What Tool Vest Do You Use, and What Do you Carry In It?

[Ironmantrev]

Happy Boxing Day all!

While out showing my brother in-law around town on Christmas Eve, we ended up at our local KMS tool store. I've been thinking about getting a tool vest for a while, looked here for ideas and reviews and started my hunt. Not many readily available in Canada really, so thought I may wait for my next business trip to the US and pick one up then. I managed to stumble across a Terra Tool Vest, one of 2 in stock, and lucky for me on sale too.https://m.kmstools.com/bbh-multi-pocket-tool-vest-119592

While working on a recent project at home, I found myself constantly putting pencils, tapes, etc down, walking to the garage, and not having the tool I needed to do what I had to do. Picked up another tool, brought back inside, put it down and walked back to the garage. In short order, I had nothing on me that I needed. A problem of trying to use regular jeans While doing my work. I figure if I have a tool vest, I will have a convenient place for everything, and an easy way to put things back where they belong.

I'm looking forward to using this Vest that I picked up for myself for Christmas. I figure if it is not everything I want, I can always upgrade as I have not made such a huge investment.

I am a hobbyist word worker. Cabinets, trim work, etc, mostly things around the house and on the Honey Do List. I am not into framing, or heavy construction work at all. I'm not up on ladders, scaffolding, with a need to hang powertools off myself. I just wanted a lightweight vest that had places for tapes, pencils, hammer, screws, punches... the things a hobbyist woodworker would need/should have on themselves for a given job/project. Something that has some adjustability for fit, and can be worn in the summer (not too hot) or in the winter (over a sweater or jacket). 

So what vest do you use? Why did you pick that one? What do you like/dislike about it? Have you customized it, accessorized it with add ons from another company? List what you carry in it at all times, what you wouldn't be caught without. I'm very interested in what you guys carry. Maybe it will spawn some further accessory purchases

 

[rst]

I have two of Duluth Trading's vests, one light weight summer and a heavier winter vest.  They offer a number of diferent styles.

 

[Kev]

I wouldn't personally wear a vest with a lot of cobber in it. I prefer a belt setup with a few pouches, hammer loop, etc. Anything more than something for marking and possibly a small rule or square would be annoying to me in a high pocket.

I don't like multi pocket fishing vests either.

 

[Kevin D.]

I'm a big fan of Blakläder work pants.  While I haven't bought one 'yet' for myself, I know others who have bought theirworkwests and are quite happy.
http://www.wrkwear.com/tool-vest/

I love their pants with the big front floppy pockets.  You can fit the bins from the Dewalt/Stanley tool organizers directly in them and they don't fall out.  I also plop a 12V drill in them and they stay put.  I have two of their pants and a pair of summer shorts.

 

[Ironmantrev]

The vests certainly are a more Euro inspired piece of kit. I don't think I have ever seen anyone wear something like that other than a surveyor on the side of the road. Belts are certainly more popular than vests here in North America.

While on a trip to Europe about 10 years ago I saw the multipocket workpants as mentioned by Kevin above, for the first time. I thought they looked great and made a lot of sense. At the time though I really did not have a great need for them and forgot about them. They certainly did make sense though. Every tradesperson at the trade show working had a pair on.

My intent is not to look like a Christmas tree with all sorts of things hanging off and loaded in the pockets. Just what is needed on most jobs. Maybe a tape or two, pencil or two, automatic punch, small square or Kreg multi tool, few screwdriver bits, notepad... I think the vest could work quite well, especially with some of us and our disappearing waistlines. No belt to slip off the non existent waist

This time around, the vest and it's cost makes more sense than multiple pairs of the pants/shorts. A pair likely wouldn't be a bad thing though. They'll need washing though at the end of a work day, where as the vest could likely go a long time before needing a wash. If you're like me, you forget something in your pockets from time to time. My wife really likes that about me when she hears it banging around in the washer and dryer. A vest will likely keep me on her good side as well.

I'm looking forward to getting mine sorted, figuring out what configuration works best for me, and using it on upcoming projects. I think it is going to be really useful.

 

[HarveyWildes]

I use a shop apron with high pockets, but not too large.  Looks something like this:
http://www.woodcraft.com/product/159349/bucketboss-duckwear-superbib-apron-model-80200.aspx

A lot of times I don't use it in my shop because my shop is pretty well organized.  I tend to use it more when I'm not in my shop.  I primarily use it to carry pencil(s), marking knife, machinists square, tape measure 6" rule, depth gauge, and misc other small tools as needed.

 

[NHSP759]

I actually use the Festool apron as opposed to a vest in the shop. I have two of them, one just for turning.

 

[charley1968]

I use a photog vest when working outside and an apron in the 'shop'. The apron works fine, but for some strange reason i never have the things i need in the vest..

 

[Ironmantrev]

I could see an apron working quite well in the shop. If the few things needed are not in the apron they would not be too far off on the workbench or hung up. What gets me is the back and forth from the garage (workshop) to another room in the house I am working on. I am always putting something down in one room and not having when in the other.

I also have a habit of not changing out of good cloths and quite often get oil, paint, glue... on them. Apron would solve this problem as well. (Or I could just stop being lazy/dumb and go change).

