A quality tool belt & bag gives you quick access to your tools without getting in the way.
You want a tool belt that’s going to survive the hard yards on the job. One with lots of pouches for storage. One that isn’t going to fall off you as you move around.
In our quest to find the ideal tool belt – we review the Top 6 Electrician’s Tool Belts on the market.
We analyze the materials used, the number of pockets, the durability & comfort, and the price – all in our quest to find the best electrician’s tool belt.
Contents
Best Electricians Tool Belt
Gatorback Tool Belt – Best Overall
Our top spot for the best electricians tool belt goes to the Gatorback Tool Belt. This is the most versatile tool pouch on this list, featuring a reasonable price point along with a durable and convenient design.
The Gatorback B240 has over 29 pockets – plus an individualized hammer holster and tape clip. There’s enough space here for every good tool you can think of (plus a few extras). The individualized compartments make it easy to reach for the right tool for the job.
To improve the durability of this belt, Gatorback included rivets and bar tack stitching along the stress points. This reinforced design really makes the Gatorback stand out as a nylon belt – it has the robustness of a leather belt, with the price of a nylon belt.
This belt comes in 6 different sizes – from Small (26”-30”) to 3 XL (50”-55”). This makes it easy to ensure you’re getting a properly fitting belt – there’s nothing worse than a loose belt (except maybe one that doesn’t fit you at all).
The Gatorback Tool Belt, crafted from heavy-duty nylon, strikes the perfect balance between durability and lightness. Its padded interior offers crucial back support and comfort, even when the belt is loaded with tools. The designers have optimized its thickness to ensure it’s robust enough for the job without weighing you down.
The Gatorback has a patented air channel design, giving you a comfortable, breathable, sweat-free experience. Evening the padding on the Gatorback has air channels designed into them – reducing the amount of sweat and discomfort on those long workdays. Overall the Gatorback Tool Pouch is an excellent option for those looking for a quality toolbelt at a great price.
Check Price- Nice big pouches
- Patented air channel design for added beathability
- Extremely comfortable
- Comes included with various accessories
- Comes with a 1 year defect-free warranty
- Nylon doesn’t age as well as leather
Occidental Leather Tool Belt – Premium Choice
Comfortable. Convenient. High-quality.
That’s the Occidental Leather Toolbelt in 3 words (and a hyphen).
This toolbelt provides a tonneof storage space. It’s comfortable, and surprising lightweight – weighing in at a low 5.3 pounds.
The belt has an adjustable strap and comes in 6 different sizes – from Small to XXX-Large. So it’s very easy to find the perfect fit.
One of the bags attached to the belt features four large compartments for larger pieces of equipment, while the other bag holds over 30 pouches. There are dozens of different tool compartments, pockets, clips, and straps.
The toolbelt features specialized compartments designed to hold all the best electricians tools – like multimeters, insulated screwdrivers, and electrical pliers. These are very handy and give each tool a nice snug fit – securing them in place while you’re walking around.
The belt itself is constructed from high-quality leather. It looks good, it feels good, and it’s made in the USA. Which is exactly what you want from something that you’ll have strapped around you for hours at a time.
While it’s not the cheapest toolbelt on the market, its superior craftsmanship and comfort more than make up for this.
Opting for a cheap toolbelt often leads to disappointment; they’re prone to breaking or are so uncomfortable they end up unused. Investing in a high-quality toolbelt, like the Occidental Leather Toolbelt, ensures you have a reliable accessory that won’t just collect dust in your cupboard.
Check Price- Heavy duty high quality leather construction
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Heaps of storage – 30 different compartments
- 6 different sizes – Small to XXX-Large
- Made in the USA
- Lacks a specialized clip for a tape measure
- Not the cheapest on the market
Dewalt Tool Belt – Great Value
For those who are looking to get the most for their money from their electrician’s tool belt, this touch pouch from Dewalt is one of the best options we looked at.
This is an easy value buy – with a total of 20 pockets, this work belt with suspenders can hold nearly all of the items that you need, ranging from large tools down to nuts and bolts.
If you’re a fan of suspenders – this is the toolbelt for you.
