It’s great to have a set of tools, but it’s never enough if you don’t store them well. How often are you looking for the wrongly placed tool just because you do not know where you kept it? That’s why it is necessary to have the best tool bag to keep all the tools in one place.
Working instruments which are kept in a tool bag correctly are typically easy to find and seldom misplaced. Sometimes, you may find your tools damaged because you left them somewhere where you shouldn’t or even lose them.
The same way, if you want your tools to be properly stored and serve for long, you will need to know how to choose a bag for tools. The selection of a great bag for all your tools and the protection of them free from rain and wet is important.
You don’t want to acquire a carry-on-tool bag too large nor one too small. There are a couple of things to check out as well as steps on how to pack a tool bag in order to keep it as durable as possible. Read on, and I will show you these and more in this tool bag review.
Tool Bag Reviews
CLC Custom LeatherCraft 1539 Pocket Tool Bag
The LeatherCraft 1539 is rugged and designed for carrying heavy objects. Additionally, this backpack has zippered side panels that can keep everything in the pockets so that they won’t fall out and scatter anywhere. Its main body is made of heavy-duty poly fabric with poly ballistic trim. It’s sturdy enough that it will stand up straight and keep its form even when fully loaded with equipment. Its dimensions are 18 x 14 x 7 inches. The top closure is equipped with a double zipper to keep your tools safe while you move around. It also includes an elastic shoulder strap, which is reinforced for support. The handles also have been upholstered so that the pocket is comfortable.
The CLC 1539 has 50 different-size pockets, so there should be more than ample storage options for any type of device. The outer pockets of the tools are vertical. The center pocket is very large and can hold bigger tools, including drills, hammers, sanders, or even an extension cord. A tape measure pin and carabiner can also be placed on the outside of the box. It also has an inner chisel holder. The pockets are all very easy to access.
Pros
- It has a 30-day warranty.
Cons
- The bag fabric (not waterproof) cannot stop water leakage.
DEWALT DG5543 16 in. 33 Pocket Tool Bag
This Dewalt tool bag is a heavy-duty poly fabric construction to stand up to any job. With 33 pockets, this tool bag allows for many organization options and includes one flap-covered pocket with hook-and-loop fastener. This tool bag features a pop-open design and large interior compartment to provide easy access to tools and parts. The size of this bag is 13.8 x 4.5 x 19.3 inches. The big opening of the mouth of this bag makes it easy to reach and the spacious interior allows easy access to tools and components.
This tool bag is comfortable to carry with an adjustable shoulder strap having abrasion-resistant rubber feet. Don’t scratch your hands anymore to get things and struggle to find large tools. The ballistic polymers with which this is made are more touch-flexible and solid than conventional textiles. Additionally, the bag has reinforced ends, edges, and pads of the underlying base for increased wear capacity. The shoulder strap is adjustable and non-slip with a non-slip handle, which makes it more comfortable to carry.
Pros
- It can be used to carry both power tools and large-sized options.
Cons
- More features could be added to improve quality. For instance, there are no small pockets for small tools.
Stanley STST70574 12-Inch Soft Sided Tool Bag
It doesn’t really matter what trade you work in, this will be very useful for just anyone. The adjustable strap allows for easy access to contents. It’s great for people who use an unlimited number of items every day and for carrying hand tools and other small to medium items. Comfortable, cotton-padded handles are also features of this bag. Its dimensions are 11.9 x 5.1 x 9.9 inches.The rubber foam bottom keeps bag sturdy protects contents from hard falls while the outer mesh pocket stores personal belongings, small tools, and accessories. It’s equipped with zippers that can be locked and unlocked in a matter of seconds. There are side pockets, one is 12 inches and the other is 16 inches long. In addition, on the inside, there are 5 internal pockets, they are deep and wide enough to take devices. By the side, there’s a band where you can strap screwdrivers on.
Pros
- It’s affordable for most customers.
- A great choice for electricians, mechanics, plumbers, etc (generally workmen).
Cons
- The zippers are flimsy.
- It’s of lower quality than lots of other bags.
