When doing any sort of work requiring multiple tools at a time, be it plumbing, electrical maintenance, or carpentry, it’s an obvious practical requirement to have the right tools on you as you work. For that, you’d need to be wearing a tool belt. However, the most commonly available tool belts are usually designed for right-handed people, and this really does cause issues for left-handed users.
For certain tools, there aren’t specifically sized or shaped holsters required to be on the belt, and so, standard pouches are designed on the front of the belt to be reachable for both right and left-handed users. Some even come with movable, replaceable pouches. But for tools such as hammers and drills, there are specific holsters, fixed only on the right side of the belt, that are immovable. Due to the heaviness and sharpness of most tools, lefties should be very careful when using right-handed tool belts for their own safety.
Fortunately, there are toolbelts designed specifically for lefties, as well as some that come in ambidextrous designs. In this article, we’ll be scrutinizing various options so that you can find the best left handed tool belt for your line of work, and we’ll be breaking down the many aspects of a tool belt that you should focus on before buying one.
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In a Hurry? Here Are Our Top Picks for the Best Left Handed Tool Belt…
TOP CARPENTER’S TOOL BELT PICK
Occidental Leather 9850LH Adjust-to-Fit
- Waist range from 32’’ to 40’’
- Rings to attach suspenders
- Left-handed design with 24 pockets
- Nylon and leather
TOP FRAMER’S TOOL BELT PICK
Occidental Leather 9515LH -Adjust-to-Fit OxyLight Framer
- Waist range from 32’’ to 40’’
- Rings to attach suspenders
- Left-handed design with 21 pockets
- Nylon and leather
OUR VALUE PICK
Gatorback Electricians Combo Deluxe Package
- Waist range from 26’’ to 55’’
- Comes with suspenders and fingerless gloves
- Ambidextrous moveable design with 18 pockets
- Nylon with leather ends
Best Left Handed Carpenter Tool Belt
Occidental Leather 9850LH Adjust-to-Fit
A product from a veteran tool belt manufacturer, this Occidental Leather 9850LH Adjust-to-Fit tool belt is the ultimate tool carrying system in terms of pocket space and pouches, ideal for anyone working professionally as a carpenter. One thing to keep in mind is that it comes in left-handed and right-handed designs, not ambidextrous in use.
This is an easily adjustable belt with a waist range from 32’’ to 40’’. There are immovable D-rings on the front and movable rings on the back of the belt to be used to attach suspenders. This greatly improves comfort and convenience, especially when holding many tools, keeping them more tucked in place in their respective pouches and preventing them from falling out even when bending over. Occidental suspenders are highly recommended to be used with this tool belt, though other suspenders can work well too.
Very sturdily built with top-quality leather and nylon, at first, the belt may seem overly stiff but has been known to improve and adjust comfortably on your waist after some use. With 24, 10’’ deep pockets, this belt can store far more tools than just the ones required for carpentry. The reinforced leather corners and bottoms of the nylon pouches are a highlight, which means it is suitable to hold tools with sharp ends and proves highly durable, as well.
Though most of the pouches are immovable, they are strategically fitted onto the belt for ease of use. For example, a pouch meant for nails and drill bits is located on the right side of the belt, while pouches on the left are meant to hold hammers, pencils, markers, etc.
Some may find using this belt an inconvenience due to its lack of customization with the pouches. Other than a couple of design issues, this Occidental Leather left-handed tool belt is a convenient and highly durable tool carrying system that can be used for multiple fields of work.
Pros
Highly durable.
Very adjustable for different waist sizes.
Comfortable and easy to use for lefties.
24 deep pockets for many different tools.
Cons
Almost no customization in pouch placement.
Quite expensive.
Gatorback B145 Carpenters Triple Combo
Another carpenter’s tool belt but at roughly half the price of the Occidental leather belt, the Gatorback B145 Carpenters Triple Combo is a perfect choice for anyone wanting a long-lasting tool carrying system that doesn’t empty your pockets. Made entirely of top-quality DuraTek nylon and secured with a metal double-pronged buckle for extra hold, the B145 Triple Combo belt is made primarily with a carpenter’s needs in mind.
