Leatherman Wave+ Multitool Overview | CleverHiker

Backside Line

In our information to the perfect multitools, the Leatherman Wave+ takes our high spot for the second 12 months operating as a go-to multitool full of high quality and utility. This magnificence boasts an ideal steadiness of versatility, sturdiness, and worth. 

Whether or not you’re a tradesperson or simply wish to be prepared for something, the Wave+ packs all of the necessities: pliers, screwdrivers, a pointy 420HC chrome steel blade, a noticed, and even replaceable wire cutters. The most effective half? All of those instruments are simply accessible from the skin, so that you don’t must unfold your complete software to seize what you want.

The up to date Wave+ additionally brings some critical upgrades. The wire cutters are replaceable, and a greater ergonomic design made chores on a busy Minnesota farm simpler. The Wave+ is a bit on the heavy aspect for on a regular basis carry, however in case you’re always utilizing a multitool, you’ll recognize the additional heft. With a lifetime guarantee and all the flexibility you might ask for, the Wave+ checks all of the containers.

How We Examined

Over a 30-day check interval, the Wave+ was put by the wringer at three totally different Minnesota farms (livestock, crops, and interest). We used it to restore pens, lower bale twine, and maintain tractors tuned up. On the similar time, the software traveled north and confronted off in opposition to frigid temps and 60 path miles on the NCT. 

Weight & Portability

The Leatherman Wave+ is compact and light-weight, designed for optimum portability with out lacking a beat in performance.

Weighing simply 8.5 ounces and measuring 4 inches closed, it simply matches right into a pocket, bag, or gear pouch. Regardless of its slim profile, the Wave+ packs 18 important instruments, together with pliers, knives, screwdrivers, and wire cutters, making it an excellent companion for on a regular basis house repairs or getting on the market on mountaineering and tenting junkets. The Wave+ delivers comfort and flexibility with out the majority, and its sturdy construct ensures you’re all the time ready wherever you go.

Ease of Use

The Wave+ is a worldwide bestseller for good cause. This jack of all trades is just a blast to make use of, with exceptionally clean operation in each informal and demanding conditions. Every software opens and closes with near-frictionless precision, providing seamless deployment each time. 

Whereas utilizing the pliers and screwdrivers to restore livestock fencing, the opening and shutting motion stayed easy and constant, requiring minimal drive. This was complemented by barely-there spring stress variation and no sudden resistance when accessing or locking the instruments into place.

Each element of the Wave+ deploys with a satisfying fluidity, making it really feel like an extension of your hand quite than a cumbersome software to wrestle with. In a crowded multitool market, we love the exact and dependable deployment that all the time brings a practical and satisfying person expertise. Apart from being a bit hefty for on a regular basis carry, we discovered no discernible downsides to this stellar software.

Ergonomics

Consolation and ergonomics are highlights of the Leatherman Wave+. Its a design that simply feels proper within the hand. The comfy grip supplies a safe, non-slip maintain, and we by no means felt fatigued, even on hours-long stints within the engine bay of a finicky Ford tractor.

The software’s weight is completely distributed and doesn’t really feel too heavy or cumbersome. It’s straightforward to maneuver, too, when torquing with the pliers or utilizing the knife for exact cuts. The instruments themselves are thoughtfully situated for pure hand positioning. We by no means needed to awkwardly alter the grip when switching between capabilities. This cautious consideration to ergonomics makes the Wave+ one of the vital comfy multitools on the market.

A multitool isn’t a lot good if it’s a must to battle to get on the instruments. The Leatherman Wave+ actually shines in relation to the effectivity of software deployment. 

Accessing the instruments is quick and clean, with most instruments prepared for motion in 2-3 seconds. For those who’re in a pinch and have to deploy a blade, the one-handed opening function is a sport changer—fast, straightforward, and intuitive, particularly when juggling different duties. Transitions between totally different capabilities are seamless as nicely; our tester hardly missed a beat when confronted with a damaged pack zipper three days into an prolonged hike. 

