The Best Knives for Hiking & Backpacking of 2026

A couple of years ago, OKNIFE got together with knifemaker Ken Onion to design a lightweight, but hard-working folding knife. The end result was not only the incredible XEN-OAL ($120) folding knife, which launches this April, but the creation of a whole new aluminum alloy: OAL.

This new alloy is just as light as the well-known 6061 aluminum, but it’s harder, stronger, and tougher. The end result is a workhorse of a knife that rings in at less than 3 ounces.

Generally speaking, lightweight folding knives aren’t designed to be heavy-duty. They’re relegated to simple tasks like shaving, slicing, and food preparation. The XEN-OAL can do all of those things, but can also be used in demanding situations. Feel free to twist, turn, and torque this knife to your heart’s delight.

This is further enforced by the choice to use S45VN steel for the blade. Most people are familiar with S35VN steel. S45VN is a tougher steel with higher corrosion — and abrasion-resistant properties. It keeps an incredible edge, and unlike S90V — the next steel in the S-series — it is still easy to resharpen.

In testing, we found that the XEN-OAL was impervious to all weather conditions and required next to no maintenance. In fact, this is the kind of knife you can put away wet and worry about wiping down later. Also, its flipper opening was easy to use with gloves on.

When you consider how lightweight it is, combine that with its hard-working nature, and this factor — you have a folding knife that is just about perfect for hiking and backpacking. All in all, the XEN OAL is one lightweight and tough son of a gun.

Who’d have thought you could buy a knife these days that leaves its factory in France and arrives as sharp as the Opinel No.08 Inox ($22)? Oh, and at only $19. The 135-year-old Opinel design has received only the most minor of tweaks in its history, gaining a locking mechanism and stainless steel in the 20th century, simply because it hasn’t needed any big changes to stay competitive. 

Like most folding knives, the Opinel isn’t as strong as a fixed-blade knife. I wouldn’t subject it to the sort of heavy-duty use I might reserve for a fixed-blade, such as splitting wood. But for hiking and backpacking, you don’t need a knife that strong.

All your knife has to do is slice, and for relatively light-duty tasks such as food prep, and it should prioritize lightweight and compactness, since every ounce and fraction of a liter counts when you’ve got your whole life temporarily on your back.

The No.08’s 3.28”, 2mm thick (at the base) blade rests right within my favored size range for general-use knives (3-3.5”). The contoured beechwood handle is surprisingly comfortable, one of the most comfortable knife handles I’ve used. And its satin finish doesn’t get slippery, even when I’m cutting greasy sausage or soaked in rain.

More exotic knives made from fancier steels will outperform the Opinel. There’s no doubt about that. But you’ll have to spend several times its meager $19 price to purchase your way into that next tier of performance. Even for a veteran knife guy like myself, the Opinel finds its way into my hand quite often because it’s all the knife I need for hiking tasks, and not an ounce more. The Opinel No.08 Inox is proof that simplicity as a virtue hasn’t gone out of style.

Like the Opinel, the Morakniv’s excellence comes largely in part to its price at a paltry $19. Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel, while a solid performer, isn’t exotic enough to outperform or even match the cutting performance of the industry’s best knives. But its performance and the fit and finish of this budget knife punch way beyond its price tag.

Seriously, this is “I bought this with my paper route” money. You shouldn’t be able to get knives this nice for this price, according to the rules of the universe, and yet here we are. You’ll have to spend three times as much, at least, for a knife that can show up the Morakniv.

My wild enthusiasm for the Morakniv Companion ($17) stems from the fact that for the price of a family dinner at McDonald’s, you get a well-finished knife made in Sweden, whose blade comes sharp and ready for action right out of the packaging.

Its 4.1”-long drop point blade is nimble and easy enough to use for tasks that require finesse, such as feathering sticks to create tinder for starting fires, although its length and thickness (2.5mm near the handle) put it just slightly above my preferred blade length for a hiking knife. The sweet spot for me is a 3-3.5” blade length, assuming that you’re not performing bushcraft or dressing game while out hunting.