The 3 pouches on the belt are very spacious, with each pouch designed for its own trade of tools. Though this belt comes packed in a right-handed design, the pouches are moveable for left-handed use.
In its default setting, the rightmost pouch is the carpenter’s tool pouch with a hammer loop. The center one is a single 8’’ deep pouch that can be used to hold multiple different tools. Lastly, the leftmost pouch is a 7-pocket fastener tool pouch to hold nail sets, driver bits, etc, and tools that are usually accessed by your lesser-dominant hand. All pouches can be moved around as desired for a lefty. Though it can be used for a variety of tools on top of those required for carpentry, it does not come with a drill holder but can fit one if the drill has a clip on the side of it.
There are 2 rings on the front and 2 on the back to be used to attach suspenders if required. It also comes in multiple sizes to accommodate a wide range of users better. A patented memory foam back-support pad has been added for further comfort and to reduce heat retention while wearing it. For even further comfort and durability, every stress point around the pouches is reinforced by rivets and bar tacks, keeping the pouches from sagging with heavy tools in them.
Overall, for this price range, this tool belt gives you the space you need to hold numerous tools for carpentry, is highly durable, and is very convenient for both right and left-handed users.
Pros
Pouches are removable and can be rearranged for lefties.
Large number of pouches and pockets.
The fabric used makes it breathable and comfortable.
Long-lasting tool belt.
Cons
Velcro on the pouches are not reinforced well enough to hold heavy tools for a long time.
McGuire-Nicholas 767-E Tanned Leather Contractor’s Apron
The Mcguire-Nicholas Contractor’s Apron is another budget-friendly tool belt, but unlike the other 2, this one is designed for ambidextrous use. Made of oil-tanned leather, this is a simple tool belt meant to carry essential carpentry tools such as hammers, nails, tape, markers, etc. It features 2 large pouches with multiple pockets, riveted throughout. They are both identical. The belt can be adjusted to fit up to a 50’’ waist size and is secured with a double-pronged buckle.
Given the very affordable price, this belt’s pouches don’t feature as many pockets as other belts of greater price points do, but this really isn’t much of an issue. Many lefties would prefer this tool belt, as it does not require effort to rearrange pouches to their liking. A measuring tape holder pocket is fixed on the middle of the belt, between the 2 pouches. Both pouches feature 1 metal loop on each outer side to hold a hammer. The look of the belt itself is more rugged-looking and simpler than others.
It doesn’t have any padded support at the back and isn’t usable with suspenders as it doesn’t come with D-rings or loops. However, this tool belt is more than suitable for small household renovations requiring the use of a hammer, nails, measuring tape, and markers. But for larger projects, it may be inconvenient due to its lack of pocket and pouch depth for bigger tools, without the fear of them falling out or tearing the belt over time.
Pros
Very affordable.
Ideal for home use.
Ambidextrous tool belt
Cons
Strictly for carpentry.
Pockets lack space for larger tools.
Not usable with suspenders.
Carhartt Legacy Tool Belt
A versatile and durable product, there are multiple reasons why this Carhartt Legacy tool belt immediately sets itself apart from the rest. Unlike other tool belts, the material used isn’t leather or Nylon, but 100% polyester. This can be seen as a major plus point primarily due to its water resistance (benefiting plumbers the most) and light weight. With leather tool belts of any kind or size, the bare weight is a minimum of 5 pounds, whereas, this polyester belt is only around 2 pounds in weight.
The bottom corners of all pouches and pockets are reinforced with a Duravax base, making them abrasion-resistant. Certain areas have also been reinforced with triple-needle stitching for further toughness.
Featuring 9 pockets, 2 of which are removable, you can store a variety of tools without worrying about their stability. This belt only comes in one form but is ambidextrous in use. Between its 2 pouch sections, there is a metal ring holder for a hammer and another ring on its right side for a measuring tape, making it particularly convenient for lefties.
