A good multitool replaces an entire toolbox in a pack pocket, provided the right balance of tool count, weight, and ease of use gets picked. The Leatherman Sidekick covers the essentials for a first investment. The Leatherman Wave+ remains the mid-range reference, reliable for regular use. The Victorinox SwissTool Spirit Xc bets on finish quality and tool accessibility for anyone who wants the best, extra weight included.
- First investment: Leatherman Sidekick, 12-14 tools, solid for getting started
- Mid-range: Leatherman Wave+, 18 tools, 25-year warranty
- Premium investment: Victorinox SwissTool Spirit Xc, 24 functions, superior finish
Contents
- Multitool, the comparison at a glance
- Tool count matters less than tool quality
- Spring-loaded or standard pliers, the difference in daily use
- Tools accessible without opening the pliers, a detail that matters
- Which steel for which use
- Leatherman Sidekick
- Leatherman Wave+
- Victorinox SwissTool Spirit Xc
- Carrying a multitool in France, the legal basics
- Upkeep, what extends the lifespan
- Questions we get asked a lot
- Our pick for your use case
Multitool, the comparison at a glance
Three investment tiers, three levels of equipment. Here’s the essentials before digging into each one.
| Model | Weight | Tools | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leatherman Sidekick | ~198 g | 12-14 | First multitool, occasional use |
| Leatherman Wave+ | 241 g | 18 | Regular use, DIY and outdoors |
| Victorinox SwissTool Spirit Xc | 210 g | 24 | Premium finish, demanding use |
Tool count matters less than tool quality
The Victorinox SwissTool Spirit Xc lists 24 functions against 18 for the Wave+ and 12-14 for the Sidekick, but that raw number tells less than it seems to. A good share of the extra functions on the most loaded models overlap (several similarly sized screwdrivers, for instance), and the actual day-to-day gap between 14 and 24 tools usually runs narrower than the spec sheet suggests.
What matters more is how well the tools people actually reach for get executed, pliers, knife, screwdriver, and scissors chief among them. The Sidekick holds up well on this exact point despite its lower cost, with a wood saw that “performs as well as the saws on Leatherman’s higher-priced tools” according to the review checked, and a Phillips 3D screwdriver that “works very, very well.” This kind of count inflation isn’t unique to this lineup: the OutdoorGearLab comparison checked notes that nine of the listed functions on a competing model in the category are, in reality, all contained within the plier jaws, counted separately on the spec sheet even though they amount to a single physical tool. Comparing models on distinct functions, rather than the printed total, gives a more accurate picture of what each tool actually adds. Weight matters differently depending on trip length too: on a day hike, the gap between 198 g and 241 g barely registers, but on a multi-day trek where every gram adds up against the rest of the pack, that difference carries more weight, without necessarily justifying trading reliability for a few dozen saved grams. The smarter math weighs the whole kit rather than a single item in isolation, the same logic that applies to picking a camping stove.
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Spring-loaded or standard pliers, the difference in daily use
The Sidekick carries spring-loaded pliers that pop back open automatically after each squeeze, a solid speed gain for anyone repeating the same grip motion several times in a row, crimping a wire, say. A concrete example: crimping several zip ties in a row while patching a tent or pack goes noticeably faster with spring-loaded pliers than with standard pliers that need reopening by hand between each squeeze. The Wave+ skips that mechanism: its pliers open and close manually, requiring an active motion on every use but staying just as reliable for one-off jobs.
This design choice sums up the different logic behind the two Leatherman lines well: the Sidekick, newer and more consumer-oriented, builds in comfort standards that the Wave+, designed above all for toughness and repairability (replaceable wire cutters), never set out to add. Neither choice is objectively better, the preference mostly comes down to which tasks get repeated most often. If I had to pick one for everyday bushcraft use, I’d still lean toward the Sidekick: that speed gain shows up on every single outing, more than any spec sheet lets on.
Tools accessible without opening the pliers, a detail that matters
Why deploy the whole multitool just to grab a blade? On the Wave+, a good share of the secondary tools (blades, files, bottle opener) stay accessible from the outside, with no need to fully open the tool into pliers mode. A practical detail for quick use, where pulling out just a blade doesn’t call for deploying the whole multitool. The Victorinox SwissTool Spirit Xc pushes that logic further still: every one of its functions, apart from the pliers and the built-in wire cutter, stays accessible without ever deploying the pliers, each tool pulling out and locking independently from outside the housing.
