Best Overall
Firm Grip Build-A Rig Leather Framer Tool Rig
Best Bang for the Buck
Melotough Pro Framer’sTool Belt
Best All-Leather
Style n Craft 17-Pocket Full-Grain Leather Tool Belt
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No one wants to run for back and forth from a construction project to the tool box to catch supply , and that ’s where a framing tool whack come in ready to hand . A secure framing tool belt fix it potential to bear all the tools , accessary , and fasteners necessary for morphologic piece of work . We research more than 30 tool belts and chose the top seven weft for mitt - on testing , and we found a favorite : theFirm Grip Build - A - Rig Leather Framing Belt , which took top honors in our trial run due to its quality flesh , efficient design , and well-off scene .
frame peter belts admit a cringle for a hammer , large tool bulge for a carpenter ’s square andhand pecker , medium pouches for tapeline measurement , and pocket-size pocket with wide opening for nail and other fasteners . These belts are made from perdurable materials , such as denier nylon and genuine leather , and they sport adjustable belts and ( sometimes ) suspenders with thick padding for tantrum and comfort . Anyone building wall , plant rafters , or constructing other morphologic forms needs a framing putz belt ( among other tools ! ) . Keep read for shopping tips and to find out how the surveil belt gain their spot on this lineup of the best frame instrument belts .
Framing Tool Belt Comparison Chart
Our Top Picks
The stick with puppet belts are all well suitable for employment by framers . The materials , designs , and prices vary , but each manakin score high on our hands - on tests . One is sure to be right for your next construction labor .
Our rating : Comfort5/5;Functionality4.8/5 , Durability5/5 , Value5/5
laborious - duty leather framing tool belts may all search similar , but there are important dispute . Until we put the Firm Grip Build - A - Rig on , we had no approximation how comfortable it would be . Comfort is important in a frame belt because those construction social organisation are always in movement — climbing , kneel , bending , or twisting . As such , a belt that is n’t well-fixed will before long become a rough-and-tumble .
The Firm Grip features a cushiony belt that widens to 4.5 inches at the back and double as downcast back support , and an outer nylon belt that set to fit individual shank sizes . Even good — rather than having to buckle the belt every time we put it on , the quick - firing aluminum door latch made warm work of set on and removing the belt , once properly fit out .
While the Firm Grip does n’t come with instrument smash brace , it does have suspender loops for attaching standard suspenders if desire . The build quality of this frame belt is every flake as good as it is on belts that cost double as much , and the pockets and pouch put to work well for obligate all our frame tools and supplies . This is an fantabulous framing tool belt for both DIYers and pros .
What our tester says:“The Firm Grip Build - A - Rig was comfortable from the first endeavour - on . While some tool belted ammunition ask a break - in period , I loved how this one fit great from the start . ” — Glenda Taylor , mathematical product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Firm Grip framing putz belt atThe Home Depot .
Melotough Pro Framer’s Tool Belt
Our rating : Comfort4.5/5,Functionality4.5/5 , Durability4.5/5 , Value5/5
A good framing tool belt does n’t have to cost a fortune . The Melotough Pro framer ’s smash comes with 26 tool holders to transmit every putz imaginable . We loaded it with our framing hammer , cordless drill , speed square , tape measure , nookie , nail , and more , and we still had a few empty pouch . There ’s so much computer storage on this tool belted ammunition ; it ’s like run an entire tool case around the waist . proficient of all , it comes at an affordable cost point .
Fortunately , it also comes with detachable suspenders that we found very handy for supporting the weight of all the instrument this one can carry . The inner waistband is padded , and the belt is adjustable for a usage fit .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
A cracking perk on the Melotough belt is a cell phone pouch on the right front suspender that clips on securely . We typically leave our phone in our motortruck while work to avoid dear damage ( and pause ) , but if we need to dribble one , we can do so firmly . Those looking for a frame tool belt with comprehensive carrying ability wo n’t be disappointed with the Melotough . Due to all its holders , this one would also be good as anelectrician tool belt .
What our tester says:“I really like all the extra pocket and build - in perquisite on the Melotough . They add a whole unexampled level of convenience . ” — Glenda Taylor , Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Melotough framing tool belt atAmazon .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Our Ratings : Comfort4.8/5,Functionality5/5 , Durability5/5 , Value4.8/5
The Style n Craft all - leather framing tool belt ammunition does n’t have many bells and whistles , but we rule it perfect for carrying the most substantive frame peter and supplies . The build quality is fantabulous , and while the waistband is n’t padded , after wearing the belt during our 2 - week test point , the leather band had yield and became very well-situated . Like leather boot , this rap just take a break - in period .
We load the belt with all our framing tools and find everything convenient and within grasp — with one exclusion . The pencil sac is on the front of the left sack , positioned at an angle that is n’t visceral for quick removal . But that could just be our impression ; someone else might really care it .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
The Style n Craft swath features sturdy nylon grab handles on both sides that come in handy for hoisting the belt up if it ’s fully loaded and heavy . However , we would have preferred suspender rings when we carried a great load . Still , this is a well - made leather tool belted ammunition that will last for days , even with daily use .
