At ITS.co.uk, we know that no matter what industry you’re in, you will need something to carry your tools in. That’s where the trusty Tool Bag comes in. Available in many shapes and sizes, tool bags are built to make your life easier by helping to share the load, keeping you organized, and even making you look the part on the job.
No matter what type you’re into, having a good tool bag can (and will) change how you work, and that’s why we’ve created this article.
The “Best Tool Bag Ever” will vary for everyone, so we’ve included different types and what to look for. So whether you’re looking for a tough “tank of a bag,” something light and easy to use, or just something to keep your tools safe, we have you covered.
Why Buying A Good Tool Bag Is Worth It
Have you ever heard the saying, ” Buy cheap, buy twice”? This age-old advice is true for almost everything, and tool bags aren’t an exception. Having a good bag not only helps you manage your tools but also saves you time, which in turn puts more money in your pocket. It’s a win-win!
Contractors, electricians, plumbers, and even DIY enthusiasts have something to gain from grabbing a great tool bag. And here’s why;
How Tool Bags Help You Become More Efficient
Pockets, pockets, pockets. With great pockets comes great organisation. Or something like that. The more compartments and openings a bag has, the more stuff you can store, the more creative you can be with it, and the better the bag is.
Rather than chucking everything in your bag at the end of the day, each tool has its own place, somewhere set apart for it. If it isn’t there, you know it’s missing. This makes getting down to the job easier as you know exactly where everything is.
How Tool Bags Keep Your Tools Safe
If you’re looking for a bag to keep your tools safe, a good place to start is the amount of wriggle room the bag’s inner pockets have. A bag with tight pockets will keep your tools nice and snug and prevent them from rattling around, potentially smashing into other tools, etc.
Not only that, but on the outside, a bag with a tough shell will protect the contents if you drop it.
Finally, there are environmental factors to keep in mind. For example, if you’re working with live wiring or electrical currents, a bag made of a nonconductive material will protect your bag from accidental shorts.
How Your Tool Bag Leaves a Professional First Impression
First impressions matter. If you show up to someone’s house with a scruffy bag full of dirty, unorganised tools, we can all agree it doesn’t give the best picture of how your work will turn out.
On the other hand, if you present yourself with a nice, clean bag and tools all in the right place, you’ll look like you know your stuff.
Sometimes, it’s not about what you know; it’s about what you look like, and a good tool bag helps sell that image. Who knows when you’ll win or lose a job because of the impression your equipment gives?
What To Look For When Choosing The “Best Tool Bag”
Selecting the perfect tool bag requires careful consideration of several key features, particularly with the vast array of available options. Each trade has specific requirements that can significantly influence the type of tool bag needed.
Here’s a breakdown of the most important factors and how they cater to different professions:
Why Durability matters when choosing a tool bag
Technicians and Electricians: For professionals handling sensitive electronic tools and devices, selecting tool bags made from high-grade nylon or polyester is crucial. These materials protect environmental elements that could damage equipment.
Construction Workers and Builders: Durability is probably one of the most important things when looking for a bag as a builder or construction worker. Tool bags with tough stitching, strong zippers, and sturdy handles will last much longer on the job site. Also, on jobsites, bags with hard plastic bottoms are becoming more popular as they resist moisture and ensure tools remain dry, even on wet surfaces.
Why organisation matters when choosing a tool bag
HVAC Professionals: For those who work with a diverse set of tools, such as gauges, hoses, and thermostats, choosing a tool bag with specialised compartments is a godsend. An open-mouth design enhances accessibility, allowing for quick tool retrieval, which is crucial during complex installations or repairs.
Plumbers: Plumbers need organised tool bags. With the number of small tools (and various sizes) such as pipe cutters, wrenches, and so on, you ideally need to know where everything is at a glance. This means that tool bags with dedicated internal and external pockets, as well as compartments for various fittings and fixtures, are perfect for plumbers.
Carpenters and Joiners: A tool bag should keep tools secure and organised for carpenters and joiners. Loops and clips for measuring tapes, hammers, and chisels, alongside larger compartments for storing power tools and batteries, are crucial for increasing productivity during work.
Why portability matters when choosing a tool bag
Technicians: A backpack-style tool bag with padded straps is great for technicians who often travel between job sites and may traverse long distances or varied terrains. Backpacks are easy to move around in and comfortable, reducing fatigue and allowing for easy transport of tools, which is crucial when moving through different settings.