That accessibility comes at the cost of weight and housing thickness on the Victorinox, a trade-off the brand accepts in favor of convenience. For a use case where the multitool comes out and goes back several times an hour, like a backcountry camping in full self-sufficiency setup, that detail carries more weight than the spec sheet suggests.
Which steel for which use
Both the Leatherman Sidekick and Leatherman Wave+ use 420HC steel, a common stainless found on consumer-grade multitools: easy to resharpen, corrosion-resistant, but it dulls a bit faster than harder steel under heavy cutting use. That limit matters little for typical multitool use, where the blade mostly handles one-off tasks rather than the repeated cutting of a dedicated knife.
The Victorinox SwissTool Spirit Xc doesn’t publish a single steel spec across all its functions, with each tool optimized for its own job (the main blade and the pliers don’t necessarily share the same alloy). That approach, closer to Swiss watchmaking and knife-making tradition, partly explains the finish gap reviewers noted between the Victorinox and the two Leatherman tools, built more for rugged versatility than fine per-component optimization.
Steel upkeep follows the same logic as a regular knife: a quick wipe-down with a dry cloth after wet use prevents early corrosion, even on a stainless steel known for holding up well. On the screwdriver bits, visible rounding on the edges rather than a clean profile is worth flagging even if the tool still functions overall, a worn bit eventually chewing up the screws it’s used on rather than the other way around. A simple test at home, cutting through ten meters or so of rope or cardboard in one go, gives a reliable read on a blade’s edge retention before heading out. That same habit of regular gear upkeep ties into the logic covered in our 72-hour survival kit guide.
Leatherman Sidekick
The Leatherman Sidekick weighs about 198 g with a 9.6 cm closed length and a 6.5 cm 420HC steel blade. The liner-lock mechanism, an internal bar that wedges behind each tool once deployed to lock it in place, produces a “satisfying and reassuring click”, a detail that builds confidence despite the entry-level positioning. The included nylon sheath allows quick belt storage.
The limits line up with the price point: opening the blade one-handed stays impractical, “easier and more comfortable to use two hands” per the tester, and the wire cutter “tends to crush smaller wires before cutting them,” needing more effort on thicker wire. For a first multitool or a backup alongside a more complete tool, the Sidekick remains a pick the reviewer checked recommends.
Leatherman Wave+
The Leatherman Wave+ weighs 241 g for 18 tools total, with replaceable wire cutters once worn, a detail that meaningfully extends useful lifespan compared to fixed cutting blades. “Each tool opens and closes with near-frictionless precision” according to the review checked, and the pliers “maintain a robust grip” even under demanding work.
Heavier and bulkier than some other models in the line, with no spring-loaded pliers or pocket clip, the Wave+ still stands as the recommended pick for regular DIYers and adventurers who want a tool that holds up over years rather than the lightest option available. Leatherman’s 25-year warranty reinforces that long-term investment positioning over a one-off purchase. Paired with a solid knife, it naturally rounds out the duo of tools that covers the essentials of a bivouac, a topic covered in our comparison of bushcraft tools (knife, axe, saw).
Victorinox SwissTool Spirit Xc
The Victorinox SwissTool Spirit Xc weighs 210 g with a 10.4 cm closed length, with pre-curved handles built for a more comfortable grip. Shipped with a leather sheath, it shows off a finish described as “polished, smooth” in the comparison checked (run on the Spirit X, which shares the same body and mechanism as the Xc), with a wire cutter built into the pliers rated “very good.”
Scoring 69/100 and ranked 6th out of 20 in that same OutdoorGearLab comparison (still the Spirit X), the Victorinox remains “a solid product” the testers were “comfortable recommending,” but the verdict comes with caveats: it requires justifying “the price” against Leatherman tools judged more practical day to day, and its heavier weight, with no external interchangeable bit options, makes it “too heavy for many people” for hiking or light bikepacking use. The sheath’s velcro closure, less secure than a snap system, rounds out the list of things worth knowing before buying.
Carrying a multitool in France, the legal basics
A multitool with a folding blade falls under the same category D as any pocket knife: unrestricted purchase for adults, no issue keeping one at home, but carrying it in public requires a legitimate reason. Hiking, camping, DIY work, or car maintenance all count as recognized reasons, as long as the tool stays packed away in a bag or kit rather than worn openly.
