We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Travel Products Travel Accessories The 6 Best Multi-tools for Travel, Tested and Reviewed We put 30 multi-tools to the test to find the best ones you can take on the go. By Barbara Bellesi Zito Barbara Bellesi Zito Barbara Bellesi Zito is a freelance writer with nearly 20 years of experience covering lifestyle and home. From handy gadgets that make work and travel easier to clever hacks that make life in general easier, she writes about it all. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 23, 2024 Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist and editor who has traveled across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and spent more than a decade reviewing hotel room. Travel + Leisure Fact Checking Process In This Article Expand In This Article Our Top Picks ReviewsOthers We Liked Our Testing Process Tips For Buying FAQ Why Trust T+L Photo: Travel + Leisure / Brian Kopinski Whether you need a pocket knife to whittle sticks on a camping trip, a hex wrench to adjust your seat on a bike trip, or a screwdriver for a quick fix at home, nothing beats having a good multi-tool on hand. We tested 30 multi-tools to search for the best ones to travel with — testing for performance, ease of use, features, value, and durability. We even performed a drop test to make sure there was no damage after the multi-tools fell onto a concrete floor from hip height. “The type of multi-tool you choose will vary greatly depending on what you need to use it for,” says Kevin Boyle, senior design editor at Wood Magazine, noting there are specialty multi-tools for everything from gardening to camping. But, while multi-tools are indeed multi-talented, they are meant to complement your toolbox, not replace it. “Multi-tools aren’t made to be comparable to regular full-size tools,” Boyle says. “They are best for simple, everyday tasks.” Out of the 30 multi-tools we tested, our favorites featured a variety of tools in pocket-size formats to take on the go. We found tools that would be best for camping, cycling trips, keychain attachments, and more. No matter where you are traveling, these multi-tools will help you be prepared for anything. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Leatherman Wave+ at Amazon ($120) Jump to Review Best for Camping: Gerber Gear Truss at Amazon ($60) Jump to Review Best for Cycling: Topeak Mini 18+ Multi-Tool at Amazon ($43) Jump to Review Best Splurge: Leatherman Free P4 Multi-Tool at Amazon ($150) Jump to Review Best Value: Wetols 21-in-1 Multi-Tool at Walmart ($37) Jump to Review Best Keychain: Gerber Gear Dime Multi-Tool at Amazon ($29) Jump to Review Best Overall Leatherman Wave+ PHOTO: Amazon $120 at Amazon $120 at REI $120 at Dick's Our Ratings Performance 4.8/5 Ease of Use 4.3/5 Features 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It It offers an excellent range of tools that are intuitive and effective. What to Consider Although it is small in size, it’s too bulky to actually tuck in a pocket. Leatherman has long been known as a leader in multi-tool manufacturing, and the 18-tool Wave Plus continues this trend. Even with 18 tools, nothing seemed unnecessary or out of place. We found the handles to offer a good grip, and while we wouldn’t exactly call it a comfortable grip, it’s easy to use in one hand. We found the tools and blades are easy to open and use, including the locking mechanisms. We did notice that to access some of the tools you have to open others, which can seem a bit unwieldy at first, but it’s easy to get used to. The tools are mostly intuitive, though we needed help from Google to ensure we were using the bottle opener properly. The pliers were particularly effective, though for some of the other tools, we’d prefer to reach for a full-size, stand-alone tool instead. While it is indeed pocket-size, we found it too heavy and bulky to keep in a pocket, so it’s better to hang from a belt. It survived our drop test with flying colors, so you can feel confident about carrying it during travel. We thought the quality and performance were well worth the price; in fact, we might consider paying more for such a sturdy and useful multi-tool. The Details: 1.2 x 0.7 x 4 inches (closed length) | 8.5 ounces | 18 tools Travel + Leisure / Henry Wortock Travel + Leisure / Henry Wortock Travel + Leisure / Henry Wortock Best for Camping Gerber Gear Truss PHOTO: Amazon $41 at Amazon $55 at REI View on Gerbergear.com Our Ratings Performance 4.9/5 Ease of Use 4.8/5 Features 5/5 Durability 3.5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It It’s a compact tool with sharp blades that stow safely. What to Consider It doesn’t have a corkscrew. Packing for a camping trip requires careful strategy, so your multi-tool needs to be as light and compact as possible. Even with an impressive 17 tools to its credit, the pocket-size Gerber Gear Truss more than fits the bill. This multi-tool is built for travel: one of us that participated in testing even keeps one in our car for easy access while on the road. But packability isn’t its only superpower. The tools are the main star, and they are as intuitive as they are effective. The pliers are sturdy and the blades are quite sharp on the saw, knife, wirecutter blade, and scissors, which all stow easily. The “titanium-like” finish made the tools survive our drop test without a scratch, and while the knives did come out a little bit on impact, there was no danger or damage. Even if you’re just an occasional camper, this is a worthy tool to have on hand. The 17 tools are curated well — including a