The suspenders on this belt are well-padded to ensure that you remain comfortable for the duration of the workday. The belt itself also features padding along the inner surface, providing additional comfort.
The gusset pockets are larger than on other belts, meaning they can hold more and they are also easier to access.
Made of polyester, you’ll find this tool pouch from Dewalt available for a relatively low price, though it is still reliable and durable enough to serve you for a long time to come.
- Fantastic low price
- Comes with padded suspenders
- Heaps of pockets for storage
- Adjustable from 29” to 46”
- Plastic strap connectors
- Takes some time to break in
CLC Custom Leathercraft Tool Belt
While the CLC Custom Leathercraft 1608 undercuts the Dewalt belt in price, its value proposition is mixed. The savings are appealing, yet it falls short in durability and overall quality. Despite this, it remains a viable choice for those seeking a more budget-friendly option.
Equipped with 28 pockets, you’ll have plenty of room to keep all of your gear in the bags on this polyester work belt.
Space is not an issue – there’s plenty of room for your wire strippers and voltage testers. Where this tool belt usually falls short is in durability, as the bags are far too easy to rip through with any type of tool and harness is far too fragile for extended use.
Beyond the issues with durability, this electrician’s work belt is comfortable, fits well, and has plenty of space, so if you only need a belt for home renovations or infrequent use, then it’ll work.
Check Price- Very low price
- 28 pockets
- Bags are easy to reach and feature handles
- Poor durability
- Suspenders could be a bit stronger
TradeGear Tool Belt
This toolbelt from TradeGear is a reliable choice that is ideal for heavy-duty work where work belt durability is a bit more of a concern. From the 27 spacious pockets to the padding along the interior of the belt itself, this is an excellent product save for in one area: the price.
The TradeGear work belt’s price tag may seem steep compared to its competitors, who offer more bang for your buck. Yet, its durable nylon construction guarantees a long-lasting toolbelt, ensuring it withstands the rigors of daily use without the risk of tearing.
The main issue with this belt is that it is very similar to the Gatorback B240 (which is available for a lower price) – giving you less value for money out of this TradeGear model. But if you like the particular style of this Tradegear tool pouch, then it’s still a viable alternative.
Check Price- Excellent nylon construction
- 27 roomy pockets
- Extremely durable
- A little too expensive
Dickies Tool Belt
On first glance, this four-piece tool belt from Dickies Work Gear doesn’t look too bad. But on closer inspection, its cracks start to show.
With only seven large pockets, you’ll end up searching each pouch for far too long to find the item you need. Once you start filling up the bags with more than a few items, it’s very easy for small items (like a good insulation resistance tester) to get lost.
This work belt is also made of canvas, which is far less durable than nylon, polyester, or leather, so don’t expect to undertake any heavy-duty jobs with this belt.
The suspenders also provide no support because they’re constantly sliding off thanks to the complete absence of chest retention.
The one redeeming quality to this work belt is that it’s more affordable than some of the alternatives. But doesn’t help much when the product itself is a waste of money.
Don’t buy this toolbag. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, go with Dewalt’s DG5641.
Check Price- Low price
- Steel buckle
- Canvas construction isn’t durable
- Bags and suspenders keep slipping off
- Only seven pockets
What Matters When Choosing Your Tool Belt
Comfort
Comfort: “a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint”.
Doesn’t that sound lovely? That’s exactly how a well-designed tool belt should feel. A well fit vs. poorly fit toolbelt is the difference between frustration and bliss. It’s the difference between a sweaty and uncomfortable day on the job and an enjoyable one.
There are a couple of things to look at with any belt purchase. Make sure you correctly size your waist. Make sure you’re actually wearing the work clothes on that you would wear while on the job. Check to see if the belt you have chosen has holes along to make it easily adjustable. It may well fit initially, but over the years your weight could change – and at that point you’ll be happy you bought something that is extremely adjustable.
Whether or not you’ll use suspenders are also important. Some people hate them, some people love them. If you’re a suspenders type of guy, make sure you get a well fitting pair. Better to be a slightly tighter fit than a loose one – because if anything, they’re only going to get looser over the years. The advantage of suspenders are obvious when you’ve packed your belt unevenly – they really help with weight distribution.
