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When most people think of tool belts, the first image that comes to mind is Batman. And while the caped crusader does keep a lot of tools in his belt, it isn’t a tool belt. The more accurate term for it is a utility belt. Tool belts, on the other hand, are a necessity, especially if you are in fieldwork. For people like woodworkers, tool belts are a must-have part of your ensemble.
It also comes in handy for DIY projects at home. And it adds an element of professionalism to any DIY project. The thing is, it’s necessary for people involved in handiwork at any level to own a tool belt. It’s the perfect place to keep all the tools you need. It will save you a lot of time that you would have used to move around looking for tools. Plus, it will spare you the headache of misplacing your equipment, especially in a busy setting.
What Exactly is a Tool Belt?
While a tool belt is pretty common, many people may not know what it is—at least not by name. We’ve already seen that most people confuse tool belts with utility belts. So what exactly is a tool belt?
A tool belt is a pouch with a waist sling or shoulder strap that comes with several pockets or compartments for carrying tools. A tool belt is used to keep you on the task at hand with minimal interruptions as sometimes you might be on top of a roof or hanging on a ladder.
The best tool belt should be able to accommodate all kinds of small tools you need around your workstation. Some of the everyday things that you keep in a tool belt are screwdrivers, nuts, and bolts, hammers, utility knives, tape measures, wire cutters, pliers, Gerber multitool, etc.
Different Tool Belt Designs
You may come across different types of tool belts for various purposes, that is because different work settings call for specific tools. Plumbers, electricians, and construction workers don't need the same tools as their work settings vary.
1. Waist tool belts
The waist tool belt is the most popular tool belt design as it is pretty versatile and can be used in many different settings. It fits perfectly and allows easy accessibility of tools. These are all-rounded tool belts ideal for various work conditions.
2. Hip tool belts
Hip tool belts are not that different from waist tool belts, but they are designed to stay as out of the way as possible. They hang on one side of the hip to give you easy reach as well as a sense of free movement.
3. Suspender tool belts
These are generally heavy-duty toolbelts designed to carry heavy tools. They distribute the weight of the tools evenly on your back and shoulders, limiting the exhaustion that comes with having heavy tools hang on your waist.
4. Apron tool belts
Some work settings may demand apron tool belts that also protect from bodily harm, aside from keeping your tools close. The manufacturers make these aprons from thick, durable materials such as canvas or leather. And they have large pockets for carrying tools.
Things to Consider When Looking for A Tool Belt
When you are looking to buy a tool belt, there are a few essential tips you’ll need to keep in mind so that you get the product that works for you. While we have combed the web for the best of the best when it comes to tool belts, ultimately, your personal needs will determine what is best for you.
1. Material
Different brands offer tool belts made from different materials. Some are made of leather, some nylon, and some other synthetic fibers. You’ll also come across canvas material, which is useful if it is heavy-duty. It is up to you to decide what material works for you. This decision can be influenced by durability, ease of cleaning, etc.
2. Design and size
A good tool belt should fit you perfectly, depending on how you wear it. If it's too tight or too loose, it will be uncomfortable, and you won't get the most out of it. Before you order the belt, it's better to check the measurements and see if they are suitable for you. Also, tool belts either come as a strap-on that hangs on your shoulders and back or as a waist belt. Your preferences and job requirements may call for one or the other.
3. Weight
The weight of a tool belt is essential as it will directly affect you. A good belt has to cut down significantly on its empty weight so that it does not weigh more once tools are added. You can’t have 5 pounds of empty weight when the tools you are going to carry a weight of 20 pounds
4. Pockets and capacity
When you are buying a tool belt, check out the pockets. A right pocket mostly depends on what it will carry. If the designers did not make the pockets out of sturdy material, they could easily tear. If they are not designed well, they may not hold the tools the way you want. When you have the right tools in mind, picking a tool belt should be easy as you’ll quickly determine how many pockets you want and at what capacity.
5. Durability
Your belt should be able to accommodate sharp and rough objects. It's that simple. You'll be pulling out and stashing in nails, utility knives, etc. You want a product that won't fray and tear in a month. But, generally, most designers make their tool belts to last. It usually comes down to how you use and maintain them. Anyhow, leather and nylon tool belts tend to last longer as they are tough materials.
6. Comfort
Some brands will offer features that offer comfort. Just because something is convenient does not mean it is comfortable to wear. Check out those comfortable designs and decide if they work for you or not.
Why Should I Wear a Tool Belt When Working?
