This pocket knife is insane! It’s the Victorinox Classic mini Swiss Army Knife, it only weighs 21 grams and it’s perfect for thru-hiking and backpacking. It’s the only knife you’ll need on your hike long-distance trails like the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail because it’s so small, ultralight and multipurpose. I personally think it’s the best you’ll get for the money and knives with this level of quality don’t come cheap.
Get yer mitts on one: https://thetrailhunter.com/victorinox-mini-knife/
For beginners, it’s great because it’s got everything you’ll need while camping even here in the UK and it’s built to last with super sharp stainless steel.
Kit list as of June 2020:
Backpacks
Atom+: https://bit.ly/31oHlFF
ULA Circuit: https://bit.ly/37XbigX
SHELTERS
Stratospire 2: https://bit.ly/317A9gS
Zpacks Solplex: https://bit.ly/2CtyJmr
SLEEP SYSTEMS
Katabatic Sawatch: https://bit.ly/3fWSxNM
Katabatic Palisade: https://bit.ly/3ewt5OL
Neoair Xlite: https://bit.ly/2YrKSB4
FOOTWEAR
Altra Lone Peak 4.0: https://bit.ly/2B5fHm8
Gaiters – Altra gaiters: https://bit.ly/37ViBFY
CLOTHING
Waterproof shells
Rohan Helix: https://bit.ly/37ZKbSo
OR Helium 2: https://bit.ly/3fVmzBq
Frogg Toggs: https://bit.ly/2Nqlrth
Insulated jackets
Patagonia Micropuff Hoodie: https://bit.ly/2YwQZ7f
Trespass Rustler: https://bit.ly/3i0HODx
Base layers
Ice Breaker base layer: https://bit.ly/3eGSdlG
Shirts
Rohan Expedition: https://bit.ly/388teWl
Shorts
Patagonia Striders: https://bit.ly/2Npw2EX
Hats
REI desert cap: https://bit.ly/3hWUKdJ
Berghaus beanie: https://bit.ly/31dGvvi
Sunglasses
Sungods: https://bit.ly/2zZ0wKG
Gloves
Salomon gloves: https://bit.ly/2ByVMMf
Ski gloves: https://bit.ly/383TCQX
Socks
Injinjis: https://bit.ly/3dwpmPG
Darn Toughs: https://bit.ly/3hX28G2
Sealskinz: https://bit.ly/3hXAnNG
NB Flat Knit: https://bit.ly/31e0Dx1
Mosquito net
Smidge: https://bit.ly/2B8d9DH
Buff
Camino Buff: https://bit.ly/31awGho
FILM AND SOUND
Phone
iPhone 11 Pro Max: https://bit.ly/2NosT83
Drones
DJI Mavic Air 2: https://bit.ly/31oIn4v
DJI Mavic Air 1: https://bit.ly/2VbNn8E
Cameras
Canon M50: https://bit.ly/3eyCPrQ
Sony RX100V: https://bit.ly/2NqQOUy
Mics
Röde Micro: https://bit.ly/2Npt1nX
Tripods
Gorilla Pod 1K: https://bit.ly/31c74Rf
Gorilla Pod 500: https://bit.ly/3ewApts
Manfrotto Action: https://bit.ly/2Ys689O
NAVIGATION
GPS units
Garmin InReach Mini: https://bit.ly/384Keg4
Garmin GPS Map 66i: https://bit.ly/3dxY4bI
Compass
Silva Field: https://bit.ly/31aS3iD
WATER TREATMENT
Filter
Sawyer Squeeze: https://bit.ly/2YwRJt3
Purifying drops
Aquamira drops: https://bit.ly/3euuQM9
Water storage
Cnoc Vecto 2L: https://bit.ly/31e1AFB
ELECTRONICS
Power banks
20,000mah: https://bit.ly/2NnBQyA
13,000mah: https://bit.ly/3hZhvOg
GPS tracking watch
Garmin Forerunner 35: https://bit.ly/3drJUc9
Wall chargers
UK : https://bit.ly/2BxbgQW
US : https://bit.ly/3dpUIrb
Data
Apple SD reader: https://bit.ly/2VfnnsW
EQUIPMENT
Lights
NU25: https://bit.ly/2Z5S70p
H2R Nova: https://bit.ly/2BB5fCV
Tiki: https://bit.ly/3hXBKfi
Ice axe
Grivel Helix: https://bit.ly/2Z6e0Nm
Trekking poles
Alpine Carbon Cork: https://bit.ly/3hXWiUL
Traction
Microspikes: https://bit.ly/3fQC5hV
Stove
MSR Pocket Rocket 2: https://bit.ly/2Vfl4WL
Spoons and knives
TITO titanium spoon: https://bit.ly/3ey0oAT
