The Finest Knives for Mountaineering & Backpacking of 2024

Hiking and backpacking are year-round activities that many of us cling to as a way of taking a break from our day-to-day lives. There’s just something about getting into the outdoors and living out of your backpack that can’t be compared to anything else. One key component to life on the trail is a good knife.

Whether you’re out there for a few hours or a few days, a knife can make all of the difference in your adventure. From harvesting tinder to food prep to helping you out in an emergency, the best knives are made from premium materials meant to be used and abused in the elements.

However, the knife market is massive. There’s a lot of overlap from brand to brand, and even within brands. That’s why we’ve taken the time, over this past year, to present you with the following collection of knives. Each of these knives meets the lightweight, reliable, and versatile requirements deemed necessary to be considered the ideal knife for you when you head out into the outdoors.

For more info about hiking and backpacking knives, as well as how we tested them, visit our buyer’s guide and FAQ to learn more. For a quick rundown of prices and specifications, check out our comparison chart.

The Best Knives for Hiking & Backpacking of 2024

Knives for Hiking & Backpacking Comparison Chart

How We Tested Hiking and Backpacking Knives

At GearJunkie, knives are like water bottles; everyone has a few. We believe that a good knife can be the difference between a good time and a bad time and is one of the few necessities you need to make it out of any jam. That said, we’re not just slicing up cardboard and cordage in our garages, we carry and use these knives daily. Each knife spends a couple of weeks in our pockets or packs and goes where we go.

However, we’re often asked how we choose the knives we review and the ones that end up in these types of guides. There’s no hiding how saturated the knife market is, and how much it grows from year to year. So, we have no problem telling you that it’s not an easy task. But it is a fun one.

There’s no one single thing we look for when vetting out knives we test. It’s a combination of a lot of things that influence one another. For instance, we know that there are a few key brands out there that we can rely on to either come out with something innovative or to be the first to use new and improved materials. Once we’re able to test those elements out and prove that they’re as good as the company claims they are, it opens the door to other brands and other possibilities.

Case and point, MagnaCut steel and crossbar-style locks have been sprinkled all over the knife world in 2024. And for good reason — MagnaCut has proven to be the best EDC steel on the market. Every major (and some minor) knife maker has started using it. It spread like wildfire. Why? Because EDC knife users have high standards. Blade steel needs to be to meet those demands.

Benchmade created the Axis lock decades ago, and it’s the basis for every Crossbar style lock out there. Being that it’s been out in the field as long as it has, and we’ve tested it numerous times, we have a good feeling that it’s the best of the best.

That said, we still test everything we recommend. We still abuse the heck out of MagnaCut steel. We still see if we can get a crossbar-style lock to fail. There’s no going through the motions here. You trust us to give you tried and true information based on our professional experience with a product — and that’s what you’re going to get.

Testing History

Gear Junkie has been lucky enough to have a solid team of knife testers over the years and this year is no different. From Josh Wussow to Anthony Sculimbrene to Sean McCoy and Nick LeFort, just to name a few, we have an experienced group of people from different walks of life who are all knife freaks. They all bring something unique and informative to the table in terms of making sure that you get the best of the best. Our team understands the assignment: inform the masses.

For this year’s guide, we plucked Nick LeFort out of the group and had him tackle the task.

LeFort is an outdoor enthusiast, engineer, and knifemaker who has worked and played in the outdoor and knife industries for more than twenty years. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge about materials, engineering, manufacturing, and marketing, and has nearly thirty years of experience in the outdoor world. What’s more, he’s been testing and reviewing knives, tools, and gear for more than a decade. Having started with GearJunkie last September, he already has over 50 articles to his name. He’s dedicated to the cause, has a lot to say, and wants to make sure you’re getting the best information you can from us.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Hiking and Backpacking Knife

When it comes to knives, we can only take you so far. In the end, you need to choose a knife that’s right for you based on what you plan on doing with it, how much you want to spend, and how many knives you plan on owning (we recommend multiple). But there are a few key things to look for, especially in regards to a knife you plan on relying on for hiking and backpacking.

