If you are looking for a new framing tool belt then chances are you are a professional framer and know that a good tool belt is an essential piece of equipment. It is non-negotiable.
A framing tool belt makes life easier – having your tools close at hand. It makes work more efficient – not wasting time looking for tools and parts. And it puts less strain on you – less movement fetching and picking things up, and going up and down ladders.
And the better the belt, the quicker you can work, and ultimately the more profitable your work will be. So it is well worth investing in the best framing tool belt.
Even if you are not a professional and are looking for a good framing tool belt for your own projects you will want one that makes work as easy and efficient as possible at a cost that suits your budget.
But there are a lot to choose from. So once again we’ve saved you all the groundwork and put together a list of the best framing tool belts available. So buckle up and read on to find out which are the best ones.
Table of Contents
COMPARISON CHART
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
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DeWalt DG5617 20 Pocket Pro Framers Tool Belt
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Occidental Leather 8089 OxyLights 7 Bag Framer Set
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Gatorback B145 Triple Combo Heavy Duty Work Belt
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Bucket Boss 50200 Builders Tool Belt
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Style N Craft 98434 17 Pocket Framers Combo Belt
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1. DeWalt DG5617 20 Pocket Pro Framers Tool Belt
Specification
| Brand | Dewalt |
| Item Dimensions | 24.25 x 7.5 x 17.25 inches |
| Weight | 5.2 Pounds |
| Size | Pockets On Suspenders |
| Color | Black |
Features
- Fully Adjustable Padded Suspenders
- 5-Inch Double Tongue Padded Belt
- Fits Waist Sizes 29”-46”
- 9 Main Pockets, 11 Small Pockets
- One-Handed Pouch Handles
- Zippered Pocket and Carabiner
- Hammer, Tape and Prybar Holders
This DeWalt DG5617 is another great product from a highly rated brand.
Like most good tool belts it is durable and has plenty of useful pockets, but the stand-out feature of this model is that it comes with fully adjustable yoke-style padded suspenders.
Combined with a 5” padded belt this distributes the weight comfortably around your body more than just with a waist belt only. Plus it gives you some extra close-at-hand pockets for things like your phone and pencils.
WHAT WE LIKE
The Dewalt has everything you need in a framers belt, and is built to last with the added bonus of the suspenders for increased comfort and wearability.
It has plenty of holders and inserts for various tools.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
The phone holder appears to be designed for older phones so probably won’t fit the latest large smartphones. But some belts don’t have a phone holder at all so not a deal-breaker.
PROS
- Suspenders
- Plenty of holders and pockets
- Comfortable
CONS
- Small phone holder
2. Occidental Leather 8089 OxyLights 7 Bag Framer Set
Specification
| Brand | Occidental Leather |
| Item Dimensions | 6 x 1 x 1 inches |
| Item Weight | 4.1 pounds |
| Size | Medium |
Features
- High Quality, Long-lasting
- 7 large pockets
- Holders for common tools
- Moveable Pockets
Occidental Leather tool belts are handmade in the USA and are highly respected, contractor-grade, long-lasting tool belts.
They are on the expensive side but they are worth the extra cost for the high quality and extended lifetime.
They even have left-handed versions of their belts.
This 8089 framer set is made of rugged commercial nylon and high-quality leather and is available in various belt sizes to suit all. The pockets can be moved around to suit different preferences.
WHAT WE LIKE
An Occidental Leather belt is a top-quality item. Hand-built to outlast cheaper brands. Contractors have said theirs have lasted 10 years on the job.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
While it’s good to have the ability to move the pockets, they don’t have anything keeping them in place means so they can slide when you’re not wearing it.
PROS
- Highest Quality
- Last For Years
- Made in the USA
- Flexible Positions and sizes
CONS
- Bags slide
- Expensive
3. Gatorback B145 Triple Combo Heavy Duty Work Belt
Specification
| Brand | Gatorback |
| Item Dimensions | 14 x 12.25 x 11 inches |
| Size | Medium |
| Material | 1250 Duratek Nylon |
| Weight | 5 pounds |
| Size | Medium |
| Color | Black w/ White Stitching |
Features
- 7 Pocket Pouch
- Holders for common tools
- Large center pocket
- Moveable Pouches
- 26”-55” Size
- Memory Foam Back Support
- Rings for suspenders
- Carry Handles
Made of durable but lightweight heavy-duty 1250 DuraTek nylon with stress points that are riveted and bar-tacked with a 1-year warranty this Gatorback B145 is definitely built tough.
To go with the toughness is comfort – with a patented air channel design, memory foam back-support and breathable materials for a comfortable sweat-free belt.
