Organize and Contain Your Tools with the Best Tool Bag
-
Veto Pro Pac CAMO Small Tool Bag -
Veto Pro Pack XLT Laptop-Tool Bag -
Occidental Leather 5585, Stronghold Journeyman’s Tool Bag -
DeWALT 18" Open-Top Carrier Tool Bag -
Custom LeatherCraft 1528, 23 Pocket Extra Large Electrical and Maintenance Tool Carrier -
Buyer's Guide
Tool bags have become more popular in recent time, especially for tradesman and maintenance workers who want quick and easy access to their tools. Using a tool bag makes it easy to organize those tools, while still having them contained in a way that they are easy to carry from project to project while working. With all of a tradesman’s essential tools inside, he’s got everything conveniently at hand.
Although best tool bags in 2022 seem like a new arrival on the scene, they've been in existence for quite some time. I can’t find any data showing when they were first used, but some trades have used them for centuries. Farriers (those that shoe horses), have always used a tool bag for their nails, files, hammer and hoof trimmer. Pipefitters working on the cooling system for the Boulder Dam used tool bags to take their tools from worksite to worksite. Even the Army has used tool bags for years, at least as far back as World War I.
The nice thing about a tool bag, as opposed to a tool box is its convenience. No matter how well organized a tool box is, it can’t keep everything ready at hand like a tool bag can. The open top and flexible sides make it easy to carry a variety of things, while the sewn-in pockets make it easy to organize a wide variety of tools.
I was amazed when I started looking at tool bags for this article, to find how wide a variety of tool bags were offered and how expensive some of them are. Of course, like anything else, you get what you pay for, so those high-dollar tool bags are better than the low cost ones that you might find at your local building supply center.
Tool bags are constructed out of a combination of heavy canvas, leather and plastic. Some have hard sides, with pockets sewn inside and out, while others are all soft-sided. What works better for your needs depends a lot on the tools you need to be able to carry with you and your personal work style.
The key to these bags is how sturdy they are built. I have an old all-canvas one that I've had for years. While I've managed to poke a number of screwdrivers, chisels and knives through it in one place or another, I can’t say that I've really damaged it. Clean it up and it’ll look just about as good as new. The bigger risk for breakage actually comes in the ones which have plastic supports and sides. Those might break, especially if kept in the heat or cold a lot, as both heat and cold can make plastics brittle.
The other thing to look for is the number of pockets that the tool bag has, and whether they are the type of pockets you’ll need for the tools that you need to carry. Some of these are designed for specific purposes, and if you end up trying to use them for some other purpose, you’ll end up pretty frustrated.
One other thing I’d like to say about these is that they are not for the person who doesn't put things back where they belong. The whole concept of a tool bag is to have everything neatly organized where you can grab it easily. If you’re the type of person who is likely to throw your tools in the middle compartment, rather than put them in the pockets, don’t bother with a tool bag; you’ll just end up frustrated.
Custom LeatherCraft 1528, 23 Pocket Extra Large Electrical and Maintenance Tool Carrier
Detailing the Best Tool Bags of 2022
Veto Pro Pac CAMO Small Tool Bag - Best Tool Bag Overall
Veto makes an extensive line of tool bags, which are considered some of the best in the marketplace. This particular bag is huge. It can hold a 24 inch level in either of the two main compartments. Plus has 58 vertical tool pockets and four zippered pockets. An outside mounted stainless steel clip holds your tape measure. The PVC impregnated denier sides and 3mm polypropylene base are both waterproof to protect your tools. Marine-grade rivets help protect the bag. The bag will hold and organize over 100 tools. A heavy-duty, wide shoulder and ergonomic padded handle make it easy to carry around.
Veto Pro Pack XLT Laptop-Tool Bag - Runner Up
Yes, this is another product from the same manufacturer. Like I said, they make the widest selection and some of the best. This bag is unique in that it takes into consideration that the modern tradesman often needs much more than his tools to get the job done. This tool bag combines storage for 39 tools with a soft-sided, but still rugged, briefcase, so that you can carry your laptop computer and other office essentials with you. A great combination. Built of the same materials as the one in our number one slot, it’s designed to outlast you or your laptop.
Occidental Leather 5585, Stronghold Journeyman’s Tool Bag - Honorable Mention
Before seeing this tool bag, I didn't realize that anyone was still making all-leather tool bags. In a way, this is a bit of a throwback to yesteryear. Nevertheless, being made of leather, you can count on your grandkids being able to use it as well. This one doesn't have as many tool pockets as the cloth ones, but it does divide the center section into nine center compartments, allowing you to split your tools into sections. The leather construction is fairly rigid, making it so that the bag always sits upright. A reinforced bottom helps ensure long-term durability.
DeWALT 18" Open-Top Carrier Tool Bag - Consider
For those that don’t want to spend a fortune on a tool bag, DeWalt makes a very nice 18 wide unit. This one comes with 18 exterior pockets and 16 interior pockets. Plus, there are three flap-covered pockets and one zippered pocket for small parts, testers and other easy-to-lose items. A collapsible bar handle allows for excellent visibility and easy access to all tools. The padded shoulder strap makes it easy to carry.
