Essential Overland Gear: Pangolin Tool Roll

Lighter and more flexible than a metal tool box, the Step 22 Pangolin Roll keeps essentials handy for simple repairs.

Rolled up, it stores under my seat or at the bottom of my van cabinet, with a full set of wrenches, screwdrivers, paracord and accessories.

What doesn’t work well in it? A hammer or duct tape. Even rolled up, a hammer often slips out, heading quickly toe-ward. Large rolls of duct tape also don’t fit well, but electrical or hockey tape finds a home.

Large or small wrenches are easily organized in sleeves within the wrench roll, which detaches so you can pull the whole set out when you just aren’t sure if you need the 11mm or ½ inch tool.

It has “all the rewards of carrying a classic tool bag, without the black hole effect,” Step 22 says on its website. The roll’s zippered pouches let me organize tools by use: one pouch for electrical work, another for general repairs and another for zip ties, screwdrivers and screws.

It features what Step 22 calls “best in class materials:” 1,000 Denier Nylon + CRAWL (Coated Rugged All-Weather Layer) in its patented design.

I won mine in a raffle at Overland Expo more than seven years ago. I ripped a seam out of that one, which Step 22 replaced immediately. The replacement has withstood the test of time, being tossed on tundra and pavement from Alaska to Arizona for quick repairs.

You can buy it for about $165 directly from Step 22. A smaller, mini version and a tool pouch are available more cheaply.

Rolled up, it measures about 14x7½x6 inches, depending on how many tools you shove into it.

Why is it named for the pangolin?

According to Step 22, “pangolins roll up and have a super tough exterior for protection, just like our tool roll. Since most people have never heard of them, this is our chance to shed some light on this amazing scaly-skinned animal. Illegal wildlife trade has made them more trafficked than any other mammal on Earth. While they are on the verge of extinction, it is not too late. We invite you to visit our conservation page and the Pangolin Crisis Fund to learn more about how your support of Step 22 also helps pangolins around the world.”

— Donn Friedman/GO New Mexico

Tell GO New Mexico how you store your tools, or share some of your overlanding essentials at go@abqjournal.com.