Get the Style n Craft framing pecker belt onAmazonorStyle n Craft .
Best Heavy-Duty
CLC Pro Framer’s Heavy-Duty Leather Combo System
Our Ratings : Comfort4.5/5,Functionality4.8/5 , Durability5/5 , Value4.5/5
The CLC Pro Framer ’s Heavy - Duty Leather Combo System may be the tool belt for framer who like things overbuilt . This framework boast a sound - responsibility top - grain leather construction with leather - roll lips around each pocket , thick stitching , and multiple rivets at stress distributor point throughout the set .
This belt has more to offer than just a durable construction . It has many pocket and tool personal organiser , including one brand hammering loop and one leather , allowing framers to keep the legal age of their important tools with them at all time . It ’s also easy to aline , with sliding nail bagful and a dense leather whang with slew of adjustability , and it tapers in the front for solace . Also , built - in fabric snap handles make transporting or taking the belt off a breeze during lunch or at the end of the day .
Photo: The Home Depot
In testing , we find this to be a serious set of frame grip . The belt was slightly thinner than we would ’ve liked , and our buckle come slightly bent on , but other than that , it felt like it was bomb shelter . The duncical leather was rugged , and there were rivets everywhere , meaning it ’s extremely unlikely that this belt will buck or rip apart down the route . Also , we weigh more pockets and tool holder than CLC gives itself credit for , with 21 in total , not the 18 state in the product verbal description . It is lowering , so suspender might be a good mind , though the make - in fabric handles make sway it around the hips easy .
Get the CLC framing tool knock atAmazonorCLC .
Best Lightweight
Occidental Leather 8089 OxyLights 7-Bag Framer Set
Our paygrade : Comfort5/5,Functionality4.5/5 , Durability4.8/5 , Value4.5/5
With a furrowed leather and nylon construction , this instrument knock from Occidental Leather should withstand many years of undertaking . Its combining of material is designed to be lightweightandcomfortable , something relatively rarified in a rugged whang .
This frame belted ammunition features a 3 - column inch – wide knock that comes in six sizes . The belt point in the front to give up for deform , and the bag will slue wherever they ’re involve for comfortable access code . There are also 22 pockets and tool holders for tape touchstone , utility program knife , hammers , and fasteners . Many of the pocket are in reality made of leather , while others sport leather - reinforce corners as well as riveted emphasis points for plenty of enduringness .
Photo: Amazon
In our eyes , this framing tool belt very well may be the idealistic combination of rugged and lightweight . With a durable combination of waxed linen and nylon stitching as well as leather - reinforce pockets and tool holders , this belt seemed very strong . We also like that despite it possess enough pockets and bagful to hold everything we needed , it was less bulky than an all - leather belt . Our only slim complaint was that we like side - by - side pockets for two fasteners on the left side , and this belt ammunition has them in a tiered - like style . This is more of a druthers than a qualm , but it ’s the one matter we ’d change about this bag .
Get the Occidental Leather OxyLights framing tool belt atAmazon , Acme Tools , orOccidental Leather .
Also Consider
Occidental Leather 5089 7-Bag Framer Set
Our Ratings : Comfort4.8/5,Functionality4.5/5 , Durability5/5 , Value4.5/5
Serious framer who require a set of heavily - wearing nail bags should check out this framer prepare from Occidental Leather . It number with a heavy - duty belt , a hammer loop , and two bags with peck of tool pockets . The set is offer in various sizing , and the bags slither on the knock for maximal adjustability .
This frame tool belt is made of gamey - timber top - grain leather . It has reenforce leather lips around all of the pockets , slots , cock iteration , and tool holder for keeping thing organize . It has a thick combination of nylon and wax linen stitching as well as stainless sword rivet all around for strength .
Photo: Amazon
With its slurred material and ample stitching and rivets , we rule that there was no uncertainty about this bang ’s quality and strength . The whack itself was comfortable and distributed weight nicely , and since it tapers at the front , it ’s prosperous when bending forwards . Being able to slide the bag around on the belt was also a big part of that .
We will intromit that we initially only reckon 21 of the 23 tool holders , include the oversize hammer loop , but we find those 21 pocket to be most usable , and they held almost all of the tool we ’re used to carrying around a jobsite . The two pockets that we did n’t find mightily away seemed more like flexure between sections and were rather minuscule . The one complaint we do have is that we did n’t bump a pocket suitable for a stock pencil , though we were able to stash a carpenter ’s pencil without an government issue .
Get the Occidental Leather 5089 framing tool belt atAmazon , Acme Tools , orOccidental Leather .
Photo: Amazon
ALSO TESTED
We liked that theBucket Boss Airlifttool bang was lightweight , highly adjustable , and amount with very comfortable suspender . However , it did n’t have many pocket and did not have any organizing slots inside the bags , which would have been handy .
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the Best Framing Tool Belts
We research more than 30 tool belts and then narrow our listing to seven extremely rate single for hired man - on testing while working on our own grammatical construction projects .
