Best Portable Mechanics Tool Bags on the Market (Top Rated 2020)

What is the best tool bag for mechanics in 2020?

If you’re in the market for a brand-new tool bag but aren’t sure where to even start looking for one, keep reading. We will cover everything you need to know. We’ll point you in the right direction so you can get the best tool bag possible for your personal needs, however specific or not.

Our list of the best small and portable tool bags in 2021 and 2020

Product

Pros

OUR #1 RATED

DEWALT DGL523 Lighted Tool Backpack Bag

  • With 57 pockets
  • Has padded straps
  • Has a smart design
    and sturdy materials
  • Good Shoulder Tool bag

OUR #2 RATED

CLC Custom Leathercraft 1134 Carpenter’s Tool Backpack

  • Has 44 pockets
  • Its like a traditional tote
  • Perfect fit for lots of space

OUR #3 RATED

Klein Tools Lighted Tool Storage

  • Convenient to use
  • Tote format works well
  • Light weight

OUR #4 RATED

CLC Custom Leathercraft 1579

  • Soft side and many pockets
  • Perfect for all kind of tools

OUR #5 RATED

Klein Tools 55452RTB Rolling Tool Bag, Tradesman Pro


Table of Contents

Best Tool Bags You Can Buy On the Market

There are so many choices that you could spend an entire lifetime checking them all. This is why we made  a list of the best of the best. The crème de la crème, so you can choose wisely and more efficiently than would otherwise be possible:

Best Backpack Travel Tool Bags

DEWALT DGL523 Lighted Tool Backpack Bag - Top Professional Tool Bag

With 57 pockets and padded straps, this backpack will become your best buddy. It features a smart design and sturdy materials, and if that weren’t enough, it also has a light in case you need that.


CLC Custom Leathercraft 1134 Carpenter’s Tool Backpack


It has 44 pockets, and it can open flat, giving you a helpful point of view (like a traditional tote). If you have lots of space to work with, this could be a perfect fit.

This one would be a traditional tote if not for the light included. If you work in spaces where a hands-free light could be convenient, and the tote format works well for you, pick this one up!


CLC Custom Leathercraft 1579

Soft sides and many pockets. This bag is perfect for all kinds of tools and for keeping everything in sight and within reach.

A spacious, but still compact option: This bag is suitable for moving around up to 250 pounds without taking up that much space and looking very professional. Without a doubt,  (Check out our guide on the best portable mechanic tool kits) This is a tool bag!


Bahco 4750FB2W-24A 24” Closed Bag-On Wheels


If you use larger-than-average tools, or think having the most space is paramount, this bag has no competition.

You place this one over any 5-gallon bucket for instant transformation into a sort-of solid tote for carrying tools. It has 30 compartments for organization, but it does not include the base bucket, so keep that in mind.

Bucket Boss Parachute Bag


If you want something collapsible that doesn’t need a bucket to be used, this is a great alternative. It’s a small format, which means it’s great for easy transportation around your working space. However, this will only work if you can edit your must-have tools to a small number.

Bonus! The Best Belt Accessory for Tools

CLC Custom Leathercraft IP489X Suede Tool Bag & Poly Web Belt


Not exactly a bag, but it is a very useful item when you need maximum freedom, and only the most essential tools. This lightweight, yet durable buddy will be your bestie.

What Is a Tool Bag?

A tool bag, like the very name indicates, is a bag you use to store, organize, and carry your tools.

The importance of choosing the right bag comes from the fact that these tools vary greatly. It all depends on what field you work in, the location where your work takes place, and even your physical build and fitness level. This is why generic recommendations don’t cut it (since the perfect tool bag for one person might not be the right choice for another).

It is essential to take note of all the parameters you want to consider. Make a list of priorities before you start. Otherwise, you run the risk of being completely overwhelmed by the seemingly infinite amount of options in the market.

Why Do You Need a Tool Bag?

A tool bag is an essential item that, once you find the right one, can honestly revolutionize your life. If you use a multitude of tools at work, you need a tool bag. But just any bag won’t cut it.