First of all, a tool belt saves you the time to go around fetching one tool after another. You might also be working on places that will make it physically impossible to do that. You also run a lesser risk of losing any of your tools—especially the tiny ones like bolts and nuts—when you use a tool belt. People misplace tools all the time, and mostly because they didn’t have a specific place to keep all of the tools. The sheer convenience a tool belt offers is enough to have you own one.
Our picks for the 11 Best Tool Belts in the market
Now that you know more about tool belts let’s get to the heart of the matter. There are a lot of tool belts in the market, so choosing the right one for you might be a hassle. That’s why we have searched through tons of products to find the right one for you. Here are our picks for the 11 best tool belts in the market.
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This heavy-duty tool belt from Custom Leather craft combines simplicity and convenience to bring you one of the best tool belts. It is made of high-quality suede leather, which gives it a tough and durable feel. It is designed to wear on one side of the hip carrying a few necessary tools so as not to wear you down. The bag has two main pockets for larger tools and those that come in plenty like nails. It also has a smaller pocket where you can hang something like a plier.
The bag is held by a 2” poly web belt that has a quick-release feature to make wearing and removing the bag effortlessly. The waist range is also pretty extensive, between 29 and 49 inches. It fits perfectly, and accessing tools is made simple as you can wear them on the side your hand is most used to.
For a heavy-duty but lightweight design, this tool scores big. It may not be ideal if you need to pack a lot of tools, but it should work fine if you don't wish to deal with too much weight.
What We Liked
- The tool belt is made from highly durable, heavy-duty suede leather
- It has a simple and comfortable design
- It is lightweight
What We Didn't Like
- The hammer loop may not fit all hammer types
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Now, not everybody is into apron tool belts, but if you like them, then you do. On the other hand, your job might demand it as they are pretty convenient. Dickies Work Gear takes a chance with this apron belt, and it does not disappoint. It has up to five pouches of varying sizes for different types of tools; they all have sufficient depth, so you won't have to worry about your tools falling off.
The tool belt’s design is simple but practical. It is made of heavy-duty nylon fabric with reinforced webbing design that makes it very durable. The belt is also made of the same material and equipped with an impact-resistant plastic buckle. The buckle also has a quick-release design.
The waist-length is adjustable to fit anywhere between 32 and 52 inches. This is an excellent tool, especially for its price. It is one of the cheapest high-quality tool belts you can find.
What We Liked
- It is made of highly durable material
- It offers the best value for the money
What We Didn't Like
- It may be rough on bare skin
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Task Tools may not be the first brand that comes in mind when you go shopping for household tools, but it is catching up fast. The weekend warrior apron belt may not convince you just by its look, but it is one of the most robust leather tool belts you can find. The design is quite innovative as the leather is oil-tanned, which provides optimal performance. It is not just highly durable, but oil-tanned leather is pretty resistant to many things such as water and dirt.
The tool belt comes with a 2-inch polymer belt with a quick-release buckle functionality. It comes with five pockets varying in sizes and depth as well as two leather and metal holders for hammers. The tool belt is also pretty lightweight, measuring only 1.25 pounds. For its features, the tool belt offers excellent value for the money.
What We Liked
- The buckle comes with a quick-release feature
- It is highly durable
What We Didn't Like
- Buckle problems reported
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Bucket Boss is an old brand that has been in the tool manufacture industry for 30 years. It is safe to say that they know a thing or two about making durable products. Their 50200 model brings to the table an innovative design where the two-bag feature can be adjusted and repositioned anywhere on the belt. The reason for this is convenience as you can wear the bags any way you want.
The tool belt is constructed from 600 denier poly ripstop for optimal performance. The pouches have a barrel-bottom design and are reinforced to carry more. Also, any waist size from 52 inches down is possible with this belt, which makes it a perfect fit for many people. It should also lock in place tightly as it comes with a steel buckle and steel grommets to secure the belt in place at all times.
What We Liked
- It comes with two hammer loops
- It has reinforced pocket bottoms for improved capacity
What We Didn't Like
- Does not have interior pockets
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DeWalt, a reputable brand, brings to you an exciting tool belt design that has a combination of apron and suspenders. The tool belt boasts of amazing features which add up when it comes to weight. Weighing about 4 pounds, it makes sense that the suspenders feature is there to offer convenience as well as distribute the product’s weight evenly over your shoulders and waist.
This is a heavy-duty tool belt with 20 pockets for different types of tools. It is the kind of tool belt you need in situations where mobility is limited, such as when working on top of structures. The belt is padded for comfort. You won’t have to worry about irritation. This tool belt also has a double-tongue roller buckle that locks it tightly in place.
If your waist size falls between 29 to 46 inches, the DeWalt combo apron belt will fit you perfectly. This is the ideal tool belt for professionals.