In total, there are 6 loops for tools to be hung. There is also ample space for cutters, pliers, chisels, and more in its pockets, along with a row of pencil holsters stitched into one of the leftmost pouch pockets. Small screwdrivers may also fit well into these holsters.
The belt can comfortably be adjusted to fit multiple waist sizes up to 42’’. A back padding allows for reduced heat retention and comfort while wearing it for long periods. Due to their reinforced bases, the pockets may be stiff at first and cause difficulty when putting in tools, but they are sure to loosen and be more spacious after some use. If at all you’re carrying many heavy tools, the belt may sag slightly which is where suspenders come to good use, for which loops are stitched onto the belt.
All things considered, especially its more than reasonable price and high durability, this is one of the best left-handed tool belts available, fit for multiple trades, and easy to use for lefties and righties.
Pros
Versatile tool belt.
Highly durable and lightweight.
Water-resistant.
Very affordable.
Cons
Pockets are stiff in the beginning.
Buckle could be stronger.
Best Left Handed Framing Bags
Occidental Leather 9515LH -Adjust-to-Fit OxyLight Framer
If you require a belt that lasts long and is ideal for professional framing work, this Occidental Leather 9515LH tool belt is a perfect choice. A sturdy tool carrying system made of commercial nylon and leather components made to last. This is the left-handed model but is also available in a right-handed design.
Though it may be pricey, this left-handed framing tool belt is highly durable with neoprene padding around all pouches and at the back of the belt, making it highly comfortable while also being lightweight due to the nylon build. Along with this, the belt earns high marks for being able to hold numerous tools (even outside of framing) with ease. The waist size can be adjusted anywhere from 32’’ to 40’’ very easily for maximum comfort.
All the tool pouches are fixed to the belt, with only a high mount hammer holder being removable at the back of it. The hammer is held quite stable and doesn’t hit the back of your thighs. However, when bending over, some may have a problem with the holder and hammer constantly pushing down at the top of the pants due to its high placement on the belt. This can be a real annoyance but the holder can be removed and placed in one of the loops provided at the front of the belt.
In total, there are 21 pockets and tool holders including the detachable hammer holder. A pouch for fasteners and tools such as nails, drill bits, etc, used by the less-dominant hand is located on the right side of the belt for better access for lefties.
If at all you carry many tools at a time, suspenders can be attached to the belt’s fixed D-rings to further help hold the belt in place. On top of its abrasion-resistant nylon and leather material, copper rivets reinforce the pouches onto the belt for an even better, long-lasting hold. All in all, this is a belt that will work well for framing and other carpentry work.
Pros
Very durable.
Lightweight.
Neoprene padding all around for better comfort.
Cons
The hammer holder is in an inconvenient place.
An expensive framing belt.
CLC Custom LeatherCraft 51452 4 Piece Top Of The Line Pro Framer’s Tool Belt
A framing belt roughly half the price of an Occidental Leather counterpart, this LeatherCraft 51452 Pro Framer’s tool belt can hold far more than just tools to assist in framing work. Manufactured using double-layered 1680D ballistic nylon and top-of-the-line leather for the belt and corners and edges of all pouches, it’s a hardy tool belt made for heavy-duty work and can hold numerous tools, big and small.
This left handed leather tool belt comes with 2 bags with handles, both containing 27 pockets in total. In its default form, it comes laid out for a right-hander, but the bags can be detached and switched around with ease to suit a lefty. The belt itself can be adjusted to fit a waist size anywhere from 29’’ to 46’’, and due to its mostly nylon build, it is also very lightweight. A 5’’ wide belt with padding gives you a comfortable wearing experience even when holding the heaviest of tools.
Out of its 27 pockets, 17 are designed specifically to fit smaller tools such as pliers, cutters, and others, and 8 are specifically designed to hold nails and fasteners. There are also 4 long sleeves to hold screwdrivers, chisels, or other smaller hand tools and 2 more sleeves to hold pencils.