Milwaukee 48-55-3500 Contractor Bag
The China-made Milwaukee tool bag provides you with the additional space that you want for all the work or a long voyage. The contractor’s bag is made of water-resistant 600 denier material and has a shoulder strap and dual straps for easy transport wherever you are. Every tool in your bag is secured with a zippered lock, keeping all your tools in the same place and easily accessible. Use the Milwaukee 20 to hold all of your wrenches, screwdrivers, and power supplies to tackle a wide range of projects during your working day. It is light to carry and comes in a red and black color combo. The dimensions are 24 x 11.5 x 2.5 inches. The Milwaukee bag is strong enough to stand up to normal working wear and tear and then go home for a long working day. It’s a good quality product that’s easy to use.
Pros
- Good for contractors who work at the faraway site.
- Long by 9 inches wide by 8 inches high, the bag provides enough capacity for storage.
Cons
- No warranty.
Craftsman 9-37535 Soft Tool Bag
The broad zipper surfaces render it simple to place and locate. Tools and equipment are clearly visible when placed on the outside of the bag in robust mesh pockets. Place this toolbag for home repairs and improvement plan in a workshop or hall closet. You can carry this bag in the car or in the truck to contain the necessary tools and equipment for road conditions and simple car maintenance. Just like the Milwaukee contractor bag, this also comes in a red and black design. The Craftsman tool bag has 4 pockets and weighs around 1lb. The dimensions are 8 x 9 x 13 inches.
Pros
- It’s extremely affordable.
- Good for both large and small tools.
- Recommend for working in the dark because the wide mouth opening makes it easier to look through.
- Solid construction all around.
Cons
- No warranty.
Klein Tools 55421BP-14 Backpack
It has 39 pockets, 5 outside and 34 inside, with ample storage space for tools and components. The front molded pocket makes a solid shielding material. Use it for safety glasses and other sensitive items. The interior has a bright orange hue which enables quick access to tools. This Klein Tools trader pro backpack is protected with a fully molded bottom. It is therefore perfect for outdoor work. Shoulder straps make it easy. Grips make it easy to switch from room to room. The taller bag and interior pockets allow for long screwdrivers. It measures 14.5 x 20 x 7.25 inches.
Pros
- Very durable quality.
- Comes with 6 months to 1-year warranty.
Cons
- Too expensive.
CLC Custom Leathercraft 1579 20 Inch
The Leathercraft Custom CLC 20 comes with an open pocket, having dimensions as 20 x 11 x 11 inches. The sided Tool Box is designed for large-scale tools which also serves as the central compartment. Soft-sided backpack includes 27 multi-use pockets to store a number of products and devices. It includes a removable metal frame partition, which slides to a tool bag for your storage requirements. The CLC Custom Leathercraft has an internally reinforced pocket for work clock or other devices with the plastic fiber resistant board. Made of rigid polyester structured fabric and it makes it proof to extreme weather conditions. Solid metal handle and simple to hold molded silicone brace. Shoulder strap adjustable padded. Even though it’s soft, it works well for heavy-duty carriage.
Pros
- Good choice for packing meals and simple tools.
- Easy to use and lightweight.
- Of the middle price range.
Cons
- If you’re not based in the manufacturer’s country, you may be required to pay extra deposit and shipping fees.
Carhartt Legacy Tool Bag 14-Inch
This is a durable water repellent tool bag model. It is coated with a Duravax abrasion-resistant base. An interesting part of it is the number of pockets it features. This includes the 12 exterior pockets, 6 interior loops. Typically, you’ll find that this bag has an internal metal frame, together with large compartments. Additional features include the webbing tape measure loop and comfortable grip handle. Also, with the adjustable shoulder strap with pad, it makes a rather portable tool bag for use. The size of this model is 14 x 9 x 10.5 inches.
Pros
- Affordable price range.
Cons
- No warranty, no guarantee.
Buyer’s Guide
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Tool Bag
So many things come into play while choosing construction tool bags. To help you understand the most important ones, I have summarized them into 4 main points.
What size to choose?
First of all, the size of the tool bag is important to consider. Remember how many devices you are going to use with your tool bag and choose a model to fit the specifications. The bag has to withstand the pressures. Because the smaller bags are less heavy, and more weight is required to take up more tools. Nonetheless, the weight is of particular importance if you do light jobs.
How durable is it?
