A tool bag is like a tradesman’s (or tradeswoman’s) right hand: without it, it is impossible to get the job done.
Considering how invaluable this bag is, we are surprised at the number of people out there who don’t take the time to sit down and evaluate the different products on the market before buying one.
We can see that you do want to find one that matches your trade as well as compare the top products in the category (you set out in search of the best tool bag), which is why we invite you to continue reading!
In our guide, we will show you 14 different products and provide you with detailed reviews of each one; some are good, some are great, and some are entry-level, but the point is that you will be able to easily compare and contrast all of them in a single location.
Top 14 Tool Bags Ultimate Table
Choosing Your Tool Bag: Where to Begin
Sure, you could look at the pictures in our table above and choose a bag based on aesthetics and brand name, but we can almost guarantee you that this method won’t work!
We want to show you the right way to shop for a tool bag, so use the tips in this section to find one that you won’t have to return as soon as you open the box.
Style of the Bag
There are three main tool bag styles: totes, backpacks and rolling bags.
- Tote – Most of you will probably opt for a traditional tote tool bag with handles or a strap that allows you to sling it over your shoulder.
It’s important to scrutinize how the handles are attached to the bag.
Most manufacturers use industrial strength nylon or ballistic polyester for the handles, but if they are attached to the bag at the top, they should have stitching in the shape of an “X” inside a square; this will reinforce the connection between nylon and bag.
- Backpack – Backpack tool bags might be smaller, but for many electricians and HVAC technicians, they’re an excellent choice.
Some open like traditional backpacks, with the zippers only reaching down a certain length so that you can fold the front flap down like this:
The VETO Pro Pac TECH PAC Service Technician Bag
Other backpacks open a full 180°, allowing you to fold down the entire front flap to the floor so you can easily see the contents like this one:
The Custom Leathercraft 1134 Tool Backpack
- Rolling – For heavy loads, a rolling tool bag is a lifesaver.
They can be just as handy as a traditional tool bag, but the fact that they have wheels makes them much easier to transport, especially if you have quite a few heavy tools inside.
How Much Storage Space Do You Need?
The number of tools and size of tools that your profession requires will dictate the amount of storage space you need.
- Exterior Pockets – The exterior pockets are there to hold the tools that you will be using the most. They’re easy to access and come in a variety of widths.
It is ultimately up to you how many you need, so take a look at your current tool list and decide how many of them you’d like to store in the exterior pockets.
- Interior Pockets – For smaller items that you want to keep organized, the interior pockets are handy.
Items in these pockets are also more protected since you can close the main compartment and prevent them from falling out: we suggest putting your most expensive tools in these.
Some bags have zippered pockets on the inside (great for drill bits, screws or other small items) while others are simple slots like those on the outside of the bag.
Other Bag Features You Should Scrutinize
There are still a few more details that you should take into consideration before you decide which is the best tool bag for your specific needs.
- Base – Does the base of the bag have feet that will elevate it off the ground? This is handy when you’re working in wet areas.
Some bags like the VETO Pro Pac TECH PAC Service Technician Bag have a waterproof polymer base that provides both protection and durability to the bottom of the bag.
- Zippers – You don’t want a zipper that you would find on your grandma’s favorite blouse: you need a sturdy, industrial-strength zipper that can handle rough use on a regular basis.
- Material – Polyester is the most common material used to make tool bags.
Look for material with a high “D” number (this stands for Denier); this means the that the fibers used to make the fabric were thicker.
A 450D polyester was made with thinner fibers than a 600D polyester (just to give you an idea), and when it comes to carrying around heavy loads, you need something that won’t fail you.
Top 14 Best Tool Bags Reviewed
1. Custom Leathercraft DEWALT DG5543
- Length – 16”
- Material – Heavy-Duty Polyester
The DEWALT 16-inch Tradesman’s Tool Bag gets the job done (and done well) for many professionals out there.
You have plenty of internal and external pocket storage that will help you keep your tools separate and organized and the base of the bag has rubber feet to prevent holes from forming in the corners. Another nice feature is that they have sewn a wire into the top of the bag so that the sides will stand up unassisted when opened.
So who benefits most from this bag?
We find that this doesn’t quite meet the needs of serious tradespeople with heavy loads, but if you’re in need of a tool bag that you can keep in the garage for home use, this one is a great match in terms of quality, storage space and price.
It is also available in a smaller 12-inch size for those of you who don’t need this larger bag.
2. Custom LeatherCraft 1539 18 Multi-Compartment
- Length – 18”
- Material – Heavy-Duty Polyester
The Custom Leathercraft (CLC) brand comes up a lot in the work gear category since they specialize in tool bags, belts, and other accessories for professional tradespeople.
