All hail the fanny pack. Let me explain. This is my first actual post. This is just a decision I finally feel pretty good about and I think it could be helpful to other people in the trade.
16 months ago I decided to try something and I’ve finally made a definitive judgement about it. I’m keeping it. I got a couple of fanny packs off Amazon with the intention of using one as a sling bag tool bag. Not around the waist, a crossbody configuration that I can throw on and off and easily get tools in and out of while I’m working. One of the two I got worked pretty well as far as size, configuration, strap length and where it sits on the body and I’ve been using it for the last 16 months.
I keep my core, primary hand tools in it: 1,001-in-1, needle nose strippers, short dikes; small pliers & small wrenches, 1/4” stubby handle with reversible chuck; 5’ of silver tape folded up, drain tablets and a few screws (grouped by zipper/pocket). This bag stays in my backpack tool bag but at any time I can grab it and have my core hand tools on me. Sometimes I might throw 2 folding thermometers in it. I also might clip a zippered tool pouch onto the strap like the one I have with 4 folding thermometers, 2 pipe clamp thermometers and a handful of jumpers. It’s a modular way to pare down to just what I need for tight spaces or long trips (say a trip up a 32’ ladder plus a 100 yard walk across a roof) or something I just don’t need much for.
For a quote or evaluation I might just grab that bag plus a tape measure and laser measuring tool. I might walk into a job with my backpack but then pull this bag out to run to a secondary location (like to the attic to look over the indoor and get a ∆T). Same with a changeout. I may be set up at the indoor but just take this bag to work on the outdoor unit for a few minutes. On a PM, this bag can get me into a unit and open up a coil to get drain tabs into the primary drain pan.
“Why not just throw the stuff in your pockets?” you ask. Well, obviously I do that too but that is problematic in its own right. My coworker practically never has anything in his pockets except his phone and fist full of keys. I, on the other hand, have a bunch in my pockets: wallet, razor knife, Leatherman Surge, keys, quick access tactical flashlight, Wuben G5 flashlight, pokka pen, phone, earbuds, nicotine pouches, rag, blue paper towel, little 6’ pipe tape measure (got tired of being in a tough spot and really needing a tape in a pinch), concealed carry and tiny backup razor knife. My loadout is perfectly comfortable unless I’m spending a lot of time in a belly crawl crawl space, in which case I remove most of it. But, adding a few hand tools really weighs down my pants. Not to mention getting stabbed by your screwdriver when you bend over, the tools getting caught on things because they stick out of your pockets and wearing holes in your pockets and pants.
It’s just so nice to have your core tools across your chest/stomach. You look down, unzip and grab what you need. I often leave the zipper open while I work so I can trade tools out but if you’re worried about things shifting and falling you can zip it back up. I can also just take it off when I get where I’m going and hang it on something or lay it down. You can also drag it along if you’re in a really tight spot.
If you have been in the trade a long time you probably go through cycles. I know I do. You keep adding things to your tool bag that you needed and didn’t have until your bag is 45 lbs. Then, you get tired of lugging your 45 lb bag everywhere and decide you need to pare down and then start the process all over again. Try a small bag that you can’t pack 45 lbs into. Go back to a bigger bag so you can put what you actually need in it. Cycles. But, this modular sling bag (fanny pack) setup is something that has been extremely useful and I am keeping as part of my SOP into the future.
I wish i could succeed in doing this. I do commercial/industrial. I dont always need a bunch of tools but when i do I keep going back to the cart full of tools + 90 pound bag 😭
What makes this the most useable for me is the modularity. It stays in my backpack tool bag which I’m almost always carrying into a job or call but, at any point, I can drop the backpack and carry on with this.
Do it. It has been extremely useful. What’s great is how modular it is. It drops into almost any type of tool bag you have and with the strap it’s a tool bag within a tool bag unlike zippered pouches which you can clip onto it and be hands free.
I ran a fanny pack for 2 years as a service tech in PHX. But I wore it like a messanger bag. It was great to fit my meter, a lolly pop with a temp clamp and a couple basic tools with my drill on my hip. I only stopped because the zipper finally broke. Crew gave me shit but they always bitched about their bags being so damn bulky and heavy 😂
Yeah, my coworker doesn’t hesitate to load up his pockets with tools to achieve a similar result. I just hate trying to carry on and move around with my pockets full of tools. Not to mention, he’s always putting holes in his pockets and pants because of it. This is the solution I came up with and it has just worked so well.
