Depending on the type of work, pipefitting can require you to carry a few tools to an absolute trainload of it. One may carry heavy tools for mechanical pipefitting or small-scale plumbing tools for household workloads, so the range is vast.
Regardless, being efficient in carrying and storing those tools is one of the essential elements in a pipefitter’s life. Not only does it make things easy to carry around, but also more effortless to find and use when the need arises.
This is where tool bags come in handy. But the age-old question finds its place here —
which are the best tool bag and pouches for a pipefitter’s?
That’s where this article finds its place.
You’ll find a bunch of suggestions for both bags and pouches for maximum compatibility. Moreover, there will be some tips that can help you figure out what’d suit your needs the most.
Short on time? Check out Comparison Table!
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Best Tool Bag and Pouches for Pipefitter’s on the Market
Tool Bag Choice:
- Best Overall – Pnochoo Tote Bag
- Budget Friendly – Klein Tools 5243
- Backpack Option – Veto Pro Pac TECH PAC
Tool Pouch Choice:
I do realize how subjective the word best may be when it comes to something like this. But that’s precisely why I’ll include a few options to ensure that you’re more likely to find the right one for your necessities. Let’s start with the tool bags, shall we?
Tool Bag Choice
1. PnochooWater Proof Tool Tote Bag – Best Overall
One of the most significant distinctions between tool bags and pouches is that tool bags tend to be a tad larger. That means if you need to carry larger tools, they’re the way to go. The first pick is a 16-inch-wide bag that can do just that.
Of course, size doesn’t mean much if it’s not utilized well. Otherwise, it’d be difficult to reach the smaller tools. That’s why this bag comes with 25 pockets in total, with 9 on the outside and 16 inside.
The pockets are of various sizes to accommodate a wide range of tools – be it a wrench or a small screwdriver. All of them are pretty convenient to reach into, which is impressive.
The material used for this bag is of decent quality as well. It uses 600D polyester fabric, which is known for its durable quality. This is essential for a pipefitter, as the bag goes through a lot of wear and tear. Furthermore, the usage of polyester makes it hydrophobic, meaning you don’t have to worry about it getting wet.
To me, this is a crucial feature because plumbers and pipefitters may have to work around liquids.This bag does just as well in terms of build quality. The stitches seemed sturdy and durable, and there’s an internal metal frame that helps the bag maintain its form.
And this metal frame also plays a role in accessibility. Since you need to access the tools easily without fumbling around, it follows an open-top mouth design. That way, the tools are right there for easy access as you open the double-pull zipper.
Another great thing about this bag is that the straps are comfortable to wear for an extended period. It comes with an adjustable padded shoulder strap, making it easier to carry the bag even with heavier tools.
Overall, this great bag does extremely well to secure its position as the best pipefitter tool bag, and it doesn’t cost an offensive sum either.
2. Klein Tools 5243 Tradesman Pro – Best Pick within Budget
My second pick is a comparatively smaller tool bag for those who need something compact. This is a 15-pocket bag with enough versatility for a wide range of tools. But remember that you won’t be able to carry large stuff in it, which is a given.
Other than that, the pockets provide enough space for tools like wrenches and pliers. There are a bunch of smaller compartments for the smaller tools. Fortunately, the design allows you to access those tools just as effortlessly.
Along with the compartments, it also comes with a tape thong. That comes in handy to store your measurement tape and access it without even having to look. This is a welcome feature, given how much a pipefitter uses that tool.
It also uses a tunnel loop for convenience, and you can fit it to 51mm or 2″ belts. That’s not the only way, of course. There’s also a padded shoulder strap that distributes the bag’s weight evenly across your shoulder, in case that’s your preferred method.
The versatility in the carrying methods makes it easier for the user to carry the bag in various situations without any hiccup. It does just as well in ensuring protection for your tools, too.
For one, it uses a 1680D ballistic weave as the primary material, which is well-known for its sturdiness. It can tolerate a lot of wear and tear over time and isn’t too heavy either.
Additionally, the bottom of the bag is heavily reinforced, which has two benefits. One, it keeps the tools safe from outer damage. And secondly, there is no risk of sharper objects like screwdrivers damaging the bag.
And if you’re worried about its price, don’t be. One of the most impressive sides of this bag is its affordability.Given the well-designed compartments, durable material, and reasonable price, it’s hard to go wrong with this bag.
