Occidental Leather 8095 stronghold beltless system review

[Kirk]

Hi guys,

I'm fairly new to building, and was recomended by a friend to get one
of the Occidental stronghold beltless system. He recomended the 8095
http://www.occidental-leather.com/stronghold.html

I was wondering if anybody had and experience with those systems vs. a
standard system just worn around the waist.

Any info would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Kirk W.

[Mike]

I stay away from shoulder mounted stuff. From years of backpacking in
Colorado, I've learned that you can carry weight on your hips much more
easily than on your shoulders. A good backpack rides on your hips and
uses the shoulder straps to keep it oriented.

Think about why kids are going to school with wheeled bags these days
instead of backpacks. The book backpacks have no internal frame, so
they must hang from the shoulders. Over the long haul, this causes back
problems.

If you have bad shoulders (like I do from swimming and bicycle crashes)
there's no question that a belt is better.

Also, if you have to do a lot of overhead work, your arms and shoulders
will tire much more quickly with the tools pulling down up top.

I recently replaced my old tool belt, and actually decided against a
nicer leather belt and went with padded nylon. I find it much more
comfortable, as it is very similar to a framed-pack belt. It won't last
as long as leather, but it will be more comfortable, and it costs less
when replacement time comes.

[Dave jackson]

I do like the nylon pouches better than the leather, but I added
suspenders to mine to keep some of the weight on my shoulders My nylon
pouch as kind of a built in back brace which is nice, but putting all the
weight on my waist causes my back to ache. Dividing the weight between
shoulders and waist with suspenders has proven to be the best combo for
e. -dave

Post by Kirk
Hi guys,
I'm fairly new to building, and was recomended by a friend to get one
of the Occidental stronghold beltless system. He recomended the 8095
http://www.occidental-leather.com/stronghold.html
I was wondering if anybody had and experience with those systems vs. a
standard system just worn around the waist.
Any info would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Kirk W.

[GLT]

I never did like any system that incorperated a shoulder conection, i.e.
like suspenders...imho, most all the current nailbags are crap, they are
either to shallow, to narrow, or fall apart in no time...I sure miss the old
days of real cowhide bags that were wide, and deep enough so your tools
didn't fall out everytime you moved to fast...

Post by Dave jackson
I do like the nylon pouches better than the leather, but I added
suspenders to mine to keep some of the weight on my shoulders My nylon
pouch as kind of a built in back brace which is nice, but putting all the
weight on my waist causes my back to ache. Dividing the weight between
shoulders and waist with suspenders has proven to be the best combo for
e. -dave

Post by Kirk
Hi guys,
I'm fairly new to building, and was recomended by a friend to get one
of the Occidental stronghold beltless system. He recomended the 8095
http://www.occidental-leather.com/stronghold.html
I was wondering if anybody had and experience with those systems vs. a
standard system just worn around the waist.
Any info would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Kirk W.

[Will Jones]

Post by Kirk
Occidental stronghold beltless system

Is clearly the deluxe tool-carry way to go. I went with the 5095 and am
proud of it...the 8095 is probably a couple pounds lighter and more
vulnerable to cuts.

Pay attention to the adjustment guide. Fitted properly mine is
fantastic: other than the ridiculous amount of weight I carry on mine
the shoulder/neck support of the suspenders makes it almost weightless.

Occidental Leather is All-American, out in California, and I'd be
surprised to find anyone else making as good or better a product.