Every once in a while a product comes along that is so unique I can’t decide if it is complete nonsense or pure genius. The new Leatherman Tread wearable multi-tool clearly has no peers and resides in a category all by itself. A bracelet featuring a total of 29 individual tools on 12 links, the Tread is a toolbox for your wrist.
Made of 17-4 stainless steel, the first thing I noticed about the Tread was the weight of it and the elegantly refined craftsmanship of its construction. The Tread is no novelty and actually feels like a tool. Each link is joined to the next with small connector links, each affixed to the bracelet with sizable screws. Those screws are designed to be removed and tightened with the ordinary penny. By removing whole links, or the one half link, users can fine tune the fit within increments of 1/4-inch.
With a total width of 1.2-inches and a weight of 5.9-ounces, the Tread does command a lot of real estate on even a large wrist, but that size is necessary to accommodate as many tools as possible and to permit their use in practical applications.
The mix of tools seems carefully chosen and features items I would not have thought to include. The carbide glass breaker is a clever addition as is the sim card tool. With a large bottle opener under the easy to actuate clasp, the Tread is prepared for post work libations and the standard and metric hex and box drives give the tool universal utility.
To be completely honest, I have to admit it is a very cool product, one I see fitting the needs and wants of many people. For me, it was simply too large on my average-sized wrist to be something I would want to wear on a daily basis. In the first few days of having the Tread at my side, I did find myself looking for opportunities to put it to use, and I have to say, the tools are more practical and useful than I would have suspected.
At $160, it isn’t inexpensive, but once you have it in hand, the quality and complexity of the design confirm why the price is what it is. This is one of those products sure to become a common gift for the man or woman with everything. They probably don’t have one of these.
www.leatherman.com
