ToughBuilt Handyman Tool Belt Set
Occidental Leather 9855 Tool Bag Set
Dewalt Dg5617 Pro Framers Combo Tool Belt
Is there anything better than a tool belt for showing the world, your workshop and that construction site you’re working on, that you’re armed, danger and seriously tooled up ready to tackle any project that gets tossed your way? We think not! With a tool belt slung low around your hips, you’ve got your swagger on and are ready to seize and save the day! Of course, a tool belt is just a catchall phrase for what in essence is one serious professional accessory. The take on all shapes and sizes from belts to bibs, aprons to suspender styles, and can be constructed from leather to canvas with a plethora of pockets. One thing for sure, the best tool belt will be your personal handyman, your gaffer and your workmate, ready to pass you that essential tool for the job and save your back from constantly having to bend over to pick up those tools. So whether you’re a carpenter, electrician or plumber by professional trade or just a bona fide DIY enthusiast who loves the thought of owning a tool belt, we quite literally, have some proper belters for you on our comprehensive list today. So saddle up and settle down as we give you the low down on the best sharpshooting, totally toting, tool belts around.
The Best Tool Belt
1ToughBuilt Handyman Tool Belt Set
First up it’s our Best Choice selection, and it comes from ToughBuilt Industries. Their Handyman tool belt set contains everything any serious tradesman could every need including a Farmers Pouch, Modular Hammer Loop, Padded Belt along with a ClipTech Hub. With its rugged construction and an integrated kickstand, you can conveniently pop your push and tool down on the floor when you’re not wearing your belt, and they won’t topple over. This 3-piece Handyman set takes organization and efficiency to a whole new level and provides professionals not only with access to their tools whenever and wherever they are, but also has lots of interchangeable and adjustable options too.
Designed to fit waist sizes 32-inches up to 48-inches, this tool belt set, comes with 2 extreme-duty hammer loops, a tape measure clip, 10 assorted pockets, and loops as well as featuring rugged 6-layer construction, so it’s been designed to last. The pouches feature no snag seams while the utility knife pocket is plastic lined for your protection. This is one rugged, dependable and smart looking tool belt set and it certainly gets a vote of confidence from us. If you are a passionate handyman, check out our guide to the best cordless drills.
3 piece versatile and convenient tool belt set
Durable construction incorporating modular hammer loop and holder holster
Designed to fit waist size 32-48-inches
High-quality design and construction with patented clip tech hub included
Versatile and suitable for a wide range of professions
- BrandToughBuilt
- ModelTOU-CT-111C
- Weight4.14 pounds
2Occidental Leather 9855 Tool Bag Set
If you have a bit of extra cash to splash and you fancy going for something that is feature rich, then the Occidental Leather 9855 is certainly the cream of the crop when it comes to premium choice tool belts. You could say this leather tool belt is to the world of construction sites what wearing Hermes is to the fashion pack! It’s an ideal choice for those of you who are carpenters by trade or who love to tinker with wood in your workshop, sanding, shaving, planing and generally being useful.
It features what’s known in the tool belt trade as a fat lip design and further consists of 10-inch deep industrial nylon bags that have sturdy and manly looking reinforced leather bottoms and corners. As such it makes a perfect, rock solid and highly reliable heavy duty tool pouch belt that’s fully adjustable from 32 up to 44 inches so can even be slung low around larger hips. Besides having multiple useful tool holders as you’d expect, it also features a 2 in 1 hammer holder at the back which is easy to access. There are also D-rings pre-installed which mean you can add a suspender if the job you’re working on requires it. Conveniently you can also purchase the Occidental Leather 9855 too belt in either left or right handed options.
10-inch deep nylon bags with reinforced leather construction
Fits waist sizes 32 to 44 inches
Pre-installed D-rings for use with suspension systems
Fat lip adjust to fit design
Multiple tool hordes and 2 in 1 hammer holder included
- BrandOccidental Leather
- Model9855
- Weight5 pounds
3Dewalt Dg5617 Pro Framers Combo Tool Belt
If you’re looking for tool belt suspenders that will help provide some extra protection for your back, then our next Best Value choice, the Dewalt DG5617 Framers style combo belt will be just the ticket. Whether your principal occupation is an electrician, farmer or carpenter, this highly durable nylon constructed yoke-style suspender will help you to finish off that tricky job with both hands-free, allowing you to carry out your tasks in comfort and safety. There’s even a convenient zippered pocket so that you can keep those smaller essential personal items like keys and lanyards.
