Rolling tool bags can be a great choice for professional workmen and contractors transporting multiple tools to and from job sites. But, you need to be sure you have something practical and comfortable to use. Here is what to look out for in the best rolling tool bags and 10 of the best products available.
Why Do You Need A Rolling Tool Bag?
A well-designed tool bag with lots of space and compartments is essential when transporting all your essential tools between worksites. But, you can find that some get awkward to carry and may result in muscle strains and a bad back. The best option here is to look for a more portable tool bag you can drag along behind you. A rolling tool bag places the bag on a reinforced base, adds some wheels, and usually allows for a convenient telescoping handle. You can then pull the bag along like a suitcase for added ease of use.
What Type Of Rolling Tool Bag Is Best For You?
The following short rolling tool bag reviews are split between styles of bag. The majority are wide-mouth tool bags that sit on reinforced bases with telescoping handles. But, you can also get some great products that resemble sports bags and duffels, or that double up as backpacks.
Wide mouth tool bags
The wide-mouth bags are great for those with big professional jobs to take care of. They are reinforced boxy cases that open to reveal a wide opening for a spacious interior. Within this, you will often find more compartments and pockets for better organization of tools. The opening tends to have a zipper all around the edge and often has a protective flap with buckles.
Duffel tool bags
Duffel bags aren’t too dissimilar to the wide-mouth tool bags in the way that they provide a large interior on a strong base and have a handle at the back. The biggest differences are the long zipper across the middle, and the addition of the carry handles on the top. You may find that these casual bags are more practical and attractive when you don’t need something so extreme and heavy-duty.
Backpack tool bags
Then there are the smaller, slimmer bags that double up as backpacks. These can be great for those working occasional jobs or specialists with a more specific set of tools. Most still have the base on wheels and telescoping handle, but a smaller capacity and fewer pockets. A potential upside to this design is the addition of adjustable shoulder straps for a hands-free approach. Some also have laptop sleeves inside. But, you need to be sure that you have enough room for everything you need.
With these three different styles in mind, here are the 10 best rolling tool bags around.
- XtremepowerUS 90700-XP Rolling Tool Bag
- Crescent 18″ Tradesman Rolling Tool Bag
- Stark 20″ Rolling Wide Mouth Tool Bag
- CLC Custom Leathercraft L258 TechGear Roller Tool Bag
- MILWAUKEE 48-22-8220 Wheeled Bag
- Husky GP-43196N13 18″ Contractor’s Rolling Tool Tote Bag
- DURHAND 3pcs Rolling Mobile Tool Bag
- FASITE Tool Backpack with Wheeled Rolling
- MeloTough Wheeled Rolling Tool Bag Heavy Duty Tool Backpack Tool Organizer Bag
- ToughBuilt – 24″ Rolling Bag & Belt Combo
XtremepowerUS 90700-XP Rolling Tool Bag
This wide-mouth option does pretty much as the name suggests by offering a case with a wide opening for easy access. The flap fastens over the top of the boxy structure with two clips for added security, and the think 600D polyester on the sides allows for even better peace of mind about the safety of your tools.
The main compartment is spacious at 18-inches. But, there are also plenty of pockets to help you organize your tools, with 10 internal and 9 external pockets to choose from. Then there is the manoeuvrability with the textured wheels and the telescoping handle. Overall, there is about this bag that works for those wanting a more professional feel.
Crescent 18″ Tradesman Rolling Tool Bag
This model is similar in size at 20x13x18 inches. It is a more compact wide-mouth case but still has plenty of storage options inside and out. There are 35 pockets in total, including all the little slots on the front for tool handles. So, you should get a lot more in here than you expect.
The case is tough and strong, with thick sides and a lid that buckles into place for security. It also looks quite smart and professional, in case that is also important to you. There isn’t much here that is particularly special, but maybe there doesn’t need to be.
Stark 20″ Rolling Wide Mouth Tool Bag
If you like the idea of these wide-mouth tool bags, but need a little more space. You could go for this 20-inch version instead. This case is very similar in its design, with the clips to secure the lids and a combination of interior and exterior pockets.
Another benefit over the XtremePowerUS one is that there there are 22 compartments. This option is understated but will work for a lot of tradespeople on the go. This might be overkill for small jobs, or you may find that this slightly more expensive product offers a lot of value.
CLC Custom Leathercraft L258 TechGear Roller Tool Bag
Alternatively, you could go for something that has a little less space but some more helpful features. The 17-inch CLC toolbag is still spacious without being overwhelming, and there are 17 pockets across the bag. The lid doesn’t have the protective flap, but there is a zipper closure and handles should you wish to carry it by hand.
The most interesting feature about this bag has to be the light. There is an LED light mounted into the telescoping handle, to illuminate a dark worksite or locate tools deep within the bag. Another bonus feature here is the tread on the wheels. The thick tracks should handle rougher ground for outside jobs with few problems.
