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Are you a new tool belt user? Or maybe you have been carrying one around for some time, but it is not helping you be efficient at your work? No worries, you came to the right place.
Tool belts are pretty practical if you know how to wear them right and organize your tools in them. If your tool belt doesn’t come to your rescue, then most probably you’re not wearing it properly. Keep scrolling through this article if you want to know how to wear a tool belt and organize your tools like a pro (especially if you’re a newbie).
Tool Belt Types
Properly wearing the tool belt is of utmost importance for a tool user since it could cause shoulder or back pain – let alone frustration. But, before you set up your mind on how to organize your tool belt, you must know that they are of different kinds.
A tool belt can be made of leather, canvas, cotton, nylon, or polyester. They are also of different brands, like TradeGear, Gatorback, Style N Craft, Bucket Boss, Dickies, and so forth; it simply depends on the job you do and the style you prefer.
Whether you’re an electrician, a construction worker, a mechanic, or simply a tool user, you need a well-organized bag. Different professions prefer different types of tool belts, but here are some of the most popular ones.
Suspender
If you get to work with heavy and sharp tools, then a suspender tool belt would suit you best. Instead of concentrating the weight on your hips only, this type of belt distributes it up to your shoulders. In such a way, your tool belt would feel lighter and reduce the chances of getting injured. You won’t get any back pain; you just need to tighten it up as much as it is convenient to you.
A suspender is a favorite tool belt for carpenters as they need to carry around heavy tools all the time.
Waist
The most commonly used tool belts are the waist ones, and they are too practical and adjust to all needs no matter the job’s conditions. This belt is customizable, and you’d end up finding your tool without the need to peek down at it.
Despite its practicality, the waist tool belt is inconvenient if you need to carry it for a long time. The tool belt hangs on your hips or waist, putting pressure on this part of your body, especially if you are carrying heavy tools. So, if your job requires you to carry a tool belt for a long time, then it is best to opt for a different kind of tool belt.
Hip
Hip tool belts are quite helpful for those who want to keep their stuff close to hand. Such a model rests on one hip only by giving you enough space and unrestricted movement on the other side of the hip.
They are practical as they allow you to catch the tools with your dominant hand easily. Though small, hip tool belts can hold small hammers, pruners, and knives.
At the same time, since they are smaller, they can’t carry many tools, which can be a problem if you need a lot of tools in your work. Hip tool belts are ideal for gardening work.
Pouch
If you are one of those people who need a lot of space in their tool belt, then the pouches have your back.
Pouches are customized designs that you can add to your waist tool belt. Pouches come in various sizes, from which you can choose the one that is convenient for you. For example, big pouches allow you to organize tools better as they come with large pockets to store multiple items.
You can find spacious pouches made with sturdy materials that let you carry heavy tools in your waist tool belt in the market.
Apron
Apron tool belts are the perfect choice for those who want to keep their tools organized and close to hand and want to protect their clothes from dirt or stains. Such belts are comfortable and have enough space.
There’s no risk of getting hurt from sharp or heavy nails wearing this belt since it has organized pouches and the straps support the weight since they go around the waist and up to the shoulders.
They are made of heavy canvas, and to feel comfortable wearing an apron, tighten the straps and adjust them accordingly to your needs. They consist of front pockets, so make sure you pick one with enough space.
Apron tool belts are perfect if you work with a saw or nails as it protects your clothes from getting damaged.
Tool Belt Features
When you go out there looking for a tool belt, know your choices. There are a few things to consider when you decide to purchase a tool belt.
First, check if the tool belt has a quick release. Such a feature allows you to put the tool belt on and off easily. You will not face the troubles of fitting the straps from time to time. Also, it saves you from having to adjust it continuously.
Another feature to consider is if the tool belt has a buckle. A buckle tool belt distributes the weight around the waist and shoulders. Chances to get injured with this type of belt are low. Also, they are easy to wear—you just need to buckle the snaps together.
If you need to carry sharp items, you should check if the tool belt has a knife sheath. The characteristic of this tool belt is that it protects you from cutting equipment. You can put your sharp tools inside the pocket without thinking about getting hurt.
For those who need to carry heavy tools all day long, buying a tool belt with reinforced pockets is a good idea. Such pockets have double stitching, preventing your heavy items from ripping the bottom of the pocket.
How to Organize a Tool Belt
Organizing your tool belt isn’t rocket science, but putting the tools in a messy order causes too many troubles. You must know the difference between pockets and pouches, what to place in the dominant pouch, and what to put in the secondary pouch.
Pockets and Pouches
Although these two words sound the very same, they’re not. A pouch is the main container of the tool belt, while the pockets are smaller. Pouches are used for bigger and main equipment, whereas the pockets are essential in holding small equipment like nails and keeping them organized without dropping around.
So, if you need a tool belt, buy one that consists of at least two pouches with several pockets inside them. Keep in mind that the pouches’ size and shape play a major role in what you can store inside of them.
The Dominant Pouch
The dominant pouch is the main part of the tool belt since it gives you access to your tool right away. Put your dominant pouch on your dominant hand side to find your equipment with ease.
You can put your most essential tools on this part, like the hammer, pliers, cutting tools, or any other equipment your profession requires the most.
The Secondary Pouch
Although it’s named as the secondary pouch, somehow, its role is quite primary. This is because this pouch consists of many pockets where you can place your sharp and small objects. You can also choose to close up some of the pockets so that the small objects won’t fall off.
This handy pouch will carry the nails for your hammer, the ruler for your marking tool, and any other small item you’ll eventually need.
How to Wear a Tool Belt
In order to wear your tool belt correctly, you need to focus on the belt’s orientation, the pouch count, and the weight to help yourself carry out tasks more efficiently and painlessly.
Orientation
The tool belt’s orientation depends on the job you do. If you’re going to stand up and work at your height level, then wear your tool belt on your front side. But, if you need to bend a lot to finish a task, or sit, then the best solution for you is to wear the belt backward. This is how you’d skip problems of the tools dropping out the pockets continuously when you have to bend. Just remember that your dominant pouch needs to be located on your dominant hand’s side.
Pouch Count
There are times when you’ll need additional pockets or smaller pouches. You can add them to put inside them your cell phones or your personal stuff for a certain period. However, when these pouches seem to hinder the process of working, take them off as soon as you don’t need your personal items.
Weight
Whenever you need to work with heavy tools, bear in mind that the weight could be an obstacle in undertaking a job. The weight can hinder you from fulfilling a task, or you can also end up getting injured. To avoid these situations, make sure you get your suspenders to distribute the weight from around the hips up to your shoulders.
Conclusion
As a tool user, it’s significant to know how to organize and wear your belt correctly. So, make sure you pick the tool belt that meets the needs of your job and organize it accordingly. The pouches and pockets are a helping hand to manage heavy and small objects. Know your dominant side, and wear it as it suits you best.