The exterior software entry is one other standout, permitting you to seize most instruments with out totally opening the multitool. This implies you will get what you want in the midst of a challenge with out shedding time or momentum.

One widespread draw back is that, whereas the pliers are straightforward to deploy, they are often stiff at first, requiring some break-in time earlier than they open easily. Additionally, instruments saved contained in the deal with (just like the file or Phillips screwdriver) generally is a little trickier to entry, particularly if you’re in a rush or want a software from deep inside the deal with.

Load Bearing Capability

The Leatherman Wave+ is a beast in relation to load-bearing capability, significantly its pliers. They preserve a strong grip, simply dealing with duties like twisting fence wire with out slipping or shedding traction. The motive force bits additionally get up nicely to torque, making them efficient for driving screws or dealing with fasteners with out stripping. 

With out fail, the instruments stayed constantly safe, even beneath vital duress, with nearly imperceptible flex throughout heavy-duty prying. Whereas it performs exceptionally nicely beneath load, it’s value noting that the multitool’s compact design means that there’s some slight flex within the handles when used with excessive drive, however it’s by no means sufficient to compromise the software’s integrity. General, the Wave+ is constructed robust and means enterprise.

Materials High quality

True to its kind and repute, Wave+ is constructed to final, created from high-quality chrome steel that may deal with no matter you throw at it. Whether or not you’re screwing in {an electrical} fixture, slicing by rope with its razor-sharp knife, or bending fence wire with the pliers, the Wave+ can take a beating and carry on going. Its sturdy building delivers confidence it may well deal with put on and tear for years of robust jobs. It’s additionally rust-resistant and holds up for the lengthy haul by wet circumstances or frequent use round water. 

The Wave+ feels strong in your hand, too, with a dependable, sturdy really feel typical of the  Leatherman title. It’s the form of software you may rely on, day after day, regardless of the journey or process at hand.

Ought to You Purchase the Leatherman Wave+?

For those who’re an always-tinkering DIYer or insatiable adventurer, the Leatherman Wave+ is your pocket-sized superhero, able to sort out every thing from tent repairs to fast house fixes. Its 18 instruments are packed right into a smooth, comfy design you may rely on and use all day. The instruments are straightforward to get to, stalwart as an oak tree, and like carrying a whole toolbox in one thing smaller than your smartphone. 

The Wave+ is a strong worth with years-long reliability for tradespeople and tenting households, and can assist you zip proper by your weekend chore record. This is among the all-time greatest multitools, however it won’t swimsuit people in search of specialised single-purpose instruments or these confronted with constant heavy-duty work.

When contemplating the Leatherman Wave+, a few of our different high picks from our gear information would possibly attraction to you as nicely.

Leatherman Skeletool Overview: Whereas not as feature-packed because the Wave+, the Skeletool is amongst our favorites for its simplicity and portability, with a wonderfully balanced weight-to-function aspect with out the majority of bigger fashions. Seven instruments, together with pliers, a knife, a bit driver, and a bottle opener, cowl the fundamentals nicely. We additionally love the carabiner-style carry clip. 

Gerber Suspension NXT Overview: The Gerber Suspension NXT gives strong worth with 15 instruments packed into an inexpensive, well-built body, together with pliers, wire cutters, quite a lot of blades, screwdrivers, and scissors. Its ergonomic design and durable construct make it a terrific possibility for a flexible software at a terrific worth. Whereas it lacks the premium really feel and among the specialised options of the Wave+, it’s a strong, budget-friendly different.

Gerber Armbar Drive Overview: A compact, trendy tackle the normal multi-tool, the Gerber Armbar Drive includes a easy, smooth design with six instruments, together with a bit driver, knife, pry bar, and bottle opener. Ideally suited for individuals who desire a light-weight software that doesn’t sacrifice practicality, it’s good for minimalists who want a number of key capabilities with out extra. In comparison with the Leatherman Wave+, the Armbar Drive gives fewer instruments however is a strong, pocket-friendly selection for primary duties or mild use.