Rumor has it that if everyone who owned a Husky tool bag jumped up at the same time, the Earth would be knocked off axis by up to 5°.
Is this true? Of course not, but it is true that Husky makes some incredible and hugely popular tool bags.
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I have been working on a couple of tool kit buying guides, as part of a sponsorship with Home Depot, and I hit a wall.
I need a tool bag, partly for the story, partly to wrangle together the tools that I’ll be giving away when the project and editorial series is over.
Husky. This is what my brain tells me, even before I think about budget, size, or style.
Well of course it’ll be Husky, you might be thinking, seeing as how Home Depot is a sponsor. Okay, I can appreciate that sentiment.
But what about the soda tech at the local fast-food restaurant. When those fancy cola machines need to be repaired, it takes quite a few tools to get to the bottom of things. And what tool bag did the local soda machine tech use? Husky.
And what about the local appliance repair professionals, which fit all of their kit into a Husky tool bag?
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IT professionals, exterminators, contractors, electricians, plumbers, the staging contractors at the local Scandinavian furniture store – Husky is quite possibly the best-selling tool bag brand out there.
I wrote about this nearly two years – Does Husky Make the Best Tool Bags? We See Them EVERYWHERE – and nothing seemed to change.
Even wife has started to notice. “They came to the office to fix the… and they brought a Husky tool bag.”
WHY?
Take a peek at the following link and you’ll see for yourself.
Home Depot offers Husky pouches and bucket inserts, trays and portfolios, zippered tool bags and open-top totes, backpacks and lunchboxes, and even a boxy mobile office organizer that can hold files.
There is a gigantic range of products, suiting all types of needs and at a broad price range.
Husky tool bags practically sell themselves.
As you might have seen, I tend to be very observant. Just like I spot Husky tool bags anywhere pros are in motion, I have noticed all of the different kinds of Husky tool bags that have come out in recent years.
The brand experiments and refines. Sometimes this results in new regular line items, other times there are innovative or unique products that might not be restocked after an initial run. (Oh, how I sometimes kick myself for not buying the Husky sling-style tool bag when I saw it back in 2017.)
The brand is quite prideful of their innovations as well. If I recall correctly, there were definitely a couple of “I bet you’ve never seen this before!” conversations over the years.
Husky makes something for everyone, covering a very broad range of tool needs and wants.
If I had to choose a Husky tool bag, right now, it would probably be their 18-inch tech tool bag. This bag has a central compartment, but also two zippered side compartments, plus pockets on the outside. For tool bags, I like a combination of bulk and pocketed storage, for both holding a lot of tools and supplies, and for organizing my tools in discrete locations.
Shop Husky Tool Bags via Home Depot
With tool storage, most brands force you to choose 2 out of 3 qualities, between value, quality, and suitable options. It seems that Home Depot and Husky have become an incredibly popular choice because they’re able to offer all three.
Home Depot also has a great warranty on Husky tool bags – 3 years for the standard duty (red) and 5 years for the heavy duty (black) tool bags and accessories.
Both styles of bags are made with heavy duty water-resistant materials. Husky says (with the emphasis my own):
Husky tool bags’ rugged design is crafted with heavy duty Denier water-resistant material, making it a perfect choice for rough job site conditions.
Given how many pros I’ve seen with Husky tool bags at jobsites and in the field, it seems they’ve proven this to be true.
I particularly like how Husky breaks down the features and specs for their different tool bags. The way they do this, it makes it easier to compare different tool bag sizes and styles.
If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to ask the same questions as two years ago. I don’t think your answers would have changed, but just in case:
What do you think about Husky tool bags?
If you need a new tool bag this week, which one would you buy?
Lastly, for everyone that owns a Husky tool bag, please don’t jump up and down at the same time.
DHCrocks
I love them, great prices, lots of useful pockets and not too heavy. They are also very sturdy and last a long time. What more could you ask for. I got the rolling bag, medium and large open totes and several zippered pockets and the 5 gallon bucket pockets. All have been great.
Jared
Husky makes some excellent bags – and I think what puts them over the top is pricing. I’ve sometimes found bags I like better, but never bags that are better with similar pricing (think of Veto Pro Pac, for example).
Jake
I love Husky tool bags. We bought a bunch at Home Depot during the Black Friday sale last year. They are very high quality. Best I’ve found.
Jake
They also are very affordable compared to other lower quality bags.
teicher
I keep most of my Milwaukee M12 tools in a 18″ Husky bag. The bags are great quality. No need to waste money on anything more expensive.
