Multitools

Reinvented wrenches, carabiners with hidden cutting blades and compact folding knives with all kinds of extra functions are just a few of the multitools to grace our pages this year. Here’s a look at those, and more 2020 multitools with the mostest.

Ratcheting tools certainly make it easier to tighten and loosen stiff bolts and whatnot, but they're not always that easy to stuff in a pocket or clip to a belt. That's why the compact Wheel Driver "luxury palm ratchet" was created.

The latest multitool from purveyor of cycling parts Wolf Tooth is one that might tick quite a few boxes, functioning as a set of master link pliers with a slew of different attachments tucked inside the handle.

A new multitool has just landed on Kickstarter promising an impressive degree of versatility in a very cost-effective package. The Talos offers 14 tools in all, spearheaded by a multifunctional knife and 3-in-1 pliers, alongside other old favorites.

CRKT keeps its knives and tools fresh by working with designers and knife pros all over the US. Its latest multitool draws on the combat experience of a veteran Green Beret, packing tools into a slim folding knife easy to drop into a pocket.

In the spirit of maximizing functionality, we’ve seen quite a few axe designs that incorporate extra tools, be they bottle openers, bit drivers or detachable hand knives. The newly launched CTAX is one that places an emphasis on rescue operations.

There’s no shortage of multitools around these days, but not all strike the same elegant tone of The James Brand’s offerings. Its latest is a basic but stylish bit driver, which neatly stows its extra bits away in its cylindrical body.

Built to travel with tinkerers and DIYers from garage to distant outdoor spaces, the new Caliber X takes a different tack on multitooling. The skeletal chassis disguises an 18-function build for everything from backyard BBQs to wilderness survival.

Accessory maker Disc has a way of sneaking impressive functionality into multitools that take the form of everyday items, such as credit cards and house keys, and its newly announced MultiRuler continues in this vein.

Regardless of whether they ever use them or not, cyclists certainly do like their multitools. The things can be heavy and bulky, though, which is why the Swiss-designed Daysaver was created – it combines nine tools in a single hex wrench.

When headed for some outdoor adventure, it’s wise to carry gear that can get you out of sticky situations, and the Roxon Flash S803 multitool is an impressively versatile solution in one palm-sized package that packs a total of 16 functions.

A British company has resurrected a 91-year-old adjustable wrench design and created the MetMo Grip, a super-slick looking, fast-adjusting and lockable wrench that also functions as a clamp and looks like way too much fun to fiddle with.