Channellock recently launched a line of new soft-sided tool storage products that they say are “handcrafted, designed, manufactured, assembled, and packaged 100% in USA.”
Channellock adds that their Berry-Compliant tool storage products are made to military specifications, “observing rigorous performance, material, and sewing standards that serve our country’s finest.”
The line consists of basic and premium tote-style tool bags, single and dual-zip pouches, a two pouch tool roll system, and two sizes tool backpacks.
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I find the two pouch rollup to be most intriguing. It comes with two individual single-zippered pouches, plus a roll to keep them tidy and easily portable.
Atlas46 is the USA manufacturer, which makes similar products under their own label.
Channellock also has two styles of wide mouth tool bags.
The backpacks are both compatible with Atlas46 AIMS system of tool and accessory pouches, allowing for a modular setup.
Channellock soft storage products are constructed from Cordura fabric that is lightweight but extremely durable.
I’ve been testing a Channellock tote bag, which was supplied with the brand along with a couple of newer hand tools, and it’s different than what I’m used to. I feel that it’s very well-made.
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I have my eye set on the pouches, which seems like an interesting way to organize and transport task-dedicated tools and accessories.
Atlas46 has many other styles of pouches and tool rolls, a couple of which I’ve considered buying before.
Keeping in mind that Channellock’s new soft storage products are 100% made in the USA, it’s time to look at their pricing.
- Channellock Tool Pouch ZPS1G – $37.95
- Channellock 2-Pouch Tool Roll MTR2G – $139.95
- Channellock Dual Zipper Pouch ZPS2G – $49.95
- Channellock Basic 6-Pocket Tool Tote Bag TGM1G – $129.95
- Channellock Premium 10-Pocket Tool Tote Bag TGM3G – $194.95*
- Channellock Single Compartment Tool Backpack TBP1G – $199.95*
- Channellock Dual Compartment Tool Backpack TBP2G – $249.95
*Lower price as of the time of this posting.
The new Channellock tools storage products are lightweight, and if my tote bag test sample is any indication, very durable.
In my opinion, these are not “well, I just need a general purpose tool bag” types of products, they’re more for users who have specific needs and preferences. I see them as “solutions” types of products.
Ignoring the expected sticker shock for a moment, what do you think about Channellock’s new tool bags and pouches?
Carl
I like the 2-pouch roll-up, but the price is way too high for me. The zipper pulls look cheap.
Joe H
Looks like it’s just 550 cord. I’ve never had problems with 550 cord. I’ve cut zipper pulls off many bags and replaced them with 550 cord because I’ve had many zippers pulls fail so I just replace them with the 550 ahead of time. Burn the ends together with a lighter and they will never come untied. I keep lots of 550 cord around for all kinds of things and even replaced my boot laces with 550 cord.
Chris I
Price is way too high for you compared to what? You mean just personal affordability or comparing to something?
Tim D.
I could not agree more. $140 for two 10x3x2 pouches with a roll up seems steep to me.
Compared to cordura bags, med kits, backpacks, this pricing is high. Even the individual pouches are $37 each, meaning the little roll up piece is $68? It’s even priced poorly vs similar Atlas46 products: https://www.atlas46.com/products.html#!/Yorktown-Tool-Roll®-Quick-Detach-V2/p/556650563/category=34912316
Overall I like the look of the bags, I like that they’re made in the USA as well. I think the price is a bit high for most of the items(some way high), but I’m willing to pay good money for something built to last.
startagl
I agree. I’d pay more for built to last products. How do you prove that they are built to last? Warranty. Offer a lifetime warranty or 5 years. Some timeframe that says we built it and we believe in it.
MM
The roll with the two pouches and the wide-mouth bag are the most interesting to me. I like tool rolls in general and I’d like to see more of them on the market to choose from. I’ve made a few of my own over the years but I am no pro at sewing. The wide-mouths look like they would make great range bags in addition to being useful for tools. But man, you weren’t kidding about the sticker shock.
Frank D
I like value, I don’t mind a bit of a premium for the right product; but that’s way out of budget … unless it is something that would last a lifetime, and I’m not seeing that in the photos.
hon cho
Not disappointed with the complaints about them being expensive. A lot more expensive labor in sewing than forging a tool. Not to mention, the USA or European made competition is just as pricey. want USA manufactured goods then you’re going to have to pay.
Plus, mention of Berry Act compliance indicates they hope to sell to government entities.
Jared
Ah! I was wondering what “Berry-Compliant” meant.
Plain+grainy
Great to have.many buying choices! Are these firm prices, or could we see some sale prices in the future?
Steve
Expensive, yes but given the materials, construction, and COO, I’m excited. I don’t have a current use for these, but I would definitely buy if I were in the trades.
Ken
I feel like that has some similarities to peoples thoughts on Malco Eagle Grips.
Michael F
These look like an amazing alternative to some of the totes by Diamondback. The price is completely comparable to other “USA” tool bags/totes.
