DeWalt 20 in. Pro Open Mouth Tool Bag

Some tool bags feel like bottomless pits. This one feels like a well-thought-out mobile workstation. After several weeks of hauling the DeWalt 20-inch open-mouth bag between shop and jobsite, I’ve come away impressed with its build quality and weather-minded design, with a few nitpicks about pocket layout and accessory placement that are worth knowing before you buy.

Build and weather protection

DeWalt leans into durability here: the shell is 1680D fabric with a dirt-repellent tarpaulin, and the base is a thick rubberized, waterproof pan. That base is the difference-maker in real use. I’ve set the bag down on wet concrete, muddy subfloors, and damp grass; moisture never wicked up and the bag stayed upright and stable. The base cleans off with a quick wipe, and it’s rigid enough that the bag doesn’t sag or tip when fully loaded.

Up front, there’s a water-resistant (IP54-rated) compartment. I used it for a phone, small notebook, receipts, laser target cards, and a USB battery pack. It’s properly sealed for rain, splash, and dust, but it’s not a dry bag—don’t dunk it. For day-to-day protection when weather turns, it’s genuinely useful.

Fit and finish are solid. Seams are tight, bartacks are where they should be, and the U-shaped zipper on the main opening hasn’t hinted at binding or tooth spread. At just under 5 pounds empty, the bag isn’t featherlight, but the extra heft feels like it’s working for you in rigidity and longevity.

Access and organization

The main compartment uses a wide, open-mouth design with a U-shaped zipper. It opens far enough to give a clear view of the interior without the “cram and hope” guessing game. Inside is hi-visibility yellow fabric that makes dark tools pop, a small but meaningful choice when you’re hunting for a black hex key in low light.

Capacity is ample. I regularly carried:
- 18V drill/driver and a spare battery (there’s a dedicated pocket that holds both securely)
- Hand tools (chisels, screwdrivers, side cutters, lineman’s, torpedo level)
- Layout gear (tape, chalk, square, markers)
- Small parts boxes

There are 33 pockets total—19 exterior, 14 interior. The interior pockets are mostly vertical tool sleeves along the walls, and they do a good job of keeping handles upright. The exterior has a mix of open sleeves, zip pockets, and accessory mounts, plus straps for a level. The included metal carabiner is handy for keys or a rafter square.

Where the organization stumbles is pocket geometry. Some exterior sleeves are a touch narrow and shallow for bulkier grips. My lineman’s pliers and a fat-handled screwdriver protruded more than I’d like, and deeper pouches for those specific tools would improve retention. The dedicated drill/battery slot is excellent, but a second similarly sized bay for an impact driver would make this bag near-perfect for the power tool plus hand tool combo most of us carry.

Ergonomics and transport

The bag gives you three practical carry modes:
- Dual top handles for short moves
- A padded, removable shoulder strap
- A back strap that slips over a telescopic rolling-handle for piggybacking on a rolling toolbox

The shoulder strap is comfortable and adequately padded for medium hauls. Load the bag near its 55-pound capacity and, like any soft-sided rig, you’ll feel it in the shoulder after a longer walk, but the strap doesn’t dig and the swivels don’t squeak. The handle pass-through is a great quality-of-life feature—sliding the bag onto a rolling box stabilizes it during longer site moves. The strap’s width is fine, though the bag can sway if the rolling stack hits rough ground; cinching the shoulder strap across the top doubles as a stabilizer.

The bag keeps its shape when packed, which makes zipping clean and one-handed. It doesn’t collapse completely flat when empty, but it does stow neatly in a truck seat well or under a bench. At 20 inches long, it’s big without being awkward.

On-site performance

A few things stood out in day-to-day use:
- Stability: The waterproof base spreads the load and keeps the bag upright. I never had the “domino topple” that some soft bags suffer when you pull a heavy tool from one side.
- Visibility: The hi-vis interior works. I spent less time fishing and more time grabbing what I needed.
- Fast in, fast out: The open-mouth design and U-shaped zipper are genuinely efficient. I could quickly stage tools for a task without fighting a narrow zipper track or floppy walls.
- Weather confidence: Light rain and wet surfaces are non-issues. I wouldn’t leave the whole bag out in a downpour, but I didn’t need to baby it, either.

Accessories and small details

The tape clip and level straps are thoughtful adds, but they’re not perfect. The tape clip’s placement crowds a trio of exterior pockets. With a 25-foot tape docked, access to those adjacent sleeves tightens up more than I’d like. It’s workable with a smaller tape, and you can always hang a tape from the carabiner or stash it in an open pocket, but the default spot could be better.

The level straps are strong and secure. They’re great for keeping a box level or straightedge attached to the bag so it’s not rattling around inside. Expect the level to overhang the bag’s ends if it’s longer than the bag—no problem in practice, just be mindful around door jambs.

Durability outlook

After weeks of real work—truck-to-site, concrete dust, and the occasional scrape against masonry—the fabric shows minimal fraying, and the base has only superficial scuffs. Zippers still track smoothly and the pulls are glove-friendly. With a limited lifetime warranty behind it, I’m confident this bag is built for the long run, not a single season.

What could be improved

• Pocket sizing mix: A couple of exterior sleeves could be deeper/wider to better hold pliers and oversized grips without riding high.
• Tape clip placement: With a full-size tape on the bracket, adjacent pockets are harder to use. A relocation or standoff would solve it.
• Weight-to-size balance: At nearly 5 pounds empty, you feel it once the bag fills up. It’s the trade-off for the reinforced base and tough fabric, but worth noting.

None of these are deal-breakers; they’re refinements that would elevate the experience.

Who it’s for

• Carpenters/cabinetmakers who carry a blend of hand tools, fasteners, and one or two cordless tools
• Electricians and HVAC techs who value a stand-up bag with fast access and a water-resistant pocket for meters and documentation
• Maintenance and facility techs who want a single, durable bag that piggybacks well on a rolling box and isn’t fazed by wet floors

If you routinely carry a full power tool fleet, a rolling chest will be a better fit. But for a focused set of hand tools plus a drill/driver, this bag nails the sweet spot between capacity and portability.

The bottom line

The DeWalt 20-inch open-mouth bag gets the big things right: rugged materials, a waterproof base that genuinely expands where you can set it down, quick access to tools, and a practical selection of pockets. The IP54 compartment is the kind of “nice-to-have” that quickly becomes a daily essential, and the back strap for a telescopic handle shows DeWalt considered how we actually move on a jobsite.

I’d like to see tweaks to pocket geometry and a rethink of the tape clip placement, but those are small quibbles in an otherwise dialed-in design. It’s a tough, thoughtfully constructed hauler that makes staying organized easier instead of adding friction.

Recommendation: I recommend this bag for pros and serious DIYers who want a durable, weather-conscious tool tote with real organization and jobsite-friendly features. Its build quality, stable waterproof base, and efficient access outweigh the minor pocket layout quirks, making it a reliable daily carry that should last for years.