These Durable and Pocket-Heavy Tool Belts Will Leave Your Hands Free and Carry Everything You Need

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The humble tool belt might not get a lot of glory. What seems like a simple series of pockets and compartments on webbing plays a critical role in keeping jobs and DIY projects running smoothly. And the best tool belts have various pockets and pouches, allowing you to customize your rig beyond just pouches on a belt. They’re also burly, lasting for years due to reinforced stitching and durable construction. Reach for one of these tool belts that’ll keep with your motion and free up your hands to stay on the job.

Keep your gear organized with our picks for the best tool suspenders, organizers, and tool chests.

The Best Tool Belts

• Best Overall: DeWalt 20-Pocket Pro Framer’s Combo Apron Tool Belt

• Best Value: CLC 3-Pocket Nail and Tool Bag with Poly Web Belt

• Best Heavy-Duty: TradeGear Electrician’s Belt & Bag Combo

• Best for Back Support: Gatorback Professional Carpenter’s Tool Belt Combo

• Most Customizable: Carhartt Legacy Build Your Own Belt

What to Consider

Front or Side Carry?

Tool belts come in two configurations: front-carry and side-saddle. If you prefer a slimmer belt, a front-carry half apron may suit you best, as you can stick tools and nails in the large front pockets, with the option of buying smaller tool bags to slip onto your belt later if you need more room. Side-saddle tool belts have the pockets on the hips so you can bend, kneel, and squat more easily. Opt for that kind if you prize mobility.

Most professional carpenters, electricians, and iron workers primarily wear belts that have bags that slide on and off to customize their fit and selection. Because of this versatility and potential for customization, most of the belts we included here are combos or sets that include a set of saddle bags. If you’d like to tailor a belt to your liking, consider buying your sturdy belt and additional saddle bags separately.

Pockets

Your tool belt should have pockets of varying sizes to stash a range of tools and accessories without anything falling out or getting damaged. However, don’t overdo it. That means don’t wear more belt than you need and don’t carry more tools than you need, as this adds weight and bulk that’ll slow you down. Depending on the type of work or DIY projects you do, the number of pockets might not matter as much as making sure the tool belt can accommodate the specific items you want to carry.

If your belt is stuffed and you need to lighten the load without sacrificing tools, consider a supportive set of work suspenders. Senior home editor Roy Berendsohn recommends grabbing an inexpensive clip-on pair to take the weight off your hips and distribute some of it to your shoulders.

Size

Manufacturers typically list tool belt sizes in a range (or ranges) of waist measurements. A belt’s waist size is measured by its circumference in inches. Some tool belts come in various alpha sizes (Small, Medium, Large, etc.), and many brands also offer expansion panels or adjustable closures that provide more flexibility so you can get the right fit.

Measure your waist or hips—depending on where you’ll wear yours—for the best fit. A side-saddle belt fits differently than a front-carry, so also consider the amount of slack you need to stay comfortable when moving.

Material

If you’re lugging around heavy tools or working in harsh conditions, get a belt made with durable material like reinforced nylon or leather. Leather is solid, as it’s durable and lightweight, but requires upkeep. Reach for water-resistant synthetics like nylon or polyester for less maintenance. Remember that a tougher material often translates to a heavier belt, so if you opt for something durable, skew light on your belt load unless you really need it.

If you frequently work outside in hot temperatures, get a belt made with mesh. Thin synthetics like polyester and nylon are great for wicking away sweat and moisture. Consider synthetic mesh belts with double or triple stitching for extra reinforcement to ensure your mesh tool belt is strong enough to hold your tools without sagging.

Lastly, consider your belt’s fastener. Skew toward pieces made with metal if you’re dealing with power tools and heavy items to ensure longevity. And avoid plastics. If you need a belt to remove on the fly, consider one with a hook-and-loop closure or quick-release buckle.

A cheap tool belt is unsafe—don’t skip on quality to save a few bucks and risk injury on your next job. Tool belts aren’t just for keeping tools handy but also for securing them and preventing accidents. For this reason, we’ve nixed several bestsellers on Amazon that aren’t from reputable tool brands.

Trade-Specific Belts

Despite typical marketing jargon, no tool belt is better for one trade than another—that all depends on your comfort, needs, and selection of tools. Not all carpenters or electricians need the same pockets or pouches.