Being a fixed-blade knife, the Morakniv is a bit more knife than a person needs for usual hiking and backpacking trips. When you’re not performing bushcraft, you don’t need a particularly strong knife. When I bring my wood stove — a Trail Designs Sidewinder Ti-Tri — I take the Morakniv to use for breaking up small branches by batoning the thicker pieces apart, and it’s strong enough for that because the branches needed for a small, solo stove like the Ti-Tri are also rather thin.

At 4.1 ounces, with the sheath, it’s not heavy for a fixed-blade knife of that length, but it is several ounces heavier than the Opinel No.08 folding knife. You know the old hiking maxim: every ounce counts. That’s why I recommend the far lighter (1.6-ounce), though weaker, Opinel for most people.

It’s plenty strong enough for most hiking needs, like slicing cheese. If you plan to perform very light bushcraft, as in no shelter building, or if you just can’t get comfortable with the idea of hiking without a more robust knife, the Morakniv Companion is an excellent, well, companion.

Read Review: The CIVIVI Yonder

At the time of writing, the CIVIVI Yonder ($65) is fresh to the market, but we’ve had our hands on it for a while — and we’re very impressed. First and foremost, this is the first knife design from Zac Whitmore. Zac is well-known in the EDC and outdoor communities, but before the Yonder, he had never made a knife before.

Now, he can call himself a “multi-award-winning knife designer” as the Yonder has been awarded “Blade Show Best Buy of the Year 2024” and is now being named the “Best Budget Hiking & Backpacking Knife by GearJunkie”.

We were impressed with the Yonder because it is the epitome of EDC folding knives. From size and overall design to materials and the crossbar lock mechanism, it’s obvious that this wasn’t just another “copy and paste” knife. Instead, the Yonder showcases a balance between form and function that provides versatility to not just hikers or backpackers but anyone looking for a reliable EDC knife that doesn’t break the bank.

With an overall length of 6.62”, the Yonder can fit a variety of hand sizes without being considered too small or too large. Its 14C28N stainless steel blade and G10 handle scales help keep the price down without sacrificing ability or versatility, while its crossbar lock promises that the Spey Point blade will stay in place until you are ready to close it.

A note on that Spey Point blade shape: We can all appreciate how universal a Drop-Point style blade is for a pocket knife, but the Spey shape further aids in slicing, shaving, and stabbing. Anything that enhances the function of a knife is a plus in our book.

That said, expect high performance from the 14C28N steel, as it is corrosion-resistant, tough, and easy to resharpen. The finish CIVIVI put on the G10 scales is beautiful to look at, but will also provide exceptional grip in all weather conditions.

Read Review: The Benchmade Bugout

It’s hard to ignore a knife like the Benchmade Bugout ($170-330) when it comes to a list of the best hiking and backpacking knives. After all, Benchmade designed the Bugout to be just that. And while we may not consider it the best overall knife in this category, it’s hard to ignore how balanced and effective it is.

At almost 7.5” long, the Bugout is certainly a handful that allows you to do more around camp with it. Its 3.24” drop point S30V blade excels in both corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance, and its Grivory handle provides excellent grip in all weather conditions.

The two things that kept the Bugout from becoming the best overall knife are the mini-deep pocket clip and general flexing. The shorter pocket clip combined with the larger knife doesn’t keep it as secure in the pocket as we would like. If you’re scrambling around, or even sitting on a log, there is a chance for the knife to pop out of your pocket.

Flexing is a little more common with lightweight knives and a good indication that they do have their limits. That said, overall, we don’t have any major concerns about the Bugout.

In recent years, Benchmade has expanded its lineup of Bugouts to include different handle materials as well as fully customizable options. Some of the options can increase the price of the knife by well over $500.

However, if you love your knife, it’s hard to put a price on it. Additionally, although we think the Bugout performs quite well out of the box, upgrading the handle scales to Carbon Fiber or Titanium can increase its overall performance and address the flex.

