10 Best Framing Tool Belts of 2023 – Top Picks & Reviews

There is nothing like the convenience of having the exact tool you need in close proximity when you need it. This is why tool belts are invaluable to framers.

The best tool belt is one that is versatile enough to hold all kinds of framing tools safely while featuring an ergonomic design for your comfort and convenience. It should also be able to serve you for a long time.

There are numerous framing tool belts on the market today, but only a few meet those standards. As such, to ensure you end up with the right belt, you must do your homework. To save you the time and effort, we have compared the different products out there.  The following are reviews of the best framing tool belts on the market today.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		DEWALT DG5617 Pro Framer's Combo Tool Belt	30 pockets for convenience Has a cellphone holder Features heavy-duty nylon fabric for durability	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Bucket Boss 50100 AirLift Tool Belt	600D polyester material construction Breathable material Padded suspenders	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Occidental Leather 8089 OxyLights Bag Framer Set	Ideal for professionals Lots of space – 22 compartments Comfortable	CHECK PRICE
		Gatorback B145 Carpenters Triple Combo Support Belt	2 large pouches and 27 small pockets Ergonomic suspenders and handles for comfort Durable and breathable polyester fabric construction	CHECK PRICE
		Style n Craft 98434 Pro-Framers Combo	Durable build Incredibly stylish looking Numerous pockets – 17	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Framing Tool Belts – Reviews

1. DEWALT DG5617 Pro Framer’s Combo Tool Belt – Best Overall

Coming from one of the most reputable power tools manufacturers in the game, you can be sure that this is a reliable tool belt.

The DeWalt DG5617 tool belt is made from heavy-duty polyester fabric to ensure that it can withstand the wear and tear of daily usage. It comes with 9 large pockets and 20 smaller pockets to ensure that you have enough room to carry around any type of tool you might need. And that’s not all; it even has inserted sleeves for holding tiny accessories such as nails and pencils.

You will also appreciate that the pouches come with a zipper to ensure the safety of your items. This tool belt also features ergonomic pouch handles to allow you to make adjustments, as well as to facilitate easier hand carriage. For added convenience, there is a pocket for storing keys, as well as another for your cell phone. And don’t fret – the cellphone pocket has neoprene padding to keep your device safe.

The DeWalt DG5617 comes with a Dri-Lex 5-inch padded belt and yoke-style padded suspenders for comfort. This combination comes in handy considering that the belt weighs 5 pounds without tools in it.

Nonetheless, this tool belt’s rather heavy weight is a reasonable tradeoff considering the sheer number of pockets it comes with. It features a competitive price too, which makes this the best tool belts for framers we have reviewed this year.

2. Bucket Boss 50100 AirLift Tool Belt – Best Value

Being on a budget does not mean that you should settle for subpar quality and design. The Bucket Boss 50100 is an example of a quality budget product that will delight you. This tool belt is sturdy, comfortable, and practical.

Firstly, it is made from the highly resilient 600D rip-stop polyester. This material is not only hardy enough to resist tears from carrying tons of weight but is also moisture resistant. If you sweat a lot, this product is a great fit for you.

The 50100 is designed to allow you as much space for your tools as possible. Each of its pockets sports a barrel-bottom design to maximize on space. Thanks to the reinforced stitching, you should be able to pack as many items into the pockets without the fear of rips or tears.

This tool belt also comes with a convenient hammer holder and a loop for holding longer tools.

Weighing in at just slightly above 3 pounds, the Bucket Boss 50100 is one of the lightest tool belts in the game. For added comfort, it features suspenders with thick padding to reduce the strain of the weight on your body. Moreover, the suspenders are made from breathable material, making them comfortable to wear.

For a snug fit, this belt comes with a chest-restraining strap. This design allows for weight distribution to more parts of your body to make sure that you do not tire as fast. Thanks to its adjustable nature, this belt does not discriminate based on circumference. It can be adjusted to fit up to 52-inch waists.

The only issue you might have with this tool belt is that its pouches tend to slide across the belt.

When you compare what you get versus its price, the Bucket Boss 50100 is undeniably one of the best framing tool belts for the money.