PETE
IMO- in their price point they are the best. Nothing comes close.
Stacey Jones
I’ve got a couple. No complaints, but not exciting either. These new ones look a bit better but I’d like to see a reasonably priced backpack that also rolls, preferrably with a big fat mouth that stays open.
X lu
You did this same article 2 years ago. Nearly identical.
Stuart
I mentioned this as least two times in the post. They’ve come out with additional products in that time, and we’ve got new readers.
There was too much different to say to simply update the older post.
Plus, I know my stances on certain tools and brands change over time, and it’ll be interesting to see if this happened to any long-term readers.
X lu
I stand corrected with apologies.
As to the bags, they are all fairly mediocre designed to a gross profit target. It is Home Depot’s store density, deep stocking and lack of readily available pick up alternatives that make them ubiquitous imo. I find the materials crude and when I buy them it is for unusual use cases eg hose storage.
Hon Cho
X lu is right. Home Depot and Lowes have such a dominant presence that searching for and finding locally available alternatives for many products is hard if not impossible in the USA. The bags are good enough and readily available.
James
I’d say Amazon delivering ~anything you could want by tomorrow is just as good as locally available. YMMV.
Koko The Talking Ape
Mm, I disagree. Purchasers of these bags will be pretty demanding and unattached to brands, and also very vocal about their purchases. If these bags didn’t function well, they wouldn’t sell.
HD’s ubiquity and all do play a role, but none of that would matter if the bags sucked. Which they don’t.
The materials? Heavy denier polyester. What’s crude about that? Nylon is stronger but polyester is probably strong enough, as well as more UV-resistant.
Hon Cho
Koko: You give humans too much credit for looking beyond what’s in front of their eyes. The people who want different features and quality and are willing to spend time and money to find what they need will look beyond their local Home Depot. However, most of us need to get a job done and when there’s something “good enough” it’s usually what gets purchased and used. How else do you explain the tons of less than great items that are sold in almost every retail category? Marketing, availability, price, adequacy and a bunch of other factors sway buyers but if you need a tool bag and you go to home depot, husky bags have an outsize shelf presence. People here on ToolGuyd are tool enthusiasts and we look at things somewhat differently but we’re a very small minority of buyers, I believe most folks just want something that works that they can afford. Husky products are marketed in that manner.
blocky
Hon cho, Koko, I agree with both of you. Yes, many people buy Husky bags because they need something that day. Maybe they do not care to research alternatives or the extent of their research is the few options on the shelf.
But I have also done that deep research. I have purchased about 40 toolbags, and looked at several hundred if not thousands more. Husky bags are generally exceptional in terms of durability and design to price-point. I am not in-love with any Husky bag, but several are an excellent value and very serviceable.
Another factor to their ubiquity in the trades is that they do indeed last in the field, despite abuse. If a bag falls apart quickly, it won’t be around long enough to be seen.
I haven’t seen anything as durable hitting at the same pricepoints. Bucket-boss, CLC, Workpro, Craftsman, Tuffbuilt, Dickies, etc– in the budget range, the fabrics are either thinner, with less-dense weaves, or the price-points are 25-50% higher for similar features and quality.
I’m not negging any of these brands -some of their tool-bags are excellent value or design, and some I even prefer.
Joellikedtools
They make ok bags at a low price. I agree on the use case being low. I have a bucket liner at home that I don’t use often. My company buys husky bags for all the technicians. The outside pockets fall apart pretty quickly. Some of the guys buy Klein on their own dime. Overall the Klein bags are nicer, more durable, and comfortable. But at three times the price they deter infrequent users.
Mike McFalls
I use several bags. All have lasted a long time and there are definitely unique innovations built into the. The removable tool wall is a feature I love in my 12” bag.
Koko The Talking Ape
Is there a model I should look at for a DIYer’s first toolkit? My nephew is moving into his first apartment, and I want to buy him the usual first set of tools: medium-sized hammer, tape measure, torpedo level, pliers-wrench, socket set, bit-holder screwdriver, needlenose, stud finder, specialty hex bits, other oddments.
What do you all suggest? I’m thinking the 14″ “Large Mouth Tool Bag” might work.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-14-in-Large-Mouth-Tool-Bag-67125-02/306052550
Is that a good option?
blocky
Hands down the 14″ toolbag. The 16 vertical pockets inside and out keep handtools easy to grab. Comfortable by the handles but also can take a shoulder strap. It’s small enough to be a quick grab, but large enough to hold all your core tools.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-14-in-Large-Mouth-Tool-Bag-67125-02/306052550
I have this one and its predecessor. Even at 14″, it’s possible to load them with more than one would like to carry. I hate having to empty a bag to get to tools that have fallen to the bottom. This bag lends itself to organization, whereas some of the larger bags are more like a duffle.