3. Veto Pro Pac Tech Pac – Best Backpack Option
The best tool bag for pipefitters doesn’t necessarily have to follow conventional designs. That’s what the final tool bag does, and it does it very well. The Tech Pac comes with a backpack design if you don’t want something in the traditional line.
First off, it uses a nylon-based build. The first benefit is that it’s much lighter than something like leather. And since this is a rather large bag, the reduced weight makes it easier for the user to work with it for a longer period.
While it won’t be as durable as leather either, it still manages to handle a lot of usage over the years. Hence, no worries on that front. And unlike many of the nylon tool bags, it manages to be waterproof too, which is a necessary property for pipefitters.
There are two main storage bays in this product, along with four storage compartments. That may sound like too few, but there are smaller compartments built into the bays, allowing for effortless storage of tools of various sizes.
This also makes it easy to access the tools without-rummaging around the compartments. Furthermore, it comes with a quick-release metal hasp. This small addition allows you to access the back storage bay within a few seconds.
This sort of access is beneficial, as you carry backpacks behind your shoulders, and it helps to shave off as much time while packing and unpacking. And given the 3-mm polypropylene base, it stays stable on the ground, which is helpful when you’re working.
It does well to ensure your comfort, too. The shoulder straps all use EVA back padding, which distributes the weight well and prevents hot spots. Overall, if you want a backpack-style tool bag, the Tech Pac is undoubtedly among the best tool bag and pouches for a pipefitters.
Best Tool Pouch Options
Now it’s time for the pipefitter tool pouch section.
1. Veto TP5B Clip-on Tool Pouch – Best Pipefitter Tool Pouch
We’ve got yet another pick from Veto, only this time it’s a pouch. For many users, a large tool bag isn’t the right choice. They require something that doesn’t weigh much and can get into tighter spaces without hassle. The TP5B does just that.
First off, the biggest highlight of this pouch is that it is made of leather. While it may be slightly heavier than a polyester option, the difference in quality is pretty apparent. Leather is much more durable, can handle a lot of wear, and keeps everything secure like nothing else.
Unlike the bags, this pouch follows a clip-on design, which is possible due to its smaller form factor (8″ x 3.5″ x 11″). You could essentially look at this as a large toolbelt. This design means that you’ll have an easy time accessing the tools since everything is right next to you.
The belt slot is 2.5″ wide and easy enough to latch on, making the setup process free of hassle. There is a total of 20 compartments (including the exterior pockets), most of which are pretty compact in size. You can store things like small meters and hand tools in those, while the slightly larger ones can hold tools like wrenches.
The adjustable Velcro loops provide a versatile solution to carry other vertical tools. There’s also an electrical tape strap for the added convenience, along with a pair of D-rings.
Additionally, this pouch comes with a detachable rubber handle, if you prefer that carrying method. Given the plastic bottom, you’re free from the risks of any moisture getting in contact with the tools.
Lastly, it’s reasonably priced, especially given the quality leather build. All in all, it’s easy to see why the TP5B is the best overall pouch for a pipefitter. But if you want something within a tighter budget, let’s look at the next pipefitter tool pouch.
2. ToughBuilt TB-201 Pouch – Best Tool Pouch within Budget
If a leather pouch ends up being a bit too costly, there’s always the good old polyester option. There’s no reason to think that these aren’t worthy, though. These pouches can be pretty durable, and they are much lighter than leather.
Let’s start with that, then — the material. This pouch relies on a six-layer polyester construction. That means it keeps everything free of moisture and handles rough usage. This is an essential aspect for a pipefitter, whose equipment may come in contact with moisture during use.
Given that the stress points are reinforced as well, the durability receives a significant boost. Overall, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to ensuring the security of your tools.
Regarding the mounting method, you’d typically latch this pouch onto your belt. The ClipTech pouch does well to work with any belt, which is helpful. A benefit of this design is that the pouches are interchangeable, and you could take off any smaller one if you don’t need it.
This allows the pouch to be much more compact and lightweight. Furthermore, it follows a tiered design and has ten pockets in total. The design is pretty convenient and allows for easy access to every compartment.
As you can imagine, these pouches are intended for smaller tools, not large power tools. That means one should be able to carry anything comparatively small and lightweight. Then again, you don’t usually store heavy equipment in what’s essentially a tool belt.
