Entry Level to Mid-Range Tool Belt

[daithi]

Self building a house next year (all going well with permitting) and I want to get a tool belt. I'm not looking for something heirloom, I don't need it to last 10 years of a career. I'm fine with Poly, I quite like Canvas, going to hazard a guess that leather is out of my price range. From googling around everyone suggests Occi, Diamondback, Gator, Badger etc. I don't think that's in the ballpark of what I want to spend.

I've found several more affordable options to get the ball rolling, wondering if anyone could recommend or steer me away from them or suggest others.

ToughBuilt Belt - $112 CAD
Maybe not this exact one but a starting point. Lots of configurations/options/can build your own. Have read some good things about the weight and clip system, which would be nice for quicky dumping a pouch I don't need before running up a ladder.

Kuny's 5pc Framers Comfort Lift System - $118 CAD
Already includes suspenders so no extra cost there. I don't see a tonne of discussion/reviews out there but wherever I find it mentioned it seems to be fairly positive. Also a little confused, some things lead me to believe that they're the same as CLC? Which leads on to...

Custom Leathercraft 1614 Comfortlift - $116 CAD (Sale, reg $127)
Is this the same thing as the Kuny? I'm not sure. I see good things written about this brand, other than some people scoffing that they're "Occi Knock Offs"

Style 'n' Craft 4 Piece - $111-160
Something a little different? Canvas is a nice touch at this price point. Once I add their suspenders and loops it's $80 USD ($111 CAD)shipped within the states, I'd have to make a trip to collect it. Or $160 shipped to Canada, but I'd probably get stung by UPS for brokerage/duties. No speed square pocket according to a review, would need to double check that.

 

[KnurledNut]

Any self-respecting Canadian would support the homeland and get an Akribis.
https://akribisleather.com/

Getting back to your original request, check out Task Tools. They are another Canadian company and offer a decent selection of tool belts. I havent used them, but was eyeing their premium belt back in the day. I do have some of their other tools. Their "Signature" line is higher quality. I've had good success with CLC nylon bags. There are also some import knockoff belts that are patterned after Occidental that look pretty well made.

 

[AEAdam]

If it's your house, your property, I'd think twice abut spending anything on a tool belt. I'm building house on my property and I have spent many $100s on belts and things and I don't wear them. Here are a couple things to consider:

1) Do you really need to carry a hammer around? If you are roofing, or up on scaffolding, the answer could be maybe. I NEED a hammer but not constantly. I use a Hitachi nail gun almost exclusively

2) Is the belt really for your impactor? How many screws will you be using. I have old fashioned cotton military web belt, and a metal hook for my impactor and an AWS cheap cotton pouch for screws.

3) What shape are you in? Tool belts are heavy. I have a Ti hammer, which I love and is SUPER light, but even that wears me out over the course of a day. And my back hurts on that side from the off center weight on my hips. I tried suspenders. This stuff takes time to get used to.

Here's my advice/what I ended up with:
1) I carry a pocket knife (Kershaw Shuffle2), a Pica Dry pencil and a tape measure all the time. When needed, I also have a selection of headlamps.

2) I keep tools, and supplies on 2 Rubbermaid carts I push around. My tools are never more than a few steps away.

3) I built a tool tote out of scrap material with all the stuff I need, but don't need to carry. Example: hand saw, chisel, hand plane, string line, small level, line level, speed squares, framing square etc.

4) I have a few old corded power tools. I have a few air tools (framing nailer). Almost everything else is 18V and bad ***. A few highlights:

• sawzall
• circ saw
• track saw
• drills and impactors
• Milwaukee Hole Hawg
• Milwaukee PEX expander (love it!)

Choose all this stuff wisely

 

[LWB]

There's a ton of used ones on Kijiji and FB marketplace. I have one similar to this. Nice and simple and is fairly light. I do use a hammer...

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/kunys-carpenter-apron/1000118084?eid=PS_GOOGLE_D00_Corporate_GGL_Shopping_All-Products_All%20Products__PRODUCT_GROUP_pla-298495632901&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi-3qou2viQMVBFj_AR2f_imQEAQYByABEgLIlPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[MovingAlong]

Self building a house next year (all going well with permitting) and I want to get a tool belt.

Wrapping up the main build on a 12'x16' shed: 2x6 walls, hip roof, 3 36" windows, etc... A tool belt was a must for me. I've only got so many bends left in my knees and back, having a tape/speed square/pencils/hammer/chalk box/etc at my finger tips saved me a thousand bends over the last couple months. Went with this Husky from Home Depot, didn't see a matching one on the Canada sites though... Biggest thing for me was the suspenders. Highly recommend suspenders...

