The Multitool That Lives in My Go Bag and Might Just Belong in Yours, Too

Earthquakes don’t issue a warning, so my family and I have created an emergency plan: We keep our car fueled up, we have our portable chargers topped up and we all know how to shut off our gas. But maybe the most important prep work we’ve done is to put together an emergency go bag, also known as a bug-out bag. One item I’ve included in my go bag is a multitool by Gerber that includes pliers, scissors, screwdrivers, wire cutters and a knife.

You can drop a lot of money on a multitool and some of those more expensive models are worth it. But because I wanted to buy more than one — because my kids could always use one, too — price and weight were important to me, which is why I chose the Gerber Gear Dime 12-in-1 Mini multitool.

Usually priced at about $30, this multitool is always worth grabbing, whether or not it’s on sale. Right now, you can get the red version for $26, a 10% discount. Below, I’ll explain why I like this tool so much. For more mainstays of the go bag, here are our favorite power banks for iPhones and the best portable solar panels.

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Where this multitool fits into my emergency preparedness plans

In addition to having bug-out bags ready, we keep an extensive earthquake kit in a big toy chest. With this big kit — called a stay box — weight isn’t really an issue, and we can store enough food, water and whatever else we need to make it through a few days or even weeks. But in a go bag, each item has to be portable and essential because weight adds up quickly. (This is the mini lantern I went with.) The Gerber Gear Dime 12-in-1 Mini multitool weighs just a few ounces and fits into the palm of my hand when it’s folded up.

Gerber Gear Dime 12-in-1 Mini multitool specs

• Material: Stainless steel
• Dimensions when open: 5.5 x 4 x 0.6 inches
• Dimensions when closed: 5.5 x 2.75 x 0.6 inches
• Weight: 2.2 ounces
• Included tools: Pliers, wire cutter, tweezers, small and medium-size flat-head screwdrivers, bottle opener, retail package opener, plain-edge blade, scissors, fine and coarse files, lanyard/key ring

Why the Gerber Gear Dime 12-in-1 Mini multitool makes a great gift

This multitool may seem like an overly practical gift, but there will eventually be a time when it will come in handy for anyone. Plus, you really can’t beat its price. It’s perfect for your handy friends who could always use another gadget for fixing things or for someone who’s building their emergency bags.