Selecting the right tool belt takes time and experience. I've watched builder's young and old walk through our doors and try on a wide variety of belts swearing that their selection is the ONLY way to go. I remember when the options were slim to none and you had to choose between a cloth nail apron and a leather pouch with belt and hammer holster. Today's tool belt selection is as wide and varied as pick-up truck selection . . . . and they all let you carry nearly as much as your pickup truck.

Gaius was recently in need of a new tool belt and I had nearly as much fun watching him go through the selection process as I do our customers. He is thrilled with his new setup! In the end he decided on a product made by Occidental Leather; the Stronghold Suspendavest with his own favorite tool pouches and drill holster attached to them.

You know we're not short of opinion around here and of course Gaius came up with his own list of essential features. His first tip is to make a concise list of the tools you carry. His list consisted of:

• hammer
• tape (35-ft)
• Speed Square
• Cordless Drill
• block plane
• utility knife
• Japanese Pry Bar
• Japanese Nail Set
• Pocket Boy Saw
• fastener pouch
• pocket for spare bits

In the end we came up with a few simple suggested requirements that can apply to anyone:

• the tools need to all fit into your belt
• you need to be able to reach all pockets easily without contorting your body
• toolbelt needs to be light . . . your tools are heavy enough
• Suspenders are a must . . . they help disperse the weight of your tools

Is there an essential tool that you keep in your tool belt that we didn't include? Let us know: info@shelterinstitute.com