No-one likes carrying loose tools and hardware, especially if they’re sharp and can poke you. That’s why these handy bags and backpacks are so great. They protect your tools from getting scratched or dented and stops you from getting pricked by a screwdriver! Plus they're comfortable, durable and some even float!
Thankfully there are some really good tool bags to choose from.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Klein Tools 55421BP-14 Tool Bag Backpack | Best Overall |  |
| Komelon SM5425 Speed Mark Gripper Acrylic Coated Steel Blade Measuring Tape | Budget Pick |  |
| Occidental Leather 9850 Adjust-to-Fit Fat Lip Tool Bag Set | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Klein Tools 55421BP-14 Tool Bag Backpack
Pros:
- Two options for fitting the bag to your body size
- Molded base
- Water-resistant
- Various pockets and compartments
- Available in several sizes and different colors
- Quality durability
- Good value for money
- Versatile
- Made in the USA
This backpack by Klein Tools is an organized professional tool backpack, proving itself to be high quality. The bag includes a patented molded base to protect it, and has reinforced stitching for extra durability. It’s 49 x 18 x 6 inches in size and weighs 2.1 lbs. The bag comes in two options for fitting it to your body size – small or standard. The maximum load is 50 lbs on the small and 100 lbs on the standard.
2. Veto Pro Pac TECH-LC Tool Bag
Pros:
- 7 pockets
- 2 exterior tack pockets
- 1 top pocket
- Double zip entry
- 2 interior cargo pockets
- 4 slide-path tool-belts
- Separating tool tray
- Belt features include: two hammer rails, 1 belt clip (great for flashlights), 1 pencil-holder, and 2 top-tabs
- First aid kit pocket
- Withstands 1100 deg. F
For most HVAC technicians, BPI’s tech bags are the best in the industry. We’ve featured several Tech Bag v3.0 models from BPI here on our site already, and we’re excited to review the latest model – the TECH-LC – and see if it can match the results of its predecessors.
3. Occidental Leather 9850 Adjust-to-Fit Fat Lip Tool Bag Set
The Occidental Leather Company makes some of the best leather craftsmen tool belts and carriers. The Occidental Leather 9850 Fat Lip is one of its most popular products. The company has been crafting leather products since 1907, when it was established in the U.S.A.
The name Fat Lip actually refers to the wide pouches provided on this accessory, with the bottom being poly twill and the sides are solid leather. This gives it a bit of extra weight, but also makes it fairly easy to use. This tool bag can carry common tools for field workers.
The bag itself weighs just around 3lb 5oz, giving you 2lb of weight to play around with. The material can be used for both personal and industrial use.
4. Veto Pro Pac MB Tool Pouch
Pros:
- * Affordable * Made from high-quality materials * Large and durable * Shoulder straps make them easy to carry * Two large compartments * Strong handles for easy carrying * Lightweight
If you’re looking for a heavy-duty tool bag, then you’re going to love the Veto Pro Pac MB from Porter Cable. Perfect for both contractors and DIY enthusiasts, this tool bag has a wide variety of features to help make your day-to-day tasks easier and more organized.
First, the tool bag has two different sections: a large main compartment and a smaller front one. The large main compartment fits long-handled tools, like a paint roller for example, while the smaller front compartments are ideal for drill bits and smaller tools.
The material is made from 1000D ballistic nylon, which is quite durable and shouldn’t wear out easily. The bag is also padded to protect your tools, which is a feature we loved. The bag also comes with a shoulder strap, which is handy if you want to take the bag to a location where you don’t necessarily need to carry a heavy tool bag. The handles provide a better carrying option when you need to carry it further distances.
5. Bucket Boss The Bucketeer Bucket Tool Organizer in Brown
The Bucket Boss The Bucketeer holds and organizes tools, paint cans, food and more. It allows for effortless tool retrieval at the same time.
