Best Tool Backpacks of April 2021

Looking for a comfortable way to carry your tool kit to worksites wherever they might be? look no further, this guide aims to unveil the best tool backpacks out there, you should read through this guide to find out the best tool backpacks.

BUYER’S GUIDE

Here are some important features:

Durable

It needs to be tough and able to handle the beating of a job site. A strong fabric or material is important. It should have heavy-duty zippers to withstand the constant opening and closing and keeping the compartments tightly sealed.

Being waterproof can be a bonus to protect tools from nasty weather. It’s easy to waterproof is necessary. it should be able to carry tools like loopers, handheld spotlights, and safety glasses

Fabric & material

If you’re carrying loads over 30 pounds, you’ll want a durable canvas or nylon fabric. If you’ll be in wet conditions or outdoors, look for a backpack with a solid base and water-proofing.

Compartment/Pocket Organization

Different trades have different tools, but a foldable hand truck is versatile and can be used for many trades. It needs to have different sized pockets for the different types of tools. A well planned out and organized one makes finding tools easier, less time consuming, and easy to unpack. Also, a compartment for a laptop or tablet may be a necessity, but none for big equipments like a hot air rework station.

Often a hard-shelled pocket is needed to protect fragile items or to hold sharp objects or tools.

Size

Tool backpacks come in a variety of sizes, from smaller half-size bags to full-size hiking backpacks. The size will determine how many bulky items you can carry, not to mention whether you’ll be able to bring a laptop.

Padded Shoulder Straps

When filled with tools, a tool backpack can weigh between 30 and 40 pounds.

It’s important to have shoulder straps that can handle the weight. Padded shoulder straps prevent the straps from digging into the shoulders. It needs to have padded straps so it can be carried comfortably.

Padding For The Back

It can carry a hefty amount of tools. Not only can this be heavy, but tools bumping into the back can be a problem. It needs ample padding to protect the back from the load being carried.

A Rigid Molded Base

Many tools backpacks have a heavy-duty molded plastic base.  The molded plastic base is attached to the strong material to make up the body of the backpack. The molded base does a few things. One thing it does it create a strong bottom.

Tools can’t create friction or wear a hole into the base as it could if it was a fabric material. Another thing the molded base does is the rigidity permits the backpack to stand up straight without having to be leaning against anything. This makes it possible to set it down vertically and unload it.

The last thing the plastic molded base does, besides protecting the outside of the bottom of the backpack from any physical abuse, is to make the base waterproof. If for any reason it ends up in a puddle, the tools are left unharmed.

Extra Strapping For Added Support

Unlike backpack sprayers, an additional strapping like a load-bearing harness can be beneficial to help relieve the stress of carrying a heavy load. With a loaded backpack, the load-bearing harness helps to distribute the weight more efficiently.

BEST TOOL BACKPACK

NAMES	FEATURES	WHERE TO BUY
CLC Custom Leathercraft ECPL38	adaptable lighted tool backpack integrated power bank in tool backpack charge with your backpack. 36 pocket lighted tool bag:	GET IT ON AMAZON
Veto Pro Pac TECH PAC	Adjustable Padded Shoulder Straps Tablet/All-Purpose Zippered Pocket Warranty: 5 Years	GET IT ON AMAZON
Dead On Tools Destroyer Tech Pack	Multiple front anchors for clip-on carabiners Main Tool Compartment: 19 Pockets / Holds drill / Drill bit organizer loops Front Tool Compartment: 7 Pockets / Holds up to 8″ screwdrivers	GET IT ON AMAZON
Milwaukee 48-22-8200	Load-Bearing Harness- Padded and Breathable for all-day comfort Laptop Sleeve – Holds Laptops up to 15.6″ Bulk Pocket – Quick access to bulks items such as fish tapes and power tools Attachment Strap – Allows bag to be easily and securely attached to vertical handles	GET IT ON AMAZON
Klein Tools 55421BP-14	Constructed from 1680d ballistic fabric 39 pockets for storage Ballistic weave fabric construction Lifetime warranty	GET IT ON AMAZON
DEWALT DGL523 Lighted Tool Backpack	57 pockets for storage Abrasive pads for extra durability 3-year long warranty Comes with an LED light with 3 brightness levels	GET IT ON AMAZON
Custom LeatherCraft Tool Backpack	75 pockets for storage 6 zippered compartments for additional space Ballistic weave fabric construction Lifetime warranty Comes with a plastic tray for storing small parts	GET IT ON AMAZON
CLC Custom Leathercraft L255	BUILT-IN LED LIGHT 53 POCKETS FOR EASY ORGANIZATION. CONVENIENT AND COMFORTABLE DURABLE TOOL BACKPACK:	GET IT ON AMAZON
Rugged Tools Worksite Tool Backpack	40 pockets for storage Uses 1680D polyester for construction Hard molded bottom for extra strength and safety Easy to access pockets and compartments for saving time	GET IT ON AMAZON
AmazonBasics Tool Bag Backpack	23 pockets for storage 100% 600D polyester fabric construction 1-year long warranty Includes 42 inside and 8 outside pockets for easy access	GET IT ON AMAZON

CLC Custom Leathercraft ECPL38

It features 31 multi-use pockets inside, 5 pockets outside, and 4 additional loops and a measuring tape clip to help organize a wide variety of hand tools.

Multiple interior panels hold a multitude of tools and accessories like drills, pliers, screwdrivers, wrench sets, drill bits, testers, and more. Vertical wall to organize a variety of extended screwdrivers and hand tools.

