Best Electrician Tool Bags

Electrician tool bags are very important for an electrician. An experienced electrician’s job can be fairly complicated and demanding compared to other handymen and numbers of specialized tools are required to accomplish a task. These tools include delicate electrical and electronic equipment along with general mechanical tools. Organizing these tools and keeping them in perfect condition is an indispensable part of this profession.

If all these tools are kept clumsily and carelessly, some of them might get damaged. Also, there is a high probability that miniature tools will get lost or left behind by mistake in the shop if they are dumped in a duffle bag or something like that. A tailor-made electrician tool bag will improve such situations significantly.

Types of Electrician Tool Bags

A quick survey on the market would reveal an array of electrician tool bags of different designs. Some of these tool bags are specialized for electricians because an electrician sometimes has to use some delicate electrical or electronic equipment along with other tools. If all those equipment are stored with other tools, they might get damaged. So, the electrician tool bags have dedicated storage space for them. The tool bag which will suit all kinds of trade person is also available.

These tool bags are designed differently to address different issues. Some major categories are discussed below:

• Canvas tool bag has lots of advantages. This material falls into the plain-woven fabric category. It can be extremely tough and yet flexible. The bag made from this material is capable of supporting heavy load without tearing.
• Nylon is tougher than canvas and it can withstand poking from sharp tools. It can also endure harsh conditions and it doesn’t get affected by moisture. But nylon is more expensive than canvas.
• Leather has been used for tool bags, especially the doctor’s bag for a long time. A leather tool bag lasts over a long period. But leather is heavier and the most expensive material for bag manufacturing.

Based on the construction and design of the tool bag, the varieties are

• Caddy, it’s a large rectangular-shaped container with no covering on the top. Inside the bag, there is a number of compartments of different sizes to organize tools and they can be easily accessed. A single handle is placed in the center part of the bag to carry it.
• The tote has no top cover, either and the large opening on the top is very convenient for storing and retrieving tools inside. And two shoulder straps are attached to the bag for conveying it.
• Tool backpacks are designed like an ordinary backpack except for the reinforced bottom (not all tool backpacks have it, but it’s an important feature because a technician might have to put the bag on wet, muddy, and abrasive surfaces). The main compartment of the backpack has strong zippers with lots of pockets inside and there are two straps to carry it on the back.

Apart from these common designs, there are tool pouches for attaching to the electrician’s waist belt, tool roll bag, and toolbox with a handle for storing and carrying tools.

Why Need an Electrician Tool Bags?

It’s not very difficult to imagine the frustration of an electrician during his job when one of the equipment is left behind by mistake or he hurts himself rummaging in the tool bag looking for one.  Also, the chances of forgetting to pack all the equipment after the job increases if they are just stuffed inside the bag carelessly.

To improve this situation and prevent such incidents, a properly designed electrician’s tool bag is the best option. Apart from wenches, Allen keys, power drills, screwdrivers, hammers, hacksaws, etc which are common tools for any trade, electricians use digital multimeters, insulation testers, and other electronic devices that are a bit delicate in nature and moisture, vibrations, or impact can damage them. An electrician’s tool bag is designed to protect this equipment against the harshest condition.

These tool bags have a reinforced molded bottom made of thick rubber and it keeps the tools safe when the bag is on a damp or coarse surface. Also, it increases the life of the bag. Inside the tool bag, there are a number of compartments of different sizes and shapes designed for different tools. These compartments have zippers or elastic elements to hold the equipment inside firmly so they won’t scatter over the bag when carrying. For small items, there are dedicated organizers inside or outside the bag. Hence, all the tools can be kept in an organized fashion and a particular tool can be located effortlessly. It reduces the chance of missing tools, too.

A tool bag made from tough material protects the tools to a great extent. The sharp edges of the tools remain intact while they are inside the bag. If the tools are packed separately, the scope of collision among each other and damaging themselves are reduced.

In addition to preserving the tools, an ergonomically designed tool bag can be carried very easily with minimum effort. It also minimizes the discomfort associated with wearing the bag. The padded and broad shoulder straps and handle grip do the trick.

10 Best Multi Functional Electrician Tool Bag

An electrician tool bag is as functional as a tool itself and there are some features one must consider rather than choosing a bag only for aesthetics. Some popular and excellent quality items are elaborated on in this section.

1. VETO PRO PAC TECH-MCT Tool Bag

An electrician tool bag has to endure harsh conditions. So, it has to be tougher than ordinary bags. VETO PRO tool bag promises that injection-molded, stabilized, and completely waterproof 3mm base. The tool bag also features a patented center panel. For tiny tools, there are 56 pockets inside. The zipper on the upside keeps them tidy inside the pocket.

The tools are stored in a vertical position which is very convenient for a handyman. Also, the tools can be placed all around the bag to reach them easily. The grip positioned at the top is over-molded and ergonomically designed. The shoulder strap is pretty wide. So, it’s not very difficult to carry with tools. It’s a well-built bag and export quality nylon is used for longevity.