The Bucketeer features a large main compartment that measures 20" x 15" and can be used to hold several tools. The Bucketeer is also available in multiple sizes to accommodate different tools. It's made of heavy-duty fabric and holds up really well over time.
The Bucketeer has strong loops to securely fasten several tools and keep tools from moving around. It also has several small pouches and a small pocket to carry smaller items like a cellphone or a music player. It comes with three side straps and a shoulder strap that allows for convenient carrying.
6. Komelon SM5425 Speed Mark Gripper Acrylic Coated Steel Blade Measuring Tape
Pros:
- It comes in a nice package with a simple, but useful instruction sheet.
- The tape is durable, but not too stiff, and slides easily.
- It comes with a impressive 25-foot length.
- It comes with a sturdy but soft case.
- It doesn't have a belt clip.
- There is no adhesive marks to mark lengths.
- The edge of the handle is unfinished.
This is a handy tape measure made of steel and comes with an acrylic coating at a 25-foot length. The tape is 1-inch wide and has a metal hook for a belt and a sturdy case. It shows in the measuring scale both in 1/16" and millimeter units. It's lightweight, with an overall length of 18-1/4 inches and made of a durable material.
7. CLC Custom LeatherCraft 1132 75-Pocket Tool Backpack
LeatherCraft 133 Tool Backpack comes with multiple pockets, thus, facilitating the storage and organization of tools. The backpack has a capacity of 75 tools, which is ideal if you carry a lot of tools during your project. The padded tablet pocket at the back enables you to carry your tablet hands-free.
Some of the other excellent features that come along with the tool backpack include magnetic closures, 25-inch long shoulder straps, and D-rings for side carry. The backpack is versatile, as it allows you to carry up to 75 tools and is made of high-quality polyester that makes it easy to clean.
Despite the variety of features and the good storage capacity, there are some limitations to the backpack. It is reported that the Velcro pockets are not roomy enough and tend to rip easily. Also, the backpack becomes bulgy easily and may be difficult to carry around all at once.
8. Fieldpiece BG36 Compact Inspection Tool Bag
Ever had to wade through your entire tool bag in search of your vitals? With the Fieldpiece BG36, you can just reach into your pocket and grab your necessary tool. This digital backpack is built to take in all your tools and accessories for everything that you need while on the go.
The Fieldpiece BG36 is a digital HVAC tool bag that provides you with almost all the vital tools for the measurements you need to do. Whether you need to take measurements or read voltage and current, it all comes in one backpack that will fit your entire digital toolkit. The bag features pockets of varying sizes for your tools and accessories.
The bag also includes a heavy-duty metal hook, which can be used to hang the bag or to keep it on a table. It even comes with a built-in light that comes in handy for working in poor lighting conditions.
9. CLC Custom LeatherCraft 1528 Large Electrical and Maintenance Tool Carrier
Pros:
- Very roomy
- Fabric is of high quality
- Seemingly durable
- Comes with a long shoulder strap
- Attractive design
- Tool pockets can hold pliers and screwdrivers
- Low price
Cons:
- Pockets can’t hold hammers
- Doesn’t fit everything, may need to buy another bag if you have a big collection of tools
- Not for men who are heavily muscled
- Not easy to carry
When it comes to tool belts and tool pouches, you’re not likely to find products of this quality for such a low price. The CLC Custom LeatherCraft 1528 is designed to fit pliers and screwdrivers while still capable of holding smaller power tools like drills, radios and flashlights. This tool belt also features a large pocket, which is relatively hard to find for this price. It’s pretty much a dust-proof case, perfect to protect your tools from dirty surroundings. No need to worry about your belt falling off since this one features a sturdy front buckle that’s easy to adjust as needed.
10. DEWALT DGL523 Lighted Tool Backpack Bag
This contractor backpack from DEWALT is fantastic. It comes with 57 pockets that can be used for your pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers, blades, etc. It has a nylon outer layer that’s weather resistant and reinforced at the stress points to increase its durability. The bag also has comfortable, padded shoulder straps and a handle for easy transportation.