Overall this combo belt features 9 main pockets but also has 11 smaller pockets which are ideal for storing essential accessories for on the job such as nails, tools, pencils, etc. Sometimes the small stuff is every bit as important as the power tool itself! There’s a really cool hammer loop too which we think is seriously neat added extra. Talking of cool, Dewalt has also added a neoprene-padded cell phone holder which we think is just genius. There is a bit of drawback though! It’s small so if you like your face time super-sized and have a larger screened phone its no good for you were afraid.
Fully adjustable yoke style suspender belt with padding
Features a neoprene protected cell phone holder
Plenty of storage pockets plus a zippered pouch for your valuables
Patented pouch handle allows for one-handed belt size adjustments
Suitable for waist sizes from 29-46-inches
- BrandDEWALT
- ModelDG5617
- Weight5.2 pounds
4Gatorback B240 Heavy Duty Work Belt
Ideally designed for professional electricians, this Gatorback B240 is one seriously heavy duty but also ventilated work belt that’s super comfortable to wear. It comes in a wide range of sizes to fit anywhere from a 26-inch waist all the way up to a 55 inch unit of a man. It features a sturdy reinforced no-nonsense design and all stress points are additionally riveted and bar-tack stitched to ensure their robustness. It’s a decent mid-priced belt with plenty of useful pouches and the beauty of that boxed design which is lined with plastic, is that the belt retains its shape under pressure but also, there’s no chance of any tools poking through the bottom and causing the wearer a disservice so to speak!
In total there are 9 pouches and 6 different waist sizes available, all of which features padded back cushioning so that even if you are carrying a heavy load, the tool belt will remain comfortable. It’s not just in the comfort stakes where this belt scores highly either, there’s also plenty of ventilation thanks to the use of heavy duty and highly durable 1250 Dura Tek nylon which gives it an essential non-sweaty finish. If you’re the kind of bloke that really works up a sweat out on that construction site in the height of summer, then you’re really going to appreciate this feature. Finally, your purchase is also backed by the manufacturer’s generous one-year defect free warranty, so if something does go wrong with your handy electrician tool belt, they’ll replace it, no dramas.
Extensive range of sizes to choose from
Designed to deliver maximum comfort with padded foam backing and plenty of ventilation
Built to last with reinforced stress points
Sturdy non-sagging box design lined with plastic
Accessible pouches that are wide and easy to access
- BrandGatorback
- ModelB240-L
- Weight5.35 pounds
5OX Tools Outback Leather Construction Rig
If you are looking for a leather tool belt that won’t break the bank, then we recommend this construction rig from OX Tools which is made from hard wearing outback leather and is most definitely built to last. It’s highly durable already but made even more so with heavy-duty river reinforcements throughout all the major stress points, so you really don’t need to worry about loading this up with your favorite tools. It’s also happens to be tear resistant yet still manages to feel overall soft and is comfortable to wear.
There are 22 useful and wide pockets, and pouches perfect for storing all kinds of tools and the belt itself is thick and adjustable to wear. From a design perspective, its manly and robust and certainly looks the part. It’s been designed to fit waist sizes from 29-inch all the way up to 46-inches and is fully adjustable. The saddle leather has been oiled so that it’s already soft without having to be worn in. This makes the belt simultaneously both durable and comfortable, and with its contrasting antique bronze finish hardware, it looks more expensive than its price tag. If you are looking for a well constructed versatile leather tool belt with a dedicated hammer holder, then take a look at this OX Tools Outback Leather Construction Rig. Our handy guide to the best circular saws features more great products like this.
Pouches are secured with heavy-duty rivets and reinforced stitching
Constructed from high quality, durable yet soft, oil tanned leather
Total of 22 pockets with plenty of space for tools and accessories
Flexible and adjustable sizing suitable for waits measuring 29 to 46-inches
Features a leather hammer loop
- BrandOX Tools
- ModelOX-P263604
- Weight4.52 pounds
6Dickies Work Gear Suspender Style Tool Belt
If you are looking for a budget-friendly work belt at well sub the $100 mark as well as one that has the added advantage of featuring suspenders for your added support and convenience, then this Dickies Work Gear tool belt is certainly going to pique your professional interest. This entire work belt is well constructed and durable, made from a rugged and hard wearing industrial style nylon and rip-resistant canvas.
