Yes, that’s right – Leatherman has come out with a new multi-tool bracelet, the Tread. I’ve seen belts with screwdriver bits, and credit card-sized thingamajigs that are carried in your wallet, but this is the first time I’ve seen a wearable multi-tool or anything like this.
The Leatherman Tread is built with high strength and corrosion resistant 17-4 stainless steel links, with each link offering 2-3 tools and functions. Even the clasp, with its bottle opener and #2 square driver, is functional.
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A full bracelet offers up to 25 usable tools and features, such as screwdriver tips and box wrenches. And since they’re worn on your wrist, they’re available anytime, and anywhere.
The Tread multi-tool bracelet is fully customizable. You can rearrange the links to suit your preference, or remove links so that the Tread better fits around your wrist. According to Leatherman, you can adjust the wrist size to 1/4″. Each link is connected to the next using slotted fasteners, and so you could even remove links and tools in the field if needed.
It looks like each link has a lot of rotational freedom, and so you should be able to use each tool and function without having to take the entire bracelet apart.
Leatherman also says that the Tread multi-tool bracelet is TSA-compliant, and so you shouldn’t have any difficulty traveling with it.
The Tread bracelet will be available in stainless steel and also with a black DLC finish.
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Leatherman Tread Tools and Functions
The Leatherman Tread is built up using 10 separate links that include the 2 clasp components, 7 full-size links, and 1 smaller link for finer size adjustment.
The Tread links will feature a cutting hook, hex drivers, screwdrivers, box wrenches, a carbide glass breaker, and the aforementioned bottle opener and #2 square driver.
Leatherman hasn’t provided a full list of screwdriver and wrench sizes, but it looks like there are Phillips, slotted, and a couple of hex driver sizes, and both metric and imperial wrench sizes. Each link has size markings on the underside for easy identification.
Individual links will also be available separately, in both stainless steel and black DLC styles.
Leatherman Tread QM1 Watches
There will also be the Tread QM1, which comes with a Leatherman-designed and Swiss-made timepiece with precision quartz movement. The QM1 will feature a shock and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal face to ensure years of heavy duty wear, and the curved geometry increases outdoor visibility while limiting reflections.
The watch will be available in two versions, same as with the bracelet. There will be a stainless steel Tread QM1, and one with a black DLC finish.
Pricing and Availability
Tread
Stainless Steel: $150 (MSRP)
Black DLC: $200 (MSRP)
Individual Links: $25-$30 each
ETA: Summer 2015
Tread QM1
Stainless Steel + Watch: $500 (MSRP)
Black DLC + Watch: $600 (MSRP)
ETA: Fall 2015
It appears that the QM1 will come with a full bracelet and the watch component, so that users can configure the watch’s links to their needs.
First Thoughts
In today’s day and age, with wearables being used to describe fitness trackers and the such, it’s nice to see a wearable multi-tool. I have seen tool-related jewelry and accessories, but this looks to be the first functional multi-tool wearable.
It looks like the links are nicely curved so as to not snag on the outside or poke skin on the inside. The Tread bracelets, and especially the Tread QM1 watches, will probably be a little weighty, but perhaps not much more so than a regular metal-banded watch (excluding titanium ones). The box wrenches should help to reduce weight at least a little bit.
Here’s a thought – maybe Leatherman could/should come out with a titanium Tread multi-tool bracelet as well! Although, if the stainless steel Tread bracelet will be listed at $150, I don’t want to think about how much a titanium version will sell for. The tooling and costs required to make Ti links will probably result in prohibitive retail pricing.
The Tread bracelets look great for a lot of different types of users. They also look pretty snazzy, at least to me. I don’t think I would wear one just for the aesthetics, but if I’m going to wear something on my wrist that I would have to look at all day, it shouldn’t look overly utilitarian.
The prices are a little steep, but the links probably require a lot of machining steps. As mentioned, each link is attached to the next using slotted screws, and all of the screwdriver tips look to be precision machined. This should make the screwdrivers and drivers, such as the Phillips tips, far more usable.
