to access the tools. More specifically, how hard it is to access the tools that you know you’ll need. For example, having the Skeletool RX may be nice because it offers some incredibly useful items for specific situations, if you don’t see yourself needing those tools, it might not be the best option for you.
If you’re planning on using the knives the most, you want to get a multitool that has easy knife access. If you know you will need the screwdriver or the bottle openers more than anything else, be sure you get a tool that allows you to access those tools faster and more easily.
Price
The big one — price. Just like with anything else you’ll purchase, the price can be a huge factor when it comes to multitools. This is because the price can range from less than $50 to a few hundred dollars or more between just a few knives. The amount you want to spend should be based on how often you see yourself using your multitool and what it’s worth for you to have the convenience of one.
Keep in mind, many of these Leatherman options do come backed by a 25-year warranty, so even if you do end up spending hundreds of dollars on it, you should have no issues whatsoever getting your money’s worth!
The Best Leatherman Multitool for EDC
Picking the best multitool for every person is impossible to do. It’ll depend on what tools you need, how often you’ll use it, and more. But anyone looking to buy a great multitool without breaking the bank should consider the popular Leatherman Wave Plus. But if you decide that one of the other options on this list would suit you better, you’ll be happy with any of the five you see here!