Batman had a grappling hook in his toolbelt. To the best of the internet’s knowledge, Captain America had…more fists of Justice? The jury is still out on that one. In any event, we know the mark of a hardworking superhero is the toolbelt. Tradesmen might not fight crime with our rigs, but our toolbelts are just as critical to the job. The belts keep us organized, the tools at hand, and save precious time and energy when otherwise we’d have to bend over constantly or walk around to fetch a tool. Most people likely envision a toolbelt like the brown saddle leather or yellow-orange apron style slung to one side. I’ve had the Diamondback Toolbelts Denali and Deluxe Suspenders Rig on the job for a while now and I’m ready to share what I’ve learned about it.
The beauty of the DiamondBack system is its modular, customizable design. The system is based on the DiamondBack Toolbelt to which any of the company’s nine pouches can attach. The combination of the Wrangell and the Elias pouches attached to the DiamondBack belt make up the Denali bundle. You could wear the Wrangell alone, or the Elias alone, or any permutation of the Alaska-esque pouches. Other sets carry such names as the Raptor, the Grizzly, the Lynx, and more. Two optional suspender choices – basic and deluxe – help to distribute the tool load around your body.
So can the Denali really help make you a jobsite superhero? Let’s find out.
Key Features
A Material Difference
Right out of the gate, you’ll notice there’s nothing flimsy or weak-willed about the construction of the Diamondback Toolbelts Denali and Deluxe Suspenders Rig. It’s tough stuff, made from triple-layer Dupont Cordura with sandwich-type construction. Fourteen feet of seat-belt material makes up the webbing that’s rated to 5,000 pounds. DiamondBack claims the hook and loop material used to hold the pouches to the belts create 675 pounds of sandwich shear. Sounds strong – and kinda tasty.
The Wrangell and The Elias
DiamondBack describes the Denali bundle – that is, the Wrangell and Elias combination – as its ultimate belt for framers and Pros seeking on-demand versatility. Depending on the set, the Wrangell can be on either the dominant or non-dominant side, as Diamondback makes mirror-image Wrangells. It includes a top pouch for a tape holder, a speed square pouch, main pouch, secret pouch, open pouch, outside pouch, chisel pocket, pencil slot, utility slot, nail set slot, nylon hammer loop, and double tool loops. You can choose between Standard and XL pouch sizes.
The Elias is the Denali’s dominant pouch and includes a top pouch for a tape holder, 6 tool slots, main pouch, secret pouch, open pouch with drill index, nail clip slots, outside pouch with closure, utility pocket, pencil slot, two nail set slots, nylon hammer loop, and double tool loops. As with the Wrangell, the Elias is made in mirror-image fashion so it can be dominant on either side. This one also gives you an option between Standard and XL sizes.
Black Belt in Customization
The ability to tailor the DiamondBack Toolbelt pouches to the task at hand gives you a distinct advantage. You can set up the toolbelt for framing, then electrical work, and then again for trim carpentry. But there are more options, too.
The belt itself comes in six waist sizes from Extra Small (26- to 30-inches) to Double XL (46- to 52-inches). There are three belt widths: 2.5-, 4-, and 6-inches. You can choose between two buckle types – Cobra Quick Release or Stainless Steel Slider – on both the basic and deluxe suspenders. Add a drill holster, hammer holster, flat bar holster, and/or webbing hammer loop to the belt. There are four color options, too. DiamondBack even offers a hook and loop pants belt that holds the toolbelt to your waist while keeping your pants secure.
Keep You in Suspenders
If you’ve ever carried around a heavy toolbelt for even half a workday, you know what a burden it is. It creates imbalances your body has to account for. If it’s on the side, one leg works harder than the other. If you wear it in front, it can create overextension in your lower back, which equals pain in the short and long term.
So even if suspenders seem like overkill at first, they can be worth their weight in gold. By balancing the load over your entire body instead of just your waist, suspenders allow you carry more with less fatigue. Both the Denali and Deluxe Suspenders feature steel hardware for belt attachment as well as sternum straps for ultimate security.
Performance
Ac-custom-ed To It
Now, I know some tradesmen will look at the Denali and think, “that might be more toolbelt than I need.” But trying it out might very well win them over. Even so, remember the strength of DiamondBack’s design: when you need less capacity, you can easily pare it down. When you need more, you can easily beef it up. You can remove the suspenders if you’ve got a light load that day.
Even if you’re wearing the suspenders, you can undo the sternum strap if you like or, with the sternum strap latched, you can undo the belt. In short, you can make The Denali DiamondBack Toolbelt and Deluxe Suspender anything you want.
Strapping In
I’ve worn this rig every day, all day for a variety of jobs – siding, crown molding, a little roofing, and all other sorts of trim carpentry. I like carrying all of my tools most of the time. The moment I think I don’t need to bring something along, there’s a need for it! So having everything I need at hand saves me time and makes my jobs run more efficiently.
Immediately, I noticed that the Diamondback Toolbelts Denali and Deluxe Suspenders Rig is light. The suspender’s wide straps are comfortable, distributing the weight evenly while the belt and sternum strap hold the rig securely and provide support.
There’s a wide range of adjustment in all of them so you can really dial in the fit. I experienced some discomfort where the suspender straps contacted my neck when I raised my arms – but this only lasted few days. It’s not unusual for new straps to pinch or rub uncomfortably in this area. So keep in mind that there’s a bit of a break-in period, but the rest of the rig is comfortable from the get-go.
