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3 Top Tool Backpack Comparison Chart
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If you spend a lot of time up a ladder, on a roof, or in another remote job site, a typical toolbox just won’t work for you. You need the best tool backpack that leaves both of your hands-frees to work while holding all your most needed instruments within easy reach.
If you are searching for the best tool backpack for your needs, we have broken down all the benefits and drawbacks of some of the most popular versions in one easy buying guide.
Read on and learn what you need to know to make the best choice to protect your tools and your back every day on the job.
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5 Best Tool Backpacks Reviewed
- Milwaukee Denier Jobsite Backpack
- DEWALT DGL523 Lighted Tool Backpack Bag
- CLC 1134 Carpenter’s Tool Backpack
- Klein Tools Backpack Tradesman Pro Organizer
- Carhartt Legacy Standard Work Backpack
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How To Chose The Best Tool Backpack
When shopping for a backpack to hold all your contractor tools, you need it to be able to hold all your most common implements, fit comfortably, and stand up to a pile of abuse. Here are a few things to keep in mind when hunting for your best tool backpack.
Heavy-Duty Construction
The best tool backpack is going to be built like a tank out of ballistic fabric that resists tears and stretching and is water resistant. All the seams should be double stitched and sealed.
Even exterior keyrings, snack pockets, and places for your pens should be built to stand up to years of abuse.
The carry handles should be made out of tough woven fabric and doubled over so they don’t deform after repeated lifting. If you can pull on a seam and make the bag warp, it won’t stand up to heavy tools trying to poke free.
Lots of Pockets-Big and Small
You need a tool backpack so that you can bring all your tools along even when you need both hands to get the job done.
So, your best tool backpack will have a wide variety of pockets and compartments able to fit a collection of screwdrivers, fencing pliers, measuring tape, connectors, power drills, and all the needed bits.
If you bring your laptop to the job site, make sure that the largest compartment will accommodate it and the power supply.
Wide Padded Shoulder Straps
You can tell when you have found a real contractor’s backpack by the construction of the straps and back support. The straps should be wide and cushioned. There should be a hard frame that provides protection for your spine while supporting the bag when fully loaded with tools.
You may find a backpack in an art store with a similar selection of pockets, but it won’t be designed for comfortable wear while hauling 50 or 60 pounds of metal tools on your back.
If the backpack is marketed to be carried over one shoulder, steer clear. You need both hands free for the job while on a ladder.
Rugged Zippers
When reviewing even the best tool backpacks, zippers are often the weak point of the product. The zipper should be chunky and even give some resistance when opening and closing the bag.
Small, thin zippers designed for jackets will simply split when filled with heavy tools and slung across your back. The zipper should also be coated with a water-resistant film to prevent corrosion and to stop moisture from getting inside the bag when you are working out in the weather.
Rubber Feet And Bottom
You are going to be putting your backpack down on rock, sand, dirt, mud, snow, and occasionally on a clean, dry floor. The bag should have a rubberized or plastic base that features four feet with good traction.
This helps your bag to stand upright and prevents water from seeping in from the bottom when you are standing in puddles.
It also helps the backpack resist tears and damage while riding around in the work truck. If you are carrying sensitive electronics, look for a watertight compartment as well.
5 Best Tool Backpack Reviews
Here’s a list of the best tool backpacks we found on the market:
1. Milwaukee Denier Jobsite Backpack
The Milwaukee Denier blends the best of both worlds with their bid for the best tool backpack. They know you are going to be making a long walk from your van to the site while packing in your laptop and plenty of tools.
They added a load bearing harness that snaps in front to better balance the weight when walking or climbing.
There is a laptop sleeve able to fit a 15-inch computer. The entire unit is carefully constructed out of durable ballistic fabric, so you know it will last. When one is spotted on the worksite, suddenly everybody else buys one, too.
You are going to pay extra for the added function and durability. If you work repairing computers or other tasks that use a wide variety of smaller tools, you might find that its 35 pockets are just a bit too big to keep it all organized.
Also, if you place your heavier tools in the large front pocket, it has a tendency to tip over. Still, this bag should surpass your expectations and requirements.
Pros:
- Load bearing harness reduces back fatigue
- Room for a laptop
- Ballistic fabric
Cons:
- High price
- Unbalanced design-tends to tip when fully loaded
- Few smaller pockets
2. DEWALT DGL523 Lighted Tool Backpack Bag
For the serious contractor looking for an option to the traditional toolbox, the DEWALT Lighted Backpack may be your best tool backpack.