3. Occidental Leather 8089 OxyLights Bag Framer Set – Premium Choice

The Occidental Leather 8089 is likely the best framer tool belt in the game today, thanks to its versatility and practicability.

This tool belt is made with the professional in mind. It is a heavy-duty set with 22 compartments plus a loop for your hammer. This means that you won’t be forced to leave anything behind. And doesn’t it help that the pouches are two-ply for sturdiness?

Don’t forget; the entire belt features industrial nylon and leather construction, resulting in a unit that is anti-abrasive, water-resistant, and scratch proof for maximum durability.

It is also highly adjustable. As a result, anyone with a waist size of between 29 inches and 54 inches can use the Occidental Leather 8089 comfortably.

The premium nature of its design and build material makes the Occidental Leather 8089 one of the priciest tool belts on the market today. Beware though, it’ll cost you a pretty penny to make this belt yours.

4. Gatorback B145 Carpenters Triple Combo Support Belt

The Gatorback B145 tool belt is another quality product from Gatorback. It is practical, comfortable, and comes at a favorable price point, which is why it is a favorite belt for many framers.

The B145 features ergonomic straps that work to boost your comfort. They have padding, as well as a unique design involving an ingenious support pad at the back that distributes the weight of the tool belt all around. This ensures that you will be comfortable at all times even when carrying tons of weight.

It is also adjustable across six different fits to allow for all types of waist sizes ranging from 26 inches to 55 inches.

You will also appreciate the DuraTek 1250 polyester fabric that has been used to make this belt. It is resilient to rips, thus allowing the belt to hold extreme weights without tearing. Moreover, it is breathable to allow your skin to sweat normally.

For storage, this tool belt comes with a handy pocket system consisting of 2 large pouches, each with numerous small pockets. The right pouch has 18 pockets, while the other has 9 pockets. This ensures that you have lots of space for your tools. You will also appreciate the tape chain it comes with.

For extra convenience, the Gatorback B145 features 2 large ergonomic handles on its inner side to allow you to carry the belt by hand if you need to. You will also appreciate the DuraGrip Fingerless Work Gloves the manufacturer throws in with the belt.

However, you might find the pockets on the right pouch to be rather small.

5. Style n Craft 98434 Pro-Framers Combo

You may as well look stylish as you go about your business, and that is what the Style n Craft 98434 offers you.

This heavy-duty belt is made from top-grain leather and comes in dark tan to combine aesthetics and durability. The sewing, on the other hand, consists of a heavy-duty nylon thread. This enhances not only the belt’s durability but also its looks.

The 98434’s pocket system consists of two main pouches with 17 small pockets. It also has 6 pockets on the inner side for added convenience. You will also love the comfortable carry handle it comes with to allow you to carry the belt by hand.

What’s more, this tool belt also has a combination square and pry bar holder for your longer tools. The 3-inch wide Style n Craft 98434 accommodates waist sizes ranging from 34 inches to 46 inches.

Weighing in at 6 pounds, this belt is quite weighty. If you are not a fan of dark tan, you might not appreciate this belt too much, as it only comes in that one color.

6. CLC Custom LeatherCraft 51452 Pro Framer’s Tool Belt

With over 30 years of experience in the craft, Custom LeatherCraft (CLC) knows a thing or two about making quality tool belts for framers, with the CLC 51452 being a good example.

The 51452 is a 4-piece high-quality tool belt featuring a double layer of 1680D ballistic fabric built with premium-grade leather trim. This construction not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also its durability as well.

This belt features 8 main pouches and 17 smaller pockets to ensure that you have sufficient and convenient storage for both large and small instruments. Moreover, it also comes with sleeves to accommodate tiny items.

The 51452 is padded to enhance your comfort, in addition to featuring a built-in handle to allow for hand carriage. It allows for adjustments to fit waist sizes between 29 inches and 46 inches.

7. OX Tools OX-P263604 Leather Tool Belt

The OX-P263604 belt by OX Tools features a four-piece construction and comes with 22 pockets for maximum convenience. It is also riveted for enhanced durability and is remarkably comfortable.

