In today’s world, getting outside, connecting with nature and going back to our roots is harder than ever. Something that we feel passionate about is spending as much time in nature as possible, whether that be through camping, van life, fishing or a good hike. We feel it benefits our bodies and minds, and it’s definitely something everyone needs to be doing more of!
Perhaps ironically, getting outdoors means we get excited about going shopping and buying the latest adventure gear or gadgets. However, in a world of overconsumption you really don’t need much to enjoy nature, just the basics, and that’s where the Leatherman Range comes in.
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You may be tempted to stuff your bag full of gadgets for camping or living on the road but we have found the best camping multi tool meaning you only need one thing… a Leatherman all purpose tool. We have used our Leatherman Wave+ religiously in our van, from fixing our cupboard doors, as a handy pair of pliers, sawing kindling, filleting fish and as a bottle opener to share a drink with new friends on the road.
We’re excited to have just gotten our hands on the Leatherman Signal, a lighter weight camping alternative and have been loving trying out all the functions. So… which tool is right for you, to help you get outside more, try new hobbies and make your life easier? Read on to find out.
Leatherman Wave+: The All Purpose Best Selling Tool
This was our first Leatherman all purpose tool and it’s known as the best selling model in the range. We would recommend this to anyone who is living in a van or goes on camping weekends. It’s heavy duty so not light for hiking but it has been our go-to for everything from quick repairs in the van to tackling unexpected tasks like filleting a fish Mike caught in the Norwegian Fjords. Its reliability in different situations makes it worth the weight. Although we had a small toolbox in the garage of our campervan, the Wave was the only tool that stayed in the living area so it was handy at all times.
The Wave includes 18 different tools, and to be honest, we haven’t needed to use them all! If you would like to check out the different functions beyond a bottle opener then head to Multi Tool Store to find a full list.
Leatherman Signal: Best Camping Multi Tool
We recently tried out the Signal, the Wave’s lightweight brother, designed specifically with hiking in mind. Equipped with a ferro rod for starting fires, hammer, and emergency whistle, all built into the tool it’s perfect for staying prepared on the trail and gives peace of mind for any adventure.
We haven’t yet done a full thru-hike with the Signal but so far we’re impressed with the attention to detail, such as the inclusion of a pocket clip to attach it to a backpack or pocket for ease of reach, the small 4.5 inch size and importantly the 212.62 g weight. We wished we had this handy during our time hiking in Norway, or camping in Wales. We’ve definitely stabbed a tin of potatoes with a knife too many times as we’ve forgotten a can opener.
If you’re looking for a tool specifically for camping or hiking, we recommend the Signal over the Wave. The design has been crafted with outdoor living and adventure in mind, to discover more about the 19 practical tools head to the Multi-Tool Store.
Which Multi Tool Is Right For You?
Still unsure which tool is right for you to kickstart your outdoor living journey? We have compared the Wave and Signal Below…
| Leatherman Wave+ | Leatherman Signal |
| Weight: 240.97g | Weight: 212.62g |
| Closed Length: 10.16 cm | Closed Length: 11.43 cm |
| 1. Needlenose Pliers 2. Regular Pliers 3. Wire Cutters 4. Hard-wire Cutters 5. Electrical Crimper 6. Wire Stripper 7. 420HC Knife 8. 420HC Serrated Knife 9. Saw 10. Spring-action Scissors 11.Ruler (8 in | 19 cm) 12. Can Opener 13. Bottle Opener 14. Wood/Metal File 15. Diamond-coated File 16. Large Bit Driver 17. Small Bit Driver 18. Medium Screwdriver | 1. Needlenose Pliers 2. Regular Pliers 3. Wire Cutters 4. Hard-wire Cutters 5. Wire Stripper 6. 420HC Combo Knife 7. Saw 8. Hammer 9. Awl w/ Thread Loop 10. Can Opener 11. Bottle Opener 12. 1/4” Hex Bit Drive 13. Bit Driver 14. 1/4″ Box Wrench 15. Carabiner 16. 3/16″ Box Wrench 17. Safety Whistle 18. Ferrocerium Rod 19. Diamond-coated Sharpener |
Reconnect With Nature
As we mentioned above our goal is to reconnect to our roots, get outside more and ultimately be more self-sufficient. The Leatherman embodies self-sufficiency, from starting your own fire to cooking foraged foods, or fixing something that is broken so you don’t have to buy new, the tool will help you feel more connected to the world around you. Imagine hiking to a far flung place, the sun setting behind the mountains, and having everything you need at your fingertips. It’s moments like these that remind us of the beauty and simplicity of life when we embrace the great outdoors.
Other Tools in Leatherman Range
While we’ve focused on just these two tools (which we’ve tried and loved), the Leatherman range is much larger. From the Wingman to Rebar and more there is a tool to fit what you’re looking for. To explore more, we recommend heading to the Multi Tool Store which has the UK’s largest Leatherman Range. They also offer engraving, which we think would be an awesome gift for that outdoorsy person in your life. We’ve added the Bit Kit to our Christmas list to transform our tool into a fully functioning screwdriver—surely we’re not the only ones excited by this!
Plus, all Leatherman Tools come with a 25 year warranty which is another reason we highly recommend them and have confidence with the brand!
Other Products We Love For Outdoor Living
For us the Leatherman is all about being sufficient on the road or out in nature. In addition to the multi-tool, we also recommend the following essential to help you get outside and start reconnecting with nature.
- Fire Starter Cubes (perfect for use with the ferro rod on the Leatherman Signal)
- Compass (alongside the Emergency Whistle on the Signal this will help with thru-hiking)
- Jet Boil
- Lifestraw
- Dry Bag
Final Thoughts On The Best All Purpose Multi-Tool
For us in the van we loved and relied on the Leatherman Wave, it was our go to tool. If you live in a van you know things are constantly breaking and having an all in one gadget was not only super handy but also saved space in our tiny home.
As we move more towards being outdoors, hiking, camping and going back to our roots we are excited to be using the Leatherman Signal. The Signal is designed with adventure in mind and can help you start a fire, hammer in your tent pegs, get you out of trouble with the emergency whistle and a whole lot more.
Everyone needs an all purpose multi tool and we fully believe Leatherman do the best range out there, you’ll have a 25 year guarantee if you buy through Multi Tool Store and you’ll start reconnecting, rediscovering hobbies such as camping and fishing plus you’ll get your sense of adventure back! Here’s to living life to the fullest, making every moment count, and knowing we have a Leatherman by our side.
*We worked with Multi Tool Store to review the Leatherman Signal.