This bag is large and offers you tons of storage space: 52 interior pockets and 6 exterior pockets with a spacious interior compartment to fit larger tools. If the bag is 18 inches long, then count on it to fit tools that are 17 inches or shorter in the main compartment.
They also give you two extra compartments on the outside of the bag that you can unzip and fold down for easy tool access.
Who uses it? Carpenters, plumbers, specialty technicians (cable, satellite, telecom, networking, ), HVAC and plenty of others. All of them appreciate the vast amount of storage it provides and the numerous pockets to help keep everything organized.
3. Veto Pro Pac TECH PAC Service Technician Bag
- Dimensions – 5” (H) x 14.25” (W)
- Material – 950D and 1250D Nylon
Climbing up a ladder is much easier with a tool bag like this since you wear it on your back: that means your hands stay on the ladder.
We love everything about this backpack: the sturdy nylon, the sturdy zippers that are easy to grasp even with a pair of glove on and especially the waterproof base that offers strength and durability. It even has an aluminum hook on the top if you want to hang the bag nearby.
While this backpack requires a more serious financial investment, you won’t regret buying it: it is well made and highly functional.
For many mobile technicians, this is the best tool bag currently offered for their needs.
Here is the creator of the VETO Pro Pac tool bags to give you a more in-depth look at his product.
4. Custom Leathercraft Clip-on Zippered Poly Bags
- Dimensions – 9” x 7”; 7” x 6”; 6” x 5”
- Material – Polyester
We wanted to mention these add-on pouches briefly because they could be the perfect addition to any tool bag. It’s like having a bag inside of a bag, and these come in handy when you run out of zippered storage pockets.
This set includes three bags; each one a different size to accommodate tools of different lengths.
Each one has a clip so you can hook it onto the D-rings or other parts of your bag or wherever you are working.
They’re quite handy and perfect for storing screws, nuts, bolts or any other small items, so once you choose your main tool bag, we would highly recommend that you purchase a few of these because you will definitely find a use for them at some point.
5. Stanley STST70574 Soft Sided Tool Bag
- Length – 12”
- Material – 600D Nylon
Stanley’s 12-inch Soft Sided Tool Bag is the simplest model in its category. We would recommend it if you’re on a budget and need something for home use, but serious professionals and technicians probably won’t get much use out of it. It is just too basic.
The family handyman or handywoman will find it to be rather useful and since you probably don’t want an expensive backpack like the VETO we looked at sitting around collecting dust, this is a great bag when you need something simple for tool storage.
There are a few external pockets on the outside (one with a Velcro flap), and just like our number one bag, it does stand up when you open it thanks to the wire sewn in.
It’s not a bad bag: it’s simply not the right choice for professionals.
6. Klein Tools Tradesman Pro Organizer Backpack
- Dimensions – 7” (W) x 18.6” (H) x 12.5” (D)
- Material – 1680D Ballistic Weave Polyester
The VETO was great, but for some of you, it was probably too expensive, so consider a backpack like this as a great alternative.
So, it has the storage space, it has the molded waterproof base to keep the water out, and it’s made of a sturdy material just like the VETO; what’s it like in action?
The hard shell safety glasses pouch on the front is handy since it prevents your tools from crushing the glasses. We also like that the interior color is bright so that you can see your tools easier and the pockets were plentiful and well spaced. It was very easy to organize tools, and the pouches fit them well.
Overall, we felt it was a great alternative to the VETO!
7. Custom Leathercraft 1134 Tool Backpack
- Length – 16” (H) x 13.3” (W)
- Material – Polyester
Yet another backpack tool bag.
If you want something that works well both as a backpack and a tote, this would be a great choice. It has two handles on the top that allow you to carry it and shoulder straps to wear it as needed.
We like the front panel they included for storing tubing, ropes, cords or other similar items since you just need to unsnap the clips and it folds down for easy access. The rest of the compartments offer plenty of storage and pockets for your tools and the price is just right.
There are also two handles on the top as opposed to just one, making it easier to carry as well as distribute the weight of the load more evenly on the major stress points.
It’s ideal for a variety of trades and professions – especially in the construction field – but be gentle with the zippers since they aren’t as heavy-duty as some of the other products we reviewed.
8. Custom Leathercraft 15 Pocket Center Tray
- Length – 16”
- Material – Polyester
Do you carry a laptop around with you when you work? If so, then this is the perfect tool bag for you.
The slot in the center of the bag is intended for storage containers (and you can use it for that purpose, of course), but why not use it for laptop 16 inches or smaller?
There are 8 pockets on the outside and 8 on the inside, plus they throw in the plastic 9-compartment tray for free.
This bag offers you an average amount storage space for your tools at a reasonable price, but keep in mind that the top does not have a zipper.
If you work outdoors in all weather conditions, this might not be the best choice.