And as expected, the price tag is much more affordable than the leather products, which is the most crucial target here.
3. CLC Custom Leathercraft 5505 Tool Pouch – Most Comfortable to Carry
As the final pick, I have something from Custom Leathercraft — a pretty renowned brand in this arena. If you’re looking for something that’s both affordable and convenient to carry around, this is the way to go.
Given that you carry these pouches on your belt, they need to be comfortable to wear. To achieve that, the manufacturer relies on a polyester build — it’s lightweight, pretty flexible, and breathable for the most part.
The material in use is a double-layered ballistic polyester fabric. As a result, it manages to be durable and sturdy, keeping all your tools safe from any damage. It won’t be as tough as leather, but leather won’t be as lightweight or as affordable either, so let’s be real.
The smaller edition comes with 12 pockets, meaning the pouch is surprisingly compact. 6 of the compartments are designed to hold large screwdrivers; 2 are large primary compartments, while the rest are smaller ones.
The design is well-planned and makes it easy to access any tool. There’s also an electrical tape chain and tool snap, making things much more convenient. Speaking of convenience, the metal clip holds do well to contribute to that. Thanks to those, the user could easily attach any type of measuring tape, accessing which is effortless.
In terms of handling, there’s also a padded pouch handle for when you want to carry it by hand. It’s quite comfortable to hold, which adds to the overall convenience of the product.
And as I said, this pouch manages to be surprisingly affordable despite its lightweight and comfortable design. All in all, it’s a worthy pick for anyone looking for something in this genre.
What to look for when buying a Tool Bag or Pouch
I get it, a bunch of products doesn’t mean much unless you know what to look for. While that’s not an issue for veteran pipefitter’s, people who are just getting into it might have a hard time. Here are a few things that can help in that regard.

Space& Compartments
The very first thing to look at before buying is the amount of space the bag or pouch has. This contrast is even more evident because we have two drastically different sizes —pouches and bags.
A smaller pouch would easily hold things like a pocket level, measurement tapes, or a center punch. And if most of your tools are of a smaller dimension, all you need to worry about is the number of compartments.
However, things start getting trickier for stuff like cutting tools, which are also pretty integral for a pipefitter. In general, try to ensure that the bag or tool pouch has a bit more space than you think you’d need. That way, you are future-proofing the product.
If you opt for something bigger like a tote bag, the chances are that you use larger tools. In that case, look at how much space the compartments have as well as their number. We don’t want situations where the tools are slightly larger than what the compartments can hold.
Size and Weight
I certainly don’t mean the tools’ size and weight by this. The size or weight of the pouch or bag may seem trivial at first, but it sums up to something significant, trust me.
First off, the size can be inconvenient if your workload requires something compact and easy to carry through tight spaces. That’s pretty common for many plumbers and pipefitters, so buyer beware.
For example, you may need to get into a tough spot where you don’t have a lot of space. A large tool bag may hold lots of tools, but it’d be useless in such cases. The weight can make just as big a difference, too.
As I said, pipefitters have significantly different workloads, so it’s impossible for me to recommend a one-size-fits-all pouch. What I can say is that the size and weight of the container can turn out to be a massive pain in the neck if you aren’t sure of it.
Material & Durability
Regardless of whether you have small tools or heavy loads, your tool bag will go through a lot of wear and tear. That’s why durability is of utmost importance. Not only does it ensure that you get what you pay for, but it also keeps your valuable tools safe.
There is a wide range of materials used for these products — polyester or poly fabric, nylon, leather — the list goes on. Now, appearance may be a significant factor for many, but that’s an entirely subjective portion. What I’ll discuss are the quality and durability.
For the most part, nylon, polyester, leather all are suitable for regular wear and tear. While the former two tend to be softer and more flexible (nylon being the softest), leather is much stiffer.
Given nylon’s strength, these tool bags and pouches are typically lighter than a leather bag. This relates to how I talked about the bag’s weight as a significant factor. When you carry a pouch or bag for an extended period, the material’s weight starts to matter.
There’s one drawback of nylon — many of these bags absorb water. For a plumber or pipefitter, it’s not impossible for the bag to come in contact with liquid. That’s where polyester’s hydrophobic nature can be helpful.