Landscapers: Given the nature of landscaping work, which typically involves large areas and heavy equipment transport, a wheeled tool bag is ideal. This type of bag minimises physical strain and makes moving over large distances easier.
Electricians: Electricians need a lightweight and accessible tool bag, especially when working in elevated positions or tight spaces. A tool tote or pouch offers the perfect solution. The open tote makes it easy to swap tools quickly on ladders, while the tool pouch is light enough to carry without issue.
Why weather resistance, material, and build quality matter when choosing a tool bag
Landscapers and Construction Workers: Selecting a UV-resistant tool bag is way more important than you’d think. UV Resistance protects the bag from the damaging effects of the sun, preventing it from fading and becoming brittle. A UV-resistant bag maintains its structural integrity and appearance and ensures that tools inside are shielded from the sun.
Surveyors and Field Engineers: These professionals often use precise and sensitive instruments that must be safeguarded from environmental factors. A tool bag with UV resistance helps maintain its condition, ensuring it continues providing reliable protection against solar radiation. This protection is vital for preserving the functionality and extending the bag’s lifespan and the delicate instruments it holds.
Marine Workers and Boaters: In humid and wet conditions, marine workers and boaters require tool bags that can withstand moisture without succumbing to mould and mildew. Tool bags that resist these elements help prevent moisture-related damage, keeping tools rust-free and clean. This is essential for maintaining the functionality and longevity of tools that are frequently exposed to water.
Top Tool Bags of 2024: Our Expert Picks
Choosing the right tool bag can be overwhelming with so many options on the market. We’ve picked out our most popular and highly rated tool bags to make your decision easier.
Explore these top-rated tool bags and find the perfect fit for your needs.
ITS EXPERT PICK: TOP Tool Backpack
When it comes to carrying tools on the go, a tool backpack offers unmatched convenience and comfort. These backpacks are designed to distribute weight evenly across your shoulders, reducing strain and allowing for hands-free mobility.
Perfect for technicians who need to climb ladders or travel long distances on foot, tool backpacks provide excellent organisation. They have multiple pockets and compartments designed to secure everything from small hand tools to larger power tools.
Milwaukee PACKOUT Backpack – 4932471131
Key Features
- Part of the PACKOUT™ modular storage system
- Made from tough 1680D nylon ballistic material
- 48 total pockets, including a hard-shell protected instrument pocket
- Extra back padding, chest strap, attachment strap for rolling bags & heavy duty harness
- Impact-resistant polymer base
Part of the PACKOUT™ modular storage system made from tough tear-resistant 1680D ballistic nylon material for jobsite durability.
Features 48 total pockets including a hard-shell protected instrument pocket, extra back padding, chest strap, attachment strap for rolling bags and heavy duty harness for ultimate jobsite comfort.
Impact resistant polymer base protects contents from water and dirt and also allows the backpack to stand up.
Our Customers Say
“Excellent product, has enough compartments for the hand tools and bits that I regularly use in my job, plus space left over for my impact, drill, batteries, etc. Very comfortable to wear even when full of tools, the fact it’s part of the PACKOUT range makes it even better. I have the packout bits box connected to the bottom of my bag so can easily transport screws, nuts and bolts, washers etc. Product was dispatched and delivered quickly as well. Great product, great service.”
Rich, March 24, 2024 – Read More Reviews
ITS EXPERT PICK: Tool Bags
Traditional tool bags are all about versatility and accessibility. They come in various sizes and styles, each designed to keep your tools organized and protected while providing quick access when needed.
Ideal for everyday use by pretty much anyone who needs to carry a tool, these bags are typically equipped with strong handles and sometimes shoulder straps, making them easy to transport from one job to another.
Dewalt DWST83522-1 TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 22″ Tool Bag
Key Features
- Hybrid materials for tough maximum strength
- Connectable to TOUGHSYSTEM Storage Range
- Water and dirt-repellent
- Side Pocket with an extra band attachment for long tools or a Bottle
- See-through zipper pocket for documents and quick access items
The Dewalt DWST83522-1 TOUGHSYSTEM 22″ Tool Bag from ITS is a duffle-style tool bag that is compatible with the ToughSystem storage range.
Perfect for keeping your tools safe when taking them where you need to go, the bag is made from tarpaulin combined with 1680D denier to deliver incredible durability as well as flexibility.
