Knives and Tools

There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all knife. In fact, knives for outdoor use are broken down into several key categories. The knife that best suits your needs will likely differ from one that suits the needs of your friend. Generally, there are four types of outdoor knives:

• Pocket knives- Best for all-purpose use and portability.
• Fixed-blade knives- Offer a more powerful cut and blade.
• Keychain-knives- Think Swiss Army Knife, small yet mighty.
• Machetes- Best for hiking in dense forest or jungle areas.

What knife will suit your needs? Well, we’ve reviewed the best of the best. For the most part, every hiker or outdoor enthusiast should at least carry a pocketknife or key chain knives. Those who backpack or setting up a camp should also look into a fixed-blade knife or survival knife.

A multitool is exactly what it sounds like– a tool with multiple uses and functions. Think of it as a Swiss Army Knife on steroids. Most popular multitools feature a traditional knife, needle-nose/regular pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers, saw functionality, awl, can/bottle opener, safety whistle, carabiner, and fire-starting tools. Anyone who spends a great deal of time outdoors or who enjoys camping should keep a multitool on their person. The uses are endless. We’ve reviewed some of the best multitools on the market, including Leatherman.

Setting up a proper camp often requires the right tools for the job. Unfortunately, a simple knife or multitool can’t handle every aspect of setting up a campsite. The job often calls for a few key extras, including:

• Camp saws- Used for cutting firewood, lumber, or other general uses.
• Camp shovels- Used for digging holes for sanitary or fire purposes.
• Axes and hatches- Key for cutting kindling and vegetation.
• Machetes- Excellent for getting through thick brush or vegetation.

Which is the most beneficial for you? That depends on the type of camping you generally do. If you’re a backpacker who enjoys trekking miles into the woods to set up camp, you should definitely keep a shovel and ax or hatchet on your person. If you’re simply car camping, you can probably get away with an ax or a saw.

Waist packs have always been popular with casual hikers and climbers. The reason? They’re totally hands-free. Much as the name implies, a waist pack is a small pack that attaches around the waist rather than on your back. Some areas small as a fanny-pack but most are large enough to store essential items such as a phone, poncho, keys, and snacks. When we review the best waist packs for outdoor adventure, we always keep comfort, storage, and usability in mind.

Nature is never shy about offering plenty of photo opportunities. For the hiker, climber, or biker who enjoys photography, camera packs are a must. These are bags specifically designed to house camera gear and lenses. Most have partitioned sections within the interior frame to keep gear safely in place as you go about your day. We strive to review the best camera packs available today.