 

[Hakeem]

Klein bolt bag


Occidental 6-in-1

Your tool belt of choice

All told, should be less than $100. Only downside is no dedicated spot for a speed square but otherwise should cover the needs for carpentry.

I’d caution against getting a full framing rig as it’s likely overkill and you’ll be prone to carrying too much stuff on your person. All you really need to carry is Tape, pencil, knife, hammer, square, & the one or two fasteners you’re using.

 

[dscheidt]

Go buy something that seems reasonable. Wear it. You'll probably hate it, but it will tell you what you don't like about it, and you can fix that, or decide to live with it. What you want from a set of bags is different from other people, and how you load them up will be different. Adjust your load out based on what you're doing, and don't carry too much.

 

[daithi]

Thanks everyone I appreciate all the replies.

Any self-respecting Canadian would support the homeland and get an Akribis.
https://akribisleather.com/

Getting back to your original request, check out Task Tools. They are another Canadian company and offer a decent selection of tool belts. I havent used them, but was eyeing their premium belt back in the day. I do have some of their other tools. Their "Signature" line is higher quality. I've had good success with CLC nylon bags. There are also some import knockoff belts that are patterned after Occidental that look pretty well made.

Considered.... Still more than I want to spend haha. I will check out Task as another comparison/price point.

If it's your house, your property, I'd think twice abut spending anything on a tool belt. I'm building house on my property and I have spent many $100s on belts and things and I don't wear them. Here are a couple things to consider:

1) Do you really need to carry a hammer around? If you are roofing, or up on scaffolding, the answer could be maybe. I NEED a hammer but not constantly. I use a Hitachi nail gun almost exclusively

2) Is the belt really for your impactor? How many screws will you be using. I have old fashioned cotton military web belt, and a metal hook for my impactor and an AWS cheap cotton pouch for screws.

3) What shape are you in? Tool belts are heavy. I have a Ti hammer, which I love and is SUPER light, but even that wears me out over the course of a day. And my back hurts on that side from the off center weight on my hips. I tried suspenders. This stuff takes time to get used to.

Here's my advice/what I ended up with:
1) I carry a pocket knife (Kershaw Shuffle2), a Pica Dry pencil and a tape measure all the time. When needed, I also have a selection of headlamps.

2) I keep tools, and supplies on 2 Rubbermaid carts I push around. My tools are never more than a few steps away.

3) I built a tool tote out of scrap material with all the stuff I need, but don't need to carry. Example: hand saw, chisel, hand plane, string line, small level, line level, speed squares, framing square etc.

4) I have a few old corded power tools. I have a few air tools (framing nailer). Almost everything else is 18V and bad ***. A few highlights:

• sawzall
• circ saw
• track saw
• drills and impactors
• Milwaukee Hole Hawg
• Milwaukee PEX expander (love it!)

Choose all this stuff wisely

I quite possibly/probably don't need to carry a hammer all the time, or even most of the time. I've got a friend who has also self built who will loan me a compressor, nail gun, brad nail gun etc etc as he's not using them next year. Also looking out for used compressors etc - anything I'll likely want to have in the future.
I was helping him all weekend getting the tin on his garage roof, racing the weather to get it done before the snow flies (and we just about made it). After running up and down a ladder a hundred times with a hoody pocket full of screws and a tape, an impact in one hand... I decided I wanted a belt for my own build.
I'm in decent shape. I'm a heavy duty mechanic, used to lugging tools and parts around. My back's not gone... yet. But I've had a few back injuries which is why I'm leaning towards suspenders right away to keep the weight distributed.

I have (several) M18 drill/driver/circ saw already. Keeping my eyes peeled on marketplace for a used miter saw for siding & trim etc etc. I have months to find deals on some of that stuff, don't need to rush out and drop hundreds or thousands on tools I'll use intensively for a few months and then never again.

There's a ton of used ones on Kijiji and FB marketplace. I have one similar to this. Nice and simple and is fairly light. I do use a hammer...

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/kunys-carpenter-apron/1000118084?eid=PS_GOOGLE_D00_Corporate_GGL_Shopping_All-Products_All%20Products__PRODUCT_GROUP_pla-298495632901&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi-3qou2viQMVBFj_AR2f_imQEAQYByABEgLIlPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I'm keeping an eye out on Kijiji and FB. Unfortunately I'm somewhat rural, tonnes of results popping up from the city but it's 3hrs each way...

Wrapping up the main build on a 12'x16' shed: 2x6 walls, hip roof, 3 36" windows, etc... A tool belt was a must for me. I've only got so many bends left in my knees and back, having a tape/speed square/pencils/hammer/chalk box/etc at my finger tips saved me a thousand bends over the last couple months. Went with this Husky from Home Depot, didn't see a matching one on the Canada sites though... Biggest thing for me was the suspenders. Highly recommend suspenders...

