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review
2023 Muc-Off Metal Utility Toolbox.jpg£40.00
VERDICT:
Not cheap, but very well made and not a bit of plastic in sight
Very robust
Hardwearing finish
No internal compartments
Weight:
1,398g
Contact:
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
What the road.cc scores meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
- Exceptional
- Excellent
- Very Good
- Good
- Quite good
- Average
- Not so good
- Poor
- Bad
- Appalling
One thing you can say about the Muc-Off Metal Utility Toolbox is that it is very well made, with nothing exposed to rust and not a hint of plastic in sight. It is pricey though, especially considering there are no internal compartments.
Let's be honest, if you just want a box to chuck your tools or bits and bobs into, you probably won't be plumping for this Muc-Off option. After all, you can pick up a basic, plastic toolbox for around a tenner, even cheaper if you search online.
The Metal Utility Toolbox though is part of Muc-Off's Project Green, which is all about delivering environmentally focused improvements across its business, which in part means a move away from single-use plastic.
> Six essential tools for cyclists who do their own bike maintenance
That's why the toolbox is made 100% from metal, which is recyclable and robust. The toolbox has been made in China though, so there is still a fair amount of shipping involved to offset any carbon-neutrality.
The whole unit is very durable. I've been flinging it in and out of the car boot when I'm travelling with the bike and there isn't a dent in sight or the slightest scratch to the matt black finish.
The handle and the clasp are equally tough, the latter also featuring a loop for a padlock.
Its nine-litre volume means you can carry a fair amount of stuff inside, although there are no trays, compartments or dividers to keep your stuff organised.
Priced at £40 it's more of a long-term investment than an impulse buy, but if you want a smart-looking box for your cycling tool's it's worth a look. At 36 x 17 x 18cm it's easily portable too.
Value
For the same sort of money, you could get three-drawer metal portable tool chest from Halfords, which gives you loads more storage.
The Muc-Off isn't alone at this price point though, the Stanley Fatmax 23in is a bit larger overall. It is mainly plastic in its construction with some metal thrown in and it's yours for a penny under £40.
Conclusion
Compartments would be nice, and the lack of them is probably my biggest criticism, but the toolbox is very well made. Plus, its size makes it ideal if you drive to rides, as you can carry plenty of essential tools and lubes inside for pre-ride and post-ride fettling. It isn't cheap, but then again, it's not quite as expensive as I thought it might be and its all-metal construction should last for years.
Verdict
Not cheap, but very well made and not a bit of plastic in sight
If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website
road.cc test report
Make and model: Muc-Off Metal Utility Toolbox
Size tested: 36 x 17 x 18cm
Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Muc-Off says: "Looking for a toolbox that's spacious and tough-as-nails? Roger that! Keep your tools, bike care swag and spare parts from going AWOL with our new Utility Toolbox."
It's a simple toolbox, but it's a good quality product that should give you years of service.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Durable, metal construction
Secure locking latch system
Powder coated matt black finish
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
9/10
Rate the product for value:
4/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
It's spacious and well made.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
There is nothing exposed to rust.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
There are no internal compartments.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
You can get plastic alternatives for a lot less, but overall its price represents its quality when you compare it to similar options.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Probably not, but if I wanted to cut down on plastic use it would be a contender.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
Not the cheapest solution, but one that is well made, roomy and a good choice as a long-term investment.
About the tester
Age: 44
I usually ride: This month's test bike My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,
As part of the Tech Hub here at F-At Digital, our senior product reviewer Stu uses the knowledge gained from putting well over a 1,000 products through their paces (including hundreds of bikes) to write in-depth reviews of a huge range of kit. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 160,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. Although, as he spends a fair bit of his time reviewing ebikes these days he's becoming an expert in letting the motor take the strain. He's also waiting for 23mm race tyres to make a comeback!
Latest Comments
- chrisonabike 6 min 43 sec ago
Are you sure it was electric- that sounds more like an energon monster?
- OldRidgeback 21 min ago
Interesting, tho they only take narrow 20" slick tyres. I'd want to be able to use 1.75 Maxxis DTHs.
- don simon fbpe 49 min ago
Who'd've thought that a certain whinging section (right whingers get uppity for calling them what they are) of society would resort to division,...
- Exup 2 hours 21 min ago
At least some justice is being done........
- BIRMINGHAMisaDUMP 2 hours 31 min ago
I imagine the Police treat bike theft as an insurance issue rather than a criminal issue. Can't blame them to be honest. The best thing is to use...
- David9694 2 hours 58 min ago
Police launch investigation into destruction of barber shop in Hythe High Street...
- ktache 11 hours 28 min ago
I'd love for them to put a number on that "inappropriate speed"
- Nick T 12 hours 20 min ago
They need to use some harder material for the cleat retention clip really, that's worn out long before any bearing has had a chance to fail on...
- yiipeeia 15 hours 11 min ago
I am 67 and I cycle with two groups during the year The Haddenham Easyriders International who ride during the summer on Thursday evenings, and The...
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7 comments
"a move away from single-use plastic"
Wait... you're not supposed to keep using your plastic toolbox? I've been re-using mine for about 30 years - I feel so stupid.
Metal army surplus ammunition boxes (pretty robust, for obvious reasons) of exactly the same size for a third of the price on eBay. One could always write MucOff on the lid with a marker...
I still have some old film tins for my days in the film industry. They are metal and make good tool boxes. (N.b kids - before digital everything was recorded on tape)
"Forty quid, for an empty metal box?"
"It's a cycling metal box, and the environment."
"Take my money."
Gravel version currently at final sign-off stage, it's an extra tenner and will have some aluminium tread plate on the top.
That loop looks a bit small to fit a decent padlock through it. I suppose it depends on whether you put anything valuable in it
No matter the size of the padlock, it's useless anyway. It's a small box with a handle. Very convinient for a thief to pick it up and take on the lock at home, with all the time in the world and a cup of coffee at the side.