Having seen tremendous growth in the past few years, the 2022 Pro Tool Innovation Awards recognized several truly innovative products in the storage category. When you think about it, just about any tool or accessory likely ends up in some form of storage. These innovations address the garage, shop, tool, crib, and more.
From fixed storage to rolling carts, tool bags, and more, the 2022 Tool Storage Awards brought versatility and a wide array of solutions for tradesmen and homeowners alike. If you don’t find something handy or compelling in the products below, you might want to check your pulse!
Winner – Accessories
KNAACK PLANZBOARD PT-01
What they said:
PLANZBOARD is a dedicated and versatile mobile planning station designed for construction and jobsites. Patent Pending Multi-mode tabletop design that transforms the standard drawings/plans reviewing station to a collaborative meeting/review station, a mobile whiteboard for planning meetings, and a mobile signage station. 16-gauge steel construction with the powder coat finish and designed w/ heavy duty locking hinges for ease of use and durability.
What we say:
Knaack’s Planzboard is a brilliant way to make better use of the carts you’re already bringing to the jobsite. Laying flat, it’s a table you can use for a variety of tasks. Hinging up to vertical, you have a whiteboard surface that doubles to stick notices on. Best of all, it’s 100% mobile and since it attaches to your Knaack cart, there’s built-in storage underneath.
Price: $381
For more information, click here.
Finalist
Winner – Backpacks
CLC Work Gear Molded Base Tool Backpack PB1133
What they said:
Durably designed for longer wear, this heavy-duty bag is constructed with 1680D Ballistic Poly and a molded base for longevity. It features ample room for tools, two large zipper compartments, a padded section to store electronics/valuables, 38 reinforced pockets, cell phone holder, tape measure clip, and 3 foam back pads for carrying comfort. This rugged quality, multi-functional CLC backpack is a universal tool storage solution across the trades.
What we say:
Great tool backpacks are all about giving you the storage you need without wrecking your back while you carry them. CLC starts with a reasonable size and adds 38 pockets around the interior and exterior, covering a wide range of hand tools, instruments, small power tools, and more. Pads along the back and shoulder straps ensure great comfort. CLC doesn’t skimp in the durability department, though. Its 1680D construction is tough and its molded base keeps water on the floor from creeping into the bag.
Price: $125
For more information, click here.
Winner – Bags
AWP TrapJaw 16-inch Tool Bag
What they said:
Featuring the innovative, spring-loaded technology from AWP, the 16 in. TrapJaw Tool Bag combines the accessibility and efficiency of an open tool tote and the security of a zippered bag in one tool storage solution. The patented spring-hinge design snaps open for one-handed tool access and snaps closed preventing tool spillage. Constructed of a rugged, water-resistant fabric with reinforced wear points and molded feet for durability, this bag also features lockable pull handles for added security.
- Rugged 600 denier polyester, water-resistant construction
- TrapJaw opening provides wide-open easy access and quick-close security
- 13 total pockets: 7 interior and 6 exterior
- Lockable pull handles for theft prevention
- Molded feet protect the bottom of the bag
- Includes an adjustable shoulder strap and metal tape measure clip
- TrapJaw tool bags are available in 12”, 16”, and 22” sizes
What we say:
AWP’s TrapJaw Tool Bag combines the security of a standard zippered bag with the easy access convenience of an open-top design. The magic is in the TrapJaw’s spring hinge mechanism. As you open the bag, the springs push out and hold the top open. When it’s time to zip up, it’s able to snap back in and hold without reopening the bag. It’s the best of both worlds.
Price: $44.99
For more information, click here.
Finalist
Winner – Coolers
Milwaukee Tool PACKOUT Tumbler 48-22-8392R
What they said:
Milwaukee Tool continues to revolutionize jobsite storage with new Tumblers that feature full modular connectivity with the PACKOUT system. The additions will include 30oz and 20oz PACKOUT Tumblers designed for mobility through site, transit, and shop. The PACKOUT Tumblers provide the longest temperature retention, keeping your drinks hot or cold all day with double-wall vacuum insulation. They feature innovative twist to lock modularity with all PACKOUT solutions. The lid features a rotating, magnetic closure that can smoothly open and close with gloves on, keeping dirt and debris away from the opening. It is easy to disassemble for cleanup, and all components of the tumbler are dishwasher safe.