MILWAUKEE 48-22-8220 Wheeled Bag
If you prefer the idea of a wide-mouth toolbag that is all about being heavy-duty, this option from MILWAUKEE could be just what you are looking for. The standout feature here is the solid lid. This creates a strong protective barrier for your tools and reduces the risk of damage from above or from rain.
The durability continues with the 1680D ballistic material and reinforced base. It also has a large capacity at 24-inch. Again, this could all be too much for occasional jobs, and the price tag isn’t ideal. But, it may be worth considering if you need something that can handle tougher jobs.
Husky GP-43196N13 18″ Contractor’s Rolling Tool Tote Bag
Not all spacious rolling tool bags need to have that big open mouth with the flap or 360-degree opening. You can also get some great bags that are more like duffels. This one from Husky looks like a sports bag with the black and red 600D polyester, branding, and carry handles on the top. The zip in the middle opens to reveal a 18x10x17-inch interior, and there are 18 pockets for easier organization of tools. Again, nothing is exciting here. Instead, this is a box-ticker that doesn’t go too far or do too little.
DURHAND 3pcs Rolling Mobile Tool Bag
What do you do if you like the idea of having a small duffel bag for small jobs, but also need something more spacious for bigger jobs? The answer may be to get a three-piece solution like this. The main bag is a duffel-style option with a big boxy capacity of 18×9.5×17.75-inches. This sits on a strong base with wheels and a tall telescoping handle for portability.
Then, there are additional bags that can sit on top. The medium is 16.25-inches long and the smallest 14.25. Both have the same front pockets and carry handles at the top. This may seem like a lot, but it is something you can mix and match as needed. You can even wheel all three around at once, although this can get a bit awkward.
FASITE Tool Backpack with Wheeled Rolling
Then there are the rolling tool bags that are more like a backpack on wheels than a more traditional tool bag. This one from FASITE is a nice example with a large 19.7×14.6×6.7-inch capacity, so more than enough space for larger tools. There are also 14 pockets in total, which is a surprise when looking at this book from the outside.
As this is a backpack tool bag, there is the option to collapse the telescoping handle and use this with the adjustable shoulder straps instead. But, the potential weight, large handle, and reinforced base mean it is probably a lot more comfortable to use like a suitcase.
MeloTough Wheeled Rolling Tool Bag Heavy Duty Tool Backpack Tool Organizer Bag
This one is similar in that you have a more traditional backpack shape and design, just with some helpful features for manoeuvrability. It is a good-looking bag with a yellow and black design, and the streamlined shape has some little surprises along the way. You can hang tools from the front via the keychain loops, and there is also a bottle pocket and tape measure clip.
The interior is spacious enough at 19x12x13 inches. An interesting benefit here is that there is a laptop sleeve. This is great if you have digital plans to follow or want to chase up some emails from the work site. As with the other backpack model, there are wheels, a reinforced base, shoulder straps, and a telescoping handle. That handle is a little different in shape from a standard suitcase handle, however.
ToughBuilt – 24″ Rolling Bag & Belt Combo
Finally, we have something a little bit different. This product isn’t like the others as there is no telescoping handle to pull it around. Instead, you turn the duffel-style bag on its end and drag it on the two wheels via the handle at the side. This isn’t the most convenient choice for a rolling bag. But, it does mean that you don’t lose space dealing with the wheels, bases, and retracting handles of other options.
The bag offers 24-inches of space with a zipper down the middle. Then there are clips on the sides for the separate Carpenter’s and Builder’s pouches. These removable features make this bag more versatile. There is also the bonus of the Padded tool belt for extra value. So, while this may not be so portable, it is effective.
What To Look Out For When Buying A Rolling Tool Bag
Capacity
Clearly, capacity is important because you need to be sure that the product will have all the necessary space for your tools. This means looking at the dimensions of the interior in the main compartment, but also at the pockets provided. Larger zippered pockets help with organization. But, other helpful features like tool clips and loops are just as beneficial.
Portability
It isn’t a rolling tool bag if there aren’t any wheels for it to roll along on. Some products are better than others in terms of the strength and number of wheels on offer. It also helps to look for wheels with a tread on them to handle different terrain. If you have a job on a worksite outdoors, this could make a big difference.
Of course, portability also requires a good handle. The best options have telescoping handles that work like those on suitcases. If you can get a bag with additional carry handles or shoulder straps, that can help too.
Durability
As these bags are in continual use with tools and other important equipment, they need to be tough enough to last. A good starting point is the opening of the main compartment. Is there a protective flap over the top or just a zipper? The former can help keep the rain out, as will nice waterproof nylon or polyester. Look at the denier count in the specification to see how durable that material is.
Choosing The Right Tool Bag For Your Needs?
The bag you choose must work for your needs. You could have a great design with lots of pockets and fun features, but if it isn’t portable there isn’t much point. Try and find the balance between capacity, durability, and manoeuvrability so that you can store everything with ease, handle the case without any issues, and enjoy working with the bag day after day.
