Accessories


Tech Tuesday: A Wrist Full of Beautiful Tools

January 27, 2015

By Laura Brauer

The Leatherman Tread is either one of the most absurd products to hit the market in a while, or so clever that I may just shell out a couple of hundred bucks and buy one.

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The Leatherman Tread in stainless steel.

Yes, it’s the same company that makes those multi-tools that have for years found comfortable homes in pockets and gear boxes of, well, just about anyone. This new Leatherman, a multi-tool wristband, linking together 25 different tools might be enough to catch your interest, but it’s the design that really got me—one of those gadgets that combines the ornamental and functional.

And if you’re into 1950s retro, this is reminiscent of engineer boots and other rugged looks from that decade (and a little beyond). I can imagine a young Billy Joel wearing one as a hip auto mechanic in an update of “Uptown Girl.”

While wearing tools on your wrist may not be convenient , on the other hand, having 25 different possibilities—including various sized flat and Phillips screwdrivers, Hex drives, the always-useful Allen wrenches and socket drives—with you at all times may be worth the extra effort of removing the bracelet to use the tools.

There’s also a bottle opener, cutting hook, oxygen tank wrench and, in case you lock your gear in your car and have to break a window to get in, a Carbide glass breaker.

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Constructed of 17-4 stainless steel, the Tread is also available in black.

There’s also an optional timepiece (a fancy way of saying watch) that’s waterproof to 200m. Who knows— this may be a useful tool for Scuba divers.

The bracelet, which is adjustable by 1/4-inch to fit smaller wrists, isn’t available for order just yet. But the Leatherman site is set up with pricing ($150 silver; $200 black), and a not-yet-functional shopping cart, so it probably won’t be too long before you can treat yourself to this unusual piece of gear.