The best thing about the backpack is the fact it has a built-in light, which can be turned on at the push of a button. The light will last for up to 11 hours before it needs to be recharged.
The only negative point we can find about this bag is that it qualifies for domestic shipping only.
11. Milwaukee 48-22-8200 1680 Denier 35 Pocket Jobsite Backpack
Pros:
- Solid construction
- Responsive zippers
- Foam-padded top handle
- Padded shoulder straps
- Exterior pockets
- Locking with padlock
- Can be carried like a briefcase
- Large internal compartment
- 20 pockets inside
- You can easily adjust the width of the straps according to your needs
Cons:
- Heavy
- Straps can be uncomfortable
Although this bag is pricey and is not the traditional bag you’d expect from a handyman, it can do the job well. The Milwaukee backpack is made from waterproof material and has a rigid back panel for support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best tool bag for HVAC?
HVAC tool bags are primarily used to carry your tools around and help you easily store them and and carry them out to the jobsite. There are three main types of bag: backpack, duffel, and hard side/tool box. The first is the backpack. These are very convenient to carry around and are relatively light. The second is the duffel. These are also light in weight but are very much easier to carry around than the hard wheeled/tool boxes. The third is the hard wheeled tool box. These are used by most mechanics but are extremely heavy, so you may want to just use them at the jobsite to store all your tools.
What is the best backpack tool bag?
The DeWalt Vent Axcess Backpack Tool Bag.
This is the best backpack tool bag because it fits a wide range of hand tools, has adjustable height and shoulder straps, and comes with a lot of storage compartments. The two strap system of the bag makes it ideal for carrying heavy tools and increasing your comfort during your work. The bag is highly organized, with dividers inside as well as outside pockets.
This is the best tool bag because it comes with ventilation that will keep your hands cool while you work. It’s also lightweight and strong, making it the ideal tool bag for masons, carpenters, and even electricians.
The DeWalt Vent Axcess Backpack Tool Bag is ideal for professionals and comes with a lifetime warranty on its construction.
What tools do I need for HVAC?
In some cases, HVAC tools may include electrical crimper, wire stripper, voltage tester, clean towel, wire cutters and screwdrivers. And you may be able to find them in one comprehensive set of HVAC tools. However, if you go to a home center, you will find that these tools are sold individually, each in a separate bag; while more handy, they make for a very cumbersome and hard-to-manage set of tools. That’s why most HVAC contractors prefer a tool belt that allows them to carry most tools comfortably and spotlessly!
What are the best tool bags?
A tool bag or a tool belt can be a great way to keep everything you’ll need in your tool kit while you work on your HVAC unit. These bags and tool belts are available in different styles, sizes, and price ranges. The more expensive ones usually have separate pouches for everything in your kit, and depending on your preference you can choose a tool belt where the pouches face away from you so that you can access them easily, or pouches that face you so that you can see how your tools are organized.
Some of them also have water bottles, cell phone slots and places for your keys. Tool bags are available in all different colors and some of them have reflective material on them which can be super helpful for early mornings or late nights.
Conclusion
When looking for the best HVAC backpack you must consider what you require the measuring tools for so that you can determine the features that you will need.
For instance; if you are going to be doing maintenance on commercial HVAC units, you might need a backpack with a lot of storage to accommodate the tools you will have.
In that case, the backpack will come with a lot of storage for the tools and a large container to carry the materials you need too.
If you are doing more residential work where you will not be required to carry so much, you could get a simple backpack with a lot of storage spots for the HVAC units.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Klein Tools 55421BP-14 Tool Bag Backpack | Best Overall | |
| Komelon SM5425 Speed Mark Gripper Acrylic Coated Steel Blade Measuring Tape | Budget Pick | |
| Occidental Leather 9850 Adjust-to-Fit Fat Lip Tool Bag Set | Upgrade Pick | |