To make sure your tools are in the right place, there are a large number of pockets as well as complete 360° access to various parts and compartments of the bag. For documents and essential tool accessories, there is a transparent zipped pocket so that you can easily identify what you need.
A water proof base ensures that your tools are protected when you put the bag on the ground – whatever’s on the surface. A bungee cord on the side offers addition storage for longer tools as well as keeping items off the floor.
A comfortable, ergonomic handle as well as a padded shoulder strap adds to the comfort of carrying the case. Neatly, the base of the bag allows for connection to the TOUGHSYSTEM Storage range so that you are able to add it to your tool trolley.
Our Customers Say
Outstanding! Looked at the pictures, read the bumpf and thought long and hard about it, shouldn’t have worried because it is definitely worth the money. Well made, pockets everywhere, pockets that are useful and that tools fit in securely and the handle and strap mean you pick it up with ease. So impressed I nearly bought another one immediately, not that I needed another one, but that wasn’t the point.
Gareth Edwards, 30th Sep 2023 – Read More Reviews
ITS EXPERT PICK: Tool Totes
Tool totes are the go-to for those who prefer open access to their tools without the hassle of zippers or flaps.
These are especially useful for quick tasks where time is of the essence. The open mouth allows you to use a tool, drop it in the bag, grab another tool, rinse and repeat. Featuring sturdy handles for easy carrying, tool totes often include external pockets and a large central compartment that make grabbing the right tool straightforward and hassle-free.
Milwaukee PACKOUT 50cm Tote Toolbag – 4932464086
Key Features
- 1680 ballistic material construction
- Impact-resistant moulded base
- All metal hardware
- Durable over-moulded handle
- Multiple internal pockets
PACKOUT™ 50cm Tote Toolbag – Part of the PACKOUT™ modular storage system, 1680 ballistic material construction.
Impact resistant moulded base, all metal hardware, durable overmolded handle and 32 multiple pockets for safe storage of tools.
Milwaukee Tool revolutionises tool transportation and organisation with the new PACKOUT™ tool storage cases. Designed as a modular system with the ability to swap and interlock a wide range of boxes and stackable tool cases. Heavy duty and created with professionals in mind, PACKOUT™ is the most versatile and durable modular storage system in the industry.
Our Customers Say
This bag is quality,tough,sturdy and lightweight, plenty of compartments for a variety of tools, definitely worth the money
Kevin ashcroft, 24th Jun 2024 – Read More Reviews
ITS EXPERT PICK: Tool Bag With Wheels
A wheeled tool bag is your best friend if you carry heavy tools and equipment! These bags minimise physical strain and allow you to transport tools without lifting. With durable wheels and an extendable handle, these tool bags are ideal for jobs that require moving around large job sites or facilities.
Makita 8312790 Large Wheeled Tool Bag 26”
Key Features
- Padded heavy-duty tool bag
- Robust wheels and extendable handle
- Multiple internal and external pockets
- Large top opening
- Removable shoulder strap
The Makita LXT600 Heavy Duty Tool Bag from ITS is a padded and wheeled bag for carrying larger tools along with accessories to and from the job.
The discreet and extendable handle can be closed under the body of the bag, while the durable wheels are ideal for most surfaces.
The bag includes numerous pockets, both on the inside and outside the bag for storing accessories and additional personal items.
The bag has a large top opening allowing for easy access to your tools, while the bag also includes a padded handle and removable shoulder strap
Our Customers Say
A great versatile bag with pockets and space for a range of tools. I especially like the ability to use the wheels when it gets heavy at the end of the day or the carry handles for a quick pick up. Nice work makita with this product
JohnT, 3rd Oct 2023 – Read More Reviews
ITS EXPERT PICK: Tool Pouches
Tool pouches are essential for specialised tasks. They offer the convenience of having your most used tools attached directly to your belt. They are compact and designed for efficiency, providing quick access and organisation for smaller tools and accessories.
Tool pouches are particularly favoured by electricians, carpenters, and other tradespeople who need to keep their critical tools within arm’s reach as they move throughout their work.