From organization to efficiency at projects, oftentimes, it all comes down to the bag you’re using. It can be a time-saver or a saboteur, so choosing right is paramount.

Things to Ask Yourself Before You Go Shopping for a Tool Bag

In order to fulfill your needs and make a wise purchase that fits your working style, there are a few questions you should keep in mind:

What kind of work do you do and what type of tools you require?

It’s very different to work in actual field construction than to be a carpenter working in his studio, or someone like a repairman who is always on the move. The right type of bag can aid or hinder these types of jobs, so previous careful consideration is required when deciding on a purchase.

How fragile, sturdy, or heavy are the tools you regularly use?

Some tools you could (in theory) just throw into a backpack without much thought and without consequence. Other tools need specific handling to stay in optimal condition. You need to determine where yours fit here.

How mobile are you once you’re on the field and deep into work?

Do you arrive and settle into a specific space, or are you called to do things all over the place? How much you need to move once on-site is also an essential consideration.

Are there special safety issues to consider in your field of work or usual working locations?

If you’re in a construction site, for example, you might not have an even surface to roll a bag with wheels in it. If you need to keep your hands free, a backpack might be the obvious choice.

How accustomed are you to carrying all these tools?

Being familiar with your tools and how you use them can be very helpful when it comes to choosing the best bag to complement your work style.

Are you fit enough to carry your tools for extended periods, or do you need a bag that helps compensate in this department?

If your tools are cumbersome and you aren’t super strong, rolling bags or even backpack could be easier to deal with than totes or other more traditional formats you carry in your hands.

Types of Tool Bags

There are many types of tool bags on the market to fulfill all kinds of needs (for many types of workers and industries). This is an item that, while essential across the board, is not a one-size-fits-all solution. This means that it’s crucial to do your diligent research before settling on one.

Clear priorities are essential to avoid choice fatigue and overwhelm. There are almost too many good options out there, so in this guide, we’ll help you narrow the field down.

Backpacks

Backpacks are perfect if you have a strong back and use heavy tools since the weight can be distributed, making it easier to carry. This is also the choice for those who can’t afford to lay a lot of things down on the floor or who need to have free hands at all times.

Padded straps and a padded back are features to look for in backpacks. They can make carrying even the heaviest toolset much more comfortable.

Totes

Totes are the more traditional tool bag that most think about—almost automatically—when talking about tool bags. The main advantage they have is that it’s easy to see all the contents. It’s also very easy to take things in and out while maintaining your system of organization.

The main downside to this bag is that it’s the most cumbersome to carry around when compared with the other two formats. Very convenient to use, but not so much to transport.

Rolling Bags

When your tools are either too many or too heavy, and the working conditions and environment allow for it, a rolling bag might be the solution you’ve been looking for. It is a winner when it comes to convenience both for work and transportation.

This bag combines the best of both backpacks and totes: It allows for easy transportation even of heavy items, and it can be opened and used as a standard tool bag with everything visible from above, bird’s eye style.

If you suffer from back pain or other muscular ailments related to carrying around your work tools, a rolling bag is most definitely the answer to your prayers.

Keep in mind that a good rolling bag doesn’t lose its portability or practicality just because it has a slightly different form. This is a key consideration when choosing one.

Bucket Bags

Bucket bags, like the name suggests, are shaped like a bucket surrounded by tiny pockets. These are preferable when you’re moving just some tools around inside a location. Not so much for using to transport things from your home to your workplace.

Despite this, these can be quite useful to downsize an otherwise cumbersome toolset down to the essentials you’ll need for a specific job after you arrive at the location. You’ll love these if your tools are heavy, but you don’t always want to lug them all around.

In Summary

Picking the right tool bag can make or break your day and, in turn, your productivity. It can also completely mess it up if you pick just any random bag.

One other product  that  we didn't have a chance  to review today  was ​ best ride on car

Choosing the right bag for your tools is not a small feat. When you analyze the effects it has on the way you work, and how efficiently you can complete your tasks, you’ll realize this apparent no-brainer is one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make. Your productivity will thank you for doing it correctly.

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