No matter what adventure comes next, the right safety tool makes life a lot easier. Our picks are small enough to fit in your pocket, and more importantly, won't let you down when disaster strikes.
SOG PowerLock Traveler ($108)
SOG redesigned its original —one of the sturdiest and most user-friendly mini multitools we’ve ever tested—to be compliant with TSA regulations. All 13 components, including pliers, wire cutters, scissors, and screwdrivers, are now carry-on-friendly.
SOL Pocket Survival Pak Plus ($80)
There are a few things we always pack: a compact headlamp, a lighter, a multitool, and this wallet-size. Hopefully, you’ll never have to use the scalpel or signal mirror—two of the 24 included items—but you’ll feel better knowing you have them.
Spot Trace ($100)
Whether you’re cycling between vineyards on a fancy road ride or wandering in Marrakesh, the helps you hang onto the stuff you left back at the hotel. Using satellite networks, the egg-size unit pings you when whatever it’s mounted to moves, then lets you track it via Google Maps.
Midland HH54VP Portable Weather Alert ($50)
Midland’s eight-ounce uses location technology to automatically warn you of hazardous conditions. Switch to travel mode when you leave the house and the HH54VP will lock onto the clearest NOAA signal, then start chirping when a hurricane or flood is headed your way.
Benchmade 761 Framelock ($390)
It’s the . An ultrasmooth hinge slides open with a flick of the thumb, and the corrosion-resistant M390 stainless-steel blade is one of the strongest on the market.
Leatherman Tread ($150)
It’s a strange take on the wearable-tech trend, but there’s no denying the utility of the , a traditional multitool reimagined as a sleek stainless-steel bracelet. It weighs about the same as a hefty watch, and each link holds two or more tiny gadgets—everything from Allen wrenches to a cutting hook.