Custom LeatherCraft 1528, 23 Pocket Extra Large Electrical and Maintenance Tool Carrier - Best Tool Bag
This bag is very similar in design to the leather one that we looked at above, except it is made of fabric instead of leather. It also has more pockets, allowing easy organizing of your tools. Being designed for electrical maintenance workers, it comes with a bottom compartment, which hides a multi-compartment plastic tray for holding crimp lugs or other small parts. Elastic loops in the main compartments help keep tools upright. The square design is almost impossible to tip over.
Buyer's Guide
Being organized is the key to success. Tool bags are the best way to collect and transport your tools when required. People chiefly perceive that only maintenance workers and tradespeople need a tool bag. However, tool bags are ideal for storing your tools at home as well. After all, who does not want all their things placed in a well-organized manner in a single place rather than clustering them all around the house? Tool bags come in different sizes, shapes, and features, so we have compiled a comprehensive buyer's guide to distinguishing the best tool bags of 2021 from the bunch.
What to Consider Before Buying?
All the tool bags are designed to store your equipment, but the best tool bag can do it efficiently. As mentioned earlier as well, different tool bags have various features. Thus, you need to know the essential elements that are a must-have in your tool bag.
Sturdy Construction
Most people buy a tool bag when they transport their tools from one place to another frequently. Thus, a tool bag must have a rugged and sturdy construction so it can bear the wear and tear. A lightweight tool bag is perfect if you only need to store your small tools like screwdrivers and wrenches. On the other hand, if you are looking forward to using the tool bag for large and heavy tools, you need a toolkit that can bear the weight. It is best if you buy a tool bag with double or sometimes triple stitches on its handle.
Durable Material
The material used in the construction of the tool bag is equally important as the construction. The material used in construction should be durable and long-lasting. Furthermore, it should be able to carry the weight of the tools. The more the material is sturdy, the longer the bag will last. The best tool bag is made of polypropylene, nylon, polyester, leather, or canvas.
A second thing that is important when it comes to the material of the tool bag is water resistance. Whenever you buy a bag intending to use it for transportation, it is best to look for water-resistant material. Tools catch rust easily, so you do not want water to get in the bag at any cost. Especially if you are planning to use the bag in areas with wet weather conditions, always look for weather-resistant material.
Large Storage Capacity
Storage capacity also plays a critical role in deciding which tool bag to buy. It will be useless if your tool bag does not have the capacity to hold at least all the necessary tools. Similarly, the tool bag should be able to hold the smallest tool as well as the largest. In short, the entire tool bag should have space for all your tools, and each one of them should fit perfectly. If you have to stuff the tools in the bag, it is smaller in size. On the other hand, a larger tool bag will never hurt because you may never know when you buy additional tools. Just make sure it is not too big to be inconvenient to carry.
A large Number of Pockets
Tool bags are a means to organize your tools better so that when you need them, you are not in a hassle. The organization of tools is on the basis of the compartments and pockets available in the tool bag. The more pockets, the better you can arrange your tools. The best tool bag has both interior and exterior pockets with accessible and comprehensive compartments. Most tool bags have zipped pockets, so your tools are safe and do not fall out of them. Some bags have pockets of different sizes for all types of tools.
Some Additional Features to Consider
Apart from the regular features in a standard tool bag, you can look for additional features that can help boost your performance. For instance, some of the best tool bags come with padded pockets so that you can keep your phone in them. Similarly, some bags have a special D-ring attached to them where you can hang your water bottle or your keys.
The range of additional features is very long because it depends on the creativity of the designers. You can also store a flashlight alongside the tools, so if you are working in a dark place, you will have to find the flashlight first to grab the right tools. Thus, you will find some tool bags with a built-in light to make it easy for you to look inside the bag.
Some people are fond of listening to music when they are working, and if you are one of such people, you will be glad to know that some tool bags also provide the feature of built-in speakers. You can easily connect these to an iPod or Smartphone.
How to Organize your Tool Bag?
From the beginning, we have been saying that tool bags are the perfect way to organize tools but how? You need to arrange your tool bag smartly. Experts recommend that you keep the most used tool in the exterior pockets so they are always in reach. Secondly, when you buy a tool bag that you need to carry on your shoulder, you need to make sure that you do not keep sharp and pointy tools on the side that is rubbing against your body. You should keep the heavy and bulky items in the centre of the tool bag so it remains balanced.
Tool Bag FAQs
Q: Are wheeled tool bags beneficial?
Yes, wheeled tool bags are beneficial when it comes to efficient portability. If you plan to buy a large tool bag to carry heavy tools, it will be a burden to carry it on your shoulder. Hence, this is where wheeled tool bags come to the rescue.
Q: What are the types of tool bags?
There are three types of tool bags; backpack style, bucket bag, and standard bag. Backpack style has two straps so that you can carry it like a school bag on your back. It distributes all the weight and makes it easy to carry. The standard bag has one handle to carry it, and bucket bags are those with spacious compartments.
Q: What to consider when buying a tool bag with zippers?
Tool bags with zippers carry heavy tools, so ideally, they should be made of sturdy and durable material. It is best if they have a double-pull design.