The belt is fully adjustable with a secure buckle fastening and will fit anywhere from a 32 to 50-inch waist to deliver a truly customizable fit. There’s both left and right-hand storage to achieve an even well-weighted balance with an additional steel loop hammer holder and an elastic phone holder also incorporated into this practical design. Over the hip areas it features extra comfortable gel padding which is also moisture wicking so no matter how tough the job is you’re working on, you can stay cool, calm and collected. With plenty of compartments, high capacity and a very friendly price point, this Dickies Work Gear Suspender tool belt certainly gets our vote.
Moisture-wicking adjustable belt for a comfortable and customizable fit
Fabricated from heavy duty rip resistant canvas for longevity
Padded moisture wicking gel suspender straps for the ultimate in cooling comfort
Durable and adjustable steel buckle with hook and loop closure
Left and right-hand balanced storage with additional hammer loop and mobile phone pocket
- BrandDickies Work Gear
- Model57023
- Weight3.79 pounds
7CLC Custom Leathercraft 527X Suede Construction Apron
CLC custom tool belts are well known in the industry, and this Leathercraft suede tool belt isn’t going to disappoint, especially not when you consider that fantastic sub $50 price point. OK, so it’s certainly not the biggest of the tool belts that we’ve reviewed today, but it’s perfect for holding all that essential equipment for essential DIY duties around the home. It’s best suited for smaller domestic style fix up jobs rather than being the belt you’d wear to a construction site, and it’s a very popular choice for students as their first craft belt.
Its lightweight and durable and if you take care of the leather suede correctly, will last for years to come. The belt section is constructed from poly web with a roller buckle and fully adjustable from 29-46-inches so suitable for a wide range of shapes and sizes. There are wide double gusseted pockets as well as an extra hammer holder with 12 practical and functional pockets overall including smaller sized ones which are ideal for nails, pencil, and pliers. It’s a sturdy and reliable choice, inexpensive and lightweight to wear. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best wood axes.
Heavy duty double gusseted suede construction
Total of 12 practical and versatile pockets
Adjustable waist size from 29” up to 46.”
Poly web belt with roller buckle fastening
Leather and suede combination construction
- BrandCustom Leathercraft
- Model527X
- Weight1 pound
8Bucket Boss 2 Bag Tool Set
This Bucket Boss Builders Tool Bag Set features an infinity style belt that will fit all sizes up to a 52-inch waistline and features a convenient steel buckle closure with monster grommets to adjust the sizing along the belt itself. There are two adjustable pouches both of which have reinforced bottoms to hold those tools and accessories securely, and the pouches can actually be detached and conveniently repositioned anywhere along the belt which is a nice feature.
The Bucket Boss tool belt also features a handy loop which is perfect for securely carrying a hammer or other long-handled style tool. It’s made from 600 denier poly ripstop which means that it’s sturdy, reliable and shouldn’t rip or tear under pressure. It’s an inexpensive, practical and good looking tool pouch belt which we’re sure you’ll get a lot of use and pleasure out of wearing.
Reinforced pouch bottom holds contents securely
Fully adjustable and comfortable infinity belt extends to 52-inch waist
Double pouch system is also adjustable and can be detached and re-positioned
Comes with central loop ideal for holding a hammer or long-handled tools
Sturdy, secure fastening steel buckle
- BrandBucket Boss
- Model50200
- Weight2.15 pounds
9TradeGear Medium Electricians Tool Belt
Partnering up with Gatorback, our next heavy duty tool belt is presented by TradeGear and has been ideally designed for use by electricians. It’s a heavy duty 1250 DuraTek nylon fabric work belt that’s been designed for optimum comfort. Featuring two heavy-duty pouches along with 27 different sized durable pockets overall, it offers lots of storage and is durably constructed and built to last. It’s been reinforced with Bar-Tek stitching as well as metal rivets so that it really can stand the test of time.
Sturdy it may well be, but it’s also comfortable too and comes with a breathable memory foam padded back support which is also ventilated and contoured for a better fit. The strength comes from the reinforced box design that features hard plastic lined interior sections, additionally strengthened by that nylon web-core interior and reinforced stitching. It also conveniently comes with extra handles on the top so that when the belt is fully loaded it’s easier to take it on and off as once you’ve loaded up this bad boy, it really can take quite some strain. Size-wise, it’s also available in 5 different options accommodating a 26 right through to a 55-inch waist. It also comes with TradeGear’s 30-day money back guaranteed so if you get it, try and don’t like it, you can simply return it and get a refund. Not that we think you will want to do that! It really is a durably constructed yet comfortable and lightweight work belt that makes it easy to store and access everything from wrenches and screws to hammers and vice grips.
