DeWalt TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 22 in. Tool Bag

Why I reached for this bag

I wanted a soft-sided hauler that could live on my ToughSystem 2.0 stack and handle real jobsite mess without turning into a sloppy duffel. I’ve tried plenty of open totes and backpacks; they’re quick, but they don’t always play nicely with modular systems or keep longer tools upright. This 22-inch ToughSystem bag hits a nice middle ground: vertical access like a bucket tote, zipper protection like a duffel, and it locks onto ToughSystem 2.0 boxes so it rides to the job without bungees.

Build and design

The fabric is a dense 1680D that shrugs off dirt and abrasion, and the injected plastic base is the standout feature. I’ve set it in puddles and muddy yards; up to about an inch and a half, water simply doesn’t get in. The body isn’t a hard shell—there’s no internal frame—so out of the box it has a soft, compliant feel. That’s great for packing odd shapes, but it also means it rewards thoughtful loading if you want it to stand tall.

Hardware is solid where it counts: wide webbing, reinforced seams, and a padded shoulder strap that doesn’t bite. The zipper coils are meaty and track well. The corded zipper pulls are serviceable, though after a few months one of mine frayed; easy to re-tie or replace with paracord, but worth noting.

Dimensions-wise, the bag is a true 22-plus inches wide, 13 inches deep, and about 15 inches tall. Empty weight is just under 7 pounds, which is reasonable given the materials and base.

Organization and real capacity

Dewalt loads this thing with pockets and loops—over 50 by the count. Inside, there’s a series of vertical sleeves on both walls plus a clear view to the bottom, which matters when you’re fishing for a specific driver or pliers. Outside, there are zippered end compartments and open pockets for high-frequency items. There’s also a daisy chain, a level holder, and a top bungee that’s actually useful; it’ll cinch down a 24-inch level, a jacket, or a coil of hose.

A few practical observations after living with it:

• The bag easily swallows two full-size recip saws or a circular saw plus hand tools. The vertical height is genuinely generous.
• The long, narrow pockets are better suited to medium-length drivers, pliers, chisels, and snips than to extra-long screwdrivers. Extra-long shafts tend to lean; I ended up putting my longest drivers in the main cavity or in deeper center sleeves.
• The tape measure “parking” spot works with a 16-25 foot tape. With a heavier 35-footer, it can tug and sag if the bag isn’t full. I prefer clipping the tape to the daisy chain or a side handle when loaded light.

The stated load capacity is 77 pounds. I routinely carry 30–45 pounds of tools in it and have pushed it to roughly 60 pounds for short hauls. The straps and stitching took that without drama.

On the job: carrying and access

The standout experience is access. With the vertical structure and all-around zip, you can open the main compartment wide and see nearly everything without digging. For service calls, I’ll park meters, a compact impact, drill, bits, and hand tools in the center, with consumables and layout tools in the side pockets. Nothing is more than a glance away.

Carrying is comfortable up to about 40 pounds: the padded shoulder strap spreads the load, and the side handles are placed right for lifting it into a truck bed or onto a rolling box. Over long distances at heavier weights, I appreciate that it locks onto my ToughSystem 2.0 rolling box and rides rather than being slung.

Durability and weather resistance

The fabric is tough and genuinely dirt-repellent; it wipes clean and doesn’t hold onto mud. The waterproof base works exactly as advertised. I’ve set the bag on wet concrete and in shallow puddles, and the contents stayed dry below that 1.5-inch line. Above that, this is still a soft bag with zippers—rain will get in if you leave it exposed. I treat it as water-resistant with a waterproof bottom, not a dry bag.

Seam reinforcement looks good, and I haven’t blown a seam even with heavy loads. As mentioned, the zipper pulls are the weak point; the coils and sliders themselves are robust. No teeth failures so far.

The ToughSystem 2.0 advantage

Compatibility with ToughSystem 2.0 is the reason to pick this bag over a generic duffel. It clicks onto my DS rolling box and mid-size organizers securely, rides solidly over rough ground, and unclips in a second. On site, I can set it beside the saw or bring it into a mechanical room without juggling a loose tote. If you already own the 2.0 platform, the integration is seamless and genuinely useful.

Quirks and limitations

No bag is perfect. Here’s what I’ve learned to work around:

• Soft structure: Without an internal frame, partially loaded walls can fold in and make the mouth narrower, especially if heavy tools are parked in outer pockets. When fully packed, it stands fine. Two fixes: place heavier items in the main compartment and use those outer sleeves for lighter tools, or cut a 1/8–1/4 inch plastic sheet to fit the floor and give the base some lateral stiffness.
• Shallow driver sleeves: Long screwdrivers, long nut drivers, and extended shanks don’t sit as upright as I’d like. I moved those to deeper center sleeves or use a small inner roll for the longest ones.
• Not fully waterproof: The base is waterproof to 1.5 inches. The bag as a whole isn’t. If you work outdoors in rain, throw a cover over it or keep it stacked under a lidded box.
• Tape measure station: Fine for standard tapes, a little floppy for the heaviest ones. The daisy chain makes a better anchor for big tapes or magnet-backed housings.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re worth understanding so you load it in a way that plays to its strengths.

Who it suits best

• Trades that already run ToughSystem 2.0 and want a soft bag that snaps into the stack.
• Carpenters, remodelers, and HVAC techs who carry a mix of hand tools and a couple of compact power tools, and value quick, all-around access.
• DIYers who want a high-capacity, durable bag for overflow or house tools without committing to another metal chest.

If your day-to-day demands rigid structure for standing drivers perfectly upright, a hard-sided tote or framed bag might suit you better. If you routinely work in soaking rain, pair this with a lidded box or a rain cover.

Tips to get the most out of it

• Load heavy gear in the center cavity and lighter items in the outer sleeves to maintain shape.
• Add a flat plastic or thin plywood insert to the floor for extra rigidity if you like a more boxy stance.
• Reserve the top bungee for long items that don’t fit anywhere else: a 24-inch level, a pry bar, or a rolled-up jacket.
• Use the daisy chain for carabiners, tape measure, and quick-clip pouches; it’s stronger than it looks.
• For long drivers, use a compact inner roll or a deeper sleeve near the center to keep them upright and visible.

Final recommendation

I recommend this ToughSystem 2.0 bag to anyone invested in Dewalt’s modular system who wants a durable, high-capacity soft bag with real jobsite manners. It’s comfortable to carry in the 30–45 pound range, the waterproof base is a meaningful advantage on wet ground, and the vertical, all-around access makes finding tools fast. The soft-sided design and slightly shallow driver sleeves are the trade-offs; they’re manageable with smart loading but worth considering if you prefer a framed, rigid organizer. For most users who value integration, capacity, and durability over perfect rigidity, this bag is a smart, hardworking addition to a 2.0 stack.