Then , we perform a series of exercise tests with each fashion model . We flex over to drive nails into a clump of woodwind instrument and picked up lumber to see whether the belt would pitch or prevent effective movement . We rise up and down ladder and wore the belt while climb into and out of a motortruck bed to see if fastening or pecker would lessen out . We awarded points based on a rubric for each test and appraisal . After testing , we average the points to determine our best overall woof and find out the good employment for the rest of the belts .
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Framing Tool Belt
There ’s quite a flake to framing carpentry , and as such , there ’s a lot to choosing the good framing shaft belt for construction . The following are some of the most crucial consideration to keep in judgement when compare framing belt ammunition . While each framer ’s setup is dissimilar , these wind can help in the decision - making process .
Capacity and Design
A framing putz bang ’s conception is arguably the most crucial circumstance when comparing models . Everyone ’s preferences are different , but it ’s important to find a suitcase that obtain the tools and fasteners that the exploiter is most likely to run . For representative , lowly pockets for item like pry bars and chisel can be significant , as well as pouches for methamphetamine lines and tape criterion . Some framers like to keep it swooning , though , and they opt wide - open sack . All framers need hammering loop : steel , leather , or nylon .
Also , tool belt can be very operose , specially when to the full charge . For this reason , they typically come with very broad and sturdy leather or padded nylon belt . Many tool - belt manufacturing business also work out the system of weights job by include gallus to distribute the system of weights over the shoulders and hips .
Material
Framing tool belts in general fall in two material : leather or nylon . Each material has its pro and cons , and which option to choose depends on the user .
Leather is the traditional option . It ’s long-lived against punctures and binge and can last for yr if handle for properly . This includes keeping the leather unclouded , condition , and regale with oil or another waterproofing agent . However , leather handbag run to be very heavy and expensive , and they do n’t breathe well on hot mean solar day . They do burst in and get more comfortable over time , however .
Nylon is lightweight and breathable , allowing the exploiter to continue comfy in hot weather condition . Nylon framing bags tend to be a number less expensive than leather ( but not always ) , and while they ’re not nearly as puncture- and tear - repellent as leather , they ’re still durable enough for most jobsites .
Photo: Amazon
Some very high - quality grammatical construction work belts may feature nylon cup of tea with leather pockets and lips ( the edges around the pocket ) as well as leather belt . These bag are a nice blending between the two material , allow users to remain comfortable but also providing extra enduringness .
One other level to consider is the sewing and riveting . await for tool belts with heavyset , easily visible stitching as well as rivets along the pocket and seams . These details can ensure the bags will last .
Comfort and Fit
Most professional framer bust their belts for hours on ending each twenty-four hour period . With that much weight hanging on the hip , these belts need to be easy and untroubled . Look for a belt that offers plenty of adjustment holes to assure a cosy but comfortable conniption . Sometool beltsfeature come-on - and - loop adjustment that shorten or lengthen the sash , allowing them to wrap up a full range of sizes .
Also , consider the weight . Leather bags are exceedingly durable , but for folks with back or pelvis problems , nylon — or even atool vest — might be a better option . Also , framers who like to load their carpenter peter bag might prefer suspenders puppet swath rather than girth that swath down fast enough to keep the dick up .
Finally , size is also a consideration to keep in head . Most framing purse are large because they have to be able-bodied to accommodate swiftness square , pry measure , screwdriver , pliers , chalk air , plumb bobs , fastening , knife , and a boniface of other train . vainglorious can be better , but it almost always means more weight .
Photo: Amazon
FAQs
Choosing a frame peter belt can be a complicated business , and even with all the information above , there might still be some questions . Below are some of the most oft ask enquiry about framing tool belts .
Every framer is different , but a salutary start includes:-Framing hammer - Carpenter ’s pencil - Tape cadence - Bubble horizontal surface - Chalk line - Plumb bob - Chisel - Utility knife - Pry prevention - Screwdrivers - Pliers or adjustable wrench - A small clamp
perfectly . Suspenders can help pass out the load from the tool belt over the shoulders , reducing back and hip annoyance throughout the solar day .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Most are designed to part the load uniformly around the waist and are pretty comfortable . However , those with existing back problems may find it more comfortable to attach tool belt suspenders for carrying support .
Tighten it around your shank so it ’s comfortable but not so tight it binds when you bend over . Most framers wear their belts just an inch or so below their innate waistline .
Hang it on a bait in a cool , dry place when not in use . When necessary , pass over it down with a damp cloth . For the tenacious wearing , weigh conditioning it periodically with a leather oil .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Meet the Testers
Tom Scalisi is a freelance writer specializing in the home design , construction , tools , and automotive industriousness . He has been involved in the trades for over 15 age as both a contractor and a commercial construction mechanic .
Glenda Taylor is a declarer , merchandise tester , and writer focusing mainly on expression , DIY tools , and home widget . She test a wide range of big businessman tools as well as other home betterment , household , and lawn - and - garden ware .
extra research provide by Tony Carrick .
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