To address those who have already voiced concerns about these being a “lifetime” investment…I can assure you that Cordura 1000D will outlast you. Don’t let the fact that it’s a fabric fool you. I have Cordura 600D camelbak’s that are still going strong 20 years after I bought them with zero fraying or wear.
Blocky
I have some Atlas 46 pieces and can confirm — the build quality is superb and structurally they are complete overkill for me.
criketzchirping
Maybe I’m not the run of the mill user, but I have trouble seeing the usefulness of a “tool backpack”. Understand that cases are different but it sure would get in the way in my case. Those tool pouch cases look kind of cool though; maybe wouldn’t last a lifetime but still look better than what some other brands have to offer. But still as Stuart put it “the sticker shock”……………
Stuart
Backpacks help spread the load and also make it easier to navigate different environments.
Johnez
If you have to do a lot of walking or going up ladders, backpacks are a winner. Apartment maintenance, HVAC, etc.
Not impressed with the zipper pulls. USA made, premium material, premium price…why didn’t they just use heavy duty metal?
taras
550 zipper pulls don’t bend, twist, jingle, and are lighter, and easier to repair or replace. Most high end gear in military,hunting, and climbing fields have ditched metal zipper pulls decades ago.
Al
I have scratched so many things (usually my own truck) with metal pulls. I have some replacement pulls with nylon cord loop and plastic bit on the end. It will break, but cheap to replace. A lot cheaper than a paint repair on a personal vehicle.
Michael F
Metal zipper pulls will always be IR reflective. I have multiple bags that use non-metal zipper pulls as to not be IR reflective when using NVG. Not that I, personally, would ever be doing night ops, but some people who use the bags might.
AngryDrumGuy
Stairs are the number one reason I finally bought a backpack. Now I don’t have to put something down to open a door and my arms aren’t tired before I start working. Adding speed square sleeves to backpacks and bags would also be a big help.
PW
Lol, amazed at the pricing complaints. I saw “USA” and “Backpack” and honestly expected higher prices! Guys, this is not unreasonable given the materials and labor involved.
In my opinion, it really depends on the value. And that depends on the quality of the stitching and material, which is hard to assess from photos. For the price I would expect a lot.
startagl
I’ve tried bags from Milwaukee, Klein, Craftsman, Harbor Freight and they all come apart at the zipper. Regardless of price I’ve not had a bag last more than a year.
Professional Tradesman
Koko The Talking Ape
Is anybody a little surprised that “Channellock” is the brand they chose for this? It’s a respected brand and almost synonymous with a certain kind of adjustable pliers. But tool bags don’t strike me as a natural direction to take the brand. It’s like Estwing going into work boots.
Jared
I don’t know, Channellock also has screwdrivers, picks, sockets, ratchets… I think they’re just diversifying the brand.
It sounds like these bags are being produced by another company for Channellock. I sometimes object to that nonsense when it’s just adding a good name to a cheap product to help it sell, but not so much if the brand is “curating” quality products.
Koko The Talking Ape
Yes, Atlas46 will make these bags, and from what I can tell, their bags are high quality and very expensive. They’d be something I’d imagine another premium American tool brand like Stilleto would work with. As a brand, Channellock seems like a step down, though it’s better known.
Mateo
It’s also not a premium brand in any way to go with the premium pricing of these bags. They’re a good brand but they’re basically defined by “I don’t wanna pay Klein or Knipex prices”
Klein could sell these things like hot cakes.
Koko The Talking Ape
Right. I’d call Channellock a solid brand but not premium brand, maybe like Crescent or Pony.
Jason T.
These bags look like good options and the materials look like quality. I have no problem with the zipper pulls, they look like standard paracord zipper pulls you see on high end backpacks and military gear and they work just fine. What I do have a problem with is the price. I have several backpacks made of equal quality and materials to these Channellock bags, but they didn’t cost anywhere near what Channellock is asking. I am all about the American worker earning a good wage, but this pricing doesn’t match with that. The company might get the profit, but that’s not going into the pocket of the employees that are making these bags. Supply and Demand… There is such a thing as pricing yourself out of the market. Might be more wise to reduce your prices and sell more volume. If your intended customer are those people working in the trades, most of those guys can’t afford to buy bags at that price level. They are going to pick something cheaper. Even though I can afford bags at this price point, I won’t buy them because I have bags that can perform just as well at a lower price point. Yes I prefer made in the USA, but it has to be at a reasonable price. Channellock has always been a great company with affordable USA made tools. These bags are not in line with that(affordable).
Bob
I don’t know about that. A quick Google search shows a Milwaukee bag for $165 and a Klein bag for $200 so not completely out of line with pricing considering quality level and COO.
I’d have to get my hands on one but seem to be very high quality kit.
I always liked channel lock pliers. Wonder if we will see these at lowes or HD. I think I’ve seen some Milwaukee backpacks at HD.
Al
The fake flag patch is a no-go for me. 9.2 stripes, and however-many stars…
I don’t like that it’s common for the US flag to be turned into a marketing gimmick. Like, I respect first responders, but cringe at thin [color] line flag art.