How We Evaluated

In comparing a broad range of tool belts, our previous tester, die-hard DIYer Bobbi Dempsey, started by drawing upon her own experience as a former owner of a construction and property maintenance business for 10 years. She’s used tool belts of all types and favors those with several pockets of assorted sizes and those with zippered pockets that keep small items like screws and drill bits from getting lost. For each model, she studied specifications and considered feedback from hundreds of customers who left reviews on Amazon and manufacturer websites.

For our latest update, we prioritized newer models from Dempsey’s testing, as well as recommendations from our resident tool and appliances testers Bradley Ford and Roy Berendsohn and Popular Mechanics contributor Alex Rennie. We also considered tool belts with favorable reviews from publications like The Spruce, Bob Vila, and Workiz.

20-Pocket Pro Framer’s Combo Apron Tool Belt

DeWalt is known for producing durable, high-quality tools, and its tool belt is one of the largest and toughest. The Framer’s Combo Apron has pockets and pouches for virtually everything you need—20 in total, including nine large compartments and various zippered ones for screws and nails. It also has a pencil pouch and a padded cell phone holder, though some reviewers mention it doesn’t fit modern phones. The inclusion of suspenders means you can evenly distribute the weight of your hefty tool belt through your shoulders and back, causing less overall strain.

3-Pocket Nail and Tool Bag with Poly Web Belt

Amazon customers say this belt provides decent quality if you’re looking for a small, affordable belt. It has a hammer loop, a tape measure strap, and three pockets. Its quick-release buckle is plastic, and the belt itself is made from webbed nylon, which may give it a cheap appearance. But its faux-suede leather looks great, and customers say it’s tough enough to prevent tools from poking them through the pouch.

Electrician’s Belt & Bag Combo

This durable belt has 27 pockets, two pouches, four loops for suspenders, and several D-rings, so you won’t run out of options for storing your tools. The burly 600-denier nylon is made to last and can stand up to heavy use, plus it’s plenty resistant to the elements. Carrying handles make the Combo easy to tote around when your hands are full. Plus, patches of Velcro lining the inside mean you can tuck part of the belt over itself to shorten it if you need to take micro-adjustments. This is especially handy given the wide size range (the smaller is small-large, and the other option is extra large-triple extra large).

Several users say this belt is built incredibly tough, which is a double-edged sword, making it harder to break in through use. Others reported that the many straps, pockets, and pouches—all of which can be removed—make it an easy belt to configure to your unique needs.

Professional Carpenter’s Tool Belt Combo

If you’re prone to an aching back after a long day’s work, this tool belt has enough padding to give you the support and cushioning you need without restricting your movements. The breathable ventilated fabric allows for airflow to cut down on sweat buildup, and plenty of reinforced stitching ensures the belt will last.

One customer says that despite being skinny, this belt fits them exceptionally well and has significant adjustability. And many reviewers touted its combination of functionality and comfort.

Duck Nail Apron

Carhartt’s tough, sturdy cotton duck belt serves as the base to customize your toolset by adding one or several attachable pockets. It has two tool loops, four large pockets, one pencil pocket, and one small pocket.

Berendsohn prefers using this nail apron while working in his shop. “It’s a small and light tool apron ideal for projects where I am standing a lot,” he says. “Since it’s worn around your waist, it doesn’t work well for crouching down, however.”

Professional Comfort-Rig Tool Belt

The designers at Jackson Palmer studied user feedback and reviews of other tool belts when developing the Comfort-Rig. The shoulder yolk connects to the belt at five points via included suspenders, distributing weight to give your back and shoulders a break. The pocket dividers keep everything organized, and each pocket is detachable. The Comfort-Rig also features two side hooks to dangle power tools.

It’s durable, with reinforced stitching, and its padded straps make wearing it all the more comfortable. Several users say this belt is well worth its price. Others report that each of the belt’s hooks can catch onto ladder steps, which presents a risk.

TB-CT-111-CP 3-Piece Handyman Tool Belt Set

Berendsohn recommends this tool belt, saying it’s a tried-and-true side-carry model that’s very popular. And it’s great for bulk carry, with a whopping 27 pockets, a hammer loop, and a tape measure clip. Its side-carry ability means that, despite the sheer weight you can load into it, you can still easily wear it while bending, kneeling, and squatting.

The built-in kickstand is also a nice feature and lets you keep the belt propped up on a floor or table when you’re not wearing it. Its clip system stabilizes pouches and makes removing them easy, while double-stitching reinforces the breathable mesh webbing.

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