It has easy access box pouches and is available in 7 sizes ranging from 26” to 55” waist.
WHAT WE LIKE
We like the combination of tough construction with features for comfort and breathability.
The box pockets are designed to stay open for easy access. And the flexibility to place components where you want them makes this a very popular framing tool belt.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
Perhaps the only drawback to this belt is that it doesn’t include suspenders. But they can be bought separately and attached to the built-in suspender rings so that is solved.
PROS
- Large range of sizes
- Comfort
- Good selection of moveable pockets and holders
- Large, stay open pockets
CONS
- No suspenders included
4. Bucket Boss 50200 Builders Tool Belt
Specification
| Brand | Bucket Boss |
| Item Dimensions | 23 x 4 x 13 inches |
| Item Weight | 2.4 Pounds |
| Color | Brown |
Features
- Barrel Bottom High Capacity Pouches
- 10 pockets
- Dual Hammer Loops
- Waist Size up to 52”
The Bucket Boss 50200A is a great option for those on a budget.
The company is named after its original idea of using buckets to carry tools. The modern belt continues that design principle with large wide top, barrel bottom pouches.
WHAT WE LIKE
It is a lot of tool belt for the money. Well built, flexible design. One-size-fits-all belt.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
This one is probably better suited for the occasional home user rather than as a full-time contractor’s tool belt. And for that, it’s great value.
PROS
- Large Open Top Pouches
- Great Value
- Moveable and Removeable Pouches
CONS
- Pouches Sag So Things Can Fall Out
- No Speed Square Pouch
5. Style N Craft 98434 17 Pocket Framers Combo Belt
Specification
| Brand | Style N Craft |
| Item Dimensions | 14 x 12 x 6 inches |
| Material | Leather |
| Weight | 3.99 pounds |
| Color | Dark Tan |
Features
- 2 Moveable Pouches
- 17 pockets
- Fits waist 34-46”
- High-quality leather
- Carry Handles
This all-leather Framers Belt is made from quality heavy-duty grain oiled leather. It is finished with contrasting heavy-duty nylon stitching and capped rivets. There’s no mistaking that this is a great-looking belt.
The good looks come with useful features – two moveable pouches with 17 pockets and easy carry handles. And holders for hammer, tape, square and pry bar.
The 3” wide tapered belt has a double prong metal buckle and fits waist sizes from 34” to 46”. There is a separate belt available for larger sizes, the 98439, that can be used with the pouches from this set.
WHAT WE LIKE
This belt is often compared to similar Occidental Leather belts. Yes, it is similar but at a much lower price so a lot of users prefer this over the Occidental belts.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
If you want the best quality leather belt then Occidental Leather belts are thicker and tougher so if you are prepared to pay the extra, you may prefer the Occidental.
The softer leather tends to sag.
PROS
- Great Looks
- Well Crafted
- Cheaper Than an Occidental Leather belt
CONS
- Soft Leather Sags
- Small Tape Holder
Buyers Guide – Things To Think About
Belt sizes
Be careful about belt sizes and if your normal waist size is suitable. Some brands seem to oversize and others undersize.
Will you be wearing your tool belt over several layers of clothes?
Leather tool belts stretch so take account of that.
The tool belt will be weighed down with tools.
Do you prefer it snug around the waist or hanging down lower?
Tape Measure Pocket
One of the most common complaints is the pocket not being big enough to hold the user’s preferred size of tape measure. So keep an eye out for a pocket’s size and user comments in reviews about suitability. Or opt for a belt with a loop to hook the tape measure on so size really doesn’t matter.
Tool Positions
Think carefully about where you want to position the tools and parts on your belt and if a particular belt will suit you. People like the hammer in different positions, left-handed and right-handed users will be different.
Conclusion
It is really tough to separate these tough framing tool belts. We really like the Gatorback B145 because it is a really comfortable and durable tool belt with lots of useful features.
But in the end, we chose the DeWalt DG5617 as our best framing tool belt. It is an equally great tool belt but the fact it comes included with the suspenders for a lower price than the Gatorback without suspenders swung the balance for us. If you add the cost of suspenders to the Gatorback price, it does make the price difference between the two quite significant.
However, if you won’t be using your tool belt with suspenders then the price difference isn’t huge and the Gatorback is a great alternative framing tool belt.
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I am a woodworker with over 21 years of experience crafting everything from furniture to ornamental pieces. I take pride in my ability to bring out the beauty of the wood I work with, creating unique and lasting objects. My passion for woodworking has been a life-long pursuit and I strive to push myself further and further with each new project. I am dedicated to the craft and take great satisfaction in the final product that I create.Read More.
