Tool in Focus: The Toolbelt

A tool belt does what is says — it will safely and conveniently house your favourite tools. Here’s what else you need to know.

In this Article:

• Different types of tool belt
• Top quality tool belts
• History of the tool belt
• Tool belt design

Should you need a definition, a tool belt is a belt worn around the waist and supports pockets and loops made to contain tools and equipment. Tool belts are worn in many professional trades – carpenters, gardeners, hairdressers – and are used to transport and maintain tools and material used at a worksite. 

Why you need a tool belt

The tool belt is a very handy piece of kit. They keep your most common tools and parts close while saving your back from the need to bend down repeatedly. Better still, a good tool belt will allow you to organise your tools in a way that feels natural so reaching for the tool you need will become instinctive.

The common tool belt comes in many sizes from a simple five pocket DIY job to a large suspension rig that straps around your shoulders to take the weight off your hips. 

And before you start feeling all macho, tool belts have been likened to man jewellery – used not only for decoration but also for social positioning within groups.

Tool belts for electricians

For a professional electrician, having the right tool at the right moment is crucial to a safe and efficient job. Yes, a toolbox might be good enough for transportation but if you need to fix an electrical fault on the ceiling, will you be hauling it up the ladder? Not if you want to make a career of it you won’t. If you’re in the market for a new tool belt, there are hundreds out there. Choose one that’s comfortable and adjustable with the right number of pockets in a variety of sizes. Consider what material will be the most durable – some people love a lightweight nylon while others will always have a soft spot for leather. Overall, you want a belt that will stand up to the unforgiving environment of a job site… and looks good to boot.

“A good tool belt will allow you to organise your tools in a way that feels natural so reaching for the tool you need will become instinctive.”

Let’s look at some other favourite “tool belts.”

Monkey with a Tool Belt 

This series of picture books by Chris Monroe is also a TV series and is currently showing on Netflix. Armed with tools and engineering smarts, monkey mechanic Chico Bon Bon and his Fix-It Force help the people of Blunderburg solve all of their problems. Look out for special episodes such as The Noisy Problem and The Seaside Shenanigans.

Action Toolbelt 

This Long Island New York based band fuses emo, punk, power pop, indie and college rock to build a fresh new sound. Welding new wave analog synths to straight forward rock, they create something uniquely their own that will hit a familiar chord with life-long alternative music fans, yet appeal to a whole new diverse fanbase.  That’s what they say anyway. 

Talking Tool Belt

Can we build it? Yes we can! The Bob The Builder Talking Toolbelt is the perfect accessory for under 5s everywhere, featuring a communicator belt buckle, two multi-purpose handles with six tool attachments, and a variety of screws and boards. Even better is the button that triggers lights, sounds and ‘choice phrases’. Just like the real thing.