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Finally, I found a lightweight multitool that doesn't sacrifice function for form (and it's just $30)

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Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

I admit it: I'm addicted to multitools. My daily carry for the past year or so has been the Gerber Dual Force, which has the most powerful pliers and best screwdriver on a multitool I've used. But the Dual Force is big and heavy, and not suited for lightweight applications like hiking.

Also: 10 tiny tools I carry with me everywhere - how they work

I have some hikes on the horizon where I'll want a flexible multitool that can handle things like bottle opening, tightening up the odd screw, and cutting and fixing things. In my search for such a compact, lightweight multitool with a decent selection of tools, I came across the NexTool S11 Pro.

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Putting aside the name, which makes it sound like a smartphone, the S11 Pro is marketed as a 12-in-1 EDC (everyday carry) multitool aimed at the hiker and camper.

Tiny but very effective bottle opener. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

It measures a compact 1.97 x 0.63 x 4.12-inches and it weighs a miniscule 2.9 oz. This is a lot smaller and lighter than my Dual Force, which weighs a tiresome 12 ounces.

The NexTool S11 Pro is a lot smaller than the Gerber Dual Force. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

It's also packed with features I rely on when out and about. The pliers are a good compromise of size and performance, the blade is sharp enough for most tasks and holds an edge well, and the screwdrivers and scissors are well designed and do their job well.

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