What I especially like is that the tread is said to be TSA-compliant. I don’t often need screwdrivers or wrenches when traveling, but sometimes the need does come up.
The watches are a little pricey, at least for my budget, but probably reflect production costs of the Swiss-Made mechanism and what sounds to be a curved sapphire face. Maybe Leatherman or an independent maker will come out with some kind of adapter that could allow the Tread to be used as a watch band for other brands’ watch heads.
I think the Tread looks awesome. A little pricey, maybe, but that’s not a big deal if it’s as usable, durable, and long-lasting as described.
What do you think – would you wear something like this?
Pete
I would never wear a bracelet. I would wear a watch occasionally but not one that costs $500! Good luck leatherman!
Brett
I’d maybe buy one if I could attach it to my own watch like any other watch band.
Stuart
I really expect (and also hope) that some kind of adapter might pop up on forums or by small independent makers.
Lincoln
I’m a smart watch owner. The market for watch accessories has blown up. I promise third party accessories will come out of the wood work. But I can’t see paying them that much for a tool that will not be all that practical in the first place. Some of the tools will work but I bet I’ve got them in my pocket or in my work bag and I spent about three bucks so probably not for me.
Yonnie Lingo
Ya, Like the apple watch!!!!
Sam
Leatherman watch adapter for Apple watch:
http://besttechtool.com/adapter-apple-watch/
paul
Bracelets belong on girls… sorry… but if someone gave me the watch for free, I’d wear it. TSA compliant with a cutting blade? Hmmmmmmm. It’s a fun to look at gimmick IMO and I wonder if Leatherman will ever recoup the R&D and protos cost for this trinket.
Helen
I’m actually thinking about getting the bracelet. Maybe this will sell to more girls. I think it’s so cool.
KIM
I THINK THIS LOOKS COOL. I WOULD SO WEAR THIS, BUT THIS IS REALLY PRICEY…. ITS NOT LIKE IT HAS DIAMONDS AND SAPPHIRES ON IT…
5t4r7355
I am ‘Fair-Sikh’ and I wear a “Kara” (iron/steel “bracelet”) everywhere… Its a unisex piece of spiritual hardware and nothing could ever replace it… But; upon looking at this “bracelet” I like the ‘tread’ concept and design. I also carry something called a “Kirpan” every wear I go… My current ‘every-day’ “Kirpan” is a Skeletool Cx… (In the black lingerie) But I have other ones. You will note that I am only ‘Fair-Sikh”… and represent no one but my self…
paul
PS… I rock my Leatherman OHT at work 🙂
Robert
Sometimes there’s a fine line between a “gadget” and a useful EDC tool. While the line between the two can be a grey, some are easier to classify than others.
This is admittedly subject to interpretation, but I see this leaning heavily in the direction of a gadget. In my experience, these things tend to be more attractive to collector types who use them more as conversational pieces than something of substance.
While this may provide some usefulness, it’s seemingly limited nature appears in contradiction to the cost. I understand the tradeoffs with packable and trekking items between usefulness and transportability. This would seem great for the trekking part however, but of extremely limited use when the actual need arises. As the sharks on “Shark Tank” would say; “I’m out!”
Michael
Pretty much my take too. It looks like something Leatherman would give to retiring employees
Jon
I see this as tremendously useful. I use the screwdrivers on my faux-Victorinox all the time. I carry a folding hex set with me all the time. I use each multiple times each week. I’m always find myself needing to do a quick tightening or whatever. This would be tremendously useful. But at $150-200 for the bracelet, and FIVE TO SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS for the watch that doesn’t come anywhere near even a regular G-Shock much less an MT-G? Not a chance.
Several years ago there was a Kickstarter campaign for a watch band to hold the tiny touchscreen iPod Nano. At $100+ they sold like crazy and funded the creation of the company that still sells it, Lunatik. https://www.lunatik.com/products/ipod-nano/lunatik?variant=black
Gorgeous, but $100? Sure enough, within months there were IDENTICAL knockoffs on eBay for under $20. Now they’re $10. Lunatik has responded by lowering their price to $39 (even as the value of those discontinued, used iPods exceeds the cost of the newest, larger models fresh from Apple). I expect we’ll see the same thing here.