The latest trend in EDC knives is pocket fixed blades. These are fixed-blade knives that are smaller than standard belt knives and designed to fit in your pocket for better concealment without sacrificing accessibility. They’re a great alternative or complement to your pocket folding knife. The Knafs Lander 4 ($65) is a prime example of this quickly growing knife category. 

With an overall length of 5.9”, the Lander 4 is sleek, slim, and easy to carry with the included Kydex sheath or the optional Leather In-Pocket Sheath ($75). It’s available in both the Moondust version which is the subject of this award, as well as a more premium Black Sheep ($120) version.

We opted to test out the Moondust version over the Black Sheep based on the fact that it has a drop point 14C28N steel blade. 14C28N steel has been around for a while but has been turning heads as of late due to its balance between attributes and value. 

14C28N is stainless steel that holds up well against corrosion and abrasion and holds a factory-sharp edge longer than some more expensive steels on the market. Through December, we used and abused the Lander 4 — throughout the holidays and challenging weather patterns — and it shows no signs of wear. This makes it a great taskmaster and overall EDC knife.

For anyone looking to test drive the latest craze in knives — pocket fixed blades -— starting with the Lander 4 would be our recommendation.

It’s hard to ignore a knife named “The Hiker” ($235) when it comes to testing knives for a list like this. Thank goodness it performed as well as it did and continues to perform like it’s factory-fresh after a whole summer of testing. That is due to the fantastic combination of full-tang MagnaCut construction, unique and impactful styling, easy carry, and the ability to be customized to fit your needs.

We were lucky enough to use and abuse the shop sample as a long-term loaner and can see why they are constantly sold out of this versatile belt knife. At 7.6” long with a 3.7” long blade, the Hiker is sized just right for a variety of tasks, from prepping food to prepping kindling for cooking it. The included Kydex sheath can be adjusted to allow it to carry low enough so it won’t interfere with your pack’s hip belt as well.

Though it’s available in a variety of steel types from Dauntless, MagnaCut is the right choice for anyone planning on relying on the Hiker when they head out on an adventure. MagnaCut requires very little maintenance due to its corrosion resistance, toughness, and heightened edge retention. 

This was our first time using a knife with Ultem scales. Ultem is an opaque thermoplastic material that the outdoor and EDC world has commandeered for beads and knife scales because it looks really cool. It also performs really well here on the Hiker, where Dauntless has kept it thin and textured for a good grip for a variety of hand sizes.

This version of the hiker has a Wharncliffe / Reverse-Tanto style blade, which is somewhat uncommon but has proven its worth in cutting, chopping, slicing, and piercing. The blade has a slight belly baked into it that allows for more precision work to be done.

If you like to put your chef’s hat on out at camp — rest assured that you can get really fancy with what you’re slicing and chopping with the Hiker. If you’re a climber, you’ll be wicked impressed at how well this knife will cut through rope without ruining it.

8” and 4oz is about as far as we’ll go to still consider lightweight, but since this category is for a lightweight, full-size knife, we think that the GiantMouse ACE Jagt ($215) is the perfect fit. “Jagt” is Danish for “hunting,” and where GiantMouse didn’t exactly design the knife to take down big game, they do claim that it is an “excellent outdoor companion for hiking or camping.” We concur.

Aside from being a full-sized folding knife, the Jagt has a modified Drop Point blade, which is reminiscent of the “Nessmuk Knife,” a multipurpose knife designed by writer and outdoorsman George W. Sears. Known as “Nessmuk,” Sears — who is also considered the first person to adopt an ultralight approach to backpacking — had a light fixed blade commissioned for himself, along with an axe and a small folding knife. The upswept design of the fixed blade was meant to cut, chop, slice, and pierce, all with a heightened level of precision to not taint meat or damage pelts.

