10 Superior Multitools and EDC

Welcome to Buy Choice, in which we pick one everyday item, cut out all the noise, and present you with nothing but the best options on the market.

What’s that in your pocket?

Only the answer to every conceivable problem a day can throw at you.

We are, of course, discussing multitools — those everyday carries that house your keys, tighten loose screws, start fires and carve apples.

But since there are too many out there to choose from, we’ve pared things down to the 10 best.

All are compact enough to fit in your front pocket, and all can solve their share of everyday conundrums.

For cheap aesthetes: Gerber Curve
Eight bucks and change, weighs less than an ounce and features all the essentials (blade, flathead and Philips screwdrivers, fingernail file, bottle opener). Also: easy on the eyes.

For elevated aesthetes: Horsebrandco Utility Tool Kit
Brass and carbon steel define this simple, Japanese-inspired tool set.

For traditionalists: Leatherman Wave
The gold standard for multi-tools, this stainless steel beauty (in a cool molle black) features 17 tools you can operate with one hand. The knives and drivers are great, but it’s the spring-action scissors and ruler you’ll use the most.

For firearms: Leatherman MUT
See above, but add a scope adjustment wrench and firearm disassembly punch.

For cyclists: Crank Brothers Multi Bicycle Tool
Roadside repair in your pocket, with seven hex wrenches, four spoke wrench sizes, Philips and flathead screwdrivers, a disc brake driver and a universal chain tool that can “tackle any task short of building a bike from loose parts.”

For camping: Huckberry Essential EDC Kit
A removable lighter, paracord (for lashing together shelter), wire saw and stainless steel name plate — which works as a blade or fishing spinner — make this a survivalist must-own.

For flying: SOG Baton Q1
A company championed by Navy SEALs, SOG’s new Baton Q1 is a rugged multi-tool that’s TSA compliant and looks like a fountain pen — and it actually has a pen, alongside scissors, a bottle opener and flathead. (The other new Baton models have blades and should NOT be taken on planes: see our story here.)

For money protection: Dango Tactical Wallet
Your money’s safe on this 14-function tool, which features a cash strap, card holder, built-in RFID blocking and tools that easily deploy with push and pull tabs.

For actual protection: Rexford Rut V2
Small enough to fit on a keychain and weighing under an ounce, the titanium RUT V2 features a standard razor blade, flathead screwdriver, pry bar and bottle opener. It may look like a simple boxcutter, but EDC enthusiasts swear by this thing. Mostly because of its pared-down sensibility, straight-ahead practicality and indestructible design.

For minimalists: Keychain Ringtool
A lightweight addition to your keychain, the Ringtool offers you quick access to a multitude of screwdrivers and Allen wrenches.