Although I have a Veto MCT, a carefully tetris’ed pelican case, and a custom tote I constructed myself, I still use these for certain task-oriented kits.
Koko The Talking Ape
Thanks, that was what I was thinking. The other smaller bags look like one big pocket, with maybe a few smaller pockets around the sides. I know from experience that the tool you need most will always be under about 40 other tools.
Tom D
I’d say a bag that fits the tools and has room left over is what you want – not too much but enough that adding a tool or two doesn’t overflow it.
Jared
“Usual first set of tools” that includes a pliers wrench? You must be a pretty good uncle.
Koko The Talking Ape
I’m not a great woodworker, but I’m one hell of an uncle! 😉
Stuart
I think that’s a very good starting point.
I use some of the lighter duty and less expensive tool bags for misc tasks and I also tend to buy the same for giveaway, but that 14″ is a good starting point for long-term use.
At the risk of sounding cheap, I tend to like giving the Husky 12″ (red series) bag with basic tools. It’s $13, and as long as it fits the tools, it’s sturdy enough. I wouldn’t step up to the 15″ at $20 – at that price the heavier duty 14″ bag at $25 (the one you linked to) feels like a better choice to me.
(I stock up on the 12″ tool bag around Black Friday or whenever similar promos come around.)
MM
Like others have suggested the 14″ is a good size. But I’d say worry a lot more about the tools than the bag, especially for a DIYer who likely won’t be abusing the bag the same way a pro contractor would.
Ken
I have an older model of that size and it does well as my basic in house toolkit. Seems like it would be good as a first homeowner bag.
Wally
This 2-bag set from Craftsman is an excellent value when on sale (which happens often). Good for having a bag for a power tool and it’s accessories.
https://www.acehardware.com/departments/tools/tools-storage-and-organization/tool-bags/2297786
Craftsman 12.25 in. W X 17.5 in. H Ballistic Nylon Tool Bag Set Black/Red 2 pc – $9.99
Joe S
Agreed… A lot of huskys bags are interesting to me and I may pick up one eventually, but I picked up that two bag set from my local Ace on sale and they do what I need them to do. Both stay in my truck and the smaller bag is for bungee cords and rachet straps with the larger holding a small assortment of tools.
Jon
I used to use bucket organizers then switched to bags at my old job. I’d have to replace them yearly as the tools would start poking holes in fabric. Every brand I tried did the same thing. Husky was just cheap and easy to get at the time so I did buy them often. CLC was another brand I tried many of. If I was still doing that job I would have switched to a plastic tool box with a custom insert.
I like the open top bags/totes, ones without zippers, with stiff sides and lots of pouches on the inside and outside. Dead simple to organize and no need to dig around. I can’t stand the ones that don’t stay open as tools don’t stay put. I have plenty of zipper bags from power tools and I would never try to organize hand tools with them.
Albert
I must be in the minority, but I prefer bags which have pockets on the inside only and can be closed completely so nothing falls out when being transported, even if the bag flips over, and no tools protrude that could scratch a customer’s wall or equipment. Veto Pro Pac and Klein make such bags but they are expensive. The two bags on the bottom left of the second picture are the closest I could find that meet my needs yet are reasonably priced (I paid around $40). I just don’t use the flat slit pockets on the outside. I wish they weren’t there at all.
One other thought. The pictures don’t show Husky’s two backpacks. The cheaper red one is ok. I plan to get the slightly more expensive black one soon.
Koko The Talking Ape
I was thinking about that too. Maybe outside pockets would be good for stowing tools temporarily while you’re working? Especially if you don’t have a tool belt.
Steve
In addition to everything else they are available just about everywhere because Home Depot has stores just about everywhere.
rob
Husky bags aren’t ubiquitous in my area. I see Veto, Packout, Klein and Occidental. However, I get why they’re popular: they’re 1/4 of the price of their competition. I have one or two of their bags and they’re well made.
RZZ
I think you should add more information that some of the bags are made in Hangzhou, China to see how is the feedback.
Stuart
So what you’re saying is that COO is more important than features, construction, and quality?
