“Did you feel that?” may be the most-asked question in my household. We’re about a mile from the San Francisco Bay Area fault that experts say is probably the region’s most hazardous. It’s hard to forget we live so close with small shakes every few days. That’s why I know I probably won’t get much of a warning before a big earthquake, so instead my family and I have an emergency plan: Keep our car fueled up, have portable chargers and know how to shut off our gas. But maybe the most important things we have are our go bags, also known as bug-out bags.
One item I’ve included in all our go bags is this multitool by Gerber that includes pliers, scissors, screwdrivers, wire cutters and a knife. You can drop a lot of money on a multitool — and some are absolutely worth it — but because both price and weight were important to me, I chose the Gerber Dime 12-in-1 Mini multitool.
Normally priced around $30, this multitool is worth grabbing whether it’s on sale or not. In the days before Cyber Week, you can get the green one for $24, a 20% discount. If green’s not your color, for a couple more bucks, you can buy the multitool in red or black. Here’s why I like it so much. For more go bag mainstays, here are our favorite power banks for iPhones and the best portable solar panels.
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Where the multitool fits into my emergency plans
In addition to having bug-out bags at the ready, we keep an extensive earthquake kit in a big toy chest. With this big kit — called a stay box — weight isn’t really an issue, and we can store enough food, water and whatever else we need to make it through a few days or even weeks. But in a go bag, each item has to be portable and essential, because weight adds up quickly. (This is the mini lantern I’m going with.) The Gerber Dime 12-in-1 Mini weighs just a few ounces and fits into the palm of my hand when it’s folded up.
Will the Gerber Dime Mini go on sale during Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
Even at full price, the Dime Mini is a deal. But Gerber historically offers its multitool on discount for sales events like Prime Day, making the decision to buy this item even easier. The sales price may not be for your favorite color, but really, what you want is for it to just sit in your go bag.
Why the Gerber Dime Mini makes a great gift
It’s also a great tool to have in general, like in your car or your desk drawer at work.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all gift, this one might come close as a stocking stuffer. I received enough chapstick, pencils, gum and socks in my stocking for a lifetime, but a multitool would be a welcome gift. For more, here are the best gifts under $25 and the best giftable tech.
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