bottle opener for drinks, though we would love the addition of a corkscrew — and are a great value for the price. The Details: 1.75 x 0.5 x 4.35 inches (closed length) | 8.4 ounces | 17 tools Travel + Leisure / Henry Wortock Travel + Leisure / Henry Wortock Travel + Leisure / Henry Wortock Best for Cycling Topeak Mini 18+ Multi-Tool PHOTO: Amazon $41 at Amazon $39 at REI $43 at backcountry.com Our Ratings Performance 4.5/5 Ease of Use 5/5 Features 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It It’s got everything you need for quick fixes on a bike trip. What to Consider Non-cyclists should look to other multi-tools for more features and functions. A compact yet well-stocked tool bag is a must-have for every cyclist, which is why the right multi-tool comes in clutch for those long rides. With this 20-function multi-tool from Topeak, you need not worry about fixing a flat tire or adjusting your seat and can just focus on the open road. We found that each tool opened and closed easily, though none lock in place. While it doesn’t have blades, scissors, or pliers, it has enough hex wrenches to save a cyclist’s day. There’s also tire level and a chain repair tool so you can keep on riding. It’s compact enough to fit in a front pant pocket, but it’s made to stow in a bag beneath your bike seat. It’s also quite durable, with no discernable damage during our shock test. This is indeed a tool made for cyclists: in fact, if you’re not a road warrior, you won’t get much use out of this except for the screwdrivers and bottle opener. It’s a good option for beginning riders still getting the hang of certain tools, though we noticed the manual is small enough to pack along with the tool. The Details: 3.2 x 1.7 x 0.8 inches (closed length) | 6.4 ounces | 20 tools Travel + Leisure / Henry Wortock Travel + Leisure / Henry Wortock Travel + Leisure / Henry Wortock Travel + Leisure Trusted Seal of Approval Best Splurge Leatherman Free P4 Multi-Tool PHOTO: Amazon $150 at Amazon Our Ratings Performance 5/5 Ease of Use 4.9/5 Features 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It It has a great variety of tools that are sturdy enough for home improvement projects. What to Consider It’s one of the pricier multi-tools on our list. Another Leatherman multi-tool makes our list — and for good reason. The tools are easy to lock and unlock, though we observed that it’s better to use both hands to open and close it completely. The tools are sturdy and sharp: there are two blades sharp enough for sawing, a pocketknife perfect for whittling, and two sharp scissors. We found that the pliers grip well and can easily snip through plastic and wire. We also liked that there are both flat and Phillips screwdrivers. The Leatherman name speaks for itself and so does this particular multi-tool, which we think is durable enough even to use for home improvement projects. If you’re handy at home or need to be while on the go, this is a great tool that’s worth the price. All told, we were impressed with the variety and effectiveness of the tools. Yes, this is the priciest selection on our best multi-tools list, but we definitely think it’s worth the splurge, especially if you travel often. The Details: 5.38 x 7 x 1.25 inches (closed length) | 12 ounces | 21 tools Travel + Leisure / Henry Wortock Travel + Leisure / Henry Wortock Best Value Wetols 21-in-1 Multi-Tool PHOTO: Amazon $37 at Walmart Our Ratings Performance 4/5 Ease of Use 4.4/5 Features 3.8/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It You’ll be hard pressed not to find a tool you need. What to Consider The plier cutters aren’t as sharp as we’d like. Don’t let the budget-friendly price fool you: we found this 21-feature multi-tool to be sturdy and useful yet compact for travel. We prefer to keep it in a pouch — which can hold additional screw bits — on the belt strap, but it can fit in a front pocket as well. Take your time exploring all the features of this multi-tool, which felt heavy yet comfortable in our hand during testing. Among the numerous fold-out tools are a blade for cutting wood, flathead and Phillips screw bits, and a bottle opener. We found most of the tools effective, though the rope threads got stuck in the plier cutters when we attempted a cut. It survived our shock test without any damage, so it’s as durable as some of the pricier ones on our list. It’s hard to believe this nifty little gadget is so affordable, and it’s totally worth buying one to have on hand for fixing things in a pinch. The Details: 4.88 x 2.44 x 1.65 inches (closed length) | 11.8 ounces | 21 tools Travel + Leisure / Henry Wortock Travel + Leisure / Henry Wortock Best Keychain Gerber Gear Dime Multi-Tool PHOTO: Gerber Gear $25 at Amazon $26 at REI $27 at Home Depot Our Ratings Performance 3.5/5 Ease of Use 4.8/5 Features 4.7/5 Durability 5/5 Value 3.8/5 Why We Love It It’s compact and the tools stow very easily. What to Consider The blades could be sharper and there’s no Phillips screwdriver. We were impressed with the overall effectiveness and durability of this mini multi-tool from Gerber Gear. It might be one of the smallest tools on our list, but it’s mighty, having survived our shock test without a scratch. While this tool is compact and lightweight enough to keep on a keychain, the tradeoff is that some of the tools are so small that they don’t offer enough leverage to be truly effective. There’s no Phillips screwdriver, so keep that in mind if you plan to use your multi-tool mostly for driving screws. There’s no locking mechanism, but everything stows away easily without any sharp edges (in fact, we found