Product Review: Blue Ridge Overland Gear Tool Bag

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Blue Ridge Overland Gear Tool Bag – Item 21TB-L

It is bound to happen sooner or later, the sound of something just not right when on the trails. You stop what you are doing, the heart sinks a little bit, and then you investigate. It could be something minor that is easily fixed or it could be something major that stops you in your tracks and makes you change all of your plans. Having good tools on the trail and on adventures is a must, without them, you could be stranded waiting for help. The BROG Tool Bag was purchased on March 23rd and arrived very quickly to Texas. Luckily, I had already made up a list of tools that were going to go into the tool bag, so setting it up was quick and easy. On arrival I could tell that this was something that would last a long time without any issues, the 500D nylon cordura is heavy duty, yet easy to clean, and not overly stiff to prevent the bag from having some give in it. The included six pouches are easy to remove from the bag, easy to see inside and grab what you need, and plenty of space to store the tools needed. Each pouch has been designated for a specific type of tool or work needed to be performed with plenty of space in each pouch to add and remove tools overtime.

I store the Tool Bag behind the passenger rear seat as it fits inside the plastic storage bin perfectly, it does not move or shift around when on the trails at all.

The pouches have been placed in the bag with the heaviest of the pouches in the center which is the socket pouch and the ratchet wrench pouch. This makes it easier to open and close, and with storage as it stays upright without issue.

The pouches have been setup in the following ways;

Electrical:

• Cable Ties, Small and Large
• Velcro Cable Ties
• Spare wire
• Vise-Grip Multi-Tool Wire Stripper/Crimper/Cutter
• Spare Electrical Parts
• Spare Hardware for Roof Rack and Such
• Spare Power Extension Bit Set for Cordless Impact

Wrench/Pliers:

• Adjustable Wrench
• Joint Pliers
• Groove Pliers
• Box Cutter
• Big Red Sharpie

Wrenches:

• 22mm Combination Wrench
• 19mm Combination Wrench
• 19mm Short Combination Wrench
• 17mm Ratchet Wrench
• 17mm Combination Wrench
• 15mm Ratchet Wrench
• 14mm Ratchet Wrench
• 13mm Ratchet Wrench
• 12mm Ratchet Wrench
• 10mm Ratchet Wrench
• 1/2" / 9/16" Open End Wrench

Screwdrivers:

• 4 Different Sets of Bits
• 2 Flat Heads
• 3 Phillips
• 2 1/4 socket drivers
• 1 Bit Driver

Bagged Hex Keys and Wrenches

Socket Bag:

• ½ Ratchet
• ¼ Ratchet
• Two ½ Extensions
• One ¼ Extension
• Spark Plug Socket
• Elbow Socket
• Adapters
• Multiple Different Sockets in both Regular and Deep Sockets

There are a few things that are not kept in the bag but are kept in the truck somewhere else like electrical tape, Leatherman, hammer, etc.

After using it as my main tool bag for a trip Big Bend National Park and for just working on the truck around the house I can say that this has replaced about 4 actual toolboxes that I used to use. With having everything in one bag, easy to grab, easy to find. It has really helped out.

Pros:

• Lays flat when open
• Easy to remove inside pouches
• Easy to find what tool you need inside pouches
• Plenty of room for everything needed when on the trail
• Outside pocket is great for holding a rag and work gloves
• Outside Velcro and MOLLE is great for adding compatible pouches or patchs

Cons: (Not even really cons... just suggestions!

• Velcro on pouches does not really fully attach to Velcro inside bag, does not affect function, but would like it to fully attach
• Would like a way to have name tape or place to write on the inside pouches for identification
• Can get heavy, but not really carrying it while hiking or anything
• Could include a way to be able to hang it from a roof rack possibly besides the handles

I will say that over time I will more than likely add and remove tools from this bag as it will be something that can be changed as needed. There might even be some tools that I don’t have, but may need, but right now I am pretty confident I can fix most issues that I may have while on the trail.

*Feel free to suggest tools or items to add or remove from this tool bag!*

Would I recommend this tool bag, absolutely without a doubt. I have a feeling this tool bag will outlast my current vehicle and will be moved from vehicle to vehicle over the years.

The Blue Ridge Overland Gear can be purchased directly from BROG here - https://www.blueridgeoverlandgear.com/Tool-Bag-p/21tb-l.htm

 

Bumping this thread a tad. I'm currently looking at ways to pack tools for my vehicle(s). I keep coming back to this style of containment for my tools and small repair gear.

ETXTacoma....Thanks for putting together this great layout review of the BROG tool bag system. It really brings it all together.

 

Thanks! Glad it could help.

I use it all the time and it gets better with age! I keep organizing it more and adding or removing stuff all the time. Still holding up like it is brand new!

