Leatherman Wave+ Review (2026)

Name: Leatherman Wave+
Brand: Leatherman
Price: 110.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 9.2 (1 reviews)

The Leatherman Wave+ has lived in my car camping kit for seven years and my day pack on any trip longer than a day. When a tent pole ferrule cracked on a Virginia AT section, the pliers and file got it functional. When my daughter got a splinter in the Smokies, the tweezers solved it. When a camp chair buckle snapped at the Outer Banks, the scissors and the bit driver handled it. At 8.5oz it is not ultralight, but it has saved trips often enough that I stopped questioning the weight. This is the tool that handles everything.

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$110 retail

9.2

/10

TrailCraft Score

What I Liked

18 tools including pliers, scissors, saw, file, bit driver, and blades
Spring-loaded pliers are comfortable for extended use
All tools accessible from outside when closed — no full opening required
25-year Leatherman warranty — no questions asked
Bit kit accessory expands capability to 21 driver bits

Limitations

8.5oz — heaviest tool in this category
$110 — more expensive than individual knives
Scissor spring can collect trail debris over time
Not airport carry-on legal in any form

Specifications

Weight8.5 oz / 241g

Tools18

Blade Length2.9" main blade

Material420HC stainless steel

HandleStainless steel

IncludesNylon sheath and bit kit

Warranty25-year

Made inPortland, Oregon, USA

Score Breakdown

Tool Capability

9.9

Build Quality

9.7

Weight

7.2

Ease of Use

9.0

Value for Money

8.8

Field Notes

Seven years of use across car camping, AT section hikes, and family outdoor trips. The pliers have fixed a snapped pole segment, stripped a stubborn bolt on a camp chair, and been used as a cooking implement when I forgot utensils. The scissors are sharp enough to cut moleskin cleanly on trail. The saw works on small branches for kindling. I have never had a Leatherman tool fail, and when a pivot screw backed out after five years, Leatherman replaced the tool under warranty within a week.

18 tools, 25-year warranty, fixes everything — the multi-tool that earns its weight every trip

Who This Is For

The Leatherman Wave+ is right for: car campers and family campers who need gear repair capability, AT section hikers who want a multi-function tool for unexpected situations, and anyone who has ever been stuck without the right tool at camp.

I review gear the way most people actually use it — weekend trips in the mid-Atlantic, day hikes on the AT, car camping in the Smokies and down at the Outer Banks. Normal outdoor life for normal people.

A note on pricing and links: Prices are current as of May 2026. Some links are affiliate links.

How It Compares

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Common Questions

Is the Leatherman Wave+ worth $110?

Yes, for the right user. At $110 for 18 tools and a 25-year warranty, it costs about $6 per tool with a guarantee that it will be replaced or repaired free if anything fails. For car campers and hikers who need gear repair capability, the Wave+ pays for itself the first time it saves a trip.

What is the difference between Leatherman Wave and Wave+?

The Wave+ adds a replaceable wire cutter and replaceable hard-wire cutter over the original Wave. The blades and most tools are identical. The + designation is minor — the replaceable cutters matter if you do electrical work; for camping, the original Wave and Wave+ are functionally equivalent.

Is the Leatherman Wave+ TSA approved?

No. Multi-tools with blades are prohibited in airplane carry-on luggage by TSA. Check it in your checked bag or ship it to your destination. For travel, consider a knife-only or scissors-only option in carry-on.

Does the Leatherman Wave+ come with a sheath?

Yes — it includes a nylon belt sheath and a bit kit with four double-sided driver bits. The sheath clips to a belt loop. Aftermarket leather sheaths are also available for a more refined carry.