To introduce this light weight multi-tool made by Leatherman, I would first like to tell you a little about where I tested it. I used this tool on a month long adventure in the Yukon wilderness and used it for a multitude of things. In freezing temperatures in the mountains, and moist environments along the river I depended on it for day to day use. The weather in the Yukon is one that will surprise anyone because you cannot plan on one type. You have to plan for all situations, and all scenarios, because when you’re not looking there is a snow storm rolling in, or a flash rain storm, followed by bone chilling winds that are just waiting for you to underestimate mother nature. I am going to break down this produce based on what I went through and experienced with it. I am going to use the Tough Gear Criteria to grade this multi-tool and see if it has the grit to stand up to the versatile back country conditions.
DURABILITY: (A) The freestyle Multi-tool preformed up to my standards and above. Not only did I drop it in the sand multiple times but I cut through several ropes, and used the blade until exhaustion and the thing did not go dual. I used it when I was on the river and stored it in a pocket that was on my life jacket. Not only did it get wet every time I went in, but it stood up quite well to river conditions in general. To this day it still has not showed a speck of rust. With all of these factors taken into thought the Leatherman’s Multi-tool receives a Tough Gear Durability grade of an (A).
AFFORDABILITY: (B) Even though this multi-tool is very high quality and I would recommend it to anyone there are some price issues. Compared to other tools on the market one can get by with a much lower end product that will most likely last the duration of your trip. The freestyle cost anywhere from 28-38 dollars and to a lot of outdoors man this is a lot of money to spend on one multi-tool. However with this said you are investing in a quality product that has a 25 year warranty and will perform every time no worries. Also you get the great customer support that comes with the Leatherman brand. These are just a few things to think about! However with them all in mind the Leatherman Freestyle receives a Tough Gear Affordability grade of a (B).
PACKABILITY: (A) The freestyle offers a nice light weight option to the conventional bulky multi-tool. It offers a nice knife with a reliable pair of pliers that will be worth its weight in the burden of carry. The Multi-tool can fit into almost any small space, pouch, and pocket. It weighs in at 4.5 oz. or 127.57 g, and is only 2.6 inches long when all closed up. It has a clip on the side to attach to your pants or belt for easy access, and a compact design to slide right into your pocket. With taking all of this into mind the Freestyle Multi-tool receives a Tough Gear Packability Grade of an (A).
VERSITILITY: (A+) When it comes to a product that meet the needs of almost any outdoors man the freestyle multi-tool by Leatherman is the way to go. This tool can come in handy especially in situations where a sturdy knife and pair of pliers will help you out. I used it for two weeks in the mountains opening food packs, cutting and chopping food, and tending to broken zippers on the tents. I then went on to use it for two weeks on the river whitewater canoeing and it put up to the brutal test of the river conditions. It was used to cut tie down ropes, carve walking sticks, and a multitude of other uses. For this the Freestyle receives a Tough Gear Versatility grade of an (A+).
In conclusion I have found that The Freestyle Multi-tool made by Leatherman preforms very well and holds up in a variation of climates. The tool is reasonably priced for those wanting to invest in reliable tool and not out of range for many who want it for everyday use. It is extremely packable and folds up into itself when not in use. Also you can clip it just about anywhere. When it came time to look at the versatility of the product it did not let us down. It could be used to cut up a potato one minute and the next be fixing a broken zipper on my tent. I would recommend this product to anyone looking for a light weight backpacking multi-tool that will live up to its name. Not recommended for someone looking for a multi-tool that has a screw driver and all those other additions. For this the Freestyle Multi-tool receives an overall Tough Gear Grade of an (A).
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