Leatherman Wave+ Multitool Assessment | CleverHiker

Backside Line

In our information to the very best multitools, the Leatherman Wave+ takes our prime spot for the second yr working as a go-to multitool full of high quality and utility. This magnificence boasts an ideal stability 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 stainless-steel blade, a noticed, and even replaceable wire cutters. The perfect half? All of those instruments are simply accessible from the skin, so that you don’t should unfold all the device to seize what you want.

The up to date Wave+ additionally brings some severe 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 facet for on a regular basis carry, however when you’re continuously utilizing a multitool, you’ll recognize the additional heft. With a lifetime guarantee and all the flexibility you possibly can 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 completely different Minnesota farms (livestock, crops, and passion). We used it to restore pens, reduce bale twine, and preserve tractors tuned up. On the similar time, the device 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 max portability with out lacking a beat in performance.

Weighing simply 8.5 ounces and measuring 4 inches closed, it simply suits 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 a really perfect companion for on a regular basis house repairs or getting on the market on climbing 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 world bestseller for good purpose. This jack of all trades is solely a blast to make use of, with exceptionally easy operation in each informal and demanding conditions. Every device 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 pressure. This was complemented by barely-there spring stress variation and no sudden resistance when accessing or locking the instruments into place.

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

Ergonomics

Consolation and ergonomics are highlights of the Leatherman Wave+. Its a design that simply feels proper within the hand. The snug 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 device’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 positioned for pure hand positioning. We by no means needed to awkwardly regulate the grip when switching between features. This cautious consideration to ergonomics makes the Wave+ some of the snug multitools on the market.

A multitool isn’t a lot good if you need to battle to get on the instruments. The Leatherman Wave+ actually shines relating to the effectivity of device deployment. 

Accessing the instruments is quick and easy, with most instruments prepared for motion in 2-3 seconds. Should you’re in a pinch and must deploy a blade, the one-handed opening function is a sport changer—fast, straightforward, and intuitive, particularly when juggling different duties. Transitions between completely different features 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 device 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 undertaking 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) could be a little trickier to entry, particularly once you’re in a rush or want a device from deep inside the deal with.

Load Bearing Capability

The Leatherman Wave+ is a beast relating to load-bearing capability, significantly its pliers. They preserve a sturdy 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 below vital duress, with nearly imperceptible flex throughout heavy-duty prying. Whereas it performs exceptionally nicely below load, it’s price noting that the multitool’s compact design means that there’s some slight flex within the handles when used with excessive pressure, nevertheless it’s by no means sufficient to compromise the device’s integrity. General, the Wave+ is constructed robust and means enterprise.

Materials High quality

True to its type and fame, Wave+ is constructed to final, created from high-quality stainless-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 could actually 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 stable in your hand, too, with a dependable, sturdy really feel typical of the  Leatherman title. It’s the sort of device you possibly can depend on, day after day, irrespective of the journey or activity at hand.

Ought to You Purchase the Leatherman Wave+?

Should you’re an always-tinkering DIYer or insatiable adventurer, the Leatherman Wave+ is your pocket-sized superhero, able to sort out the whole lot from tent repairs to fast house fixes. Its 18 instruments are packed right into a glossy, snug design you possibly can depend 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 stable worth with years-long reliability for tradespeople and tenting households, and can aid you zip proper by your weekend chore record. This is without doubt one of the all-time finest multitools, nevertheless it may not swimsuit people searching for specialised single-purpose instruments or these confronted with constant heavy-duty work.

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

Leatherman Skeletool Assessment: Whereas not as feature-packed because the Wave+, the Skeletool is amongst our favorites for its simplicity and portability, with a superbly balanced weight-to-function factor 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 Assessment: The Gerber Suspension NXT gives stable worth with 15 instruments packed into an inexpensive, well-built body, together with pliers, wire cutters, a wide range of blades, screwdrivers, and scissors. Its ergonomic design and durable construct make it a fantastic choice for a flexible device at a fantastic worth. Whereas it lacks the premium really feel and a few of the specialised options of the Wave+, it’s a stable, budget-friendly different.

Gerber Armbar Drive Assessment: A compact, fashionable tackle the standard multi-tool, the Gerber Armbar Drive contains a easy, glossy design with six instruments, together with a bit driver, knife, pry bar, and bottle opener. Splendid for many who desire a light-weight device that doesn’t sacrifice practicality, it’s good for minimalists who want a couple of key features with out extra. In comparison with the Leatherman Wave+, the Armbar Drive gives fewer instruments however is a stable, pocket-friendly selection for fundamental duties or mild use.