In testing, we confirmed that the Jagt excelled at all of those things. Its MagnaCut steel blade made quick work of beef filet, peppers, and onions to make some of the best trail-side fajitas we’ve ever had. Its arching handle with textured Micarta scales added a layer of precision and finesse which could come in handy if you decided to dress big game with it out in the field. For our testing purposes, that all equated to advanced ergonomics, which means that you could use this knife for long periods without your hand cramping up.

Overall, the balance between size and weight was appreciated — as larger knives, especially folding ones, can be bulky and cumbersome. 

Read Review: The Gerber Assert

The Gerber Assert ($185) is a lightweight folding knife with advanced ergonomics. It features a premium, stonewashed S30V drop-point blade for increased corrosion and abrasion resistance. It also boasts a crossbar lock mechanism, which is one of the strongest folding knife locks on the planet.

A direct threat to the Benchmade Bugout series, the Assert may seem slight at 1.87 ounces., but it’s built to put in the work you need it to. This is due in part to the premium S30V steel and the crossbar lock which can’t fail. So, by all means — use and abuse it at will.

Due to their shape, drop-point blades are one of the most universal and easy-to-use blade types. Gerber chose to enhance the properties of the blade on the Assert by modifying the shape and adding a clip-point style treatment to the top. This increases the blade’s ability to pierce.

Additionally, the deep carry pocket clip and the texturing on the handle scales make the Assert easy to carry. The combination of the two keeps the knife in place in your pocket, so you don’t need to worry about it wandering around or losing it.

The CIVIVI Baby Banter ($70) is part of the Banter Series, which also includes the We Knife Co. Banter and Big Banter. All three knives are impressive in both form and function, but at 6.76” long and only weighing two ounces, the Baby Banter is best suited for the hiking and backpacking crowd. 

The Baby Banter has a 2.92” drop-point Nitro-V stainless steel blade. Made by New Jersey Steel Baron, Nitro-V excels in all the primary places: it’s both corrosion and abrasion-resistant, and it’s easy to sharpen when the occasion arises. It’s also available in a variety of handle materials, a Wharncliffe blade version, and recently, a fixed-blade version was released.

We loved this knife because, even in a small form factor, it has a large choil for improved grip and control when really putting the boots to the knife. This makes the Baby Banter a great choice for shaving down kindling or harvesting punky wood for the fire. Its fat-bellied blade also makes it great for food prep and a little wood carving out at camp.

The Baby Banter also has ceramic bearings and a liner lock. Bearings on a knife at this price are surprising enough, but by coupling it with Nitro-V steel, you’re getting a major deal on a knife that could last you forever.

Read Review: The Knafs Lulu

Fixed-blade knives are designed to put in the hard work, which can make them more effective in the field than folding knives. That said, a lightweight fixed-blade knife that can be beaten up and still viable is a rare and great find. The Knafs Lulu ($245), which just recently hit the market, is not only made from some of the best materials around, but it’s also lightweight, durable, and versatile.

Featuring raw MagnaCut steel in drop point form, as well as micarta handle scales and G10 liners, the Lulu is a simple knife. Inspired by the Puukko style of knife, the Lulu fits in really well with the bushcraft crowd, which means it’ll impress anyone who has a chance to use it in the wild.

MagnaCut was the top EDC steel of 2023. It excels in corrosion resistance, edge retention, and abrasion resistance. Knaf’s decision to keep the steel raw gives it a rugged look that increases the resistance properties.

At 6.75 inches long and 7/64th-inch thick, the Lulu is a smaller fixed-blade knife. However, it is well-balanced and can be used for more strenuous tasks, like batoning, that a folding knife isn’t designed to do. Furthermore, the Scandi grind on the blade enhances the cutting, chopping, shaving, and drilling experiences.

The Lulu comes with a standard Kydex sheath, designed to be worn on the left or right side. You can also attach it to the strap of your pack. For those fancy folks out there, you can upgrade to a right-hand carry leather sheath.