9. Custom Leathercraft DEWALT Pro Contractor’s
- Length – 24”
- Material – Heavy-Duty Polyester
DEWALT’s Pro Contractor’s Gear Bag is quite similar to the top product on our list with a few small changes.
First, this bag is much longer and therefore capable of accommodating longer tools.
There are fewer pockets on this model than DEWALT’s DG5543, but it does feature the wire in the top of the bag so that it will stand when you open it and the overall quality is very similar.
The provide you with four open pockets and one zippered pocket on the inside, with four pockets on the outside. There are also two pockets with flaps on the outside and a couple of elastic straps.
If you need a bag for a few longer, larger tools, this might be a good fit, but we wouldn’t trust it with extremely heavy loads.
10. Craftsman 9-37535 Soft Tool Box
- Length – 13”
- Material – Polyester
A little tool bag with an equally little price tag: if you need something simple for use around the house or to keep out in the garden shed, this would probably be a great match.
It’s not the sturdiest bag out there and the material isn’t very water resistant, but it gets the job done.
Honestly, the mesh pockets on the side are quite worthless (they will rip too easily), so, why should you buy this?
If you need a tool bag that will pretty much stay in the same workspace without traveling around from job site to job site, then it is perfect. The price is right for use in the home, in the garage or any other hobbies that require you to keep your tools organized and in one location.
Crafty crafters and gardening gurus seem to love this bag, but serious professionals should opt for something stronger.
11. Husky 12 in Tool Bag
- Length – 12”
- Material – 1680D Polyester
The Husky is designed for users who only carry around a few tools that aren’t too heavy.
Regarding construction and durability, the quality is pretty good for the price. The nylon they used is some of the toughest out there, and we like that the top has a zipper so you can protect it from the elements. The zipper is reliable and so was the sewing during the manufacturing process: the seams are sturdy.
It’s a basic tool bag that doesn’t have any bells and whistles, but for those of you who don’t need the bells and whistles, it’s perfect.
Keep in mind that the main compartment is open, so that means larger tools will fit but that organizing smaller tools will be a bit more chaotic.
12. Custom LeatherCraft 22 Pocket Tool Carrier
- Dimensions – 11” x 10” x 19”
- Material – Polyester
For the electrical and maintenance fields, a bag like this is just what you need.
Like their 15-Pocket Center Tray Tool Bag (number 8), Custom Leathercraft doesn’t have any zippers to close the main compartment: it’s a tote that makes everything visible and easy to access.
They included a handy electrical tape strap, an organizer tray compartment on the side, plenty of storage pockets and the main compartment is divided into three sections. The shape and solid base also prevent it from tipping over; something that other bags tend to do because they aren’t steady enough.
One way that this bag misses the mark: some of the pockets are too large, which means you have to combine too many tools into one and this makes retrieving them more difficult.
We can’t say that it is Custom Leathercraft’s finest tool bag in terms of quality, but the storage and size make it great for electricians.
13. Klein Tools 55452RTB Tradesman Pro
- Dimensions – 19” (L) x 14” (H)
- Material – 600D Ballistic Polyester
A rolling tool bag isn’t the right choice for everyone, but it is quite handy if you have an extremely heavy load to transport: the weight capacity of this bag was tested (and survived) 200 pounds of weight.
The design is simple: it has a large main compartment with just a few open pockets on the inside and a front flap with zipper for additional storage.
We liked the wheels and thought they were pretty durable – tough enough to handle rugged constructions sites.
It isn’t the most convenient in terms of organizing your items since small tools will jostle around quite a bit during transport (there aren’t any dividers in the main compartment to hold them up), but if you have organizer trays and just a few large tools to transport, this would be a handy choice.
See it in action in this short video:
14. Stanley 518150M FatMax 18-inch Tool Bag
- Length – 18”
- Material – 600D Polyester
This bag impressed us: it has a hard plastic bottom that is waterproof; this also provides it with stability.
The seams where the handles are attached to the bag are reinforced with stitching and tacks that will prevent them from detaching (the other bags didn’t have this), and there are a variety of external pocket styles (zips, flap, and pouches). The main compartment is spacious, so if you have longer tools, they’ll probably fit in here.
The zippers seem to be the biggest pitfall of this bag (the manufacturer didn’t use industrial-strength zippers), but in terms of functionality and versatility, we felt it would be a great fit for anyone in the construction field.
Overall, it’s not a bad bag for the price, and if none of the other options met your needs, consider purchasing this one.
Final Thoughts
We provided you with a look at some of the top tool bags; both for serious professionals who rely on it daily and a few that would work well for general home use.
Totes and backpacks are the most common choice, but for extra heavy loads, you may even consider a rolling tool bag that will prevent you from overexerting yourself by trying to haul an extremely heavy load.
Take a look at your tools, use our reviews and buying tips to help you understand the dynamics of a quality product and you’ll be on your way to a more organized work day in no time.
Leave a Reply