City settings change that: carrying a multitool on a belt or visibly in a pocket with no obvious tie to an activity risks the same 4th-class summary offense (Code de la sécurité intérieure, article R.317-11) that applies to a survival knife. Packing it away the moment the activity ends, same as any bladed tool, stays the simplest way to avoid ambiguity during a check.
Upkeep, what extends the lifespan
A multitool takes a lot of abuse but stays sensitive to moisture left sitting: rinsing it with clean water after messy use (mud, sand, salt water) and drying it before storing prevents corrosion at the joints, even on stainless steel known for holding up well. A drop of light oil on the pivot pins, once or twice a year depending on use, keeps the tools moving smoothly and prevents mechanisms from gradually seizing up. A more thorough clean once or twice a year, taking apart the pieces that allow it per the manufacturer’s instructions, clears out the dust and residue buildup that a simple rinse never fully dislodges, particularly around the plier hinges.
On models with replaceable wire cutters like the Wave+, swapping the blade as soon as it struggles to cut cleanly, rather than waiting until it’s fully dull, extends the life of the pliers themselves, which work less hard once the blade is properly sharp again.
Questions we get asked a lot
Does a multitool replace a full toolset?
For occasional use and simple field repairs, largely yes. For complex assembly or repair work at home, a dedicated toolset stays more efficient: portability is the multitool’s strength, extended comfort of use is the dedicated toolset’s. Trying to tighten a dozen bolts on a full-size bike repair with cramped multitool pliers makes the case quickly: the right tool for the job still beats the compact all-in-one once the job gets repetitive or heavy.
Does a multitool have a place in a car emergency kit?
Yes, it’s one of the most versatile items to include: pliers to clear debris, a screwdriver for a makeshift fix, a blade to cut a jammed seatbelt. Our car emergency kit guide covers the rest of the essentials to keep in the trunk.
Can a multitool be carried on a plane?
No, the blade automatically puts it on the list of banned carry-on items. It has to travel in checked luggage, a constraint worth planning for ahead of a flight.
What’s the difference between a multitool and a classic Swiss Army knife?
A classic Swiss Army knife bets on compactness and light everyday use (scissors, corkscrew, small blade), while a multitool builds in a fully functional pair of pliers, the central tool that sets the two categories apart for more mechanical tasks.
What happens if a tool on the multitool breaks?
Leatherman’s 25-year warranty covers repair or replacement for most manufacturing failures, even on an entry-level model like the Sidekick (wear, corrosion, and misuse aren’t covered, and it’s limited to the original owner). Victorinox’s warranty stays more standard and doesn’t cover normal wear from heavy use, worth checking with the seller before buying.
Does a new multitool need oiling before first use?
Not usually, manufacturers ship their tools already lubricated from the factory. A first full service after the initial weeks of use, once the factory lubrication has partly worn off through actual use, does more good than a preventive step right out of the box.
Is it worth buying a multitool secondhand?
For a Leatherman, some caution applies: the 25-year warranty only covers the original owner, so buying used loses that advantage. The pliers pivot remains the main wear point worth checking before buying, warranty or not. A secondhand Victorinox makes less sense given the narrower price gap with a new one and equally limited coverage on wear parts.
Our pick for your use case
| First investment | Leatherman Sidekick, solid for getting started without overspending |
| Best all-rounder | Leatherman Wave+, reliable for years, 25-year warranty |
| Premium investment | Victorinox SwissTool Spirit Xc, finish and tool accessibility |
The choice mostly comes down to how often it gets used and what kind of tasks it needs to cover. For a first multitool or occasional use, the Sidekick easily covers the need. For regular use where reliability comes first, the Wave+ remains the category reference. And for anyone prioritizing finish and tool accessibility, extra weight accepted, the Victorinox remains the most polished option. A good multitool naturally complements a survival knife rather than replacing it, the two tools covering different jobs out in the field. For a specific use case, a few markers help decide faster: a hiker counting every gram leans toward the Sidekick, a regular DIYer toward the Wave+, and a fan of fine mechanics toward the Victorinox, where every finish detail matters as much as the function itself. Plenty of regular users end up owning two multitools rather than one: a rugged model left permanently in the hiking pack, and a more compact second one kept in the car or carried daily. That approach sidesteps the dilemma of picking a single tool to cover very different use cases.
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