We also regularly argue in our house about the merits of stars and stripes socks on July 4th.
If you want the flag, why not just use the flag?
Brad
I mostly agree. People wrap themselves in jingoistic garb and call it patriotism, which is the real sin, but companies enable them by bastardizing the flag into apparel. Den of thieves.
Johnny
Definitely picking up that tool roll and a couple pouches. Love my Klein Cordura pouches but will gladly swap those out with channellock for USA made.
Interesting choice though, can’t imagine these will sell too well. They have the reputation of “made in usa… but affordable”.
Also, the people on their soapbox over the price have no idea what 100% made in America means for a backpack. These are cheap compared to some of the Duluth Pack backpacks and totes I have. They’re in the same price range as Klien and VetoProPac bags, both of which are made in China.
Good luck finding anything cheaper than this that’s still up to par and doesn’t have pieces of the product imported.
Franco Calcagni
This is what amazes me. People clamor and gripe for made in America, yet they cry at the prices. Why?
Nathan
While not for me right now. I appreciate the idea and build. I’ve seen atlas bags out 9n the flight line and I see they are well made
I would never take a metal pull zipper onto an airplane open for maintenance. I don’t wear my watch either. Etc etc
Shocked to see the channellock name.
BigTimeTommy
No pockets inside the $250 backpack. Oh, right, it’s so they can get you to buy tacticool MOLLE pouches. Great. $200 gets you a better Klein bag and $300 gets you a better Veto bag if you like to overpay for certain brands. Hard pass.
Charles
or the Milwaukee for $75, which is actually a great bag, though with a few flaws
S
The price is really high considering the competition at the price points.
There’s zero internal tool management options, not even a bunch of molle straps for a DIY panel solution. Other solutions from Milwaukee, Klein, or veto all offer a few straps to hold tools to the walls
The bottom also appears to lack any sort of extreme material for durability. The other brands offer a rubber/plastic under panel to reduce wear, or in the case of plumbers, soaking up things where it sits.
Honestly, I wouldn’t pay more than $40 for the backpacks, and the other totes would need to max out at to $5-10 to be useful.
There’s absolutely no point in offering a tool storage solution, when in all reality it’s just a heavy duty upgrade to a plastic bag to lump all your tools into.
Brad
Berry compliant is a big deal: you know they’re made in the USA and high quality. Believe it or not, I found issued equipment in the Army to be good. Our mechanics had all Wright, SK, and other quality American makes in their American toolboxes.
Price and quality are typically on an inverse scale, and COO is a multiplier. If you want something made well made by your neighbor for a living wage, it’s going to cost more.
Sure, there’s some sticker shock, but I’ll bet these prices soften some, and sooner or later we’ll all be able to score some slick deals on them. Next time I see $100 HD gift cards for $90, I’ll probably get a couple of those, use my veteran’s discount, and walk away with a couple of these rolls.
eddie sky
Need better fastners. Those Pinch to unlatch mechanisms break. Especially in cold weather. And you can’t easily replace because of stitched system.
I like the wide mouth bags but the caveat is they tend to dump contents in a vehicle (stops, turns). Would like magnetic latch or something secure that is replaceable. And the costs… well, made in the USA has its price I guess…
Koko The Talking Ape
You’re right that those buckles do break sometimes (I’ve heard them called “quick-release buckles.) But they’re more durable than velcro and easier to use than regular buckles, which you have to thread the strap through. (I do wonder why nobody uses carseat-style buckles. A few messenger-bag makers use them, but nobody else that I know of.)
If it helps at all, you can replace those buckles even if the strap is sewed shut. They make special “repair buckles” that have sliding pins or jaws to attach to closed loops. Here’s one:
https://www.rei.com/product/884172/gear-aid-snap-bar-repair-buckle
smoothness
Honestly, the prices aren’t really that shocking. Good-quality cycling and hiking packs made from ballistic nylon all start around this price point, and often go higher.
What I am surprised by are the lack of taped zippers/zipper lockers, no exterior cinch straps for oblong tools, and the stitching doesn’t look all that neat.
Dominic S
In my opinion the price for the simpler bags and tool rolls are high, the backpack prices are to be expected. You can drop that much on a “North Face” backpack and be much worse off.
Atlas 46 makes some envy-worthy gear. If they’re going to put the channellock logo on something, I’m glad they went made in USA. I just wish I could afford them!
mikedt
I like tool rolls, but these roll up pouches seem to check all the wrong boxes for me. With a traditional tool roll you can see all your tools for easy selection. Tool roll pouches seem to have no advantage over just having your tools in a soft bag. I have to remember what pouch my tool is in and then I have to dig through stuff to get it.
Charles
This backpack looks much worse than the Milwaukees I paid 75 for. I don’t see the value.
The Milwaukee could be improved – tools fall out of pockets when bouncing around truck. But I don’t see any improvements here?