11” PRO Electrician Tote

Features

  • IP54-rated water-resistant compartment for valuables
  • Total of 34 pockets for tool organization (12 exterior, 22 interior)
  • Constructed from 1680 denier fabric with dirt-repellant tarpaulin
  • Zippered front pocket for secure storage of personal items
  • Padded bottom and injected plastic/rubber feet for stability and protection
  • Removable padded shoulder strap and carry handle
  • Backstrap for hanging on a telescopic handle
  • Ergonomic U-shaped zipper pull usable with gloves
  • Integrated rugged metal carabiner for attaching items
  • Double-wall construction

Specifications

Color Black - Yellow
Primary Material Ballistic nylon (1680 denier)
Secondary Material Polyester / tarpaulin panels
Closure Type Zippered
Dimensions (L × W × H) 11 in × 9.375 in × 16.125 in (280 mm × 240 mm × 410 mm)
Interior Storage Capacity 925.1 cu. in.
Number Of Exterior Pockets 12
Number Of Interior Pockets 22
Total Pockets 34
Padded Bottom Yes
Rubber/Injected Feet Yes
Shoulder Strap Removable, padded
Wheels No
Weight (Net) 4.532 lb (2.056 kg)
Weight Capacity 55.12 lb (25 kg)
Ip Rating IP54 compartment
Warranty Limited lifetime
Packaging Hang tag
Number Of Pieces Included 1

A mid-size electrician tote designed to store and transport hand tools on jobsites. It has multiple exterior and interior pockets for organization, an IP54-rated compartment for valuables, a padded bottom and shoulder strap for carry comfort, and durable 1680 denier fabric with a dirt-repellant tarpaulin exterior.

Model Number: DWST560105

DeWalt 11” PRO Electrician Tote Review

4.1 out of 5

A tote that suits real-world service work

I spend most days bouncing between commercial sites and quick service calls, so I need a mid-size tote that keeps hand tools accessible without becoming a rolling black hole. This DeWalt tote hits a useful middle ground: compact enough to carry into ceiling spaces and tight mechanical rooms, yet structured and tough enough to be dragged around a job for a full day.

Build and materials

The first impression is that it’s built to be used, not babied. The body is 1680D ballistic fabric with tarpaulin panels that shrug off dirt and moisture. The double-wall construction and padded bottom give it structure without making it overly rigid, and the injected plastic/rubber feet lift the bag off wet floors. After months of setting it down on concrete and often-dirty rooftops, the bottom shows abrasion but no fraying, and the sides still stand up on their own.

At 4.5 pounds empty, it isn’t featherweight, but the weight buys you durability and a tote that doesn’t collapse when you pull a driver from a tight pocket. The colorway is the familiar black and yellow, and while that’s not a functional feature, high-contrast interiors really do help find small items in dim rooms.

Organization and access

There are 34 pockets total—12 outside, 22 inside—and the layout is logical. For my daily kit:

  • Outer loops: pliers set, channel locks, torpedo level, and a long-shank #2.
  • Shallow exterior pockets: nut drivers, precision screwdrivers, and a voltage tester.
  • Interior: meter, clamps, punchdown, crimpers, spares, and a small roll pouch with wire ferrules.

The interior pockets run the full height, so longer handles don’t tip out, and the outer pockets vary in width enough to fit different grips. I do wish a couple of the interior loops were oversized for fat-handled insulated drivers; as it stands, they fit, but they’re snug.

Access is the whole point of a tote, and this one gets it right. The open center allows you to drop in a meter case or a small parts box, and nothing is buried. I appreciate the zippered front pocket as a dedicated spot for wallet/receipts—separate from tools so I don’t shower myself with drywall dust when I pull it open.

DeWalt includes an IP54-rated compartment for valuables, and it lives up to the claim of water resistance. It’s not a dry box, but drizzle and splashes don’t get through. I’ve trusted my phone and spare keys in there on wet days without issue. The zipper pulls are big U-shaped tabs you can work with gloves, which is a small thing that makes a big difference in winter.

An integrated metal carabiner is a nice touch for clipping tape, a rag, or a radio. It’s proper metal, not the flimsy stamped kind, so it doesn’t bend out after a week.

Comfort and carry

The removable padded shoulder strap is better than average—wide enough to distribute weight and long enough to swing the tote behind you when climbing ladders. The top handle is shaped well and comfortable bare-handed. That said, I’ve seen the plastic overmold crack after a lot of use; mine developed a hairline split around the six-month mark. The underlying webbing still held, but it’s a durability weak point to keep an eye on.

At a rated 25 kg (about 55 lb) capacity, you can load it heavier than is smart for your back. Packed to a realistic 25–30 pounds, it carries well and stays balanced as you walk. I’d avoid overweighting the exterior pockets on one side; like any tote with a relatively narrow footprint (about 9.4 inches wide), an unbalanced load can encourage tipping.

There’s a back strap designed to hook over a telescopic handle on a rolling case. It’s simple and effective, and I’ve used it to park the tote on top of a rolling stack to get across parking lots.

On the truck and in the shop

The base and feet prevent most sliding on rubber mats, and on flat floors the tote is stable. In a vehicle, it’s more particular. On a bare floorboard or a smooth van shelf, it can tip if you brake hard or take a corner with enthusiasm. Two easy mitigations:

  • Load heavy items low and centered (meter, pliers) and use lighter items in the outer pockets.
  • Use a bungee or a small crate to hold the tote in place if it rides solo on the floor.

Once it’s at the job, the upright structure helps. It doesn’t collapse as you work out of it, and the pockets don’t sag open. The injected feet don’t catch on rough concrete the way some molded bases do, and they haven’t cracked in cold weather.

