Recommendations for tool belt for women / smaller sizes?

[woodferret]

I would like to spend under $200 and be able to return it if it doesn’t work out. I also prefer a quick clasp buckle, not a traditional belt buckle with holes. Any ideas?

While I'm 6'1" and likely not in the same build as you, I use the Toughbuilt TB 2.75 belt.  It's 32" min waist, but I like the fact that I can trim it down to size.  The clips are useful to limit the number of tools I pack while on a ladder or in general.

They do have a padded, and padded with harness versions although I haven't given them a whirl. 

 

[ChuckM]

Snip.
- small hand tools like chisel

Snip.

Better not.

[member=57948]ChuckS[/member] Would you not recommend this for safety reasons?

I will need to occasionally bring long pointy tools like screwdrivers, so I’m curious to hear your opinion here.

Better avoid sharp objects...assuming the edges are honed really sharp. Shields can also come off (inside a pocket) without you knowing it.

 

[demographic]

Chisel with its own plastic sheath.
I have no idea why its taken so long for chisel manufacturers to catch on about zite chisels needing a bit more protection than a tiny little end cap but there you go.

Things like nailpunches eventually wear through the bottoms of the pockets designed for them but its easy enough to drop a cap from something like a silicone tube into the thin pocket and the plastic protects the leather pocket from most of the wear.

 

[ChuckM]

Most, if not all, chisels are sold in Canada with no guards (or in a box for sets) or with only plastic guards for the tips. Those short plastic guards are fine for storage in a drawer or box, but I wouldn't trust them in my pocket or apron.  Not even magnetic ones.

I haven't come across any vendor here or in the US selling chisels with sheaths. 

 

[Lincoln]

[member=77343]batmanimal[/member] - how about the festool rig? Looks like it's pretty good quality. Has a 'normal' belt, though, not quick release.

 

[batmanimal]

[member=77343]batmanimal[/member] - how about the festool rig? Looks like it's pretty good quality. Has a 'normal' belt, though, not quick release.

I like the Sedgeley pouch by dragonfly A LOT. If I got it, I would attach it to a different belt.

[member=51145]demographic[/member] the Village People reference gave me a good laugh TY

[member=57948]ChuckS[/member] I appreciate your “point” about chisel danger (see what I did there)

This is the fastcap one I have, though mine is narrower. I saw it at the woodworker shop and thought “now that looks like a way to not impale myself”. So I bought it. It’s not the best but it’s ok for rough work.

[attachimg=1]

 

[Bertotti]

You might just have to go with 30" and use suspenders. When I got out of the Marines I had a 48" chest and a 28" waist. I never found a good belt. I would up using a web belt and pouches added to it but it always dug in. Suspenders helped a lot!

 

[Packard]

Several companies, including Occidental Leather, sell the pouches separately.
https://www.occidentalleather.com/product-category/individual-bags/

Bullhide leather only lists 32" to 54" belts, but they do sell belts with the holes the entire length of the belt.  So you can definitely find one that fits.  These are gun belts and I've been wearing the same one for my 686 revolver which weighs 40 ounces empty and probably 44 ounces loaded and I have been wearing that belt for 22 years.  So these belts definitely last a long time.

So you can assemble your own belt.  Not as economical as an off-the-shelf belt, but you can get exactly what you want once you have the belt.  The double-thick stitched belt is what I have.
https://www.bullhidebelts.com/collections/belts-with-holes-entire-length
https://www.bullhidebelts.com/colle...e-prong-holey-bull-bullhide-belt-sku-8960h-36

 

[demographic]

Bobs Leather sells leather belts and you just order the size you need.
If I remember right they suggest you  but em four inches bigger than your normal belt length.
There'sa few holes either way to allow for weight loss or frips to the pie shop.

Thing is, once you make one belt you realise just how easy they are.
Hell, even my dog has a leather collar that I made now.

 

[Packard]

Hand saddle stitching is stronger than machine stitching and for short lengths required for shortening a belt, only a few minutes are required.  Plus two leather working needles and some linen thread an a sharp awl. 

I've repaired leather pouches, friend's pocketbooks and knapsacks to stronger than original and just as tidy looking. 

Here's how:
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=hand+saddle+stitching#kpvalbx=_cMYKYp--HJeiptQPyP6MwAU21

This one is better but he uses a "pony"; a wood clamp would work fine.

 

[Peter_C]

- speed square (small)

Most folks carry a standard 6" speed square.

- fasteners, usually 2-3 sizes at once

Most framing tool belts are setup for carrying lots of fasteners to spill out so you can spend time picking them back up.

- drill bits

Find a nice container.

- measuring tape

Occi puts the tape measure on the right side which is my preference too, but require two pencils one left and right side.

- compact driver or drill

The Milwaukee M12 Surge fits perfectly in my tool vest pocket.

- small notebook and pen

Write in rain note books are awesome.

- marking pencil

I carry two permanent markers one extra fine and one fine tip, and typically two pencils for left and right hand access. Pentel clickers are my favorite, but there are many good options.