RZZ
It is just intetresting to see the different feedback from customer after they used those bags from same Hangzhou factory with similar design and material but under different brand, some are private lable, some are national brands.
Stuart
Ah.
You mean like where there’s a seemingly identical Dead On product but at much higher pricing? https://toolguyd.com/dead-on-tools-parachute-bag/
Andrew L
I do love my Husky tool tote. Store it will some of the most commonly needed tools and it stays on a shelf in the garage. It has really held up well over the last 7ish years on many home improvement / Reno projects.
candrews
Excellent bags. Excellent parts and tool storage systems, as well. Much better pricing, superb quality.
Rascally
I use the largest rolling Husky bag everyday. It’s perfect in practically every way. The only change I’d make is to have an Air Travel Model available. Where all the outside pockets have zipper closures to keep tools in place. Which allows it to be checked as baggage to your next job.
JoeM
Home Depot also sells ToughBuilt tool bags. Selection is limited, but the configurations are near infinite. They have both Divider Totes, as well as Giant Mouth Octagonal Tool Bags. Call me a fanatic if you wish, but I’d take ToughBuilt over Husky any day.
Now, if someone “Gifted” me a Husky, I wouldn’t be ungrateful. I’d smack them for trying to buy tools without consulting me, but I would still say thank you. I’d likely toss it in a closet somewhere, and buy something else, but… I know Husky will survive that just fine. They’re made by the same people who make all the other Tool Box/Bag companies’ bags, so they’re nowhere near as horrible in quality as, say, the kit bags from DeWALT… (I have learned, over time, that they’re DeWALT Tough… but not “You’re a High-Functioning, Slow-Motion, Trainwreck” kind of Tough.)
And for the most part, I think the fact that Husky is a house brand for Home Depot, and seriously low on the pricing scale, has helped the spread of the Husky brand. There’s no quality drop, despite the price being bottomed out. So… that is a huge advantage to a lot of pros. They’ll find the one they want, for less than other brands, and still walk away with the other brands’ quality. Even my choice of ToughBuilt isn’t a higher quality grade to Husky, they’re just a tad more expensive, and have a different system in place.
DeWALT, Ryobi, Milwaukee, Ridgid… Whatever Home Depot Sells in the line of Power Tools, their container systems add up in price fast, and aren’t necessarily great when not locked into their own system all the time. Husky, and ToughBuilt for that matter, don’t do huge lines of power tools… So, they have the R&D time to get the bags, totes, and other containers right. I believe that’s where you see Husky so dominant. For the price point, you’re buying the bag-equivalent of the specialty tools you use in the bags every day. And that low price really makes them popular.
If they charged approximately the same as the TSTAK, ToughSystem, and Packout systems… I would look at the same trend and say the variety (And in ToughBuilt’s case Variability) is what makes them more popular. Because, let’s face it… ToughSystem and TSTAK only have a handful of options, plus a few wheeler devices. Packout has a much larger selection, but still… Husky has even more options. Options at that price means the consumer actually gets something genuinely close to the perfect carrying device they need. So, if not for the price, it’s the variety. Never overlook the capacity to get perfection for your tools. It’s the one piece of OCD that we can all admit to having, without it seeming like a disease. We’re all chasing the Perfect Setup for what we do. Always.
(I’m still team ToughBuilt on this one though. If I can’t get a few thousand together to not only buy the TSTAK system I want, but also to bribe/nag/beg my way in to getting the store manager to let me in to fit all my tools to all the exact TSTAK boxes I want to buy, these hard box systems are difficult for me to wrap my head around, even with measurements and laying out my tools beforehand.)
Jim Felt
Husky has become the Craftsman of today. Not the first. Seldom the best. And not the most expensive.
So between casual/impulse availability, decent price and many (if in stock) options most folks will be satisfied.
I (weirdly?) buy three or four different competing options and set them side by side then make a tool transport decision. Just like I try to do with individual tools and many other durable good purchases.
frampton
I’m a fan of the Veto Pro Pac bags, but they are so expensive, especially for someone, like myself, who is not a tradesman.
Joellikedtools
They make ok bags at a low price. I agree on the use case being low. I have a bucket liner at home that I don’t use often. My company buys husky bags for all the technicians. The outside pockets fall apart pretty quickly. Some of the guys buy Klein on their own dime. Overall the Klein bags are nicer, more durable, and comfortable. But at three times the price they deter infrequent users.
Dominic S
Husky is likely the best bag for the money, but CLC (Custom Leathercraft) gets my money when I want something I think is of higher quality.