Best Multitools for Handy Outdoorsmen – Our Top Picks

Using the Surge feels like wielding a portable workshop. The saw blade is long enough to handle a 3-inch branch, and swapping it for the file took seconds, letting me smooth out a rough axe handle. The pliers crushed wire and turned a stubborn bolt without any flex. The knife is huge-closer to a standalone folder-and the scissors cut through thick fabric like butter. Every tool opens with authoritative clicks, and the 25-year warranty whispers sweet nothings in your ear. I’ve used it to build a camp chair and fix a generator; it never once felt under-specced.

It’s a chunky 12.8 ounces-you’ll notice it on your belt. The large size makes one-handed operation of some tools awkward. And at this price, it’s an investment.

If you need one tool to rule your heavy outdoor and workshop tasks, the Surge is it-but your hips will pay the price.

The CX is wispy light-I clipped it to my running shorts and almost forgot it was there. The blade is the star: 154CM steel holds a wicked edge, and the thumb hole flick is smooth. The carabiner is genius; I hooked it to a pack strap and popped open a campfire beer in one motion. For tasks like tightening a wobbly camp stove or slicing cheese, it’s perfection. The minimalism forces you to get creative, and it handles 90% of what you’d ask of a bigger tool with way less weight and bulk. It’s like a vacation from heavy carry.

No saw or file, so bushcraft is limited. Some users have reported pliers breaking under heavy stress-don’t twist too hard. The carbon fiber handle can get slippery when wet.

The Skeletool CX is your ticket to pack light and still feel like a capable badass-until you need to saw a log.

Those needle nose pliers are perfect for extracting splinters or unhooking a fish without mangling it. The scissors, though tiny, snipped fishing line cleanly. The saw worked well on small branches, and I loved the thin profile-it slides into a jeans pocket without printing. The tool lock kept everything steady, and the whole thing just felt intuitive. For a budget multitool, it didn’t skimp on everyday usefulness. The sheath is basic but holds it snugly. I’d toss it in a camp kitchen kit without a second thought.

Durability is hit or miss-some owners had pliers snap. The scissors are laughably tiny. The black coating started wearing off after two weeks, revealing shiny metal.

The Truss is a budget-friendly workhorse for light to medium tasks, just don’t beat on it like a hammer.

At this price, the Bolster feels genuinely solid-not plasticky. The straight and serrated blades flick open easily and lock tight, making quick work of opening stubborn packages or cutting rope. The file is surprisingly aggressive, smoothing out wood faster than some Swiss Army files I’ve used. The lanyard ring meant I could tether it to my pack and never lose it. For basic camp chores-opening cans, filing down a rough tent pole-it’s a reliable buddy that won’t drain your wallet. It’s the multitool equivalent of a faithful old pickup truck.

No saw is a bummer for woodland tasks. Tool count is low-you’ll miss a Phillips driver if you need to fix gear. Some surface rust spots appeared after a rainy weekend.

The Bolster is a budget-conscious, American-made multitool that gets the basics right but won’t wow you with bells and whistles.