Leatherman adapters for the standard Leatherman flat bit holder are an increasingly popular EDC multitool accessory, so we’re going to discuss the types of inline adapters for Leatherman that you might be considering for your 2025 EDC toolkit. Let’s take a look at Leatherman 1/4” adapters for hex bits and 1/4” sockets that are compatible with the Leatherman flat bit holder.
What is a Leatherman adapter?
Leatherman tools with bit holders have a flat bit holder, which, of course, only accepts flat bits. High quality flat bits are generally more expensive and not available in the wide range of sizes and formats you can expect from full-size 1/4″ bits and sockets available today. Because of this, Leatherman flat bit adapters are widely available
There are two main types of leatherman adapter. One type converts the flat bit holder to a standard hex holder, and the other has a 1/4″ square head for sockets. A Leatherman 1/4″ socket adapter is an extremely useful inline tool, with or without a ratchet driver. Leatherman flat bit adapters enable you to use any standard bit in your Leatherman tool.
Another leatherman adapter combines Leatherman flat bit to 1/4″ socket and 1/4″ hex bit adapters. A 2-in-1 adapter that allows you to use both standard sockets and standard bits in your Leatherman is the ultimate Leatherman flat bit driver adapter, and 711L manufactures a 2-in-1 leatherman adapter that gives you this increased functionality in a convenient package.
Inline 1/4″ socket adapters for Leatherman flat bit holders
If your EDC toolkit includes 1/4″ sockets, a leatherman adapter from flat bit holder to 1/4″ socket is a simple and logical way of adding a socket driver without significantly increasing the weight of your EDC by having a purpose-built socket driver.
Flat bit inline 1/4″ Leatherman adapters for hex bits
Flat bits are more expensive than standard bits, and are not available in as many types or sizes. Inline adapters enable the use of standard bits with your leatherman tool, increasing the flexibility of your EDC toolkit.
2-in-1 Leatherman tool 1/4″ hex bit & 1/4″ socket adapters
In an ideal world, one leatherman adapter would enable you to use both 1/4″ hex bits & 1/4″ sockets. That’s why we built one, with a patented sliding action to switch between them, but we’ll tell you more about that in our next article!
Specialized leatherman adapters
As well as bit and socket leatherman adapters, there are specific tools designed to fit the leatherman flat bit holder, this includes inline EDC ratchet drivers, right angle ratchet bit drivers and EDC ratchet wrenches. The idea of these tools is to use the leatherman tool as the grip for the ratchet, bit or socket driver and reduce the size of the tool itself, for more convenient carrying.
What are potential problems with leatherman adapters?
Problems with leatherman adapters tend to be caused by two things, the inherent weakness of multitool flat bit holders to twisting moments, and quality problems with third-party adapters and tools. The torque limit of the flat bit holder is low compared to the strength of most bits and tools you can fit in the socket, the safe working limit is around 20Nm.
There are ways around the torque limit, and for additional torque without breaking your Leatherman tool we designed a T-bar ratcheting wrench that can be fitted to a wide range of alternative bit and socket combinations, including our Y-Driver and Lollipop to safely manage higher torque projects.
- Low torque rating of flat bit holders
- Quality of third party leatherman adapters
The utility of third-party leatherman adapters and tools is a function of quality. For example, poor quality ratchets have large teeth and are not usable in confined spaces where there is limited room to move the ratchet. Any EDC tools designed to be compatible with leatherman and other multi tools need to be manufactured to equivalent or higher quality standards.
711 Leatherman adapters and accessories
We think 2025 is going to be a good year for our EDC tools for Leatherman, especially our 2-in-1 bit and socket leatherman adapter and the 711L inline leatherman ratchet driver. Check out the range on the 711L Amazon store!