the blades and the wire cutter to be a bit dull). At just $29, it’s a budget-friendly tool to keep handy, though those who reach for a multi-tool more often might prefer to use this as a backup option rather than the primary tool. The Details: 2.75 x 4 x 0.6 inches (closed length) | 2.2 ounces | 12 tools Travel + Leisure / Henry Wortock Travel + Leisure / Henry Wortock Travel + Leisure / Henry Wortock Other Multi-tools We Liked There were some other multi-tools we found useful during testing, although we found some minor issues that prevented them from being on our main list. Rak Hammer Multi-tool: If you’re in the market for a multi-tool with a hammer, this is a budget-friendly option. However, the very feature we love makes it too large to store easily, making this a poor option for air travel — but it could work for a road trip. Leatherman Skeletool Lightweight Multi-tool: This multi-tool is super light at just five ounces. It scored well during testing, but it didn’t have as many useful tools and features as some of the others on our list. RoverTac Camping Essentials 14-in-1 Survival Tool: While we appreciated the hatchet for use during camping and other outdoor activities, this feature made it far less portable than the other travel-friendly multi-tools on our list. Our Testing Process Our team of experts tried out 30 multi-tools. First, we evaluated the design and ease of access, noting the arrangement of each tool, how safe it was to open/close any blades or knives, and how easy it was to engage/disengage the locking mechanism. For pocket-size tools, we paid attention to how easy or challenging it was to tuck them away in an actual pocket. When testing larger ones, we clipped them to keychains, backpacks, and tool belts as alternative storage options. We then put each device through its paces, trying out each tool for its dedicated task: for example, we used the screwdrivers on the multi-tools to tighten a screw into a piece of wood and the pliers to snip a piece of wire. Next came the shock test, in which each multi-tool was dropped from hip height to simulate it falling out of a pocket. We then noted whether each multi-tool’s construction or function was damaged in any way. We made our final selections for this best multi-tools list based on performance, ease of use, features, durability, and overall value. Tips for Buying Be mindful of size and weight Comfort of use is important when choosing a multi-tool, so you don’t want yours to be too large or heavy. If it hurts your hand to use it, it’s not the one for you, says Boyle of Wood Magazine. He also recommends looking for features like spring-loaded pliers that make it simple for you to operate with just one hand. Think about the features you’ll need Your multi-tool will only be as useful as you find the individual tools to be, so keep in mind what features and functions you’ll want yours to have. Boyle recommends choosing a multi-tool at least with a knife, pliers or wire cutters, and a screwdriver (both Phillips and flathead). “Some multi-tools have way too many tools that are not necessary or useful for everyday use,” Boyle says. Above all, make sure the blade locking mechanism is easy to use and that the rest of the features are intuitive. Boyle says it’s a good thing if you can figure out how to use each tool without consulting the manual. Pay attention to materials Boyle recommends stainless steel-constructed multi-tools to prevent rusting, though plastic is another good option. Proper storage is key to ensure that your multi-tool is protected from the elements and impact. Frequently Asked Questions Are multi-tools allowed on planes? It depends on the multi-tool’s design. The TSA prefers that you don’t keep any sharp objects in your carry-on bags, which will preclude you from boarding a plane with a multi-tool that has a knife or blade of any length. However, if your multi-tool has scissors instead of a blade, you can keep it in your carry-on as long as the scissors are four inches or shorter in length. In general, you can pack multi-tools in checked bags, which might be your best bet to avoid any delays in the security line, or worse, having your multi-tool confiscated. Is it illegal to carry a multi-tool in some states? While no state (at the time of writing) will bar you from owning a multi-tool, the carry laws will vary, particularly if your multi-tool has a blade. Typically, you can carry a multi-tool if it has a blade that’s four inches or shorter in length. You’ll need to check with your own state’s laws regarding open vs. concealed carry of multi-tools, as some features are perceived as weapons and can indeed be used as such. Above all, common sense prevails if you plan to carry your multi-tool. Why Trust Travel + Leisure For this story, Barbara Bellesi Zito reviewed insights from our Travel + Leisure testers with an eye toward the most user-friendly and travel-friendly options in multi-tools. For professional insight on the most effective features, she consulted Kevin Boyle, senior design editor at Wood Magazine. The Best Carry-on Luggage of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week. Edited by Jackie Cucco Jackie Cucco Jackie Cucco is a Commerce Testing Editor at Travel + Leisure, where she assigns, edits, and writes travel-related product reviews based on in-depth product testing. She previously worked as a travel agent, has a Master’s degree in journalism, and has over six years of experience creating gift guides and writing about various products. She has made over 100 TV appearances discussing consumer products and shopping trends. learn more