Sweat-proof padded comfort tool belt with breathable ventilation
Durable construction designed with heavy duty 1250 DuraTek nylon
Excellent capacity with 27 different pockets and 2 separate hard lined pouches
Comfortable and lightweight to wear and fully adjustable
Convenient carry handles for extra support taking on and off when fully loaded
- BrandTradeGear
- Model207532
- Weight4.4 pounds
10Task Tools T77265 Carpenter’s Apron Style Belt
Its superbly constructed from premium materials and is durable thanks to reinforced stitching along all those stress points and the addition of sturdy and dependable rivets. It provides a high level of organization and good, even weight distribution and besides the saddle leather construction, also features a molded air channel poly web belt that’s comfortable to wear and fully adjustable too. Considering the fantastic price which is well below the $100 mark, you get an awful lot of bang, or should we say belt, for your buck! A savvy and stylish choice for those of you looking for a carpenters style apron belt.
Adjustable carpenters style belt
2 inch wide heavy duty saddle leather construction
Pre-oiled to be more comfortable and soft
Bar tack reinforced stitching and heavy-duty rivets
Balanced and even weight distribution
- BrandTask Tools
- ModelT77265
- Weight2.8 pounds
Tool Belt Buying Guide & FAQ
If you don’t know what features to look out for when purchasing a new tool belt, the job can be a little challenging. Do you go for something lightweight or more sturdy? Do you need a hard-wearing leather apron style belt or a durably constructed one with suspender attachments? There’s certainly plenty to think about, and it will come down to your profession and the type and size of tools you need to carry and access as well as the locations where you work. Below are some of our top recommendations in terms of the key characteristics and features you should be considering.
Features To Look For In Tool Belts
Material & Weight-You can find high-quality tool belts made from various different materials with the most common being Leather, Suede, Canvas or Nylon. Nylon is going to be the most lightweight and flexible but is prone to wear and tear and ripping if the seams aren’t adequately reinforced and double stitched. Leather is the strongest and most robust option but will be heavy before you even load it up with your tools so won’t be your most mobile or flexible option. Suede, on the other hand, tends to still have the durability of leather but is softer and more comfortable to wear but not as rugged. Finally, polyester nylon tool belts can be both lightweight, water-resistant and reasonably durable too depending upon the denier of material you go for plus relatively inexpensive. The choice will come down to your specific needs and your budget too.
Fit-Tool belts certainly do come in all shapes and sizes to fit all body shapes with varying weight measurements anywhere from a slight 26-inches up to a more rotund 56-inches and pretty much everywhere in between. It’s a good idea to try your tool belt on first to ensure that it’s a comfortable belt and fits exactly where you want it to. You don’t want it to inhabit your breathing if you’ve gone too small, nor do you want it swinging so low on your hips that it becomes a nuisance! So just like you would a regular belt for holding up your trousers, try your belt on to make sure it fits. We’re all guilty of still thinking we’re a 32-inch when these days the truth is more like a 36-inch!
Comfort-If you are going to be wearing your belt for prolonged periods and especially if you intend loading it up with heavy tools, make sure you go for something that has a comfortable and adjustable design with plenty of padding where it’s needed. That way it will protect your lower back as well as ventilation so that you don’t end up sweating on the job. Ideally, your belt should be padded and breathable too. Also, look for something that has a sturdy adjustable buckle too that isn’t overly large so that it won’t stick into your stomach when you’re wearing your belt. You still want to have plenty of mobility. In that respect, fabric belts are popular because they tend to be more lightweight and comfortable to wear than a leather one might be. Just make sure that your pockets are adequately lined as you don’t want any tools dangerously poking through the fabric and causing you an injury.
Pockets-Think about the number of pockets that you realistically need and what kinds of tools and equipment you will need to carry. Just because a tool belt has 30 pockets, doesn’t mean that you need them and remember, the more you load up your tool belt, the heavier it will be too. Most standard tool belts come with about 10-12 pockets and two pouches which should be more than adequate. If you do have a specialist profession thought that requires the use of an easy access to lots of different small parts and tools, then go for something that as more pockets if you know that you will utilize them.
Quality and Durability-You get what you pay for generally so leather is going to be long lasting but more expensive than canvas for example. If you are carrying heavy loads, make sure that you purchase a belt that has reinforced stitching and rivets that support any stress points and seams. That way, your belt will stay intact for longer. For both comfort and durability, leather tool belts are certainly a wise investment.