What we say:
It’s always fun to try and predict what Milwaukee has planned for the Packout system next, but none of us saw a Packout Tumbler coming. It begins with a premium double-wall vacuum-insulated cup and magnetic lid closure. That insulation design can keep drinks hot or cold all day. On the base, there’s a Packout connection that slides onto the top of your Packout stack, securing it while you move. The Tumbler is one less thing to carry, leaving you with a hand free to carry other gear.
Price: $29.97
For more information, click here.
Winner – Fixed Storage
DEWALT Welded Storage DWST27501
What they said:
Proudly made in the USA with global materials, the DEWALT Welded Storage Suites make it easy to build out the shop or garage of your dreams. The DEWALT Welded Storage Suites are available in five different configurations so you can truly customize your space. The Suites are built tough, with high-quality components and fully welded steel construction. Suites include a variety of storage solutions: Floor Cabinets, Wall Cabinets, a 5-Drawer Base Cabinet or a 2-Door Base Cabinet. A magnetic LED light mounts directly to the underside of the Wall Cabinet to illuminate your workspace. A rock solid, butcherblock top spans the Base Cabinets to create a fully functional workspace. The top features a full-length backsplash that prevents items from rolling off the back of your workspace. It also includes an integrated power strip with 6-outlets and 2 USB ports for convenient charging of your DEWALT Power Tools. A bonus battery charger shelf mounts directly to the backsplash too. The Floor Cabinet has loads of storage space and features in-door baskets for additional organization and high-visibility DEWALT Yellow shelves. All cabinets have internal locking systems to safeguard stored tools and supplies. These suites are purchased online with a simple one-click solution and ship straight to the customer. The Base Cabinet and Wall Cabinet ship inside the Floor Cabinet, providing convenient, easy delivery. This brand-new storage system pairs perfectly with DEWALT Power Tools and Accessories to build out the shop of your dreams.
What we say:
Fixed storage keeps getting better and DeWalt gives you a way to build out a set customized to fit the space you want to organize. Beyond that, the system is full of helpful features including locking doors and drawers, 120V outlets and USB ports, a battery charger shelf, high-vis yellow shelves, and more. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the black paint scheme offset with yellow highlights looks pretty sharp!
Price: $1,950.00 – $3,975.00
For more information, click here.
Winner – Modular Storage
FLEX Stack Pack 3-Piece Storage System FSM1101-3
What they said:
Pack everything you need for a day on the job with the FLEX STACK PACK 3-Pc. Storage System. Quick-connect interlocking attachment points offer fast and effortless connectivity to customize your layout with any piece in the STACK PACK storage system. IP65 all-weather protection shields your tools and accessories from the elements, and an impact-resistant polypropylene body with aluminum reinforced corners offers protection from the toughest jobsite conditions. Complete with the STACK PACK Rolling Tool Box, Medium Tool Box, and Suitcase Tool Box, you’ll have enough storage to bring the workshop with you to and from the jobsite.
What we say:
FLEX looked at the basic concept of other brands’ stackable storage and effectively said, “hold my beer”. The FLEX Stack Pack starts with a durable build and adds features we’ve never seen before. Stack Pack accessory cases lock into the lids and sides of some boxes. Exterior accessory points open up a level holder, extension cord wrap, tool hangers, and battery holders. You can even add charger storage to the inside. It’s a brilliant way to make your stackable storage work harder for you.
Price: $279.98
For more information, click here.