Nathan
Take my money please. I get so tired of seeing people walking around wearing their fit bit whatever crap – smart watch stuff, or expensive watches but always need something to tighten their glasses. etc. smurf that – hang on a sec let me use mah bracelet. I’m buying 2, also might make some good impromptu brass knuckles, well SS knuckles.
meanwhile – depending on the alloy of Ti – their tooling might be OK.
Clayton M
I think this looks pretty slick. I could see it as a great addition when you only want to carry a folding knife, but still have a couple of drivers available. It could work well in a business environment where even a Leatherman Skeletool really feels like a boat anchor when clipped to thin dress pants.
I think the price will keep this to a relatively small market, but I could definitely see myself saving for one.
Nathan
I dont’ see the watch working out well for no other reason that it appears you’d fold the thing over to use the rest of the band and the handle – and depending on which tool bit you wanted the watch would be in the way – unless it came off easily. and I still don’t see that going over well. but again – neat idea.
Danny
You would have to get a second one for the other arm so you could undo the screws. 🙂
Benjamen
Kudos to Leatherman for trying something different, but I’m thinking that having to remove the bracelet or watch band to get access to a tool is less convenient then taking a tool out of a pocket or pouch. Do you really want to remove your watch every time you need a screwdriver? I guess if I found enough utility in one, I wouldn’t be ashamed to wear it though. Maybe the next gen.
Maybe this would work more in a camping/wilderness environment where every little bit of weight and space is important.
bob
You don’t always have your leatherman with you though, you do have your watch.
Jon
“Do you really want to remove your watch every time you need a screwdriver?” No. OBVIOUSLY that isn’t the point. In most situations you will use a proper screwdriver. This is a matter of convenience and trade-off, just like a Victorinox. This is for the occasional time you need a driver for a quick tightening or removal (such as when I use my pocket type to swap a battery in a kid’s toy or the other day when I just needed to tighten the handle on my sister’s skillet). I couldn’t conceive of anyone looking at this and thinking it is meant for “every time you need a screwdriver”, yet someone went straight for that assumption. Remarkable.
skfarmer
not much into jewelry but it is cool. msrp of 150 on stainless should put it out to the public around 100 or just over. that may get the serious leatherman guy on board
i would like to see it on a wrist. if it is not too tiny as to look feminine or too large aka mr t style it will have a better shot as being acceptable.
Skip Huffman
Need to make a women’s version.
Yasmin
I would totally wear a female version, this would would likely be too chunky, and maybe a bit too heavy for me.
I could see myself buying something like this for my dad’s 55th birthday, or my husband for our anniversary.
It’s a shame it doesn’t seem to come with alan keys, those seem to get lost the most.
Andrew D
I think it has allans in there? Hoping so!!
Jim Felt
I’ve actually seen these in person and if you already rock a wrist thing of any sort this is the first one I’ve ever seen that could be called cool and utilitarian.
With cell phones replacing watches I’m thinking this is likeky very prescient of the future.
Don
I like leatherman a lot and own my share but this is a little over the top for me. I just cant imagine taking the time to pull apart my watch to take care of some need I have when I typically have a leatherman on me in a sheath that’s easier to get too. Not to mention the price is way too high for me. Don’t see this one catching on.
Greg Post
If you can integrate this with a smart-watch, I’m in. Apple is making a lot of different bands for their watch. If they work with Leatherman or some third party makes an adapter or there is a simple hack that allows you to use any of the slew of smart-watches that are coming you have a great digital and physical multi-function group of tools right on your wrist.
marc0nline
This would go perfect with the Motorola 360.
John Roe
Until you ruin your whiz-bang Apple Watch or similar device attempting to use the tools or assemble or re-assemble the watch band, you ought to be fine.
