The outdoor industry is constantly moving forward. Yet rarely does something come totally out of leftfield and surprise us completely. The Leatherman Tread however, did just that.

Leatherman have been making pocket tools since engineering graduate Tim Leatherman realised that a pliers-based multi tool was what the world needed. In 1983, along with Steve Berliner, he officially incorporated Leatherman Tool Group, to make these tools. More than thirty years later they are still making superlative multi-tools – you probably have at least one of their models in your toolbox at home.

If you’re the adventurous type, you may even have a story about losing one at airport security too. And that was the challenge that the bosses set to Leatherman engineers: make a superb multi-tool that you can walk through airport security with. “Think outside the box,” they were told.

The result of that thinking process from Leatherman’s design department is the Tread, a tool set that, uniquely, you can wear as a bracelet – just like a watch strap. It is, quite simply, a remarkable piece of engineering. Along the links and a clasp that make up the Tread (the fastening is just like a stainless steel watch strap) there are 29 individual tools, from an Allen key set to several screwdrivers and box wrenches.

“That was the challenge that the bosses set to Leatherman engineers: To make a superb multi-tool that you can walk through airport security with.”