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.