Jerry
Starting at $150 makes it too rich for my blood, as I doubt it would be something I would actually use more than once or twice a year, if at all. That puts it in the realm of fun trinket, instead of tool, and I don’t have that kind of disposable income. That said, I may watch for them if they go on clearance in the future, as I got a couple really nice Leatherman folding knives for about 1/4 of retail or less, when someone was closing out their discontinued inventory on eBay.
Chad
My bro-in-law sent me the video and i was pretty intrigued thinking that cool but seen the initial price of 150 to 600 bucks — wow — i think leatherman is a little proud of this one
Been a carry of a skeletool form day one and its served well
Like others have posed, may just have to wait on this one to drop in price!!
Dave L.
Yes it’s cool, yes it’s pricey but it looks like it would be awkward to use, especially in tight quarters.
Brandon
Seems to me that this is jewelry with a little added functionality. Obviously, you’re not going to use this when you are carrying real tools, or even a multi-tool.
That said, I like it.
Stuart
I don’t think anyone would wear this instead of carrying a regular multi-tool or hands tools. But there are times and places where you cannot carry a regular multi-tool. That’s when something like this has maximum value.
JMG
Leatherman should pay the producers of the next 007 movie to have Q use a modified version of this while instructing Bond on the use of one of his new gadgets.
Andrew D
I like it !! Good one !!
Can’t believe people are saying $150 is out of their range?! Are things that tough in the US now. It’s like two tanks of fuel/gas in Australia, and it’ll last forever. A leatherman wave over here is $160 +. Save for a week or even a month and it’s yours!
SawdustTX
If someone (hopefully Leatherman themselves) makes the adapter so it can be used as a standard 22mm watch band, I’d buy it today! Great concept, great quality, I’m all in.
Question though – they mention removing the slotted screws to use a link independently, but how do you use the slotted screwdriver link while still assembled to remove that slotted screw… 🙂
BikerDad
Definitely jewelry, with some function thrown in for differentiation. Well heeled lumbersexuals and mall ninjas will be all over this, and it will also make a good gift. IF I wore a watch, it’s something I’d consider getting just because ’tis way cool, but since I almost never wear watches, I’m more likely to spend the same money on yet ANOTHER knife or chisel or such that I don’t actually need.
firefly
I agreed with all the comment about this being more of a jewelry than multitool.
I really don’t understand what the market is but I see several problem with the design. As a multitool, I can see it’s very unwieldy to use. As a jewelry, regardless of how much it fit into the TSA guideline I can see that there is a good likelihood that it will get confiscated (either out of greed or incompetence). Is that the chance you want to risk with your jewelry?
Tim K
150 for the watch (or so i thought) i was thinking about it. then i realized 500 for the watch version, yeah right… i dont see this selling well.
Andrew D
Cheap for a quality stainless swiss watch with sapphire glass, and super cool band!!
Chris C
Just way too pricey. Good luck Leatherman.
Noah
Thats cute.
Bruce
I might buy a watch as a splurge gift on myself. I like it way more than the cookie cutter dive watches. For $600 I expect it to come with the Leatherman trademark Lifetime Guarantee.
fred
Jewelry is not my thing – and I still call my watches “watches” not “timepieces” (used on those pre-Christmas commercials to set apart some of the really high cost ones). Oddly enough – I heard a radio story this morning about a “man ring” – with tools in a ring – so I Google the name and got this:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/115928701/the-man-ring-titanium-utility-ring
Yadda
Considering the large majority of Gen X and Gen Y doesn’t wear a watch this may be a little outdated. As a utilitarian band… meh….
Andrew D
All gen x and most gen y I know still wear watches, and under a grand for a quality watch is fine, money wise. A surf brand stainless watch in Australia goes for $350 to $450 odd ….
John Kato
Although I would love to get one, this watch is too much of an indulgence for me.
If I wanted to carry a multi-tool it would live in my pocket or my bag.
scottthetec
Humm…. Swiss quartz = Swatch/ ETA movement (probably). Doesn’t look like the crown screws down, so the 200m water resistance isn’t ISO rated = don’t dive with it. And when you need to change the battery, that can compromise the water resistance further. Sapphire crystal is nice. Not a $500 watch. Doesn’t look like any other band would work with it.