The quality of the product such as stitching and rivets needs to be checked. You can actually get different types of material and you must choose only one. Always make sure you get better stitching for the quality. It is also very important to check longevity. If the product’s quality is good, it will certainly be long-lasting. It is also important to see that your toolbelt has plenty of pockets to keep the tools in one place. Evenly spaced straps make the tools accessible and the completion period is faster.
Is it comfortable and easy to use? Does it have the necessary features?
You should be able to carry your tool bag comfortably if you want to travel with your tools from one location to another. Do not select a bag larger than your requirements because it affects portability. The handle of the bag should be comfortable. It will be safer to have a tool bag with spokes. It makes it easier to move because it carries the entire weight. Such bags are thicker because of the devices that you put on them. They have retractive handles for greater comfort. You must, therefore, choose an ergonomically designed tool bag that is easy to carry. A well-conceived tool bag is more compact and looks good.
What is your budget?
Finally, it is also very important to verify the amount of the tool bag. Before buying one, you should always do thorough research. Lastly, you should now that the price of a tool bag doesn’t always reflect the quality. Some brands are generally known to sell at a much higher price than others. So, these are things you should consider.
Benefits of Using Tool Bags
Apart from the aesthetic side of tools bags, there are other aspects that make them worth your money. Of course, the best mechanic tool bag should showcase a number of such advantages. Let’s see them below.
Stay focused and organized
Some models of good quality usually have many pockets (up to 50). They will enable you to work better in an organized way. For example, the tool bucket bags are almost always circular and squared. In the meantime, such bags offer the opportunity to store both large and small tools in a rather arranged fashion. High-quality backpacks lean over the container-style backpack towards the inclusion of a zipper, while the usual ones sometimes have a velcro closure.
Easy way of working
The backpack can be placed much more easily and carried away, regardless of how much distance there is between your places of work. The backpack provides much more equipment storage space and less stress in picking them out. A traditional bag can be very difficult to carry, especially if it has difficulty with closing. The backpack is a much better choice when you use public transport, as conventional bags need a lot more space.
Less weight, more time for you
A bag is usually around 6 lb. In all ways, the size of bags used is less than 10 lbs from time to time, with harder fabric comes higher specific weight and thickness. If you’re looking to store heavy tools then you should consider a bag that will handle heavy loads. This is important because you will need the weight of the tool bag (30-40lbs) to support the tools you have. Some custom bags of up to 20 lbs are made for accessories of mid to small sizes. Also, it is essential for the tool bag to keep the equipment in one place and ordered. If you need them, you can find them with little effort. You don’t need to waste time searching for your instruments. The tool pack saves you time in this sense.
Bad weather and damage proof
Waterproof devices’ backpacks are normally very pricey. The waterproof backpack ensures that the instruments are secured and weather-free. Usually, generic bags are not durable and disposable. That is why, if the weather is consistently terrible, they are less powerful.
Health benefits
This is a statement of great importance. It is really difficult to carry a bag full of tools all day long. In a very long period of time, too many microtraumas will have a very serious effect. Much time and time-consuming stress accelerate disease development or chronic injury –rheumatism, ischialgia, spondylosis, hernia, arthrosis, osteoporosis, knee pain, and hip pain. The tool bag (particularly backpack style) holds the backbone’s natural position. Most of the time you have to carry a traditional bag on a shoulder or into your hand. On one side of your body, this means a bigger load. This is a perfect scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis recipe.
How to Pack a Tool Bag
The best tool bag should give ease of the organization. If it’s your first time buying a bag, you need to know what counts while organizing a tool bag. Let’s get into it.
Normally, tradesmen agree on the need for a decent machine bag or case to support the repairs they have on a daily basis. In so doing, the most widely used devices should be placed in the pockets or sachets on the outside of the tool bag if necessary. It is obviously useful to have the tools that are most easily accessible. When packing your tool bag, another thing to consider is to worry about which shoulder to hold your tool bag on (if you do not use the wheeled bag). Note that you are brushed against your body on one side of your bag. You don’t want to fill the outside of this side with jagged objects. If you fill a pocket with nails, it helps transport a magnet. You can collect in your nails without grabbing your pocket with this magnet.