Read Review: The SOG Altair FX

Marketed as a “minimalist” knife, at 2.8 ounces, the SOG Altair FX ($150) is a big knife that weighs about half of what a fixed-blade knife should. But don’t let that force you into thinking that this knife can’t perform arduous tasks. In fact, we think you’ll find that the Altail FX can outperform some of its bulkier contemporaries.

154CM knife steel was all the rage a decade ago, but as new steel comes to market, older steel starts to take a back seat in popularity. However, that doesn’t mean that 154CM is anything less than what it was way back when. You’ll still find that it has good edge retention, and being that it’s been cryogenically treated and dipped in Titanium Nitride, you won’t have to worry about corrosion or abrasion resistance.

The Kydex sheath on the Altair FX has SOG’s Universal Mounting System (UMS). This allows you to carry the knife on your belt, on your pack, or anywhere you can think of strapping it down — at a multitude of angles for easy retrieval and deployment.

For those of you counting ounces, the GRN handle scales can be removed from the Altair FX. This stripped-down format is lighter in weight and reveals the skeletonized construction of the blade. In both cases, with or without handle scales, the grip on the knife is excellent and remains the same in all weather conditions.

The Mora Eldris ($27) has been a favorite of ours for many years. For just $30, this small, fixed-blade knife offers plenty of utility. This is a definite contender for our best budget award, but we feel the Banter offers better value and is worth the extra dough.

Due to the short, stubby 2.2-inch blade, the Eldris has a strange appearance. The grippy polymer handle is much longer than the blade. Because of this, users can apply pressure to a cut without worrying that the blade will break. If you like to whittle hardwood, the Eldris is the perfect tool.

The spine of the blade can be used as a striker for fire steel or magnesium. Even after multiple seasons of use, the working edge of the Eldris remained sharp and undamaged.

For $24, you can purchase an accessories kit that includes a neck lanyard, fire steel, and an extra silicone safety button. Overall, this knife is a bargain that won’t weigh down your pack.

Read Review: The James Brand Redstone

By using a single piece of folded, stamped steel for the foundation of its Redstone ($119), The James Brand found a way to decrease weight while increasing durability. The result is a knife designed for climbing that finds itself right at home for any adventure you want to go on with it.

The James Brand is known for its knives being high-priced, but with the choice to go with a less complex design and budget materials, the Redstone is a steal at $99. True, you may find yourself sharpening the stainless 12C27 blade more than some other knife steels, but it won’t corrode on you.

The handle scale “islands” on the Redstone are also forward-thinking. By design, they cut down on the weight of the knife, but increase the grip by allowing your hand to form around the gap between the two scales.

Although serrations may be a turn-off for some people, that’s what aids in rope cutting, but also comes in handy when sawing small limbs for your campfire.

Overall, the Redstone looks and feels advanced. At 1.8 ounces, it’s almost unreal. But there’s zero flex and zero issues with deployment, lock up, and carry.

Read Review: The CIVIVI Quibit

CIVIVI and its sister company, WE Knife Co. have been releasing some seriously impressive knives, especially ones that won’t break the bank. But it’s important to note that “budget” doesn’t equate to “cheap” with these knives. There’s a reason why the CIVIVI Qubit ($78) is on this list. It’s one of the best knives out there.

The Qubit is two slabs of anodized aluminum wrapped around a 14C28N stainless steel blade. It has ceramic ball bearings and a barrel-style button lock. 14C28N is the best budget stainless steel on the market.

Having it live between two pieces of aluminum keeps the Qubit light, but it also makes it a joy to use for all types of situations, easy and annoying. The ball bearings and the barrel-style button lock increase both the deployment and overall operation of the knife.

Overall, the size and shape of the Qubit are great, but based on the style of the fat, drop-point blade, it could use another inch to balance it out. That said, at 4.21” closed and 7.19” when opened, the Qubit fits in your hand and pocket nicely.

Another nice feature and benefit of the Qubit is its full-flat grind. The absence of a grind line allows you to smear peanut butter on your granola bar a lot easier. And if you’re not smearing peanut butter on your granola bar, man — you’re missing out!