Other important parts of comfort are padding, and air ventilation. Good padding = more comfort. The ideal amount of padding can vary from person to person, but typically people find more padding to be more comfortable. Proper air ventilation will be obvious to any sparky that has worn a poorly ventilated leather belt. It really makes a difference to the amount of sweat that builds up around the waste. Our suggestion: walk around in the belt as much as possible. Note that we found the Occidental Leather Toolbelt to be very well ventilated – which was quite surprising for a leather belt.
Construction Material
You’ve got three main types of toolbelts:
- Leather
- Polyester
- Nylon
Between the three, leather is typically the material of choice for the best electrician tool belt. It’s durable and atheistic. Really you only want to look at non-leather belts if you’re either (a) looking to save money or (b) a vegan. In either case, a polyester or nylon pouch becomes a viable alternative.
Polyester is generally the cheaper option, but suffers in terms of durability. Nylon is typically a bit higher priced than polyester, although it’s still less expensive than its leather alternatives.
Durability
The durability of a belt is closely linked to what it’s made of. Leather takes the number 1 spot here, with nylon following as a close second. Polyester is the least durable – although some manufacturers have done some pretty nifty stitching and passing to made up for this.
Aside from material, you should also check for thickness and stitching. Regarding thickness, it should be thick enough to withstand the hard yards on site, without being so thick that it’s unreasonably heavy. Gatorback and Occidental Leather have done a good job of finding this balance (they have an ideal medium to high amount of padding). For stitching, check if it’s double or single stitched. Double stitching results in a more robust belt, and is the preferred option.
Number of Pockets
This one will be self-evident to any sparky with a lot of tools. You need a lot of pockets and pouches. Not having enough storage space for your equipment is frustrating – and defeats the purpose of even having a toolbelt! Although an excessive number of compartments can also be a problem, we didn’t find that to be the case with any of these belts.
An easy solution: count the number of tools you currently own. Add at least 5 for a buffer. Now make sure that the belt you’re looking at purchasing has at least that number of pouches. Granted the pouches can differ in size from bag to bag – but use this as a rough guide to eliminate options that don’t have enough pockets. Paired with a set of good electricians work pants, you’ll always have plenty of pockets to store your tools in.
Types of Tool Belts
Leather Tool Belt
Leather is the most traditional material that is used in work belts, and it has long been a favorite thanks to its improved durability. If you’re looking for a tool belt that is built to last, then you’ll likely want to opt for a leather one, but keep in mind that they can sometimes be uncomfortable and they are typically pricey.
Polyester Tool Belt
Another choice of material for your electrician’s tool belt is polyester, which is a more affordable choice, and it can sometimes feature padding that makes it more comfortable. Unfortunately, polyester suffers when it comes to durability, but the affordable price point means that replacing one is easy.
Nylon Tool Belt
Nylon combines the best of both worlds, though it is a little less durable than leather. However, nylon can stretch, which means that it is less likely to rip or snap if it gets caught on something. Nylon models are typically more pricey than polyester but less expensive than high-quality leather work belts.
Tool Belt Accessories
There is a range of different accessories that you can find on an electrician’s toolbelt, so let’s take a look at some of the most helpful ones:
- Harness: A harness is useful because it can help distribute the weight of your tool belt more evenly, making it more comfortable to wear when loaded down with tools.
- Suspenders: Suspenders are similar to a harness in that they help redistribute the weight, but they only use your shoulders as support. Much like the harness, they help stop your belt from falling off.
- Pouches: Pouches are essential if you want to carry a wide array of different tools. You’ll typically want a variety of bags in a range of different sizes in a quality tool belt.
- Tool holder/Drill holder/Phone holder/Nail holder: There are a few different kinds of specialized pouches on tool belts. These can range from protective pouches for your smartphone to smaller pockets meant to hold nails.
- Back support: A back support will reduce the strain that a tool belt puts on your back, which can be essential for electricians who carry a heavy load of gear in it.