 

Good to hear that it is still going strong.
Looks like they are currently out of stock, so I have to just wait.

I did jot down how you organized yours, and that seems to be pretty much how I would go about loading up mine with some tweaks here and there.
I do plan to use one of the bags as a miscellaneous bag with odd stuff like tire plug kit, pick kit, wire/plastic brushes, gasket scraper, battery terminal cleaner and what not.

Also wandered through Harbor Freight today and eyeballed some various tools that I plan to purchase just for this kit as to avoid taking from my garage stash.
I borrowed a measuring tape off the shelf to use to get an idea of what tools will be within the 12" length to fit in the bags. Harbor Freight actually has some pretty high quality tools with life time warranties on the cheap so outfitting will be pretty inexpensive. I also found a really nice ratchet that has both 1/4" and 3/8" drive with an extendable handle that will be double use for just one tool. Cool beans!

Again thanks for the detailed description and pics to get my thoughts headed in the right direction.

 

So, I got my BROL bag and have it about 90% where I want it. Just need to get a hammer in there, and some heat shrink tubing for my electrical tidbitz.

I believe I spent around $130 (after discounts). Since I was set to gain a significant amount of discounts by joining HF's "Inside Track Club", I went for it.

After paying for the year subscription, and then all the discounts on various targeted tools, a few 25% scans here and there on the more expensive items, a free item and such, I came out about $40 ahead. So, for the remaining length of the"Inside Track Club" I will be saving even more money, and get more free stuff every time I go in and buy something.

The bag fits a shit load of tools, and is still compact as can be. Fits nicely behind the drivers rear seat, always on the ready.

I also found these cool stick versions of lubes to keep in the bag as well. The white lithium grease stick works great on the hitch ball.

 

I'm a little late jumping into the conversation, but as an alternative, search out Braslow bags. They are designed to be a Pediatric emergency response kit in hospital settings. When hospitals replace them, we typically buy a whole stocked new set, which means the old ones get tossed or sold cheap. I have found them online in the past for about 30 bucks.

http://www.liveactionsafety.com/broselow-pediatric-resuscitation-system/

 

Ugh... Bump'ed and saved. I'm putting together an order from BlueRidge right now anyway. Now I might need this too. TW you suck and cost me all my Monies... lol

 

It happens man!

I use this bag all the time and still looks great, has gotten better with age honestly!

 

Thats awesome.

Back in May I went camping 7 hrs from home (in my bigger truck/camper combo). My daughter and her boyfriend drove up in her 01 Pathfinder the following day, and I had her take my bag of tools with her in case they had any car troubles. She actually had to use it prior to leaving for something interior related. She loved how well laid out it was and so compact for how many tools are in it.

 

Reviving this old thread. Where do folks keep this in the truck? Will it fit behind the seats in a DC?

B.

 

It fits perfectly behind driver side rear seat of the DC. Perfectly!

 

Somehow I missed this, but yes. I keep mine behind the passenger side rear seat in the cubbie, fits perfectly there. Also fits on the drivers side perfectly as well.

 

Wow, not sure how we missed this thread for so long, but thank you so much Steven! We love the review and pics! Shoot us a message, lets chat!

 

I need do an update on this review and add in some new tools and new pictures of the bag, it has been used a ton as it gets pulled out anytime I need to work on the truck. But have slowly added and removed tools to the bag here and there as I find what I need to have and what I don't really ever need to have in the bag.

Bag is still in great shape even after being thrown around, used on all sorts of terrain, and more!

 

Want to post another update to this, I have been wanting a way to label what was in each bag to help identify getting stuff out of when someone is helping me and I need something out of a certain pouch or just a pouch handed to me.

At first I tried sharpie and it worked, until I rubbed it and the sharpie came off but left a little stain on the clear plastic, not a huge deal... so now I am trying just some good 3M Labels... so far they are holding up really well and have not started to peel off or anything. So hopefully this will be a good solution for this.

 

ETXTacoma, I was thinking the same thing about how to label the bags for quick reference without the need to open and look first.
Figured the Sharpie wouldn't work long term so I didn't bother with that.

Looking forward to seeing how your 3M tags hold up.

 

Phew... read that as "blue ridgeline" and was very concerned for a moment

Glad I missread this!


Nice review!

 

Industrial sticky velcro and nametapes. I think BROG does these now, but any uniform shop can do them as well. 1-800 name tapes has been pretty great for a lot of stuff for me as well.

 

Yea, am roughly know when I put the 3M tags on there so will see how it holds up this year and how long until one starts to peel or something!

Thanks for the compliments, expect some more reviews coming soon on some more gear as well!

I thought about this, but that would start to get a tad pricey with custom nametapes. Not really sure other ways to do this though

 

1800 nametapes does name strips for 3.50 each. Kinda pricey for custom labels i guess, but look very well done in the long run.