Weather protection and jobsite survivability

This tote is not a waterproof bag, but it’s jobsite-tolerant. The tarpaulin panels wipe clean with a rag; mud and joint compound don’t soak in. The IP54 compartment keeps rain off your phone, and the rest of the bag shrugs at occasional wet contact. In a prolonged downpour, water will eventually find seams, so plan accordingly—a contractor bag over the tote remains the simplest fix.

Stitches are tight and bar-tacked in high-stress spots. The webbing attachment points for the shoulder strap hardware are reinforced properly. The only premature wear I’ve seen is the aforementioned handle overmold and some cosmetic scuffing on the tarpaulin corners, both of which are expected in real use.

Capacity and load management

Interior volume is around 925 cubic inches—not massive, not small. Think electrician/service tech carry: hand tools, meter, consumables, with maybe a small organizer dropped in the center. If you routinely haul cordless tools, fasteners, and PPE in one bag, you’ll want a larger tote or a backpack.

For a balanced loadout, I’ve had good results with:

  • Inside: multimeter, clamp accessory, punchdown, crimpers, wire strippers, labeler tape, spare tips.
  • Outside: pliers set, drivers, torpedo, nut drivers, test lead pouch, and a few zip ties looped to the carabiner.

This setup keeps the center of gravity low and makes the tote easy to grab-and-go for diagnostics.

Little usability wins

  • The U-shaped zipper pulls really do work with gloves.
  • The padded bottom softens set-downs on finished floors.
  • The limited lifetime warranty is reassuring; stitching failures are what I’d expect to be covered.
  • The back strap for rolling handles is a small addition that solves a real transport problem.

What I’d change

  • Beef up the top handle. The comfort is good, but the overmold needs more durability.
  • Add one or two oversized interior loops for thick-handled insulated tools.
  • Consider widening the base a touch or adding a stiffer molded bottom to improve in-vehicle stability—even an extra half inch would help.

None of these are dealbreakers, but they’re the difference between a very good tote and a great one.

Who it’s for

  • Electricians, low-voltage, and HVAC service techs who value open access and thoughtful pocketing.
  • Anyone who needs a mid-size carry that can ride on top of a rolling stack.
  • Users who work indoors and out, in light weather, and want a protected spot for a phone or wallet.

Who should look elsewhere:

  • Trades who need to carry multiple cordless tools with the hand tools.
  • Users who leave bags loose in a vehicle and demand bombproof anti-tip behavior.
  • Folks who prefer fully enclosed, weatherproof tool storage.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt tote for service-focused trades who want a durable, well-organized carry with quick access to frequently used tools. The materials and construction are robust, the pocket layout supports a practical hand-tool kit, and the IP54 compartment is genuinely useful for valuables. There are caveats—the top handle overmold could be tougher, and the narrow footprint means you should secure it in a vehicle—but none of these overshadow its day-to-day strengths. If your work favors nimble, open-top organization over sheer volume, this tote earns its spot by the door.



Project Ideas

Business

Prebuilt Smart‑Home Installer Kit

Bundle the tote with vetted tools for smart‑home installs (low‑voltage testers, punchdown, labeler, cable management) and sell as a turnkey kit. Offer tiered versions (Starter/Pro) and upsell custom branding on the tarpaulin panels plus a QR‑coded inventory card for each pocket.


Custom Bag‑Outfitting Service

Provide a service that configures totes to a trade: foam inserts, laser‑etched pocket labels, embroidered logos, and 3D‑printed organizers that snap into the 22 interior pockets. Include a serialized QR inside the IP54 compartment linking to a digital inventory and maintenance log.


Technician Tote Rental for Property Managers

Create a fleet of standardized totes (electrical basics, low‑voltage, appliance triage) rented to maintenance teams on subscription. Each tote includes a tracking tag, checked‑in replenishment of consumables, and cleaning—leveraging the durable 1680D fabric for high turnover use.


Event Power Micro‑Crew Kit

Offer event organizers a compact power distro/repair tote with GFCI testers, tape, zip ties, cable covers, and lock‑out tags. The IP54 pocket secures radios/phones, and the backstrap lets staff hitch the tote to rolling road cases; brand the kit for repeat event clients.


Mobile Device Repair Pop‑Up

Use the tote as a portable workstation for phone/tablet repair in malls and markets. Stock anti‑static tools, organizer trays in the interior pockets, and keep a portable receipt printer/tablet safe in the IP54 compartment. Market quick turn repairs with a clean, professional look and fast setup.

Creative

Modular Craft Caddy

Turn the tote into a portable makers’ station with 3D‑printed pocket bins, color‑coded elastic loops, and a removable divider panel for scissors, pens, and adhesives. Use the IP54 compartment to protect a phone, paint markers, or delicate materials, and add a magnetic strip inside for quick access to blades/needles. The padded bottom and feet keep supplies clean when set on messy surfaces.


Portable Soldering & Electronics Bench

Build a compact electronics kit: mini soldering iron, tip cleaner, spool rack (using the carabiner), heat‑resistant mat rolled in an exterior pocket, and a battery bank/USB power hub tucked in the IP54 compartment. Label the 34 pockets for components and tools; the glove‑friendly U‑zips make it easy to open with heat‑resistant gloves on.


Field Photography Organizer

Add foam inserts to create slots for lenses, filters, flashes, and a compact body; stash SD cards and spare batteries in the IP54 pocket. Use the shoulder strap for long walks and the tarpaulin exterior to shed dirt/sand at outdoor shoots. The front zip pocket keeps permits and release forms secure.


Bike Repair & Trail Toolkit

Convert the backstrap to secure the tote to a rear rack or trailer; stock tire levers, multi‑tools, a mini pump, chain lube, and spare tubes in the 34 pockets. The water‑resistant compartment protects your phone/keys, while the padded base and feet let you set it down trailside without soaking your gear.