Multitools are a great addition to any EDC for the sheer amount of utility they can bring to your kit. The problem is, sometimes the tool itself takes up even more space and weighs more than the entire carry combined. It’s hard to put one to good use when the added bulk is a hindrance rather than a benefit for everyday tasks. In this guide, we list five of our favorite pocket-friendly multitools, excellent not only for their repertoire of functions but also for their form factor, bringing you all the benefits without the added bloat.
Top 5 Pocket-Sized Multitools
Victorinox Alox Cadet 84mm (L)
Switzerland’s silver stunner is one of the most popular EDC multitools of all time, and for good reason. It looks great and weighs next to nothing thanks to its namesake aluminum oxide scales. It packs a surgical-sharp 2.5” blade, and still somehow manages to stay thinner than a pencil even with three extra tools. Whether as a main blade or as a backup, you would be hard-pressed to find better compact value than the Alox Cadet.
Victorinox Manager & Midnite Manager 58mm (L)
Of all of Victorinox’s keychain offerings, the Manager series is our favorite because they’re a complete set of EDC tools packed into a highly compact 58 mm form factor. The Midnite Manager ($36) includes a knife, pen, and flashlight with an accompaniment of other tools, while the Manager swaps out the LED for tweezers. It’s hard to imagine anything better (or smaller) than these guys.
Leatherman Style PS 75mm (L)
While people’s eyes are usually on Leatherman’s more popular Skeletool CX, we haven’t forgotten that its smaller siblings serve an excellent purpose: being ideal multitools for keychain or belt loop carry and playing well with local laws. The Style PS shown above is also meant to be TSA compliant with its scissors instead of a blade, with some owners successfully able to get it through airport checkpoints. Still as tough as its brothers and still highly useful, it’s one tool that you can safely take with you on your travels.
Gerber Dime 70mm (L)
An oldie but a goodie, the Gerber Dime is still a highly versatile keychain tool. The Dime manages to fit ten large functions—including a unique package-opening blade and a pair of pliers—into a package able to collapse into a tiny 2.75”. It’s also a very inexpensive investment, often priced well below the $20 mark, costing you next to nothing to add one to your carry.
Gerber Shard 70mm (L)
Speaking of oldies but goodies, we can’t make a list about multitools without mentioning the single most popular multitool on the site. A one-piece multitool designed with only the essentials in mind, the Gerber Shard is highly effective in its simplicity and focus. With 7 functions under .5 ounces and an asking price of $7 (but usually well under), it’s one of the best things you can add to your keychain without sacrificing space, weight, or cost.
We hope you enjoyed our list of multitools that put power in your pocket and not strain on your belt. Did we miss one of your favorites? Sound off in the comments below!
