When we were kids, there was a rule in the garage: if Mom found one of her tools outside her tool bag, she could throw it at us. All it took was a couple of wrenches upside the head to learn that Mom wanted to keep her tools organized and our participation in this goal was *required.* The truth is, a good set of tools is a small investment. A bunch of tools is a major investment, and one that needs to be protected. A great tool bag is one that not only protects your tools, but keeps them organized and ready to be taken where needed. A good tool bag allows for quick access and portability and is an essential way to arrange your tools the way you want to. We got out our socket sets & screwdrivers and did some research, and here are the best tool bags we found. Workpro Wide Mouth Tool Bag Open Your MouthPacked with every feature you could want in a rugged, portable tool bag, the Workpro Wide Mouth takes home our top honor.Best OverallFind on Amazon When you shop for a premium tool bag, there are features that are “must-haves” and features that are “wish list.” The Workpro 16-Inch Wide Mouth Tool Bag covers all of them, making it our top choice. Thirteen pockets line the outside of the bag, each with a separate strap to keep longer tools secure, providing you with easy access to the tools you use the most. There are 8 similar pockets lining the inside, along with ample space to store larger power tools like drills and sanders. Made from durable 600D polyester fabric, the Workpro holds up under harsh conditions, but it’s still comfortable to carry with its extra-padded handle and adjustable shoulder strap. Add to this a rigid, waterproof plastic base, and you’ve got what may be the last tool bag you’ll ever buy. Pros: Top double-pull zipper Comes in 4 sizes and 2 colors Sturdy and dependable Cons: Inside pockets are shallow No separate pocket for removable strap DeWalt DG5543 Pocket Tool Bag Hammer TimeWith 33 pockets, a pop-open design, and one of the most trusted brand names in the business, the DeWalt Tradesman is another excellent choice in tool bags.Runner UpFind on Amazon DeWalt has been one of the first names in tools since Raymond DeWalt perfected the first woodworking machine back in 1922. The company’s hundred years of experience is reflected in the DeWalt DG5543 Pocket Tool Bag in both quality and durability. With a total of 33 pockets lining the inside and outside – along with wide-open interior storage space – you’ll have enough options to use this as either a remote tool bag or your home tool chest. The unique “pop-up” design means you won’t scrape your hands fishing around for the tool you need, and the ballistic poly fabric design protects against rips, tears, and breakage. Reinforced corners and bottom base pads are added for additional strength, making this one tough tool bag. Pros: Adjustable shoulder strap Waterproof Comes in 12-inch and 16-inch models Cons: Rubber feet can leave scuff marks No security straps on outside pockets Carhartt Legacy Tool Bag Tool Bags Are Better Than OneWith almost as much storage on the inside as there is on the outside, the Carhartt Legacy Tool Bag is like two bags in one.Best ClassicFind on Amazon The 14-inch Carhartt Legacy Tool Bag is perfect for home repairs and Do-It-Yourselfers, as it’s small enough to store conveniently in a closet and large enough to fit as many tools on the outside as it does on the inside. With 10 interior pockets and 17 exterior pockets, you know your tools will be organized and secure. A dual-reinforced zipper opens to a wide interior storage space that’s big enough for electrical cables, power drills, flashlights, and more. Constructed from rugged synthetic nylon that’s coated with Rain Defender water-repellent, the Carhartt Legacy won’t get torn up by your sharp tools or allow rainfall to cause corrosion. It also includes a rigid metal frame to keep the bag standing and open for easy access to your tools. Pros: Warranty covers design defects Available in sizes up to 18 inches Comes in black or tan Cons: No shoulder strap No base on the 14-inch model CLC Custom Leathercraft 1529 Leather You Like It Or NotThe CLC Custom Leathercraft Tool Bag combines the best of both worlds with a toolbox and tool bag all in one.Best Tray StyleFind on Amazon Most tool bags are constructed to ensure easy access to the tools you store inside, but only CLC guarantees easy access by taking the lid off the bag. The Custom Leathercraft 1529 is a tray-style tool bag, complete with a wide, flat base and no outside covering. This not only creates instant accessibility to your tools, but it also keeps them from jumbling around an open middle section. It comes with 16 pockets in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and enclosures, and even includes a plastic tray with a lid that’s customized to fit snuggly in the center of the bag. (This is perfect for holding smaller items like nails and screws.) What’s more, it comes with extra padding around the center grip handle and a convenient shoulder strap. Pros: Zippered pouch on the back Reduces clutter Durable canvas construction Cons: Not ideal for working in bad weather No reinforcement on the bottom Dickies 12-Inch Tool Bag Use Tools Without Looking Like OneFor smaller tool collections - and for the sake of fashion - there's the Dickies Work Gear 12-Inch Tool Bag.Most FashionableFind on Amazon We’re big proponents of the idea that it’s not which tool you use, it’s how you look when you’re using it. What’s the point of posting DIY projects on Instagram if your tool bag looks like it came from Uncle Mort’s garage? Kidding aside, the Dickies 12-Inch Tool Bag is not only functional – it’s also downright cool. From the same people who brought you the timeless and iconic line of work clothes, this tool bag is as functional as it is stylish. Made of durable, rip-resistant canvas and sporting both zippered and open pockets on the front and back, it’s the perfect bag for smaller tool collections and minor home repairs. Pros: Reinforced handles Available in three colors Webbing reinforced edges Cons: White tools bags in a garage are a bad idea, so you might want to choose one of the other colors if you expect it to be used somewhere where it’s going to see some serious action Not for larger tools Frequently Asked Questions Toolbelt, tool bag, or tool chest – which should I get? It really depends on the situation you’re in. If you have a lot of tools and work almost exclusively in your garage or other designated workspace, you probably need a tool chest. This will keep your tools organized and in one place. If you go on calls to different locations with different tools, you definitely need a tool bag. This will allow you to fill your bag with specific tools from your tool chest for whatever job you’re going to do. If you live in a small home or apartment, a tool bag is great as well – you probably don’t have as many tools around, so everything you have will fit conveniently in a tool bag. A tool belt is great for individual jobs where you don’t have a lot of work area to put your tool bag. For example, working on a ladder and fixing a ceiling lamp would certainly be easier with a tool belt. Should I worry about heavy tools breaking through the bottom of my tool bag? Not really. Most tool bags are designed to carry a lot of weight – typically more weight than you could lift and carry around comfortably. In addition, most tool bags aren’t large enough to carry the heaviest tools made. That said, if you carry around 200 one-pound, 16-inch wrenches for some reason, you’ll still be ok. When a manufacturer says a bag is 14-inch or 16-inch or 18-inch, what size are they referring to? That’s the length of the opening. You’ll want to make sure you also look at the width of the opening to make sure your larger tools will fit in your new tool bag. Related posts:Powered by SearchIQ The Best Doggie Bags Read more The Best Dog Poop Bags Read more The Best Dog Poop Bags Read more