CLC Rugged Molded Base Tool Bags and Carriers Designed for the Trades
CLC Work Gear, or Custom Leathercraft, launched its line of Molded Base Tool Bags for professional tradesmen. This lineup consists of six different products designed to reliably contain and organize your tools while offering the sturdy ruggedness that a molded base provides. We like these types of bags for a variety of reasons. They keep your tools dry, don’t tip over, and tend to stand up well to abusive jobsite use.
Editor’s Note: Check out our best tool bag roundup to see our top picks.
Molded Base Tool Backpack
The CLC Work Gear Molded Base Tool Backpack features a heavy-duty 1680D ballistic polyester build that stands up to abrasions and other jobsite abuses really well. The molded plastic base gives you some protection against water when setting it on the ground, but also lends enough stability to the bag to keep it from tipping over.
This backpack includes 38 total pockets: 9 exterior pockets and 29 inside pockets. The main zippered compartment folds down all the way to give you unencumbered access to your tools. CLC also includes a zippered compartment on the back to house your laptop or tablet, as well as your charging accessories and electronic tools.
You can pick up the Custom Leathercraft PB1133 Molded Base Backpack for around $119. It comes with a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.
Other Features
- Model Number: CLC-PB1133
- Approximate dimensions: 13”W x 7”D x 18”H
- 3 Large foam back pads for extra comfort
- Adjustable padded shoulder straps with slip-resistant material, cell phone holder and 2-way adjustable sternum strap
- Webbing and ergonomic silicone rubber carrying handle
- Heavy zippers and large, ergonomic metal zipper pullers
13″ Molded Base Electrical/HVAC Tool Carrier
The 13″ CLC Molded Base Tool Carrier is designed for HVAC and electrical technicians. CLC had all of your testers, meters, pliers, drivers, and hand tools in mind here with a divided main compartment. With its open top design, it gives you easy access to each of the bag’s 20 pockets.
This bag also features 1680D ballistic polyester construction with a plastic molded base that keeps the bag standing upright and dry. It also has an adjustable padded shoulder strap and a silicone carrying handle for comfortable toting to and from the jobsite.
The PB1531 CLC 13″ Molded Base Electrical/HVAC Tool Bag comes with the brand’s lifetime warranty against defects and retails for around $89.95.
Other Features
- Model Number: CLC-PB1531
- Box shaped design prevents tipping over
- Large, clear zippered pocket for easy view of contents
- Electrical tape strap
- Measuring tape clip
- 12 outside pockets and 8 inside pockets
CLC 17″ Molded Base Multi-Compartment Technician’s Tool Bag
For a similar feel to the Open Top bag, but with more room for tools and accessories, the CLC 17″ Molded Base Multi-Compartment Technician’s Tool Bag offers a solution. It has 54 vertically aligned pockets to keep your tools organized and visible. The zippered side pockets fold down for easy access to your smaller hand tools and accessories, while the middle compartment has enough space to house your power tools.
The PB1543 CLC 17″ Multi-Compartment Technician’s Bag includes that lifetime warranty and retails for $99.85.
Other Features
- Model Number: CLC-PB1543
- Constructed with 1680D ballistic polyester
- Molded base keeps your tools dry and safe
- Padded carrying handles and adjustable shoulder strap
- Heavy zippers with large metal zipper pullers
- Measuring tape clip and key holder
- 10 outside pockets and 44 inside pockets
CLC 19″ Molded Base Contractor’s Closed Top Tool Bag
Designed for installers, MRO Pros, and other tradesmen, the CLC 19″ Molded Base Contractor’s Closed Top Tool Bag provides a reinforced build for carrying your heavier tools. It has a pop-open design with a spacious main compartment to hold your power tools, circular saws, hard hats, or anything else that can tend to be cumbersome.
It features the same ballistic polyester construction with the molded base design. However, this bag also features an internal metal frame for stability, particularly when open. It features 29 pockets, with 16 on the outside and 13 on the inside, to keep your big and small tools organized.
You can pick up the PB1553 CLC 19″ Molded Base Contractor’s Closed Top Tool Bag for $79.95, and it comes with the brand’s limited lifetime warranty.
Other Features
- Model Number: CLC-PB1553
- Large zippered pocket for parts or valuables
- Durable design, constructed with 1680D ballistic polyester
- Molded base for longer wear keeps your tools dry and safe
- Padded carrying handles and adjustable shoulder strap
- Heavy zippers with large, ergonomic metal zipper pullers
- Heavy-duty measuring tape clip
Custom Leathercraft 16″ Molded Base Bigmouth Tote Tool Bag
For carrying smaller power tools and other job essentials, but in a smaller, closed-top bag, check out the CLC 16″ Molded Base Bigmouth Tote Tool Bag. This bag carries a similar design and feature set as the 19″ Contractor’s Bag, with an internal metal frame that adds some stability to the stay-open design. Multiple pockets – 14 on the outside and 9 on the inside – give you the space and organizational capability to carry around your tools and accessories.
The PB1563 CLC 16″ Molded Base Bigmouth Tote runs right around $59.95 and is backed by CLC’s limited lifetime warranty.
Other Features
- Model Number: CLC-PB1563
- Constructed with 1680D ballistic polyester
- Molded base for longer wear keeps your tools dry and safe
- Heavy zippers with large metal zipper pullers
- Padded web carrying handles and adjustable shoulder strap
- Large zippered pocket for parts or valuables
- 23 total pockets
CLC 15″ Molded Base Open-Top Toolbox
Finally, CLC also offers the 15″ Molded Base Open-Top Toolbox. This has a very similar open-top design to the 13″ HVAC/Electrician’s Bag, but with a bit more space for larger tools. It features a bar handle that you can rotate out of the way when you set the bag down to gain easier access to your larger hand tools and accessories.
You can pick up the Custom Leathercraft CLC-PB1580 for around $89.95 and it comes with the CLC limited lifetime warranty.
Other Features
- Model Number: CLC-PB1580
- Multiple pockets inside and out provide storage and organization
- Constructed with 1680D ballistic polyester
- Molded base for longer wear keeps your tools dry and safe
- Ergonomic molded carrying handle
- Adjustable padded shoulder strap
- Wide open main compartment for small power tools
- 2 Large zippered pockets for parts, testers, or valuables
- Electrical tape strap
- Measuring tape clip
- 17 Pockets – 9 outside and 8 inside