A hammer loop is also provided between the 2 main bags, while a smaller loop is provided on the left side to attach a measuring tape. This tape holder may be on the wrong side for a lefty, but one can simply hook the tape onto one of the bags to the right or this issue can be sorted when switching the bags’ places. The hammer loop has been known to frustrate users due to its awkward placement and its inability to hold the hammer straight without dangling and hitting the back of your leg.
Unlike most other tool belts, it does not come with preinstalled D-rings or loops of any kind for suspenders, and will have to be purchased separately and fixed onto the belt. It will take a little time for the bags and pockets to loosen, as they can be quite stiff in the beginning. But overall, even with a few inconveniences, this is a highly efficient tool belt that can be used for multiple fields of work and can last you a very long time.
Pros
Highly durable and lightweight.
Versatile tool belt.
Comfortable belt padding.
Removable bags.
Cons
No preinstalled rings for suspenders.
Hammer holder is in an inconvenient spot.
Best Left Handed Electricians Tool Belt
Gatorback Electricians Combo Deluxe Package
Much more than just a tool belt, Gatorback has provided all electricians with the ultimate combo tool carrying kit with this Gatorback electrician’s combo deluxe package. Coming not only with a great tool belt (more on this later), but also suspenders, and a pair of DuraGrip fingerless gloves. Made almost entirely of Duratek 1250 nylon but with leather ends on the belt, this is a hardy tool belt made to last long no matter the weight or sharpness of the tools.
Boasting an impressive 26’’ to 55’’ room for waist adjustment, the belt is very comfortable to wear and has special ventilated padding for better back support and ventilation. It’s also quite lightweight and breathable throughout due to the use of a lighter fabric and lack of leather. As with other belts of high quality, the stress points are secured with bar-tack stitching and metal rivets.
Moving on to the tool pouches, they are specifically designed to best suit an electrician’s needs, with 2 big pouches providing 18 pockets and holders in total for tools such as screwdrivers, cable cutters, pliers, testers, and more. The belt comes in a default right-handed display, but the bags can be removed and rearranged back onto the belt to fit a lefty’s tool layout.
Along with the pouches come a hammer loop located at the back of the belt, an electrical tape chain, and a measuring tape clip. The measuring tape clip, however, is an odd size and takes some effort to detach the tape while working. There is also a left-handed drill pouch on the tool belt that works well after some use. The drill pouch can be rigid in the beginning as with the other pouches.
There are also 4 loops fixed onto the belt for the suspenders, and 2 handles attached to the belt for more convenient carrying. All in all, this combo package is a steal of a deal, coming with a very spacious, efficient tool belt, gloves, and suspenders, all for a very reasonable price. It’s not only ideal for an electrician but can also be utilized for other trades such as carpentry.
Pros
Comes with suspenders and gloves.
Lightweight and ventilated.
Very durable.
Very spacious tool belt.
Cons
Gloves have been known to be a tight fit.
Measuring tape can be tough to remove from the clip.
What to Consider When Buying a Left Handed Tool Belt
Before you search around for a tool belt that you would want to use for a long time, you should make sure to know what exactly you’re looking for in a great tool-carrying system meant for your needs. With that in mind, here are a few aspects to keep in mind when looking for the right tool belt.
Durability
A good tool belt should last you a long time, regardless of what field of work you’re into. The belt itself should have a good adjust-to-waist range of about 30’’ at the least to 50’’ at the most to ensure good fitting over time. The types of tools anyone would carry in their tool belts are bound to be sharp and heavy, and so, you would need a belt to withstand the weight, and pouches to withstand the sharpness of tools for a long duration of time.
Quality
The materials used should be tough and well secured to be able to hold tools for at least a year or 2. Tool belts and pouches made of quality Duratek Nylon and full-grain leather will give you a very hardy tool belt to withstand wear and tear and be comfortable and light to wear. Full-grain leather tool belts are also of high quality and stability in the long run but are much more expensive and generally less comfortable than those that use Nylon. If you go for a full leather belt, make sure to examine the quality of the leather carefully, as some belts come with thin, soft leather than can tear easily. Though they may be heavier, go for tougher leather models.
