Last Updated on
It’s no secret.
Ensuring your HVAC is well maintained can save you money.
Working on HVAC systems is complicated enough without a handy tool bag that keeps your tools in check.
To make things simpler and much quicker, you’ll need a tool bag that organizes your tools in a simple yet efficient manner and this is exactly what this article will help you find; a tool bag that enhances your performance.
We run through the how and why of HVAC tool bags along with what I think are the best HVAC tool bags and why.
★ Best HVAC Tool Bag ★
| Image | Product | Product | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | ★ OUR #1 CHOICE ★ DEWALT DGL573 Lighted Technician’s Tool Bag A very roomy, versatile bag with multiuse pockets. Also has an LED light attached to it for illuminating the insides of the bag or the work area. | Find out more | ★ OUR #1 CHOICE ★ DEWALT DGL573 Lighted Technician’s Tool Bag A very roomy, versatile bag with multiuse pockets. Also has an LED light attached to it for illuminating the insides of the bag or the work area. |
 | Veto Pro Pac MC Bag Includes several D-rings for external attachments and the whole bag is completely water-proof. Molded polypropylene base adds to its durability. | Find out more | Veto Pro Pac MC Bag Includes several D-rings for external attachments and the whole bag is completely water-proof. Molded polypropylene base adds to its durability. |
 | Veto Pro Pac TECH PAC Has an ergonomically designed back padding for a comfortable carry as well as molded polypropylene base for added durability. It has over 56 pockets making it one of the most versatile on the list. | Find out more | Veto Pro Pac TECH PAC Has an ergonomically designed back padding for a comfortable carry as well as molded polypropylene base for added durability. It has over 56 pockets making it one of the most versatile on the list. |
 | CLC Custom LeatherCraft 1528 Comes with a multi-compartment plastic tray for storing smaller parts. Comes with a multi-compartment plastic tray for storing smaller parts. The larger pockets have smaller elastic loops inside for extra organization. | Find out more | CLC Custom LeatherCraft 1528 Comes with a multi-compartment plastic tray for storing smaller parts. Comes with a multi-compartment plastic tray for storing smaller parts. The larger pockets have smaller elastic loops inside for extra organization. |
 | Klein Tools 55456BPL Has a separate laptop compartment to keep your laptop or tablet safe away from the tools. Brightly colored interiors make it easy to see your tools. Has a solid molded bottom to maintain the bag against wear and tear. | Find out more | Klein Tools 55456BPL Has a separate laptop compartment to keep your laptop or tablet safe away from the tools. Brightly colored interiors make it easy to see your tools. Has a solid molded bottom to maintain the bag against wear and tear. |
What makes the best HVAC tool bag?
Like all tool bags, one made specifically to carry HVAC tools has to cater to the needs of the job; it has to sustain its form on the long run and not tear or lose shape with use, it has to be able to carry all the tools you need and keep them within reach for easy grab, and finally, it has to be designed for the user’s comfort and handling.
Durability
DurabilityThis is an issue that makes or breaks a good tool bag, in quite a literal sense.
Nothing would be worse than having your tool bag break or tear when you need it the most during use.
And since the nature of HVAC maintenance as a job demands rugged tools, it also demands a rugged tool bag that sustains repeated use under rough conditions.
Mainly, what you should be looking for in a good tool bag is a durable material.
Most bag manufacturers pay close attention now to the materials they use for their tool bags and understand how much that would have a direct effect on the durability of their bags.
Many times, you’ll find that these bags are made out of nylon or polyester. Some are even made out of PVC, PVC-injected materials, or have a ballistic weave.
Organization
Since you’ll be placing all your HVAC tools inside your bag, you need to make sure that the bag you choose prioritizes organization.
There’s nothing good about having to fumble around for one of your tools and not being able to find it right away because your bag lacks the proper interior organizational system.
Generally speaking, the more pockets the bag has the more you’ll be able to make the most out of it.
You’ll want to find a bag that has enough pockets to stow away your tools neatly with minimum tools just laying around untucked into a pocket or a slot.