Other than its weight, leather is excellent too. It’s exceptionally sturdy, lasts for a long time, and ensures the tools’ security well.
Tool-Specific Compartments
As a pipefitter, there are some tools that you’d use regularly. For example, wrenches and measurement tapes are necessary for many situations. That’s why it helps to have compartments in the pouch or bag that are designed for these tools.
That way, you can access them without having to fumble around or look at the bag. The design of the compartment also plays a role here. For instance, some use Velcro for closure, while some use zippers. An easy-to-access design allows you to handle things much more conveniently.
Comfort and Padding
As I’ve mentioned multiple times, the weight and comfort of the bag keep on mattering more and more as you have it on you. And it gets even more noticeable if you carry heavy loads on your shoulders.
Therefore, try to look for products that have some form of padding to make the load bearable. Things like a padded shoulder strap or padded handles certainly make it easier to carry the bags for long periods. It may not be as crucial for a lightweight tool pouch, but a sizeable bag surely requires it.
Which to Pick: Tool Bags or Pouches for a Pipefitter?
When looking for something to carry your tools in, the first question you’ll face is between a pouch and a bag. The most noteworthy distinction between the two is undoubtedly their size.
Tool bags tend to be a bit larger, while pouches are more like… pouches. Now, there isn’t any obvious advantage to either until you know what your purposes are. For instance, someone working with smaller tools in tight spaces would be better off with a pouch.
If you’re a pipefitter working on large projects with powerful tools, a bag would be better suited. There are some implications with that, though. A larger bag would weigh more and be harder to manage.
How you carry the tools can also be determined by whether you choose a tool pouch or bag. You could find pouches that can be clipped onto your belt, meaning you could even use it as a tool belt of sorts.
Most tool bags come with either handles or shoulder straps that you can carry them by. Given the design, it isn’t easy to move them in the same manner as a pouch.
Hence, it’s up to you to consider what to pick in the end. But as I said, don’t just base your decisions on what you think you need right now. There may be projects where your typical setup may not suffice. That’s why thinking ahead is always better.
What Tools Do Pipefitters Require?
The reason I’m including this section is that it’ll give you an idea about what you may need to carry. For seasoned workers, this is not necessary. But if you’re still feeling things out in the arena, this can help weigh your options before making a purchase.

Here are some of the common tools you may need as a pipefitter.
Pipefitter’s Square
One of the most valuable tools you’ll have is this. A square has two ends connected at a right angle to each other. This angle plays a crucial role in many of a pipefitter’s works, from finding out the arc length for a radius to determining the outside diameters of weld neck flanges.
A square is also beneficial in finding a pipe’s center line, which is a common chore for this line of work.
Pocket Levels
Be it a pipefitter or professional plumber, accurate measurement is an integral part of the job. Connecting various items together or verifying the installation angle — everything relies on pocket levels.
These tools usually have two vials to help figure the angles out. Like other options, there are levels made specifically for pipefitters.
Welder’s Gauge
A quality control welder’s gauge is another essential for a pipefitter. This helps ensure quality and minimize any imperfection with the fitting. It’s crucial in ensuring that the pipes can stand the test of time. That way, you can reduce the possibilities of leakage or any damage.
Tape Measure
A tape measure is one of the very first tools you’d buy in this arena. Almost everything here requires accurate measurements, and that’s what a measurement tape will give you. There are many options like fiberglass and metal strips for these products, my preference being the latter for its versatility.
Centering Heads
A centering head lets the user figure out the center line around the pipe’s circumference. This is crucial since a lot of a pipefitter’s workload revolves around cylindrical elements like pipes.
Cutting Tools
Regardless of the extent of the project you’re working on, you’ll need some sort of cutting tool. Smaller workloads should suffice with smaller hack saws, while bigger ones would require more extensive tools. These are some of the tools that may cause interference with the tool pouch or bag you buy, so keep that in mind.
These are some of the typical tools a pipefitter would use. There are more, but the goal is only to give you an idea, not create an almanac.
Final Thoughts
Given the vast number of tools a pipefitter or plumber needs to carry, a carrying bag or pouch is of utmost importance. That’s what this article set out to provide you with, and I hope it has done its job. Along with the list of the best tool bag and pouches for a pipefitter’s, it should help you choose the right one.