2008 National Geographic Adventure magazine’s gear of the year award winner, the Leatherman Skeletool CX shows just how far the Leatherman tools have come.

Sure, the signature, shape is there to some degree but looking more like some badass industrial transformer, the Skeletool CX won’t be mistaken for your grandfather’s Leatherman.

New for 2008, the Skeletool CX has: needlenose pliers, regular pliers, wire cutters, hard-wire cutters, built-in bit storage in the handle, 154CM combnation straight and serrated blade, carabiner/bottle opener, removable pocket clip and a universal bit driver. All in a package tha weighs 5 ounces. The stainless steel tool has tungsten DLC coating and a handle made of carbon fiber. [via]

Cost: $80 @ Amazon

Budget option: Leatherman Skeletool | $58