Some bags will go a step further and add pockets for specific tools, i.e. a few small pockets for keeping your small accessories within reach or Velcro straps for storing your cables.
A good HVAC tool bag will also refrain from spilling.
Exterior pockets, for example, may have zippers that secure your tools inside and ensure that they don’t fall out while you move.
This goes for interior pockets as well; in addition to vertical slit pockets, you may find zippered pockets that minimize the chance of having the inside of your bag turn into an utter mess.
Comfort
Another point of concern when it comes to choosing a bag that will make a handy sidekick is comfort.
Especially since HVAC jobs are physically demanding, you will not want to add to that physical burden.
Good bags have to keep the comfort of their user in mind.
Check the carrying straps on the bag you’re thinking of purchasing and ask yourself if it will add or take away from your comfort during work.
A lot of tool bags are now being fitted with padded straps for that exact reason.
In addition to having padded carrying straps, most bags also have adjustable straps where you can alter the length of the strap to fit you personally.
What are some things you should personally consider when choosing which HVAC tool bag to buy?
Now that we’ve established what makes a good tool bag, we should turn to personal considerations.
No two people are the same and that’s why you should think about which features fit you personally as opposed to which features are most popular.
This will help you make the most fitting decision for you and your needs.
Size
According to the number of tools you generally carry with you on the job, you should decide what size bag best fits you.
Buying a tool bag that is too gigantic for your needs will probably do less harm than buying one that is too tiny to carry all your tools.
Nevertheless, finding the perfect size that holds your tools in place and leaves a little free room for last-minute tool additions would be the smartest decision.
Pockets
We’ve agreed that the more pockets your bag has, the better you are able to make use out of it.
That remains true; however, sometimes you will need to make special considerations especially if you have certain tools that don’t fit in regular sized pockets.
In this case, your bag having 50 small pockets will be as useful as it has 20, for instance.
Consider the tools you generally use and then decide whether or not the bag you have in mind can fit them all inside.
Another thing that relates back to comfort is the pockets’ design.
You will find that some pockets are elastic in nature rather than rigid like the rest of the bag’s structure.
This will make the pockets more versatile since they won’t be designated for only one-sized tools, but instead, you’ll be able to stretch these pockets to fit relatively larger tools.
The one drawback that comes with this convenience-feature, however, is the fact that elastic material loses its elasticity by time.
So, consider whether this feature would be worth it for you and then decide whether or not it’ll make stowing away your tools easier for you.
Proofing
Coming hand-in-hand with durability, bags that are proofed against work conditions are definitely made to last longer.
It is, however, a less necessary feature.
Some bags are made to resist water, dust, or tears.
Some other bags are shock-proof or have a hard bottom that protects the bag from elements on the ground when you set it down.
As you’ll see in the products below, every manufacturer has a different way of proofing their product.
Consider what kind of proofing will best serve you; if it does, and consider your usual work conditions and then make your decision.
Best HVAC Tool Bag Reviews
#1 DEWALT DGL573 Lighted Technician’s Tool Bag, 41 Pocket
This model from Dewalt is very handy because of its many compartments and pockets.
Containing over 41 pockets all over; 28 on the inside and 13 on the outside, it can definitely carry a vast array of equipment of many different sizes.
That, in addition to a large main compartment on the inside and open-front access at the front side, makes it one of the highly demanded HVAC tool bags on the market today.
The bag has four rubber base feet at the bottom to help the bag sit upright when set down on the ground and to reduce the abrasion marks resulting from wear and tear.
The straps are adjustable, padded, and made out of webbing just like the carrying handles.
It also comes with an attached LED light that has 3 degrees of illumination and can be used either to light up the inside of the bag and be able to better see your tools or to light up your work area especially for close up work where sometimes tiny details can be hardly seen.
Pros
Has an LED light attached to it for illuminating the insides of the bag or the work area
The front side opens up for easy access.
Very versatile since it has a roomy main compartment in addition to several multi-use pockets
Cons
Although this bag is versatile, it lacks the strength to support heavy-duty use and the straps may end up torn after a few uses
#2 Veto Pro Pac MC Bag for Handling Tools
The MC bag comes in three sizes but all three are rather small which can be looked at as an advantage for those wanting to keep their tool bags compact and under control.