- slot for eye protection or sunglasses to hang off of

Having a case with a flap to keep them cleaner is nice.https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NCNVFBX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

- small hand tools like chisel

These Occi chisel holders work okay. I keep eyeing the folding chisels.https://www.occidentalleather.com/product/oxy-tool-shield/

I would also like a safe accessible place to store my phone, but this is a nice to have, not required.

Depending on your phone size...something similar to this works well.https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NF1YW4G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Packard]

I am not recommending their products, but I am quoting their observation.
https://www.charmandhammer.com/ctgy/tool-belts.html

Keep in mind that tool belts typically sit on your hips, so the sizing for tool belts is based on your hip measurement.

 

[Roachmill]

Diamondback stuff is on the expensive side, but they have pretty much all bases covered with their modular approach - and the belt buckle is super quick and easy to take on and off. I got fed up with the much cheaper Makita offerings and went for the DB kit instead. Buy cheap pay twice as the saying goes.

I'm not a fan for belts (I do have a 2" belt for light duties) or suspenders so picked up their vest. This spreads the weight over your torso and, most importantly, there's nothing digging in to your hips or trying to pull your trousers down [eek]

 

[batmanimal]

Thanks to all who gave feedback and ideas. I went with the Diamondback Cavetto with two of their more compact pouches: Loki (dominant side) and Clavo (non dominant).

While it was more than I initially planned to spend, it was the only high quality option I found truly tailored for women. So I wanted to give them my business as a small signal that this was a product worth creating and marketing to women.

I also ordered an inexpensive pair of suspenders (Amazon Basics) to see if that gives me enough shoulder support. I don’t plan to be wearing my huge nailers or anything too heavy, so this may be enough for me.

[member=74278]Packard[/member] the link you shared made me laugh - it sort of perfectly illustrates my conundrum. Why must everything for women in this arena be so PINK? I’m just trying to build stuff here, I’m not on a Susan G Komen race for the cure.

The even more annoying bit is that the items themselves are so amateurish. I would be OK with a pink rhinestone covered tool belt if it was actually functional. (Well, maybe not the rhinestones, but I could deal with the pink.)

Hmmm. While I’m ranting, let me share with you all what comes up when I google “tool belt for women”

[attachimg=1]

Results are:
- Gardening apron
- Pink cheapo junk
- Dickies tool pouch for men (min waist size is 32”, I checked)
- Tool belt for a small child
- Gardening holster
- (cut off) Harbor freight toolbelt for men, but actually a decent option because it can accommodate smaller sizes.

Top paid ad is for Diamondback Cavetto, the option I chose.

I ordered everything in black.

 

[demographic]

Well, I took a few photos today, not spectacular pics but with luck you'll get the point.
The braces.

This is the back part where the ztraps fix to the belt loops, showing the copper rivets I used (think theyre 8 gauge) and instead of the dog lead catches that most people use I used stainless Maillon Rapide connectors.
Ovals and the trianglar ones are Deltas.
The belt loops were bought in and made by Occidental Leather although theyre easy enough to make if I need any more.

One of the shoulder sections, I wasnt sure how to make this at first but in the end it was dead easy.
After I rivveted the end that went to the rear belt loops I just punched a hole every inch of its length, then the wider sections could be held in place by sort of stitching it in place with climbers accessory cord. That way its totally adjustable (in inch increments)  but easy to make.
The brace straps are an inch wide and the black shoulder sections are 14" long by 2" wide.
The stitching holes are every inch and then I cut slots to let the brace straps through.

Then this is the buckle to adjust the front of the braces and so the height it hangs at.
Its a Conway buckle and the strap goes through it, down to the belt loop connectors then back upto the same conway buckle. Pretty sure when we had horses on the farm when I was a kid the stirrups were adjusted with them.
I just left the brace straps waaay too long at first and only cut them to size acter about a week of wearing em, when I had an idea how long they needed to be.

I'll fire a few more pics up when I get time, the bags are bought in cos they looked far too much like hard work to make but the braces really were easy to make, no proper stitching required.  There's prettier ones on sale but I can't stand all that tooled leather look anyway so I'm OK with it just fitting me well and just working.

 

[batmanimal]

Wanted to update on the Diamondback toolbelt, in case anyone finds this info useful

I have had the Cavetto with Loki and Clavo pouches (these are the more compact / shorter pouches) for 3 months. I can say this system was worth every penny.

The quick release all metal belt clip is fantastic. It is easy to hang up in between projects. The belt gives nice lightly cushioned back support. I have not found the need to use suspenders yet but there are rings on the belt to accommodate them. The belt and pouches are durable but lightweight.

It is a very well thought out system. I especially love the magnetic bit holders and the fastener pouch. I have not needed a separate phone attachment as the clavo has a discrete inner pocket for my phone to slide in securely. One drawback is that a standard size carpenters square is a tight fit. I find it easier to pack a mini one so I can accommodate more tools in the main pouch area.

It feels great to have a pro quality tool belt that actually works for me. I am very happy with it.

Thank you to everyone who provided advice. It was very helpful in my decision making.