Benefits Of Using A Tool Belt
There’s little wonder that tool belts are so popular as besides looking the business and turning any amateur instantly into a pro, they have a host of benefits that are undeniable. Wearing a tool belt enables you to work more efficiently and to save time too as you handily have all the tools you need to access conveniently on your person. Tool belts are also comfortable to wear and enable you to carry those essential tools without putting any undue pressure on your body. Most importantly they provide the wearer with complete hands-free access meaning you can get more done and increase your overall productivity. As long as you’ve been organized and packed your tool belt correctly before you leave, you should find that overall you are more responsive, productive and can complete projects more promptly too. They make the job of locating tools much easier, and they can also improve safety conditions on busy project sites by not having lots of unused tools lying around which can cause a hazard. So many positive benefits can be attributed to wearing a tool belt but one thing is for sure, they definitely enhance your performance in the workplace plus you’re going to look pretty darn tasty wearing one too!
Tool Belt Safety Tips
The purpose of a tool belt is to make your work environment safer and more efficient and to provide you with immediate on the spot access to all those essential tools. Make sure that you safely store away your tools in the relevant, correct shape and sized pockets and pouches that are most suitable for them and be particularly careful about how you store sharp tools by ideally keeping them inside their sheath or a scabbard. Be particularly cautious about how you load and distribute the weight you’re carrying on your tool belt to ensure that it’s well balanced and won’t cause you to topple over. Don’t overfill your tool belt unnecessarily either with items you will never need to access as this will just add weight and strain, which will slow you down.
Tool Belt FAQ
Q: Who should use a tool belt?
A: From electricians to plumbers, carpenters to construction workers, professional tradesmen to amateur DIY’ers, if you’re working with tools, then you really should invest in a tool belt. We already discussed the many benefits to wearing one such as comfort, safety, productivity, and performance but besides all of those benefits, there are plenty more that anyone working on a project will enjoy. If you need to quickly access and identity tools, then you need a tool belt. If you want help organizing your tools so that you can be sure to deliver a prompt and professional service then again, you need to use a tool belt. Your work rate will be enabled, your attention improved, any back pain reduced plus overall you will save time and get jobs done more efficiently just by wearing a tool belt. If you’re prone to losing tools too, putting them down somewhere safe and then forgetting where, then again, you will love the freedom and flexibility that a tool belt will bring to your working life! Honestly, we don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that wearing a tool belt can turn you from an amateur into a professional! Well, at least you will look and feel like one, even if your planning skills do still need a bit of finessing!
Q: How can I soften a leather tool belt?
A: When you first purchase a leather belt its not uncommon for it to be stiff and uncomfortable so you might need to soften it up a little bit rather than going through the potentially painful and lengthy process of breaking it in through regular wear. There are a couple of options you can try out to soften up that stiff leather. Rubbing your belt with either an alcohol solution or with some petroleum jelly, like Vaseline, can help as can treating your belt with a natural oil such as coconut, almond, olive, jojoba or almond oil. Leather is skin after all, and all skin benefits from being moisturized to make it softer and more supple. Rubbing any of these oils or a vaseline consistently into your belt is really going to help soften it up. Alternatively, you could also buy a dedicated leather conditioner or restorer, the kind of ointment that is commonly used to soften horse saddles and bridles, which again will do the job of both softening and polishing that leather tool belt of yours.
Q: What are the common tools to keep in my Tool Belt?
A: What you keep in your tool belt will obviously be related to your specific trade, any particular project that you are working on, as well as the type and size of the tool belt that you own. However, some of the most common and useful tools to have accessible include a hammer, pencils, chalk line, a flashlight, a ruler or tape measure, various sized screwdrivers and an assortment of utility knives, a pair of pliers some nail pullers and also some cutters. Obviously, this list will vary if you are carpenter versus a mechanic as you might need to back some specialist tools specific to your trade, but this non-exhaustive list is certainly a good starting point and should address most common DIY situations.
Q: How to take care of my tool Belt properly?
A: By ensuring that you take care of your tool belt correctly, you can extend its lifespan and get the maximum benefit out of your purchase. You should regularly clean you're knelt to keep it in peak condition and routinely check it to for signs of damage such as splits, rips, and frays that may require some on the spot attention before they become problematic. Make sure you remove dust and dirt that’s built up and immediately wipe down any stains with a cloth before too much damage is done. It’s also a good idea to keep your tool belt out of direct sunlight and to store it in a cool, dry location when not in use.