Pocket Man
Every tool is easily accessible on this rig! And it’s accessible without being in the way, which is no easy task. When I was running crown molding, for instance, the pouches didn’t obstruct my movement or get in the ladder’s way. I highly recommend accessorizing with the optional hammer holster and flat bar holster like I did.
It’s easy to become acclimated to the Denali even if you’re not used to such a substantial toolbelt. The first few times you realize you don’t have to climb down the ladder, head to the truck, or search around for a tool, you’ll be grateful. There are so many pockets and places for storage that it becomes your mobile toolbox with everything in its place.
Hyper Loops
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how even the temporary tool-holding ability of the Denali is excellent. By that I mean you can’t store a nail gun in any of its pockets, but you can use the gun’s hook to hang it from the toolbelt’s loops. I have my nail gun hooked through a loop so I don’t have to lay it down or walk around to get it. This is especially helpful when working overhead on crown molding, for example.
The Bottom Line
The Diamondback Toolbelts Denali and Deluxe Suspenders Rig is for tradesmen who need a lot of tools close at hand and don’t mind carrying a little extra weight if it means they can be organized and efficient on the job. Trim carpenters, framers, and roofers come to mind, but that’s certainly not an exhaustive list. The modular nature allows you to tailor it to specific trades. It might not be for a beginner or apprentice but then again, the customizable design means an apprentice could start small and add to the rig as he or she gains experience and skill. DiamondBack even has a pouch for delicate things like your phone and glasses.
Apart from the short break-in period of the suspender straps around the neck, there’s everything to like about this highly functional, dynamic toolbelt. Just from the company’s presentation, you can tell the product designers have been on the jobsite and/or been guided by tradesmen with lots of experience. Yes, you will pay more, but I guarantee the increase in your productivity will quickly make up for it.
And that leads us to the price. By the time you put the whole set together – The Denali bundle plus Deluxe Suspenders – you’re in at $470. That’s a premium price for sure. But what you get for it is a comfortable, accessible, and durable rig that has to be in the conversation for the best available right now. Plus, it’s a Made in the USA product.
Diamondback Toolbelts Denali and Deluxe Suspenders Rig Breakdown
Diamondback Denali Toolbelt Features
- The heart of Diamondback tool belt systems
- Provides back support and properly distributes the weight of your rig
- Comfort strip on edges
- Steel rings for suspender attachment
Diamondback Denali Toolbelt Specifications
- Item Number: DB1-6-BK-M-CQ (Based on waist, width, color, and buckle)
- 1000D Nylon outer layer
- Weathermax inner layer
- Weight 1.75 lbs
- Dimensions 12 x 4 x 1 in
- Belt Size Extra Small (XS) 26-30 inches, Small (S) 30-34 inches, Medium (M) 34-38 inches, Large (L) 38-42 inches, Extra Large (XL) 42-46 inches, Double Extra Large (XXL) 46-52 inches
- Belt Width 2.5-, 4-, and 6-inch
- Color Blue (+$10), Ranger Green (+$10), Red (+$10), Black
- Buckle Cobra Quick Release (+$15), Stainless Steel Slider, Cobra Quick Release
- Price: $125
DiamondBack Toolbelt Wrangell Features
- Standard as the non-dominant pouch on The Denali
- Versatile pouch serves a variety of needs with lots of space for any application
- Pouch Makeup: Top pouch (tape holder), speed square pouch, main pouch, secret pouch, open pouch, outside pouch, chisel pocket, pencil slot, utility slot, nail set slot, nylon hammer loop, double tool loops.
- Total: 7 pouches, 6 slots, 3 loops
DiamondBack Toolbelt Wrangell Specifications
- Item Number: DB2-4-BK-R-ST (based on color, pouch position, and pouch size)
- Weight: 2.1 pounds
- Dimensions: 9 x 10 x 2 inches
- Color: Black, Red, Blue, Ranger Green
- Pouch Position: Right Hand Side, Left Hand Side
- Pouch Size: Standard, XL
- Price: $120
DiamondBack Toolbelt Elias Features
- The Elias Pouch comes standard as the dominant pouch on The Denali
- Features a large closure pocket and a drill index built into the middle pocket
- Three additional tool slots behind the speed square divider in the main pocket
- Pouch Makeup: Top pouch (tape holder), 6 tool slots, main pouch, secret pouch, open pouch with drill index, nail clip slots, outside pouch with closure, utility pocket, pencil slot, 2 nail set slots, nylon hammer loop, double tool loops
- Total: 6 pouches, 9 slots, 3 loops
DiamondBack Toolbelt Elias Specifications
- Item Number: DB2-5-BK-R-ST (based on color, pouch position, and pouch size)
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Dimensions: 9 x 10 x 2 inches
- Color: Black, Red, Blue, Ranger Green
- Pouch Position: Right Hand Side, Left Hand Side
- Pouch Size: Standard, XL
- Price: $135
DiamondBack Toolbelt Deluxe Suspenders Features
- Ample steel hardware for belt attachment
- Lots of adjustment to balance load over your hips, waist, and shoulders
- Yoke cushions and deflects pressure from the robust 3/4 inch webbing, preventing pinch points
- D-ring on the back to hang the Suspenders or your entire Rig when not in use
- Pencil slot
DiamondBack Toolbelt Deluxe Suspenders Specifications
- Item Number: DB4-8-BK-X-X
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Dimensions: 12 x 6 x 2 inches
- Color: Black
- Price: $115