Knife Steel

The variety of knife blade steel and handle materials out there is pretty impressive. But, while go-to handle materials seem to have stabilized, there’s new steel coming out every year. The above selection of eight knives contains seven different knife steels. Our recommendation is to consider each steel on a case-by-case basis. Still, any good blade steel should meet or exceed the following requirements.

Corrosion Resistance

The last thing you want is your knife turning orange on you out in the field. Especially if you’re planning on using it to prepare food. All of the steel mentioned in this guide either has exceptional corrosion resistance or has been coated to eliminate the occurrence of rust.

Abrasion Resistance

Some people consider this property to be more form than function. But in all reality, if your blade gets scraped up, it may start chipping — which then could lead to blade failure.

Edge Retention/Ease of Resharpening

The worst knife you can carry is a dull one. That being said, you want to look for knife steels that either excel in edge retention or can be easily resharpened. You can learn more about specific knife steels here.

Handle Material

When it comes down to handle material, it’s all about grip. Ergonomics play a part in this as well, as it’s possible to find great handle material in a weird shape that will cause fatigue. If that’s the case, you won’t want to use the knife and you’ll have wasted your money. These are some of the more preferred handle materials on the market today:

G10 & Micarta

G10 and Micarta are both extremely strong materials. Both excel in grip whether your hands are wet or dry — which is why these two materials are so popular with EDC, Survival, Tactical, and Bushcraft-style knives.

Nylon & Plastic

Nylon and plastic also make for great handle materials because they’re durable and lightweight, but they’re also generally textured. It’s this texturing and styling that increases grip on a knife made from these materials.

Note: Nylon and plastic handle scales can be called a litany of names. Some of the more popular names are: FRN/Zytel (Fiber Reinforced Nylon), GRN (Glass Reinforced Nylon), GFN (Glass Filled Nylon), and Grivory (Injection Molded).

Carbon Fiber

A lot of folks think carbon fiber is just pretty to look at, but in all reality, this woven material is lightweight and strong. Depending on its composition, it could be considered the perfect balance between strength, weight, and durability. You can bet your bippy you’ll pay more for a knife with carbon fiber — but it’s worth it.

Aluminum & Titanium

Both aluminum and titanium are incredibly strong and lightweight materials which make them great for knife handle scales. But where aluminum has become relegated to budget knives, the use of titanium is usually saved for premium and ultra-premium Knives. The only drawback to both of these materials is that they can be slippery when wet.

Ease of Use

Ease of use is a big deal when considering what knife is right for you. It can come in many forms from ergonomics, to lock design, to the hardware used to keep the knife together and in good functioning order. All in all, the last thing you want to do is struggle with or be uncomfortable using your knife.

Ergonomics

A good knife will feel right in your hand. From the shape of the handle scales to the overall thickness and even texturing, ergonomics can be the difference between you being confident with your knife or leaving it in your drawer at home. When you consider a knife, put it in your hand and give it a good squeeze. Then, push down hard on a hard surface. If everything feels right, that’s your next knife.

Lock Mechanism

Without fail, you will find yourself in a position where you need to rely on the lock on your knife more than you expected. Out of the six folding knives in this guide, four feature the crossbar-style lock mechanism and a fifth features a button lock which is similar in design to the crossbar lock. In our time and experience, we have never seen one of those lock mechanisms fail without some outside force creating a major disruption in how the knife functions. Like a truck running it over. Additionally, a good liner lock won’t fail you either.

Pocket Clip

The right pocket clip will keep your knife in place in your pocket and will be easy to attach and remove. Generally, pocket clips are made from steel or titanium, are designed to retain their shape, and are around half the total length of the knife when they are closed. However, there are pocket clips that can deform over time. There are also shorter pocket clips that, depending on the size of the knife, can cause it to float around in your pocket, or even come out of your pocket. I would pick a longer pocket clip over a shorter clip any day.

Ball Bearings

Ten years ago, you needed to pay $300 to get a knife with ball bearings in it, but now you can find them for under $100. Ball bearings assist in the opening and closing of a knife. In fact, there are some knives out there that are so fluid in operation — due to ball bearings — that they’re just as fast, if not faster than an automatic knife. They’re also legal in more places when compared to an auto.