The corners and edges of pouches should be riveted and stitched well to be able to last long against sharp tools of any kind. The belt buckle is another part that determines a belt’s quality, with people often preferring double-pronged buckles to a single prong for greater strength and security.
Storage Compartments and Loops
Depending on your work and needs, you should pay special attention to not only the number of pouches and pockets but also the space in each. Carpentry, for example, would require a pocket that holds small tools such as chisels, screwdrivers, nails, etc, and pencils and markers with small holsters for all.
You would also need large enough pockets for a square angle, and holders and clips for hammers and a measuring tape, respectively. This exact layout of pockets would not be present in an electrician’s tool belt due to the difference in tools used for each field.
For lefties, in particular, the placement of pouches, loops, and pockets is a very important detail to observe when looking at a tool belt, as this could cause you trouble later once all tools are being put in their place. Make sure to know beforehand how your belt will be organized for work.
There are very few brands that make tool belts specifically for lefties and so it’s easier to find ambidextrous ones for right-handed ones where the pouches are removable and can be rearranged for your hand preference. However, if you don’t mind paying a premium, left handed occidental tool belts should be your top choice.
Versatility and Customization
When it comes to customization, some tool belts come with removable pouches, which allow you to organize your own belt and have ease of access to both sides, while others come with fixed drill holsters in a left-handed or right-handed version. There are also tool belts that come with 2 identical bags; bags containing the same number and type of pockets and holsters. The latter is ambidextrous and is the more preferred design due to the convenience given to both right-handed and left-handed users. However, this may not be efficient enough for some trades.
Comfort and Adjustability
While working on a project, no matter what field of work you’re in, you will most likely have a tool belt around your waist for many hours at a time. It’s very important to make sure that you’re comfortable while wearing it.
A tool belt can be quite heavy in some cases and could very likely cause back problems. But if you wear the belt with suspenders, this takes the pressure off your lower back and secures the pouches better. Since they strap over your shoulders, the weight of the belt is distributed much better than if the belt just hangs around your waist.
There are very few belts that come along with suspenders, so you’ll have to buy them separately. Make sure to check if there are 4 loops or D-rings on the belt to attach to suspenders, as some don’t come with preinstalled suspender loops.
Properly ventilated padding around the belt is also a feature that can vastly improve the comfort of wearing a tool belt. This padding feature is very often present with belts made out of fabrics like nylon. Nylon-based belts are also quite light, as compared to leather belts that are a few pounds heavier.
Specific Trade or Versatile
If you are a professional in a particular field, construction for example, then go for a tool belt that is meant exactly for this trade. It will give you the right quality, number of compartments, and most importantly the right pocket layout for construction tools.
How to Wear a Tool Belt
Before wearing a tool belt, always make sure to first examine it for any issues such as holes, tears on the pouches, rust on the buckle, or any other problem that could potentially affect your work negatively later. If your belt’s pouches can be rearranged, then have it arranged the way you want considering your line of work.
After you’ve done that, arrange your tools on the belt. Keep the primary, heavy tools on your left if you’re a lefty. You should also keep the most frequently used tools in the front, most easily accessible pockets on your dominant side; the left. The lesser-used tools can be on the other side.
Even when you’re arranging for convenience, however, make sure to have an even balance of weight for both pouches. If you feel one bag is sagging more than the other, then lighten the load by removing a few tools or placing them into the other bag if they are very essential.
Lastly, wear your belt by adjusting the size to hold onto your waist just right, without being too tight either. Lock it in place with the buckle, and take a final look around the belt to make sure all the pouches and holsters are sitting well in their respective places. If the belt’s pouches are sagging quite a bit, or the weight of the belt isn’t agreeing with you, then attach a pair of suspenders to the belt and wear them to work. This will help support your back and better your posture by taking the excess weight off.