What We Liked
- It has many pockets for increased capacity
- The tool belt has a padded belt for comfort
- It is a heavy-duty tool belt
What We Didn't Like
- Weak plastic connections on suspenders
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Another DeWalt tool belt that deserves this spot is the Electrician’s Pouch. It is a heavy-duty tool belt made of ballistic poly fabric that has been reinforced for better performance as well as to resist tear. It comes with one large pocket and several smaller ones around it. The way the pockets are situated at the front makes accessing tools easy. The larger pocket has considerable depth, enough to hold many tools in place even when you are moving about.
The ultimate feature this tool belt has is its capacity to carry many tools of varying angles and sizes without a problem. It has several web loops and sleeve pockets that can accommodate different types of tools. This is a heavy-duty tool belt that should serve you just fine, and for its price, it is a fair deal.
What We Liked
- It comes with multiple storage options
- Ballistic poly fabric adds to its durability
What We Didn't Like
- Weak belt clip
- Durability largely depends on how good you maintain it
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The ToughBuilt 3-piece Handyman Tool is a convenient tool belt with what you may call a fancy design. Does it back up the pretty appearance with quality? This tool belt is very reliable. It comes with two rugged pouches held in place by a heavily padded belt and a heavy-duty buckle. It has one of the toughest belts you can find, but it may be a little too bulky for some people. So, it is more about a person's needs and preferences. However, it fits like magic and is comfortable wear if ever there was any.
This toolset has removable bags with up to 10 pouches and hoops for carrying various types of tools. The waist size ranges between 32 and 48 inches.
What We Liked
- ClipTech pouch that can be carried with any belt
- It comes with two extreme-duty loops for hammers
What We Didn't Like
- Can be too bulky for some people
- Not very durable
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This oil-tanned leather belt from Lautus boasts of 100% leather construction with no additions to it. The oil tanning gives it top capability when it comes to resisting rough environments. It has a comfortable and functional design with two large pockets on either side, two medium ones, and two smaller ones at the front. Add too that several web loops and you have considerable capacity for your tools.
This tool comes with a multipurpose leather belt with a double-prong buckle for a sturdy fit. Overall, this is a top-quality tool belt, a little pricey, but it serves its purpose well.
What We Liked
- It’s made from quality oil-tanned leather
- It is lightweight but can carry heavy tools
What We Didn't Like
- It has problems with waist range
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Another Dickies Work Gear tool belt to make this list is the 57000 8-Pocket Utility Pouch that does not compromise on its quality. It is made from canvas with a reinforced webbing design for its pockets to enhance holding performance and limit chances of wear. This tool belt has one large pouch and a slip pocket as well as three smaller pockets on the inside. On the outside, it has several compartments, including hammer loops.
The utility pouch is held in place by a padded belt with a plastic buckle enhanced with the quick-release functionality. It is an adjustable belt with a waist range between 32 and 52 inches. You can wear this tool belt on the side of the hip or hanging at the front.
What We Liked
- Heavy-duty canvas construction
- Padded, adjustable belt
What We Didn't Like
- The buckle is not that strong
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The Bucket Boss Airlift is a reliable tool belt with well-made rigs and decent construction. This tool belt should be durable if you properly maintain it. The creators of the belt used 600 denier poly ripstop, with adjustable suspenders. These features should be able to distribute weight either from tools or fasteners evenly.
You can readjust the length of the belt up to 52 inches waist length. The pouches are reinforced for quality, and the barrel-bottom adds to their capacity to carry more. You can choose to wear the suspenders or detach them from the tool belt, whichever way suits you. Overall, this is a great tool belt for DIY projects.
What We Liked
- It is lightweight and fits well
- It has a great capacity
What We Didn't Like
- Not very durable
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The Gatorback B145 is a belt that's perfect for both convenience and comfort. The designers of the tool belt used tough nylon material with a unique ventilation capability for its belt. You won’t be sweating much with this belt strapped. It comes with attachable suspenders if you prefer wearing them.
The B145 comes with seven convenient pockets, a hammer holster, and a belt clip. Overall, this is a heavy-duty professional tool belt equipped to handle heavy tasks at a commercial level. At 5 pounds empty weight, it is a little heavy, but the good outweighs the bad with this tool belt.
What We Liked
- Heavy-duty with guaranteed toughness
- Ventilation capability
What We Didn't Like
- It can be heavy
Final Thoughts: Best tool belts
The best tool belts should allow you to work comfortably and efficiently. They should simplify your work by limiting interruptions and keeping your tools accessible. This will help you finish what you are doing a lot faster. We have endeavored to sift through many quality tool belts to bring you what we feel meets the best standards. Hopefully, your decision will be easier now.
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