Went and looked at Duluth. They have one vest that catches my eye.http://www.duluthtrading.com/search/searchresults/26720.aspx?kw=vest&processor=content They have some others, but not quite what I would be after. Don't know if they have had many others in the past, but with a little more design time, they could have some great product for those of us in North America. Who knows, maybe 2017 will be the year of the Tool Vest on this side of the pond

 

[Arvid]

http://occidentalleatheroutlet.com/...cidental-leather-stronghold-suspendavest-2500

I use this one for most of my building stuff. Then just local lumber yard canvas tie on nail apron for fasteners.
I like this one because I can attach different tool holders to it depending on what project I'm working on.
Except in the summer time its just a hammer holder on my bet and a tie on canvas nail apron.
has worked well for me for the last 4 years. Its great when doing siding jobs and i need hammer, snips, hammer tacker, just about anything i need i can have. or use it as light as i need. totally adjustable. 

 

[Peter Belisle]

Ive been looking at the Atlas 46 line for a while.https://www.atlas46.com/  the price point is a little high for me right now but im sure to have one too many one night and find a tacticool vest in the mail. AHAHA. 

 

[Arvid]

Ive been looking at the Atlas 46 line for a while.https://www.atlas46.com/  the price point is a little high for me right now but im sure to have one too many one night and find a tacticool vest in the mail. AHAHA.

Some cool gear there. I like the try it for 46 days part

 

[Holmz]

In the US, a Kevlar vest

 

[Ironmantrev]

/\ hehehe

First time I have seen the Atlas 46 product. I think that is very cool stuff.

I have a Multicam plate carrier downstairs and actually thought about buying a bunch of different molle pouches and using it. In the end I figured it would be a little heavy and hot for my liking.

I like what Atlas 46 has done. Looks very well built and thought out. I really like the chest mounted drill holder. Would be nice if they had something for the CXS. This stuff would come in handy for those tactical or covert woodworking projects for sure Will keep this company in mind for the future should the vest I have not work, blow up. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Peter_C]

I too use an Occidental Leather Suspendavest 2500 with an additional pocket, case for my safety glasses, cell phone case, and a tape measure holder. I like it because it is narrow, sits up high, and I am not likely to bash cabinets and the like inside homes. The hammer loop works well with a Mini Tibone hammer that has a rubber handle. Plenty of pockets for pliers, screwdrivers, chisel, etc. I actually bought a clip on pocket and cut the outer pocket off, then sewed it narrower. This left me with two nice deep pockets that don't dump their loads on the ground when I bend over. It is adjustable to fit my thinner body type and open enough to breathe on hotter days. Also will fit over a sweatshirt and jacket when needed. Mostly though if I am working outside means I am carrying heavy stuff and I switch to an Oxylight belt.

 

[Cheese]

A light cotton Festool apron with a Pica Ink, a couple of mechanical pencils, a Paolini pocket rule, a 16' tape and a Festool bit box. Depending upon the project, I may add a 6" Starrett combination square. I just don't like dragging my shop behind me.

 

[fignewton]

BlakLader kangaroo vest.  Light enough to not be too hot in the summer over a T shirt.  Has an expandable front flap/zipper to wear over a sweatshirt, etc.  Top left pocket: Pica and .5mm pencil, 6" or metric ruler.  Top right: Ultrafine Sharpies in 3 colors. Bottom right: 12' tape and Festool tape; metric tape as needed.  Bottom right: Woodpeckers DelVe square (love it!). Right rear, 6' folding rule. Right rear: large index cards for impromptu notes, measurements.  Waist ring: keychain on/off remote for auto shop vacuum. Been using it for about 6 years now and really like it.  [attachimg=1]

 

[curt boyer]

I use a Snickers work vest that I purchased from England and the tool pouches from New Zealand. I don't think they make my vest anymore but you might be able to find some overseas. I'm a builder/remodeler so I need to carry a lot of tools and drill bits. Up until a year ago I used occidental tool belts that I modified to work for me. They worked ok but the more tools and fasteners you add the tighter you have to make the belt to support the weight. By the end of the day the belt would cause discomfort and would strain my back. I just used a 4" padded belt that came with the set, I never tried a wide belt or suspenders maybe that would have helped. Another thing that bothered me about the bags was my Spruce goose wing span, I had to constantly make sure I didn't knock down any Ming vases as I walked through people's homes. Plus I looked like a cirque du Soleil performer when I was trying to fit thru wall studs.

With the vest I can spread the load between my shoulders and hips like in backpacking which enables me to carry more weight more comfortablity. Also the vest keeps my tools closer to my body reducing my chances of breaking all sorts of finery! You can still get the tool and fastener pouches which I really like. There is a lot of tool storage pockets and slots that challenged me to fill up, which I did. I keep most of my tools in the pouch and save the pockets on the vest for writing implements, paper, flashlight, earplugs, safety glasses, and drill bits.

I just got some Duluth flex firehose pants that are similar to the Blakladders that I just retired ( with my man bits visible especially when I bent over or was on a ladder!) The pants have provisions for knee pads and a gussetted crouch to keep the boys happy! These pants have two Velcro attachment points that will hold tool and fastener pouches that they sell as well as my Snickers pouches. I have been wearing the small pouches that are connected to the Velcro on the pants for the last two weeks doing some small jobs in a four story house. They hold a surprising amount of tools and are very comfortable to wear all day.

I also use my Festool apron when I'm working in a Kitchen or doing a finish work that doesn't require a lot of tools. I still use my occidental tool belt for roofing, rough framing, and demo.
Cheers
Curt