Winner – Wall Modular
Milwaukee Tool PACKOUT Shop Storage System
What they said:
Milwaukee Tool expands their PACKOUT Modular Storage System to include 20+ Shop Storage solutions. Bringing the versatility of PACKOUT into the shop, users will be able to fully customize their storage with wall plates, hooks, tool racks, tool holders, and a cabinet that connect with all PACKOUT solutions. The Wall Plates feature Quick Alignment Tabs on all sides, making installing rows and columns of multiple plates easy. Available in two sizes, the Large Wall Plate features a 150lbs wall-mounted capacity, and the Compact Wall Plate features a 50lbs wall-mounted capacity. These hooks, tool racks, and holders provide the Most Secure Mounting when paired with PACKOUT Wall Plates. These solutions allow users to maximize their efficiency in the shop by featuring Quick Access Functionality. They include five different hook styles and sizes that are metal reinforced to maintain their shape when loaded. A wide variety of tool racks and holders, including M18 and M12 battery racks, compact shelf, organizer cup, tool rack, screwdriver rack, roll holder, tool station, long handle tool rack, and two sizes of bins, providing users with endless customization options. In addition to those solutions, the cabinet can securely be hung up on wall plates or stacked with other PACKOUT solutions. It has full modularity on the tool box’s top, bottom, and back and features a Quick Access Door that allows users to store and access tools efficiently.
What we say:
When Milwaukee came out with Packout Wall Mount, it made storing our Packout boxes easier. Now with Shop Storage products, it’s so much more. New wall mount sizes and a wide range of products help you organize your shop and save space. In addition to hooks, some of our favorites include long-handle tool holders, M12 and M18 battery holders, a bulk crate, a paper towel holder, and a cabinet. Take a look for yourself and see how you can transform your shop orgnanization.
Price: Varies
For more information, click here.
Winner – Rolling Chests & Cabinets
CRAFTSMAN Premium S2000 Series CMST98259BK
What they said:
Proudly made in the USA with global materials, the brand new, all black, CRAFTSMAN Premium S2000 Series line of chests and cabinets is designed to take the wildly successful CRAFTSMAN S2000 Series line to the next level. This new line is for the demanding customer who is always looking for more. We have upgraded to bigger, six-inch, over-toe locking casters with a 2,000 lb. load rating, included a magnetic LED light to better illuminate your workspace, and added a power strip to the cabinets to keep all your CRAFTSMAN power tools charged and ready to use. The CRAFTSMAN embossed top mat and drawer liners help protect the surface area and keep tools in place. All units have soft-close, full-extension, 100-pound ball-bearing slides, with a full-width drawer in each cabinet and workstation for the additional convenience of extra storage. The chests and cabinets create a top-of-the-line look with enhanced drawer trim, corner trim, and bumpers. This new line will be available beginning in October 2022 at Lowe’s and other CRAFTSMAN outlets.
What we say:
Craftsman did a great job with the initial launch of its S2000 series of tool chests and cabinets. It’s improving with more robust 6-inch casters capable of supporting 2000 pounds. There’s a helpful magnetic LED light and an additional power strip in the cabinets. It takes an excellent foundation and makes it even more useful in your shop or garage.
Price: $469.00 – $799.00
For more information, click here.
Finalist
Winner – Sawhorses/Supports
ToughBuilt Industries Inc. QuickSet Work Bench TBL-WB700
What they said:
The ToughBuilt WB700 QuickSet Workbench provides professional users with a sturdy, mobile workstation that sets up in seconds. With just the push of a button and pull of the leg-release handle, this workbench opens up with ease and locks into place, creating a stable jobsite-ready table anywhere. With sturdy metal legs that ensure the workbench can support a true 1,000lb weight and a strong, comfortable carrying handle that recesses into the body when not in use, the jobsite table feels robust and agile in hand and rock-solid once set. This no-compromise workbench additionally features our Smart Surface worktop, a large, weatherproof work surface stamped with rapid-use measuring and protractor tools to make quick markings with ease. The bench is great for cutting, drilling, and clamping, and with mounting points for our patented ClipTech Hubs, our vast range of pouches and holsters can be hung to easily organize tools and keep what Pros need most close at hand. From a building site to a truck bed, the ToughBuilt QuickSet Workbench is engineered to meet the needs of the professional.
The exposed packaging design of our QuickSet Work Bench is specifically crafted to allow for interaction between the bench and the customer on the sales floor, providing a first-hand pre-purchase experience with the easy one-button folding mechanism. This open-style packaging additionally invites the consumer to feel the rugged material finishings and sturdy build of the QuickSet Work Bench. While minimizing our packaging footprint, ToughBuilt also visually demonstrates critical features and benefits of the product clearly with infographics and rich product photography.