Rbell
I’m in…one of each. And I’ll wear a bracelet…
ktash
If I were a backpacker I’d consider it. Or as a gift for a backpacker. But I still carry my decades-old swiss army knife everywhere and use the sissors the most. Also have some other leatherman tools that I carry in the glove box, tool box etc. Very handy.
Or if I traveled a lot and knew for sure it would not be confiscated I’d also consider it. What they need is to coordinate with the TSA and have some kind of a stamp identifying it as TSA compliant (though they change the rules occasionally).
I’m not young generation but stopped wearing a watch a while back, since my phone has that plus camera, stopwatch, construction calculator, etc. Sometime you should do a feature on phone software for the shop/jobsite. I use my camera if I see something in the hardware store I’m considering, or of projects I’m working on, or plans and dimensions I store in dropbox or of a part I need, etc. I use it all the time for these things. Not to mention the flashlight, note dictation and even phone calls and texts 🙂
Of course, a person should never wear a watch/bracelet while using power tools, so limited use for jobsites, workshops, etc.
If I had unlimited disposable income I’d probably buy it, though, since I like gadgets, especially well-designed and executed ones.
Stan
Here are my thoughts on the Leatherman trend multi tool. Appearance wise, this is a pretty cool. Looks almost out of a high end “upscale” magazine and likely there is a chance you’d get some compliments on this.
However, now for the practicality aspect of this item. For $150-200, there is NO way I’d EVER pay that much for basically a bracelet that has some functionality. In a dire pinch if you were biking or in a very remote situation, this might be useful. Even so, I can’t see this tool being that useful as you likely won’t be able to get much torque out of this.
Now for the TSA safe aspect of this item. If there is one entity you don’t want to pick a fight with, this is TSA. Trust me, you WON’T win and this just isn’t worth the hassle either way. Given how expensive this item is, I’d hate to forfeit this item. On the topic of watches, these might be out of date to some people, but not every employer is complacent with open usage of cellphones. Plus assuming you buy a basic watch, these batteries are often cheap enough to replace and last months-years.
KiwiME
I’d be even more impressed if toolguy would spell “TSA-compliant” correctly, instead of “TSA-complaint”!
Stan
I just noticed that. Well given how strict TSA is, I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if TSA had a issue with this item. But yes TSA compliant and TSA complaint are two different aspects.
Stuart
What’s a toolguy? This is ToolGuyd. =P
Thanks for the correction! In my defense, maybe “complaint” was more a Freudian slip than a typo.
Polly
I’ll get one but not the watch. I have a smart phone for that
JB007
C’mon… It’s a James Bond Macgyver masterpiece! Wow people are so hard up to bash with critique. It’s innovative and pretty genius.
Brian
If the inspiration for this is just to comply with security protocols… Why not just make a conventional leatherman without a knife…
Might be a hassle to educate/convince the agent that the tool they think they recognize doesnt have a knife.
The design doesnt seem very conducive to its actual use.
I may not be the target market anyway, I own a mutltool and I use it… never. I think I can get most jobs done faster with a real tool, even accounting for time to retrieve it.
Stuart
They used to have at least one multi-tool like that, with the retired knife-less Fuse being the first and only example that comes to mind.
I see this more as a “wear everywhere” multi-tool, and not really as a TSA-compliant-focused tool. There are a lot of places where a traditional multi-tool is out of place. This one, although a little flashy, looks like it could be be more discrete that traditional multi-tools. The functionality is a little different, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
CARL CORDEIR
REALLY IF I NEED ANYTHING I HAVE MY WAVE 100% OF THE TIME ON MY SIDE…AND THIS WOULD BE COOL AND I THINK I MIGHT THINK ABOUT IT IF IT HAD THE BIT THAT TAKES APART THE WAVE…OR ANY OTHER LEATHERMAN…AND WAYYYYYY TO EXPENSIVE….FOR A SMALL TOOL….$80 WOULD BE PERFECT PRICE FOR THIS..ANYTHING MORE AND YOUR TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE CONSUMER..