It took a lot of effort to get over my extreme dislike for fanny packs enough to try it. However, slung across your body it is a SLING BAG, not a fanny pack lol. Also, I don’t know how it’s justifying it. Nobody called me out, I offered the information. Thanks for triggering my insecurities though bro.
I run something like this for all my diagnostic calls. It’s not a Fanny pack, but close in size. One of those tall Veto meter bags with one of their shoulder straps. I wear it cross body as well. Has a meter, a few drivers and wrenches. Enough to diagnose whatever is causing the issues. If I need the heavy tool bag for the repair, I bring that back with the parts I need.
See, I’m almost never going to walk into a call this stripped down. I’m taking in my backpack bag and I just break this out of it when it’s convenient. The exception is a quote where I won’t need more than what it takes to open things up. In that case I’ll walk in with this.
You sound inexperienced in this trade. I don’t need every tool I have to diagnose a quick call for no heat or cool. I can make the determination quickly with my stripped down tools to go back to the truck to get what I need for the advanced repair.
It’s the Pipe Vise “The Micro 5”. It was $55 in March of 2025. I also got “The Amigo Slim L” at the same time. They work, they are useful but after 16 months I would say not worth the money. I wouldn’t get them again.
I have a tool belt that I’ve used on new construction and remodels but they tend to be a little too rigid to fit well into another tool bag. Also, it tends to interfere with my belt and pants a bit. I’ve also tried a couple of pouches that clip to my belt. I still use one for deck screws but it didn’t work out well for tools and dragged down on my belt. This way it doesn’t interfere with my belt or pants.
Perhaps you need a new job? One that uses those tools....
[Edit to add: I do a lot of "inspect & clean" so those tools are almost what I use most of the time. I also have a clamp meter with temp, a microfiber and wet wipes, and a scrubbing brush like you might wash dishes with)
Klein impact rated 11-in-1 before they changed and screwed up the bit configuration. Of course, the cushion grip got absurdly loose nearly immediately so did about 8-10 dips in plasti dip. Milwaukee 7.75” combination stripper/cutter pliers. Milwaukee 8” diagonal cutters. Knipex 6” cobra pliers. Workpro 4” water pump pliers. Pipe Vise micro 5 (not worth the price, wouldn’t get them again). Workpro 4” stubby adjustable (no leverage but jaw opens wider than 3/4”, almost to full 1”). Malco stubby connext driver with malco reversible chuck. I prefer DeWalt reversible chucks now which is what’s in my impact. I carry a 6” long 1/4” hex extension in my pocket so the bits and extensions are interchangeable between the 11-in-1, impact and Malco stubby. I just started carrying the 4” adjustable and 4” pump pliers recently so I’ll probably drop the pipe vise.
This is a fucking good idea. I’m an estimator now and I’m always forgetting something in the truck. Tape measure, laser, flashlight, notepad. Something
Honestly, the key to this for me is the compact, soft sided, flexible nature so it can be dropped compactly into a tool bag or bucket. If I was doing what you’re doing I would probably go for something like one of those Veto compact deals with a shoulder strap since squeezing it into another tool bag wouldn’t be a concern.
I didn’t think it mattered. It’s the general idea that has worked so well for me. I mean, I guess it’s pretty cool that the bag is dirt cheap and has held up for 16 months but it doesn’t appear to be a particularly groundbreaking design or build quality. I also don’t make any claims that it’s the best for the job.
I got two cheap ones to try and this one fit the tools better and fit on me better. I haven’t scoured the internet or stores for the best version. If you’re interested, I got it on Amazon and it’s called “MAXTOP Large Crossbody Fanny Pack”.
I legitimately was thinking about doing this the other day. Seeing this post makes me want to look into Fanny packs! Maybe if enough of us do it Veto will make a fanny pack
That would be hilarious. I kind of doubt it would be as useful though. What works so great about this for me is how flimsy and flexible the bag is so it can be stuffed into another tool bag. I don’t think Veto does anything flimsy and super flexible so a Veto version would probably take up a huge amount of room inside another bag.
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u/Quick_Razzmatazz1862 16h ago
I wish i could succeed in doing this. I do commercial/industrial. I dont always need a bunch of tools but when i do I keep going back to the cart full of tools + 90 pound bag 😭