All Arround MTB

Housed in a plastic tube and supplied with a Velcro strap, the Plugger can be slipped into your pack or attached to your bike. The insertion tool is a slim metal tube with a chamfered end, which is easier to load and use than the forked versions in other kits. Inside the handle are 10 5.5cm-long tyre plugs – enough for multi-day trips. The large insertion tool can widen small punctures, stopping the small plugs from being as effective as others on test. It'd be good to have some thicker plugs for larger holes. Price $27

This hipster-friendly package has four elasticated pockets with plenty of room for tyre levers, CO2 canisters, penknives and multi-tools. There’s also a zipped pocket that’s perfect for small parts such as master links and patches. A leather toe-strap-like closure prevents the tool roll unravelling. The tough waxed canvas outer ensures that this isn’t an accessory for the weight weenies out there – ours tipped the scales at 116g, rather than the claimed 91g. But if you don’t mind sacrificing low weight for durability and a hefty dose of style, then this is a great way to keep your kit organised. Price $30

The Wayside’s rack of detachable ball-ended Allen keys (secured with plastic clips and a rubber sleeve) means you don’t need to manipulate the hefty body of the tool to access awkward bolts. When stowed, the chain tool clips to the Allen key rack, so it doesn’t flap around. Unique features include a short serrated knife blade (with safety catch) and a Presta valve core removal tool. The integrated 8mm Allen key is hollowed out and you can insert one of the detachable ones to gain by far the most leverage of the tools on test. There’s no Phillips/Pozidrive head. The rubber sleeve can be fiddly. Price $50

Blackburn’s boxy self-contained light gives impressive power, communication and control for shorter rides. The compact metal body slides on and off a hinged clamp, which needs to be tightened hard to avoid wobble. Twin LEDs give a noticeable ‘double barrel’ effect, with a molar-shaped secondary throw that’s occasionally distracting when swerving around on mixed terrain. The small battery means run times look scary-short on paper, but the big screen on top of the light gives unmissable run time and power info. Three buttons let you scroll either way through the power and strobe menu or hit maximum ‘Blitz’ mode immediately. They also make it easy to turn the light on accidentally. We’ve not had the Countdown long, but Blackburn reliability is generally good. Weight 270g Run time 1hr 20mins Price $202

This heavy-duty, MTB-specific inflator has a sturdy steel barrel and base. It tops out at 50psi, which means there are fewer numbers to squeeze onto the gauge, so it’s easier to read. We found that the analogue dial didn’t quite tally with our digital pressure gauge, though. What the Chamber lacks in finesse it makes up for in brute strength, seating even 29+ tubeless tyres with ease. In fact, it’s proven so efficient that our tubeless inflators have been gathering dust for the past few months. The super-long hose means you don’t have to worry about valve position as much and it’ll even reach bikes hung in a workstand. Blackburn have added some nice touches – most notably the 31.8mm bar clamp, which allows you to swap the simple (and not very comfortable) handle for your favourite riser bar and grip combo. Throwing in a barrelmounted bottle opener too, they’re trying hard to justify the price tag. For those in the market for a specialist high-end pump, we reckon they’ve just about

SO GOOD The Heist’s shaped side plates make it by far the most comfortable-to-use tool on test. That means you can crank bolts up nice and tight, despite the tool’s minimal length.

AT JUST 60MM long and with only five tools, the Toolmanator 5 is more of a pocket-sized emergency fettler than a full-on 'rebuild your bike on the side of the trail' number. Weighing just 41g, it'll sit in a short or jersey pocket without weighing you down or flapping about while you ride.