As I mentioned above I think I'm definitely leaning towards suspenders before I even start. I've had a few back injuries in the past. I'm doing fine now (no issues in 18+ months) but I want to keep it that way.

Klein bolt bag


Occidental 6-in-1

Your tool belt of choice

All told, should be less than $100. Only downside is no dedicated spot for a speed square but otherwise should cover the needs for carpentry.

I’d caution against getting a full framing rig as it’s likely overkill and you’ll be prone to carrying too much stuff on your person. All you really need to carry is Tape, pencil, knife, hammer, square, & the one or two fasteners you’re using.

That occi seems reasonably priced. I'll look a little closer at it.
It's a balance I'll have to try and learn to find between carrying too much and going up and down ladders because I've forgotten something. I'll probably never "quite" get there

Go buy something that seems reasonable. Wear it. You'll probably hate it, but it will tell you what you don't like about it, and you can fix that, or decide to live with it. What you want from a set of bags is different from other people, and how you load them up will be different. Adjust your load out based on what you're doing, and don't carry too much.

I will definitely need to be mindful of carrying too much. I'm guilty of needing something once and then carrying it with me forever "just in case".

 

[MovingAlong]

You'll want a hammer with your nail gun. If you're not familiar with nail guns, they take a reasonable amount of technique to drive consistently. Quite a few framers on YouTube to watch, notice how many times they leave a nail proud and follow up with a hammer...

Also, there are a lot of "what's in my bag" videos for framers. I found them to be pretty consistent and minimalistic. As many folks are sponsored, ignore the brand names... For my work as an example, a cheap wooden handled 14oz claw hammer was perfect and added no significant weight. Only needed it to set misfired nails flush.

I'd still wear a belt for even just a: tape, pencil and small (4.5") speed square. Saves a hundred bends per day and so much time not chasing after them.

 

[tjansson]

I've been doing serious renovation on my house for the past few years. I have found a tool belt invaluble. It's maybe optional for interior work, but for exterior work, I've got the bags on 98% of the time. So much faster to have everything at your finger tips. I will even wear it in my shop sometimes.

I also did not want to spend $350+ on a premium brand.

I got a 6 piece / 28 pocket CLC framer's rig with suspenders. You can find them for about $100. It's been pretty good. I normally carry a impact driver in the big rear pocket. A few complaints: you gotta get creative arranging the suspenders for a waist under ~32", and the sternum strap is pretty high on my chest.

My basic "load out" is utility knife, carpenters pencil, pika marker, .9 mechanical pencil, tape measure, 6" machinist rule, hammer, cats paw, torpedo level, impact driver, speed square, chalk box, a couple nails and screws for the chalk line or miscellaneous use.

 

[Hakeem]

Thanks everyone I appreciate all the replies.




As I mentioned above I think I'm definitely leaning towards suspenders before I even start. I've had a few back injuries in the past. I'm doing fine now (no issues in 18+ months) but I want to keep it that way.


That occi seems reasonably priced. I'll look a little closer at it.
It's a balance I'll have to try and learn to find between carrying too much and going up and down ladders because I've forgotten something. I'll probably never "quite" get there


I will definitely need to be mindful of carrying too much. I'm guilty of needing something once and then carrying it with me forever "just in case".

There are a few different occi bags that are smaller and reasonably priced but can still hold plenty. I have the 4-in-1 and it is great. Seen here with the aforementioned Klein bolt bag and Klein belt:



Holds a tape measure, pencil, knife/chisel (with included holder), extra impact bit, and combo square.

I take the knife holder out and it can hold linemans, strippers, and a screwdriver — perfect setup for most electrical work:


Pretty good value for $44 or so.

Suspenders are a great idea. I set my belt loose and let it hang BELOW my waist, almost like a vest. Takes the load off your lower back that way. Plus you don’t have to cinch your belt super tight.

 

[jimbothecricket]

Cripe Distributing has a $12 nylon tool belt: https://www.cripedistributing.com/p...-gx-contractor-carpenter-tool-belt-12-pocket?

I have a different Genau Gear bag and the quality is decent enough

For made in the USA nylon belts and pouches check out Boulder Tool Belts: https://bouldertoolbelts.com/

 

[daithi]

After a little more digging I found that CLC and Hulty's are both part of the Hultafors group.

Hultafors Group

Hultafors Group- We design products and solutions that excel in terms of functionality, safety, protection, overall productivity and creating personal identity.

www.hultaforsgroup.com

I'm fairly sure at this point that they're the same product, maybe rebadged for different markets (USA/Canada?)
I emailed both companies to find out but haven't got a reply.