2. Carhartt Legacy Electrician Tool Bags

This brand features 3 different sizes of tool bags like 14 inches, 16 inches, and 18 inches. The 14-inch model incorporates 17 outside and 10 inside pockets for tools. To prevent the bag from collapsing when it’s empty, a metal frame is placed inside. To protect equipment from water, triple-needle stitched sturdy polyester fabric is utilized along with YKK zippers. The molded bottom of the bag is erosion proof and has a high load-bearing capacity.

The dimensions of this tool bag would be 14w x 10.5h x 9d inches and have lots of space inside. In fact, it’s very easy to overload the bag. And to carry the load, there is a pair of tough and comfortable handle grips. The bag itself weighs 2.2 pounds and it has an ID tag.

3. Klein Tools 55421BP-14 Tool Bag Backpack

The Klein tool backpack comes with 39 pockets for storing a large number of tools. It features a hard molded pocket especially for safety glasses and a front zipper pocket for small parts. The interior of the backpack is bright orange which reflects plenty of light to improve visibility and it helps to find the tools inside the bag easily.

The dimensions of the bag are  20-Inch x 14.5-Inch x 7.25-Inch and along with numerous pockets, all the tools an electrician commonly needs can be stored inside conveniently. The 1680D ballistic weave and rugged molded bottom ensure extra durability and water resistance. To carry the fully loaded backpack, padded shoulder straps provide good support. The backpack weighs 6 pounds.

4. CLC Custom LeatherCraft Tool Backpack (1132)

The CLC tool backpack offers lots of conveniences to a handyman carrying his tools. Although it’s a backpack, it has two padded handles along with padded shoulder straps to carry it by hand if needed. The backpack is 9 inches wide, 13 inches deep, and 17.5 inches high and has 75 pockets, sleeves, and loops. In addition to that, there is a 7 inch by 5.5-inch plastic tray to work with small parts. So, it’s hard to run short of space.

To make it tough, ballistic polyester fabric and durable zippers are utilized. A 14 piece wrench set can be easily placed inside the pockets. For extra convenience, the backpack has a hook and loop section with flaps to secure the tools inside.

5. Rugged Tools Pro Tool Backpack

This backpack is truly versatile in nature as it can accommodate tools for other handymen along with electricians. The 1680D polyester, durable zippers, and hard molded bottom make this backpack super tough and water-resistant. Because of the hard bottom, it stays in a vertical position when put on the ground. Hence, all the equipment inside is well protected and they are easy to pick.

This backpack is impervious to rain, snow, or mud. There are 34 pockets inside, 4 pockets outside, and 2 side pockets. The padded shoulder and lumbar support help to carry the backpack comfortably and the sternum strap distributes the load evenly. The tool backpack weighs 5.82 pounds and the size would be 19.5” Height X 14.5” Width X 7.5” Depth.

6. Tradesman Pro 10″ Tote from Klien tools

This 10-inch tote from Klien tools is rather convenient to cable technicians or other tradespeople who have to work sometimes suspended from the pole. As it has no closing lead, it’s easy to pick up tools while working in an awkward position and it is an alternative to the utility belt. The weight of this shoulder pouch is 6 pounds and it has dimensions of 12.4 x 12.2 x 10 inches. The interior provides 40 pockets including a big zipper pocket for tiny tools.

The tradesman shoulder pouch is made of 1680D ballistic weave and the bottom is fully molded for better stability. The inside of this tool bag is bright orange for better visibility. The single shoulder strap is padded and comfortable.

7. DEWALT 16-Inch Tool Bag from Custom Leathercraft

The DEWALT tool bag incorporates a pop-open design which allows effortless access to the tools inside due to the largemouth opening. The ballistic poly fabric is utilized for ruggedness. The corners, edges, and bottom of this tool bag have additional reinforcement to prevent abrasion. The base is made of a thick rubber pad. The shoulder strap and handle grips are padded and slip-proof.

In addition to larger brightly colored interior space, this tool bag has 33 pockets including a flap covered pocket with hook & loop closure for small items. There are numerous options to organize the tools inside, so any handyman can use it. The bag weighs 3 pounds and the dimension would be 13.8 x 4.5 x 19.3 inches.

8. Internet’s Best Open Top Electrician Tool Bag

This tool bag is vetted for quality and performance and it’s a solid tool carrying bag for a technician. The tool bag adopts semi-stiff construction made of 600D tough fabric. For extra robustness, the handle is made of metal pipe instead of fabric with a padded grip.

Fashioned with a total of 16 pockets and loops, this tool caddy is ideal for storing tools of any trade. The open-top design allows access to the tools without any hassle and the semi-stiff frame keeps the tool bag in a stable position while on the ground. There is also a wide shoulder strap to carry the bag on the shoulder. The inside dimension of the bag is 15” Width x 7.5” Depth x 8” Height and the weight is 4.31 pounds.

9. CLC Zippered Professional Electrician Tool Bags

This premium quality tool pouch can be an ideal choice for electricians, maintenance workers, or technicians who have to keep a lot of tools organized. There are tons of practical and useful features that make the CLC electrician’s tool pouch a potential competitor in the market.

