Who else is excited about the new DeWalt TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0!? I know I am! This eagerness keeps driving me to check DeWalt’s website frequently for any new and additional updates, but I have not seen anything new for a while now. All I keep seeing is “Dropping Soon”, a short blurb, and a promotional picture of a next generation storage box. With the lack of new details and updated information from DeWalt themselves, the question that keeps coming up is are they still planning to launch the TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0? Answer…Absolutely!

The DeWalt TOUGHSYSTEM is an awesome storage solution for tools and hardware. When it was originally introduced to the market, its unique and modular design provided customization and mobility that rivaled nothing else on the market. However, that did change a little bit when Milwaukee introduce their modular storage system called PACKOUT. When comparing the two, I felt that the TOUGHSYSTEM had a few shortcomings. An even better question is, will the TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 address the flaws from its predecessor? Let us discuss the improvements DeWalt has made and take a glance at the lineup!

I once described the DeWalt DS450 TOUGHSYSTEM Mobile Storage as “a plastic bin with casters”. The built quality was not as robust as its main competitor. It was bit of a letdown but not a deal breaker. So, when I heard DeWalt’s announcement of the next generation TOUGHSYSTEM, my first thought was the mobile storage. I was anxious to see if any enhancements were made and I’m here to tell you that DeWalt came through. The DeWalt DWST08450 TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 NEW Mobile Storage is a major upgrade! It’s completely redesigned and it looks MUCH sturdier. You can now navigate through tough worksite terrain with the NEW 8-inch wheels. It also features a NEW front 2-piece metal wire latch system for added durability when securing tools inside of the box. These two factors were some of the flaws the original TOUGHSYSTEM had and I am glad to see that DeWalt took care of the issues. I can no longer say it’s “a plastic bin with casters”. It’s a heavy-duty toolbox with off-road traction!

DeWalt has been listening to their core audience and are delivering real results to the market, because this modification fixes one annoyance that everyone had to deal with in the first gen TOUGHSYSTEM, and that was locking and unlocking boxes. With the TOUGHSYSTEM, once you stack them, latches on both sides needed to be snapped upwards manually to securely lock them in place. Removing them forces you to unlock both clips from each side before you can lift and get going. Compare this to its main competitor, it’s too time consuming, and it puts a little strain on your hands and fingers as these clips are tough to snap in and out. DeWalt really improved this aspect by introducing the patented Auto-Connect! This allows you to lock cases into place with no effort. Just stack, press down, hear the snap, and get going. The one touch release in the Auto-Connect also makes it very easy to remove boxes by just unlocking one side. This will truly make TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 enjoyable to work with.

With confidence, I can say DeWalt’s engineers improved the durability and the accessibility on the TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0, but is that it? No, they are pushing forward and thinking outside the box (no pun intended). Other major improvements and innovations I am witnessing lie in the versatility and organization category. First, are the yellow tabs featured on top of all 2.0 boxes. Took me some time to figure this one out but it blew my mind once I realized what they were for. These tabs are specifically made to snap in the NEW 6 bin organizers (DWST08020)! You can pop in one or two of these half size organizers on top of the toolboxes utilizing the conveniences of the Auto-Connect. WOW! Next, are the stackable interior trays. They come in two sizes, deep (DWST08120) and shallow (DWST08110). These interlockable trays have dual function as they work for both convenient carrying and additional storage that fit perfectly within the TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 toolboxes. Excellent way to organize tools and hardware!

DEWALT TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 LINEUP

After reading this, you probably have a little buyer’s remorse. You’re completely sold and want to upgrade to the 2.0 desperately but you're heavily invested in the original TOUGHSYSTEM. TOUGH luck, right? WRONG, good news is that TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 is backwards compatible with most TOUGHSYSTEM products. Which also means you can still take advantage of DeWalt’s TOUGHSYSTEM Workshop and Van Racking System! Being able to use the original TOUGHSYSTEM with the second gen will be a huge deal to a lot of people, including myself. It keeps consumers happy because it provides a much larger catalog. The possibilities for customization and tailoring your own workflow just expanded. I'm honestly excited for this product launch, which will be available in the very near future. DeWalt did a fantastic job on the TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0. Grand slam! I want to leave off with this, this is only the beginning for the TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0. DeWalt will only be adding NEW and innovating 2.0 products along the way. How awesome is that!