Stuart
Please refrain from submitting ALL-CAPS comments. All-caps comments are akin to shouting and are incredibly difficult to read. This one has been shrunken. Next time they will be deleted.
brian
Stuart is my hero.
John Roe
Some posters must resort to CAPS by reason of vision issues. Some are in systems restricted to CAPS LOCK.
Stuart
I have never heard of that. If the font is too small, every modern device offers a way to zoom in or increase the text size.
Some people think that writing in all caps helps their opinion stand out louder. All caps is akin to shouting and is very difficult for anyone to read.
Caleb
Looks cool, but way too expensive for “looks cool.”
Andrew D
Priced any King Baby bling lately?! 🙂
Mike
One of my friends is an engineer at Leatherman and he’s even in that commercial for these. I’d really like to have that watch but $500 is pretty steep for me. I’m sure that the street price will be less but it’ll still be too pricey I’m betting.
Robbie
Overpriced way beyond its potential usefulness and functionality. Will it sell? Oh yes, look at some Bose and Beats products that are around. I can already hear the amused laughter of enterprising copycats somewhere in Asia getting busy about releasing their own version at a fraction of the price.
Skip
Looks like a nice gadget something to add to my collection, might come useful in some occasions. Now lets talk price, maybe the bracelet but forget the watch, remember who you want to sell it to the working man not the executive. However if you keep the price as stands with watch better rename The Corporate because no one on the line will be buying it.
arunas
For sure I would like to buy Leatherman Tread Multi-Tool Bracelet – Watch .
Bodean hardman
Like the look,it’s more of a urban man accessory.Where can I buy one in Australia.
MetalMan
I’ve been wearing bracelets for over 40 years, been riding a Harley for the same amount of time. I’ve got several cuff bracelets made by Navaho silversmiths Darin Bill and Bruce Morgan. A real man wears whatever he wants. I also wear an Omega Seamaster Professional chronograph (watch for the uninformed)daily, that now sells for 3K plus. A couple hundred bucks for a manly, stainless steel, functional bracelet, that’s a no brainer, I’m in!
MetalMan
sorry, Navajo
Andrew D
Roger that !! x two 🙂
Mark
Owned mine for about three weeks now. First TSA test is this week. All I can say is it is better than I had hoped.
http://www.markkitaoka.com/latest-news/review-leatherman-tread/
andy h
Bought it love it extremely durable and functional. Do I feel less manly wearing it no It’s a tool and besides that have met a lot of women who are just as good if not better craftspeople then some of my gender. Thanks for another quality product Leatherman.??
Hinterhuber
I’m interested on the “Tread QM1”
Stainless Steel + Watch: $500 (MSRP)
or
Black DLC + Watch: $600 (MSRP).
Where is the watch available?
Thanks for your answer,
your sincerly
H. Hinterhuber
Poco
Any update on when the Leatherman Tread QM1 watches will be available?
Irma Carol
How long is the Leatherman Tread Multi-Tool Bracelet? And how long are each link? I have a small wrist.
Also, where can this be purchased???
Thank you.
a. murray
Awesome bracelet!!! Very practical. Have flown with it several times NO issue. The hex can unscrew the garbage hose of your mom-in-laws garbage disposal when you weren’t expecting her to ask you to look at it. The cutter works better than ANY pair of scissors when try to get something out of the plastic wrap. The phillips head perfect for kid’s toys remotes and shallow screws. Oh back the the cutter WILL DESTROY A SEAT BELT. Bottle opener Great conversation piece. Very manly looking. I love it.
Priness
As a female, I wish you’d make a version for women. A little narrower (with the watch of course!) and maybe a few less different tools because it would have to be smaller and maybe in white, lt. blue or pink. I will be buying one for my husband and both my brothers while I’m waiting for the female version to be developed!