We are excited to highlight the incredible range of places where Pros will best put our workbench to use. From the modern contractor and flooring or roofing installer to first responders in the field, the QuickSet Workbench offers practical portability for every terrain. Joined by our award-winning line of versatile Sawhorse / Jobsite Tables, rugged Miter Saw Stands, and Roller Stands, this workbench compliments any jobsite-support ecosystem and reaffirms ToughBuilt’s promise to engineer the extraordinary for Pros.
What we say:
It’s not every day that we come across a product that genuinely makes us go “wow”, but the ToughBuilt QuickSet Work Bench did. In our opinion, this is one of the coolest and most convenient portable work tables to ever come through our shop. We really love how compact and how easy it is to set up and break down. Plus, the price tag is pretty advantageous for both DIYers as well as value-minded Pros.
Price: $99.00
For more information, click here.
Winner – Tool Boxes
Quality Craft Montezuma 15 x 10-Inch Steel ShopBox SB150B
What they said:
The 15 x 10 in. Steel Shopbox by Montezuma Storage is a portable Triangle toolbox that allows two unique benefits:
- Secures ALL tools in place for easy hand-held portability when the lid is closed.
- At a glance view of all your tools when the lid is open.
This 15 x 10 in. Steel Shopbox, which launched in July of 2021, is the smallest Triangle toolbox in the Montezuma Shopbox family. The iconic triangle toolbox shape of the Shopbox is a trademarked design of Montezuma. This specific trademarked technology locks all your tools in place when the lid is closed, even if the box is turned upside down or shaken! No matter the terrain, your tools will STAY IN PLACE! The design eliminates digging through your toolbox to find the tool you are looking for; the innovative multi-tier design organizes and displays all your tools for quick and easy access.
The 15 x 10 in. Steel Shopbox can organize all your most used tools! Sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, and much more. Separate compartments located inside the Shopbox help store all of your gear. The compartments include steel tines for holding sockets and wrenches, two bin spaces, a tool platform for screwdrivers and pliers, and a large open area for bulkier items. The front edge unfolds for easy access to the bulk storage areas and the mechanical lid support props the lid up and out of the way when open. Weighing under 15 pounds, this compact all-steel toolbox is extremely portable and includes a carry handle on top, which makes it easy to move from one project to the next. Padlock eyelets, located on the front of the Shopbox, help to secure the lid and allow you to lock your important possessions inside (padlocks not included). This toolbox is specifically designed for use in your indoor garage or shop and moving from project to project.
What we say:
The worst part about moving your toolbox in the back of your trucks or even just carrying it from one place to another is when your tools travel from where they started. Montezuma’s Triangle toolbox design solves that with a lid design that prevents movement, even if it gets knocked over. Additionally, the layout makes it easy to see all of your tools without digging around or quickly identify if there’s anything missing. Plus, the 15 x 10-inch Steel ShopBox is great for keeping your essentials with you when your work keeps you moving around.
Price: $170
For more information, click here.
Finalist
Winner – Tool Rigs
AWP TrapJaw Oil-Tan Leather Tool Rig
What they said:
Featuring the innovative, spring-loaded technology from AWP, the Oil-Tanned Leather Tool Rig includes dual TrapJaw pouches that snap open wide to provide easy access and snap closed to secure small tools and fasteners inside. Crafted from premium oil-tanned leather for maximum durability, this rig offers 2 large capacity pouches, multiple smaller pockets, and 2 metal hammer loops so you can easily carry plenty of tools on the jobsite.
- Dual TrapJaw pouches snap open and closed for easy access and secure storage
- Genuine oil-tanned leather with riveted reinforcements for maximum durability
- Dual metal hammer loops for left or right-handed use
- Extra-large pockets for maximum capacity
- Includes D-rings for attaching AWP suspenders (sold separately)
- 3 in. wide belt fits up to 50 in. waist
What we say:
Is there anything better than a quality leather tool rig? Adding AWP’s TrapJaw design is one way to improve it. Two snap-open, snap-close pouches help keep smaller items from falling out. A variety of standard pouches and a pair of hammer loops wrap up the storage options while D-rings offer the option of suspenders. Plus, its price tag is lower than you might expect to pay for a genuine leather rig.
Price: $119.99
For more information, click here.