It is also very lightweight which makes it a great choice for those who don’t want to be lugging a boulder around.
On the inside as well as the outside, you can find 20 pockets of different sizes and function.
The bag is split into two halves and your tools can be stored on either side according to the fitting pockets.
The bag features a special compartment made especially for your compact drill and a compartment especially suited for a meter.
You can also find seven D-rings on the outside for extra external attachments.
Most of the bag’s body is made from waterproof Denier nylon and a PVC hybrid.
The bottom, however, is designed to sustain the bag against rough conditions; it’s made out of a 3mm injection molded polypropylene base that holds its shape and gives a solid form for the bag, holding it up against the weight of the tools packed inside.
Pros
Includes several D-rings for external attachments
The whole bag is completely water-proof
Molded polypropylene base adds to its durability
Cons
The bag comes without a shoulder strap, but a shoulder strap can be bought separately from Veto Pro Pac
#3 Veto Pro Pac TECH PAC Service Technician Bag, 1-Pack
Like the previous Veto Pro Pac model, the Tech Pac is very much concerned with durability.
You can see that since they’ve used the same 3mm injection molded polypropylene base as the one used for the previous model.
This bag is also made out of Denier nylon and is made for heavy-duty use.
Perhaps the best thing about this bag is that it’s designed to be worn the same way a backpack is; it has two padded back straps as well as a padded EVA ergonomic back padding that ensures a snug and comfortable fit.
Pros
Has an ergonomically designed back padding for a comfortable carry
Molded polypropylene base adds to its durability
Has over 56 pockets making it one of the most versatile on the list
Cons
The bag is rather heavy and that could be an inconvenience to some
#4 CLC Custom LeatherCraft 1528 Large Electrical and Maintenance Tool Carrier, 22 Pocket
An upgrade from the 2012 model, this bag has a very peculiar design that has its benefits and drawbacks.
It’s designed to mimic an open-top box so it’s very easy to reach in and grab one of your tools but it also makes it very easy for your tools to fall out if the bag tips over.
This, however, is countered by the fact that it’s very difficult for this bag to tip-over anyway since it has a square base and a solid box-shaped body.
The bag has over 22 pockets all over to hold all your different tools. It even has tiny elastic loops on the inside of some of these pockets to further organize your stuff.
Perhaps one of the most organized bags on this list, the LeatherCraft 1528 comes with an extra multi-compartment plastic tray box for your to pack away all your small parts and accessories without worrying about losing them in the larger crevices of the bag.
Pros
Comes with a multi-compartment plastic tray for storing smaller parts
It’s almost impossible for the bag to tip-over when you set it down since it’s box-shaped
The larger pockets have smaller elastic loops inside for extra organization<
Cons
You’ll have to use one of the side pockets if you want to carry the included plastic tray with you
#5 Klein Tools 55456BPL
This bag is also made to be carried like a backpack and has two padded shoulder straps although it lacks any adequate back padding.
The interiors of this bag are a bright orange shade which due to contrast, makes it a lot easier to see and find your tools when they’re packed inside.
The body also has a solid molded bottom that keeps the bag upright when you set it down as well as keep it protected from external elements to prolong its functioning life.
Distributed on the inside and outside, the bag has over 25 differently sized pockets to stow your tools away in.
It also has one hard front pocket to keep your safety goggles protected away from your tools.
Pros
Has a separate laptop compartment to keep your laptop or tablet safe away from the tools
Brightly colored interiors make it easy to see your tools
Has a solid molded bottom to maintain the bag against wear and tear
Cons
The shoulder straps are rather weak and are not made for very heavy use.
Wrap up
The final verdict ultimately goes back to you and your preference.
If you prefer a tool bag that can be carried the same way a backpack would, I’d definitely recommend the Veto Pro Pac Tech Pac since it has an edge over the other two-strapped bags.
If however, you’re not looking for the most durable bag but you want one that has the most space, then the Dewaltis the one for you.
