Best Leatherman for Tramping NZ 2026
A multi-tool is one of the most practically useful items in a tramping pack — and often one of the most underrated. In the field, a Leatherman earns its weight through tent repairs, gear adjustments, stove maintenance, first aid, and a dozen other tasks where having pliers, scissors, a knife, and a screwdriver in one compact tool is genuinely valuable.
This guide covers the best Leatherman for NZ tramping use.
What Trampers Need in a Multi-Tool
Pliers: Useful for tent pole repairs, adjusting pack hardware, dealing with stuck zips, and stove maintenance. Leatherman's plier-based tools are the right category for tramping — not compact knife-first tools.
Scissors: More useful on the trail than most people expect — cutting moleskin, trimming first aid tape, cord, and clothing repairs. Leatherman's scissors (particularly the spring-action versions) are genuinely practical.
Knife blade: A secondary but useful feature. Most trampers carry a dedicated knife, but having a backup blade in your multi-tool is practical.
Weight: Every gram matters on a long-distance trip. The Wave+ at 241g is heavier than a Swiss Army knife but lighter than the Surge. For most trampers, the Wave+ weight is acceptable for the capability it provides.
Bit compatibility: If you carry the Bit Kit, your multi-tool becomes a comprehensive driver kit for stove maintenance and equipment adjustments.
Best Leatherman Models for Tramping
Leatherman Wave+ — Best All-Round Tramping Tool (RRP $319.99)
The Wave+ is the go-to recommendation for tramping. Full-size pliers, outside-opening blades for quick access, scissors, file, ruler, and driver tools — everything you're likely to need on a multi-day NZ tramping trip. The outside-opening blades mean you can access the knife and scissors without fully unfolding the handles, which is practical in wet conditions or with gloves.
At 241g it's heavier than compact alternatives, but the capability-to-weight ratio is hard to beat for serious tramping use.
Best for: Most NZ trampers. The standard recommendation.
Leatherman Charge+ — Best for Heavy Blade Use (RRP $439.99)
If you use your multi-tool blade regularly — cutting cord, food preparation on longer trips — the Charge+'s 154CM blade steel holds an edge meaningfully better than the Wave+'s 420HC. Same form factor as the Wave+, worth the premium if the blade is your most-used tool.
Best for: Trampers who rely on the blade frequently.
Leatherman Skeletool — Best Lightweight Option (RRP $229.99)
The Skeletool is Leatherman's stripped-down plier-based tool — pliers, knife, bit driver, carabiner clip, and bottle opener. At 142g it's the lightest serious Leatherman in the range. For ultralight trampers who want plier capability without the full Wave+ weight, the Skeletool is the practical alternative.
Best for: Ultralight trampers, day walkers who want a compact capable tool.
Leatherman Signal — Best for Remote Backcountry (RRP $399.99)
The Signal adds a fire starter, emergency whistle, and diamond sharpener to the standard multi-tool package. For trampers doing remote off-track routes where emergency tools have genuine value, the Signal's additional survival features justify the premium over the Wave+.
Best for: Remote backcountry tramping, trampers who want emergency features built in.
Leatherman Rebar — Best Value Full-Feature (RRP $239.99)
The Rebar delivers full-size Leatherman pliers and 17 tools at a price below the Wave+. No outside-opening blades (you need to unfold the handles to access the knife), but all the core tools are present. A practical choice for trampers who want full capability at a lower price point.
Best for: Budget-conscious trampers who want full-size plier capability.
Add: Leatherman Bit Kit
The Bit Kit (42 pieces, RRP $74.99) pairs with the Wave+, Charge+, and other compatible Leatherman tools to add a full range of driver bits — practical for stove maintenance, pack hardware, and equipment adjustments in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Leatherman and a knife, or just one?
Both. A Leatherman's blade is useful for quick-access cutting tasks, but it's secondary to the pliers, scissors, and drivers as the primary value. A dedicated tramping knife (fixed or folding) is a better tool for sustained cutting. Most serious trampers carry a Leatherman for tool functions and a separate knife for blade work.
What should I do with my Leatherman after a wet tramping trip?
Rinse in fresh water, dry thoroughly, and apply a small amount of oil (any light machine oil) to the pivot points and blade. Leatherman tools are stainless steel and corrosion-resistant, but prolonged salt or mud exposure will eventually affect performance without basic maintenance.
Which Leatherman fits the Leatherman sheaths?
The standard nylon, leather, and heritage sheaths fit most full-size Leatherman tools including the Wave+, Charge+, Surge, Signal, and Rebar. The MOLLE sheath is compatible with the same range. Check Leatherman's sheath compatibility guide for specific models.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Leatherman for NZ tramping?
The Leatherman Wave+ (RRP $319.99) is the best all-round tramping multi-tool — 18 tools covering everything you're likely to need in the field. For backcountry and solo tramping, the Signal (RRP $399.99) adds a fire starter and emergency whistle that earn their weight on remote routes.
Is a multi-tool worth carrying on NZ Great Walks?
Yes — even on managed Great Walk routes, a multi-tool earns its place. Gear repairs (tent, pack, stove), first aid tasks, and food preparation are all improved by having a quality tool. The weight is minimal against the practical value.
What Leatherman tools are most useful tramping?
Pliers (tent peg extraction, gear repairs), knife blade (food prep, first aid tape), scissors (medical tape, blister treatment, cutting cord), screwdrivers (stove and pack adjustments), and can/bottle opener. The Wave+ covers all of these in a single compact tool.
Should I carry a Leatherman or a separate knife for tramping?
A multi-tool covers more scenarios than a knife alone — the pliers, scissors, and screwdrivers have practical value beyond cutting. Many trampers carry a Leatherman Wave+ as their only cutting/repair tool and find it covers everything. If you need a longer blade for food prep, a fixed-blade knife adds minimal weight.
How heavy is a Leatherman for tramping?
The Wave+ weighs 247g. For multi-day trips where weight matters, the Skeletool (RRP $229.99) at 142g is the lightweight option, sacrificing some tools for a significantly reduced weight.
Where can I buy Leatherman tools for tramping in NZ?
Dwights stocks the full Leatherman range. Browse at /collections/nextool-multi-tools.