Victorinox mini classic: https://bit.ly/2Yr7dP8
Poop trowel
Deuce of Spades trowel: https://bit.ly/3i7H3c6
Sit pad
Kumfie pad: https://bit.ly/3euvJnX
Tent stakes
Tarptent stakes: https://bit.ly/3hZik9O
MSR Mini Ground Hogs: https://bit.ly/3ew7VAe
OEX Y-shaped stakes: https://bit.ly/31bAnnd
Tent poles
Zpacks carbon fibre tent poles: https://bit.ly/3du14pM
Ground sheet
Polycryo ground sheet: https://bit.ly/37XLmBW
STORAGE
Pack liners and pods
Atom Packs DCF pack liner: https://bit.ly/2YrMPxo
Heacy-duty rubble sacks: https://bit.ly/31dqPba
Dry bags and stuff sacks
Sea to Summit 4L Nano: https://bit.ly/3hVi8Z3
OEX 2L dry bag: https://bit.ly/3dx6qjX
Katabatic Gear silynylon stuff sack: https://bit.ly/3expU9n
Pouches and wallets
Zpacks DCF Wallet: https://bit.ly/2VgbQcL
Zpacks DCF utility pouch: https://bit.ly/2CuHAEq
Food storage
Loksak OPSak: https://bit.ly/2Nq2VkD
Ziploc freezer bags: https://bit.ly/2Z8GOVz
MISC ITEMS
Bodyglide: https://bit.ly/2Nt5Wka
Carmex lip balm: https://bit.ly/31bqBRW
Lifesystems Nano first aid kit: https://bit.ly/37XVv1v
Croakies eyewear retainer: https://bit.ly/2B8fmit
10 replies on “Victorinox classic mini pocket knife review | Best and only swiss army knife needed for backpacking”
Love swiss army knives.
Great knife, have a few. Wish Patagonia made the Pro Strider in 2xl. Yeah I'm a fat fella.
The victorinox rambler is even better because you get an extra tool with 3 functions. It's a small Philips screwdriver, bottle opener and wire stripper in one. The Philips screwdriver is very handy for tightening loose screws on spectacles or sunglasses and useful for any time you need it for the rest of your hiking gear. It is the same size as the Classic but slightly thicker and weighs a fraction more but is a lot more useful. I would never carry a Classic over the Rambler
handy little bit ov kit ……
I'm carrying the Victorinox manager knife with me, It's basically the same plus a bottle opener and a tiny pen in it. The file is actually also a screwdriver (–), the bottle opener as well (+). Sometimes, when I want to eat more healthy on trail, I'm carrying an Opinel 6 with me to cut veggies (my favorite healthy trail food is couscous, tomatoes, cucumber, herbs and feta/vegan feta or avocado, lemon jiuce, olive oil).
Awesome bit of gear. Love mine
I don't disagree with anything you said but personally i do prefer one of the standard size Victorinox rather than the mini models. Mind you, not one with dozens of tools. Just one of the simpler standard size. But i'm not a through-hiker so that might make a difference.
Have used these for so many years now and almost always have one with me. Used to give them to people as holiday presents, a gift but also a test to see if they recognized truly useful things. Oh, and the blunt/screwdriver end of the nail file can come in handy… Not necessarily a through hike necessity (the screwdriver bit) but it is amazing how many times I have used it.
But what if you need to fight off a bear or skin a moose? I'm joking of course. I ran into a PCT hiker in Idyllwild last year that was carrying a full size machete.
Cant belive you only got one before the PCT, great little knife, you missed the flathead on the nail file, supper usefull for tightening up treckingpole cams and prizing things open.. Mine goes everywhere with me and get used daily!!