For starters, the front zippered cover secures the tools when carrying them and it can be attached to the body by velcro tape when the tools are required to access. On the back of the cover, a large pocket can store 10-inch tools. There is an 8 inch by 5-inch compartment on the back for the writing pad. Total 21 pockets are available and the main pocket is 4.5 by 9 by 9 inches (LxWxH). On the outside, there are holders for cell phones, hammers, large screwdrivers, electrical tape, etc.

The tool bag is lightweight (2.3 pounds) and made of double-layer 600D polyester fabric with ballistic binding.  The tool bag is designed to carry it through tight spaces. The ergonomically designed rubber hand grip and padded shoulder strap with mesh for air flow make that task easier.

10. CLC Center Tray Electrician Tool Bags

This is another tool caddy manufactured by Custom leathercraft. This tool bag features a 13½” x 9″ multi-compartment plastic parts tray for small parts like nuts, bolts, screws, washers, etc. which are placed in the center of the bag. Also, there are web pockets in the main compartment for larger tools. Total 16 pockets are available, half of them are outside and the other half is inside.

The plastic container is a game changer, it can remove the jumble of tiny objects inside the tool bag and make them accessible. In addition to that, the zippered compartment on the backstops the accidental spilling. To carry the loaded tool bag comfortably, extra padded handles and shoulder straps are provided.

Key Features Of Best Electrician Tool Bag

Material

The most popular choices for making tool bags are canvas and nylon. Leather tool bags are also available and they are very reliable but they are quite expensive.

There are some codes associated with the fabric like 1680D or 600D. Here, D stands for Denier and the value indicates how dense the fabric is. The higher number means more dense fabric and eventually more ruggedness.

The mode of weaving also contributes to the reliability of the tool bags. The term “ballistic weave” is often used and it refers to high-density nylon fabric in 2 x 2 or 2 x 3 basket weave.

Whatever the material is, it has to be waterproof and strong enough to convey sharp tools without getting damaged. Sometimes, the bottom of the bag adds a molded rubber pad for extra protection and it’s a nice option to have.

Durability

Sharp end and pointed tools can damage any bag very easily. So, a professional tool bag requires more robustness and durability than a general-purpose backpack or bag. Also, the tools can be rather heavy, so the straps and handle of the tool bag have to be able to withstand that load.

Purpose

Various tool bags are on the market and some of them are tailor-made for electricians. A general-purpose tool bag may not be convenient for an electrician. So, deciding beforehand which purpose the tool bag is going to serve is important.

The Capacity Of Storage And Compartments

Generally, a tool bag has a number of pockets both on the inside and outside of the bag and these pockets are of standard sizes for different tools like multimeter, measuring tape, etc. and they are very useful to organize tools.

But too many pockets of specific sizes can be a problem if someone has to carry equipment of different dimensions. In this case, despite the empty storage space, that equipment may not fit inside the bag. So, checking for the size of the compartments will be helpful for finding the right tool bag.

Zipper and ease of opening

The opening of the tool bag can make the tools inside more accessible. If the front cover collapses itself after opening the bag for the first time, it can be very annoying for someone to retrieve tools afterward.

For the tool backpacks, it is desirable that the backpack would remain in a vertical position once it’s the zipper is opened. These features can be very handy during work.

Comfort

A fully loaded tool bag can be pretty heavy. But an ergonomically designed tool bag will reduce the effort and make it more comfortable during carrying the bag. For good grip, the handle of the tool bag has grooves and padding over it. The wide shoulder straps distribute the load evenly over the shoulder and air mesh provides ventilation. The removable and adjustable straps are quite useful, too. So, the tool bag should be scrutinized for comfort.

Carrying options

The caddy and tote tool bags are carried by hand or over one shoulder where tool backpacks are placed on the back by two straps over both shoulders. This feature may be important if the technician wants to carry the bag leaving the hands free. For example, an electrician has to carry a wire along with tools in a wiring job. So, the tool backpack is the best choice in this scenario.

Your Budget

It will be difficult to find a decent tool bag below $80. There are many cheaper versions available but they are not very reliable.

Care and Maintenance

Normally, the tool bags are pretty tough but it’s a good idea to invest some time to clean the bag and oil the zippers. The bag can be cleaned thoroughly by rubbing it with warm soapy water. This practice will increase the lifetime of the bag.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best tool bags for an electrician?

Some brands worth mentioning are DEWALT, CLC, Carhartt, Klein, VETO, and Rugged Tools. But these brands have lots of different products with different designs and sizes. It depends on the customer’s requirements.

How to choose the right size?

By carefully considering the number of tools and their approximate sizes, it is possible to come up with a tentative estimate of the size of the bag. Normally, the biggest tool like long shaft screwdrivers dictates the size.

Should electricians use insulated tools?

It is compulsory for an electrician to use insulated tools. The screwdrivers designed for electricians have insulation over the shafts.

Are electrician tool bags waterproof?

The nylon made tool bags have good water resistance. However, not all the tool bags perform equally.

Closing Thoughts

A proper tool bag can be a great aid to a tradesperson’s life which might not be felt all the time. So, buying a cheap tool bag with compromised quality is a bad investment. There are lots of aspects which have to be considered carefully before deciding.