This large pack includes 57 different tool pockets with room for your drill, batteries, and all the wrenches.
While they did not add color to the interior of the backpack, they did install an adjustable LED on the top of the bag. You can angle it to light up the inside of the tool bag or aim it at your workspace.
It’s a great option for line or HVAC workers who are often on the job in the dark. They also dressed up the front pocket to fit the most popular contractor tools.
What might stop you from grabbing this bag? If your favorite mix of tools doesn’t match the original design, you might find that you can’t use all the pockets.
Some are stacked so if you put a larger wrench in the back pocket, you can’t fit anything in front of it. And as it happens, the zippers continue to be the weak point.
Pros:
- A unique adjustable LED light
- 57 pockets
- Front pouch designed for most popular tools
Cons:
- Poor zippers
- Stacked pockets prevent the use of all layers
3. CLC 1134 Carpenter’s Tool Backpack
The CLC Carpenter’s Tool Backpack is built for the woodworker or electrician that needs a handy toolbag for any jobsite, which could make it your best tool backpack.
It features a compact design and has 35 tool pockets in rugged construction. It is priced to grab your attention and costs less than almost any other bag in this market segment.
The padded back support makes it comfortable to wear while walking into the job or working while hanging from a ladder.
If you have lots of small tools, this may not work for you as it has a limited number of small slots and a large center pocket.
The base feels thin and may not stand up to too many drops and bumps. It is expandable, but if you push the limits is becomes awkward when on your back. It’s a good entry level bag or one for a technician ready to repack the bag for each job.
Pros:
- Lower price
- Padded back support
- Large and small pockets
Cons:
- Thin plastic base
- Expands to the point you bump into people and things
- Not enough pockets-things get cluttered
4. Klein Tools Backpack Tradesman Pro Organizer
Klein really thought things out when building their option for the best tool backpack. It only has 4 extra pockets compared to the CLC, but it has a much smarter design.
The fabric is ballistic weave and able to resist punctures and tears. They gave it a few extra vertical inches so it fits that extra long screwdriver or probe that is always sticking out of your other bags. Best of all, they gave it a bright orange interior.
Most tool bags are black or gray and tools have a tendency of getting lost in the shadows. They will be easy to spot in the orange cave.
The few drawbacks to the Klein are that the zippers are known to fail, especially after about 8 months of regular abuse. Just be prepared that your bag may not last longer than a season.
Also a disappointment, it does not have room for a laptop-even a small one. But if you just want a bog to hold your electrician or HVAC kit, this one is a great investment.
Pros:
- Ballistic weave fabric construction
- Tall design allows for longer tools
- Orange interior for better contrast and visibility
Cons:
- No room for a laptop
- Zippers are known to fail
5. Carhartt Legacy Standard Work Backpack
Now if you are looking for the best tool backpack as an IT professional, the Carhartt Legacy may fit your needs.
It includes a 15-inch laptop sleeve and has large roomy pockets designed to fit your small toolkit, power supply, and notebook.
Its lightweight construction helps to reduce fatigue on your daily commute while still standing up to daily use and abuse at the worksite.
It does have a hard plastic base for easy balance but does not include feet to keep it out of the wet.
If you were hoping to organize your screwdrivers and drill in this backpack, think again. It lacks the extra storage spots that a true tool pack features.
The zippers and even the straps will fail if you load it up with heavy construction tools. It has an attractive price, but make sure that you are buying it with its intended purpose in mind.
Pros:
- Designed to include 15-inch laptop
- Lightweight-easy to carry
Cons:
- Lacks pockets for tools
- Not rugged construction
- Intended for school or business
So, Which Is The Best Tool Backpack?
As most contractors and construction professionals know, it is worthwhile to spend a little more to get the best possible tool. The same applies for tool backpacks.
The Milwaukee Denier Jobsite Backpack wins our award for the best tool backpack with its smart well-balanced construction, roomy interior, and a spot for your most import modern tool-your laptop.
If you want to save a few dollars and get a little more room for just your tools, the DEWALT DGL523 Lighted Tool Backpack Bag is a great option that helps you to see in dark work environments.
We hope you found all the information you needed to make the best possible selection. If you have worked with any of these products in the past, we would love to hear from you. Leave a comment below or share on your social media page.
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