Our Pick: Veto Pro Pac TP-XXL Zippered Technician Tool Pouch
Key Features
- 47 Available Pockets
- Includes rear tablet pocket & 2 Padded Meter Pockets
- Over-Molded Rubber Grip
- Space for Tablet
- High Impact Polypropylene Plastic Base Base
The Veto Pro Pac TP-XXL Tool Pouch from ITS is a mid-sized tool pouch that can be easily closed.
With 47 various pockets, this closable mid-sized tool pouch has been designed with integral side mounted padded meter pockets.
Each zippered meter pocket will securely fit meters up to 10”/260mm x 3.5”90mm x 2”/50mm.
The pouch also features a high impact plastic base, padded shoulder strap and over-moulded rubber grip.
At the back of the pouch is a pocket for a compact tablet along with a ‘Hang-Up’ hook for easy storage.
Our Customers Say
Had cheap tool bags in the past which always end up a mess of tools and screws or broken within 2 months. These are alot more organised and allow easy access to what I need. Comfortable to carry around, I’m a maintenance engineer and I carry this around with me all day and the shoulder strap is Comfortable. More expensive than other tool bags but with the organisation and robust build it will last. Very impressed and will be buying more bags like this in the future.
Patrick s, 9th May 2024 – Read More Reviews
Comparison of Tool Bag Types for Different Needs
When selecting the right tool bag, it’s important to consider the specific needs of your trade.
Electricians often benefit from lightweight and compact options like tool backpacks and tool pouches. At the same time, builders and general contractors may prefer wheeled tool bags and hard-shell bags for heavy-duty transport.
Landscapers and plumbers, on the other hand, might prioritise portable bags with lots of pockets, making tool backpacks.
This guide will help you identify the best tool bag based on your trade’s unique requirements.
| Tool Bag Type | Use Case | Electricians | Builders | Landscapers | Plumbers | General Contractors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tool Bag With Wheels | Heavy-duty, mobile tool transport | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tool Backpack | Hands-free portability | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tool Totes | Quick access to frequently used tools | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Soft Tool Bags | Lightweight, easy to carry | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Hard-shell Tool Bags | Maximum tool protection | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tool Pouches | Compact for small jobs and repairs | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
How to Maintain and Clean Your Tool Bag
As said earlier, first impressions matter. A dirty tool bag will slowly cause issues with your tools. Rust spreads like crazy in the right environments, for example, in a moist bag. Here are four steps to keep your tool bag clean and ready for the next job.
1. Regularly Empty and Inspect Your Bag
Regularly empty and inspect your tool bag to remove dust and debris and check for any damage to seams, zippers, and handles. This practice helps prevent material wear and tear and catches small issues before they escalate.
2. Clean According to Material
Scrub cloth bags with mild soap and water, rinse, and air dry. Wipe nylon or polyester bags with a damp cloth and use mild detergent for tough stains—they’re water-resistant and easy to clean. Apply leather cleaner and conditioner for leather bags to keep them supple and prevent cracking.
3. Protect the Bag from Extreme Conditions
To preserve your tool bag, don’t overfill it where you can to prevent strain on zippers and seams, and always store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to protect against fading and material degradation.
4. Maintain Metal Components
Maintain zippers and buckles by keeping them clean and occasionally lubricating them with silicone spray to keep them nice and loose . For metal parts, make sure your bag is
FAQs About Tool Bags
Can tool bags handle heavy tools?
- Most tool bags are designed to handle heavy tools, but it’s important to choose a bag with robust construction and materials like reinforced nylon or polyester. Quality plays a huge part in this, so pick a bag from a trustworthy brand!
Are there waterproof tool bags available?
- Depends on the bag, but many tool bags are made with water-resistant materials or have a waterproof base. For complete waterproof protection, look for bags specified as waterproof.
How do I prevent my tools from rusting inside the tool bag?
- Keep your tools dry before storing them, and use silica gel packets to absorb moisture inside the bag. Additionally, regularly clean both your tools and the tool bag to remove any dirt or moisture.
What is the best way to organize tools in a tool bag?
- Use the pockets and compartments to separate tools based on size and how often you plan to use them. Place commonly used tools in easily accessible pockets and heavier items towards the bottom to prevent the bag from tipping over. If you wanna get really fancy, add labels
How often should I replace my tool bag?
- The lifespan of a tool bag depends on its quality and how you use it. Some brands even offer lifetime warranties. If you want to get the most out of your bag, treat it carefully; it should last a while. If you want to get the most out of your bag, treat it carefully; it should last a while.