Sheaths

In terms of fixed-blade knife sheaths, your biggest concerns — in terms of function — are sheath material, how it attaches to you or your pack, and if it’s easy to remove (and insert) the knife from.

Leather and Kydex are the two most popular knife sheath materials out there. Both can be easily attached to your belt and — depending on the mounting clip — your pack as well.

Maintaining and Caring for Your Knife

Your knife is only going to benefit you if it’s in good working order. With a fixed-blade knife, maintenance is generally focused on keeping the blade edge sharp and free of knicks or chips as this can lead to failure. With a folding knife, it can get a little more complicated as there are moving parts that need to be maintained to make sure the knife is safe to use for years to come.

Here are some basic tips that you should get into a routine of doing to make sure your knife is reliable and ready for your next adventure.

Make Sure It’s Sharp!

A dull knife isn’t any good to you. In fact, a dull knife can be dangerous. Thankfully, most knives on the market have steels that you can easily sharpen with the right sharpener and a little practice. That said, if you ever have any questions about the blade steel on your knife and how to sharpen it, we recommend contacting the manufacturer.

Pro Tip: Some knife manufacturers, like Benchmade, offer free knife sharpening for life.

Keep It Clean and Lubricated

Water, dirt, and debris can all lead to your knife failing on you. For both fixed-blade and folding knives, make sure to wipe your blade down and that the handle cavity and sheath are dry and free of debris.

It’s perfectly fine to wash down your blade with dish soap and water, making sure to wipe it down and let it air dry. We also recommend coating your blade with any type of food-grade lubricant.

Regarding folding knives, you want to make sure that the lock mechanism and pivot are free of debris and in working order as well. These can be cleaned with a Q-tip soaked in rubbing alcohol, or canned air. You should always re-lubricate these areas after cleaning your knife.

If the knife manufacturer recommends a specific lubricant, it’s always best to use that.

FAQ

As a general rule, fixed-blade knives are stronger, require less maintenance, and are designed for more demanding tasks.

Folding knives tend to be more portable and easier to carry but have more moving parts which equates to more maintenance.

We don’t want to get too deep in the weeds here, because we think there is room for both. At some point, choosing between the two comes down to personal preference.

As we said earlier, for every knife you buy, consider what you’re buying it for.

Plain edge blades have one continuous edge and they can be great for cutting, chopping, shaving, and slicing.

Generally, a serrated blade is a combination of a plain edge and serrations, usually towards the back of the blade near the pivot. The benefit of serrations on a blade is that it can be used for sawing through limbs and rope.

Overall, when choosing between a blade with a plain edge and one with serrations you need to take your needs into consideration. Serrations take up space on a blade edge and are more complicated to sharpen.

That said, if you like having options on your blade edge, this sharpener from Smith’s can get those serrations factory sharp within a few minutes by the fire.

The three major materials for fixed-blade knife sheaths are injection molded plastic, Kydex, and leather. All three have their merits, with Kydex and leather being the two real contenders, but it really boils down to the following:

Mounting: A sheath that can mount to multiple things (like your belt and your pack strap) can be a major bonus in terms of ease of use and accessibility. One that has a buckle that you can open and close so you don’t need to take off your belt or deconstruct your backpack is even better.

Where you are going: Leather is beautiful, but it doesn’t do so well in the elements. A wet knife sheath won’t dry easily as long as you remain outdoors with it. The universal, and durable, solution is Kydex. That said, if you’re hell-bent on a leather sheath — you can dry it at night on a stone by the fire. Just make sure to take the knife out first!

In all reality, we probably could have. But, wood isn’t as common on production knives as it once was. When considering that these are lightweight knives for hiking and backpacking, wood is even less common.

That said, wood makes for great handle scales on knives. You’re more likely wood on fixed-blade knives, but there’s a handful of folding knife models out there that still use wood. The Bushcraft crowd likes wood handle scales quite a bit.

P.S. We didn’t mention bone or leather handles either. Or horn. Or copper. There are so many different materials out there. We stuck to the ones that pertained to the knives in this guide.