Expert Outdoor Gear Reviews & Buying Guides
A multitool is the difference between a minor trail repair and a trip-ruining problem. We compared the best-selling multi-pliers on Amazon—the Leatherman and Gerber models that dominate the category—looking at tool access, lockup, ergonomics, and the warranties behind them.
The short version: the Leatherman Wingman is the best all-around tool for most people, the featherweight Leatherman Skeletool is our premium everyday-carry pick, and the Gerber Suspension NXT packs the most tools per dollar.
| Award | Product | Price | Why We Love It |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Best Overall | Leatherman Wingman | $49.95 | 14 tools, spring-action pliers and scissors, one-hand opening, 25-year warranty. |
| ⭐ Premium / EDC | Leatherman Skeletool | $99.95 | Just 5 oz with a great blade, pliers, and a bottle-opener carabiner. |
| 💰 Best Budget | Gerber Suspension NXT | $47.80 | 15 tools with butterfly opening and locks, backed by 23,000 ratings. |
Check Price: Leatherman Wingman on Amazon
Prices and ratings pulled from Amazon at publication and can change anytime.
| Feature | Wingman | Skeletool | Suspension NXT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.95 | $99.95 | $47.80 |
| Rating / Reviews | 4.7★ / 9,985 | 4.8★ / 5,684 | 4.6★ / 23,823 |
| Tool Count | 14 | 7 | 15 |
| Weight | 6.9 oz | 5 oz | 9.6 oz |
| Spring Pliers | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| One-Hand Blade | Yes | Yes | Butterfly open |
| Scissors | Yes (spring) | No | Yes |
| Warranty | 25-year | 25-year | Limited lifetime |
The Wingman has been the “first real multitool” for a generation of users because it nails the fundamentals at a fair price. It packs 14 tools—needlenose and regular pliers, replaceable wire cutters and a wire stripper, a 420HC knife, spring-action scissors, a package opener, can and bottle openers, flat and Phillips drivers, a file, and a ruler. Every tool opens with one hand, the blade locks open for confident cutting, and a removable pocket clip keeps it accessible at 6.9 oz. It’s assembled in Leatherman’s Portland, Oregon factory and covered by a 25-year warranty. For camp chores, gear repairs, and everyday fixes, it does virtually everything you’ll need.
The Skeletool is the multitool for people who hate carrying a multitool. Its open-frame stainless body weighs just 5 oz and carries seven functions: a sharp 420HC combination knife, needlenose and regular pliers, hard-wire cutters, a bit driver, and a carabiner that doubles as a bottle opener. The philosophy is deliberate—strip out the tools you never use and perfect the ones you reach for daily. It clips to a pocket or pack, the blade and driver are accessible without opening the pliers, and it shares the same 25-year warranty as the rest of the Leatherman line. It’s ideal for day hikes, travel, and everyday carry where weight and pocket space matter.
With more than 23,000 ratings, the Suspension NXT is the people’s choice when tool count per dollar is the goal. Its butterfly-opening frame deploys spring-loaded needlenose pliers and 15 tools—plain and serrated blades, wire cutters, cross and flat drivers, can and bottle openers, trimming scissors, and a file—with Saf.T.Plus locks that hold tools open. A pocket clip, lanyard hole, and included nylon sheath give you multiple carry options, all backed by Gerber’s limited lifetime warranty. The trade-off is weight and refinement: at 9.6 oz it’s noticeably heavier than the Leathermans, and the tools can feel stiff until worked in.
The Wingman strikes the best balance of tool selection, ergonomics, and price, which is why it’s our default recommendation for campers and DIYers. If you want the lightest possible everyday carry and genuinely use only a blade, pliers, and a driver, the Skeletool is the more refined—if pricey—choice. The Gerber Suspension NXT wins purely on value and tool count, but its 9.6-oz heft makes it a sheath-and-glovebox tool rather than a pocket companion.
A mid-size, 6–7 oz tool like the Wingman covers the widest range with comfortable pliers and a usable blade. Go lighter (the Skeletool) for daily pocket carry; accept a heavier tool only if it lives in a sheath or pack.
Laws vary by state and country, especially regarding locking and one-hand-opening blades. Check local regulations before carrying, and never take a multitool in carry-on luggage—pack it in checked bags.
Both are reputable. Leatherman generally has smoother ergonomics, better fit-and-finish, and a 25-year warranty; Gerber often offers more tools per dollar and spring-loaded pliers on budget models.
Keep the pivot points clean and lightly oiled, dry the tool fully after wet use, and hone the blade regularly. Tighten any loose screws and rinse out saltwater or dirt to keep locks working.
If you buy just one multitool for camping and everyday life, make it the Leatherman Wingman—it’s the complete, warrantied package most of us actually need.