However, it does have some drawbacks. For example, the rig tends to taper to one side, resulting in an uncomfortable fit. The hammer holder is also not that sturdy.

8. McGuire-Nicholas 803-E Oil Tanned Leather Tool Belt

The McGuire-Nicholas 803-E features an oil-tanned leather construction that is quite comfortable on the waist. It comes with 2 large pouches and 3 medium-sized pockets. While it might not have as many pockets as other belts do, you get the benefit of spacious compartments. Nonetheless, this design limits its versatility.

It can fit people with waist sizes of up to 50 inches.  The durability of this tool belt, however, is questionable.

9. Dead On DO-FR Framers Rig

This is another product to consider if you are on a budget. It features a ballistic nylon fabric, which is a decent quality material and comes with 31 differently sized pouches to allow you to carry as many tools as possible.

You will also appreciate the back support pad and moisture-wicking mesh liner that enhance comfort tremendously.

This tool belt, however, only fits waist sizes between 28 inches and 36 inches. As such, it is not a good fit for the vast majority of people. Some users also complained about the shoulder strap slipping, which draws its durability into question.

10. TOUGHBUILT TB-CT-111C Pro Framer Tool Belt

This rig by ToughBuilt is extremely affordable and comes in decent quality. It is versatile for a wide range of uses and is compatible with custom pouches, holster, bags, and other accessories. This tool belt comes with 10 pockets and a belt loop to allow you a decent amount of space for tool holding. Nonetheless, most people would appreciate more pockets. Users also complained about the quality of the product itself, with several cases of the buckle breaking. We found it to be a bit bulky ourselves.

Buyer’s Guide – How to Choose the Best Framing Tool Belt

As a framer, the kind of tool belt you have often determines how comfortable you will be while working. As such, consider the following factors when looking for a practical, comfortable, and reliable framer’s tool belt.

Belt Construction Quality

The material used to make a rig determines its ability to withstand wear and tear. Most products are made out of either polyester, nylon, or canvas.

Polyester

Polyester is remarkably resilient, in addition to being quite comfortable. If you love this material, consider going with a rig made out of 1680D polyester. This is a type of polyester that is waterproof yet breathable. It is also high up the durability scale.

Nylon

Nylon is just as sturdy as polyester. However, it comes with the benefit of breathability. Moreover, thanks to its elastic nature, it feels more comfortable on the body. If you prefer a nylon construction, consider going with ballistic nylon, as it is extremely tough.

Canvas

Canvas might not be as comfortable as nylon or polyester are. However, it is super durable. Unfortunately, canvas is susceptible to tearing. The good news is that belts that feature this material are usually cheaper. Consider canvas if you do not carry lots of tools around.

Quality of Suspenders

The quality of your suspenders determines how comfortable you will be when carrying your tool belt. As such, look for a rig whose suspenders feature padding for comfort, in addition to being adjustable for a better fit. If the suspenders come with chest straps, the better. This is because you can adjust the entire system for a snugger fit to distribute the belt’s weight all over your torso.

Pocket Design and Quality

Ensure that a belt’s pockets are practical and convenient. According to most professionals, the ideal design has a large pouch on either side, with each having numerous pockets. Ensure that the pockets are spacious enough to accommodate as many tools as possible. They should also be reinforced at the bottom so that they are rip-resistant.

Make sure that it also comes with loops for your hammers.

Conclusion

There is no denying the convenience that a tool belt allows a framer. It ensures that you have all your tools with you at all times, thus boosting your efficiency and overall productivity.

Nonetheless, tool belts are not built equal. Therefore, it is important to do your research first before you go out to buy one. This will allow you to identify the rig that suits your taste and needs best.

We found the DeWalt DG5617 to be the best tool belt you can get your hands on. It is versatile and durable, thanks to its superior design and build material. Moreover, it comes at an agreeable price point.

But if you are on a budget, consider the Bucket Boss 50100. It is spacious, comfortable, and durable and is quite affordable. But feel free to take your pick. You can’t go wrong with any item we have reviewed here.

More tools that a framer could need:

• A framing hammer
• A framing nail-gun tool