The back zippered charging compartment contains 4 internal charging wall pockets for tablets, smartphones and small laptops, built-in USB ports, power bank pockets, and laptop sleeves.

PROS	CONS
reliable	none
Has padded shoulder strap
Sturdy

Veto Pro Pac TECH PAC

Designed to enable the safe and comfortable transport of a variety of tools when servicing equipment accessible by extension or cage ladders, or in cities or industrial buildings where walking long distances is required, the Tech Pac features Veto Pro Pac’s patented center panel, heavy-duty construction and stabilizing injection molded waterproof base that keeps tools dry, even in the nastiest of conditions.

With 46 pockets inside and out, the Tech Pac has ample room for hand tools, meters, parts boxes, cordless drills, and impact drivers, as well as other bulkier items such as manifold gauges, hoses, cable wires, and even a tablet. The backpack features an innovative quick release handle that allows easy access to the larger tool bay compartment and reduces the strain on the shoulder straps, unlike any other backpack bag.

PROS	CONS
Over-Molded Ergonomic Grip	none
Quick Release Metal Hasp: Allows Easy Access to Rear Storage Bay and Creates Positive Shoulder
Internally Stored Aluminum Hook to Hang Bag
Strap Load Connection

Dead On Tools Destroyer Tech Pack

All-in-one TECH PACK / BACKPACK / TOOL PACK, with a molded water-resistant bottom, makes for a great workstation, tool carrier, keeping your valuable tools, digital equipment, and files unfazed from the rigors of your profession, your travel or your adventure. Quite frankly, this Dead On Tools backpack is a big boy tool bag. Well-built, spacious, very good zippers and hardware.

PROS	CONS
Cell phone holder fits most smartphones	none
Small front pocket & side cargo pockets
Breathable straps, with moisture-wicking lining on the back to manage perspiration
Durable molded handle

Milwaukee 48-22-8200

The Milwaukee Jobsite Backpack was designed with the professional tradesmen in mind and built with durable 1680 denier material and an impact and water-resistant molded base.  The Jobsite Backpack features a padded, breathable load-bearing harness for ultimate comfort and jobsite performance, as well as a laptop pocket for the protected storage of laptops and tablets. A fold-down front pocket allows for easy storage of large items such as fish tapes, drills, and extension cords, while exterior daisy chains allow for additional clip-on storage.

PROS	CONS
Impact Resistant Molded Base – Protects contents and allows backpack to stand up	none
1680 Ballistic Material
35 Pockets for organizing tools

Klein Tools 55421BP-14

No law says you can’t have a backpack as a tool bag. Also, this kind of backpack will make you easier to carry along with you. This electrician backpack tool bag has a padded shoulder strap to ease the burden. Also, it has 39 pockets for tools, tape, and other needed accessories. Besides, there is a zippered pocket for small parts and hardware stores. Plus, the plastic bottom protects your tools from any weather or moisture.

For this reason, it also keeps the base from getting ripped off my rough surfaces too. Another key point, this backpack measures 18.6 x 14.7 x 12.5 inches and will go up the ladder with you and it will not have to keep going up and down to find tools.

PROS	CONS
Features a solid plastic bottom base	weighs 7.6 pounds of weight which is a bit heavy
Padded with a soft cushion on both shoulder straps
Comes with a zipper system that is smooth to zip
Easy to categorize things

DEWALT DGL523 Lighted Tool Backpack

You can find a wide range of power tool offerings from Dewalt that are generally great performing tools. It also offers a tool backpack for carrying its tools quite easily.

Dewalt’s DGL523 tool backpack is present in the 2nd position in this article as it is a great option for industrial usage. It offers a total of 57 pockets to the user for easily storing multiple tools while on the go. While 9 of these pockets are on the outside, 48 pockets are inside this backpack for ease of use.

While the build quality offered by this backpack is quite good, you only get a 3-year long warranty with it. Even though it is the same as other Dewalt power tools, it is quite lower than other tool backpacks. Although it comes with an LED light with 3 levels of light for easily working with your tools in the dark.

PROS	CONS
Great build quality for durability	Only a 3-year long warranty
Large-sized backpack for storing multiple tools
LED light for using tools in the night

Custom LeatherCraft Tool Backpack

The Custom LeatherCraft 1132 Tool Backpack is an absolute beast when it comes to protecting and organizing your tools on the go. This bag has four massive zippered compartments plus two half-size compartments, each of which has its own unique tool organizing pockets.

The CLC 1132 has 75 tool pockets in total, but the real appeal of this bag is the way its different compartments organize your gear. The rear-most compartment has small tool pockets and gear loops to accommodate hand tools like drivers and wrenches.

PROS	CONS
Included parts tray	No room for bulky items
Lots of different tool pockets	Too many pockets to use
Sturdy zippers	Bottom of the bag is not reinforced

CLC Custom Leathercraft L255

For those tools that you need every day, the bag has 11 multi-use pockets including areas for parts and accessories. It also comes with 2 Cinch straps for cordless drill/driver and battery charger.

The built-In LED light can be easily directed to light up your workspace. If you need to find the right tool you can direct the light output into the bag compartments, making dark-colored tools easy to find in low light areas.

PROS	CONS
Can make it safer to carry power tools outdoors	You may not have much space available for other items like clothes, laptops, or lunches
Efficient for organizing many smaller tools
They make carrying heavy tool kits up ladders or for long distances easier

Rugged Tools Worksite Tool Backpack

Some tool backpacks are so large and unwieldy that you couldn’t even work while wearing one. The Rugged Tools Pro Tool Backpack provides a counter to this trend with a compact, ergonomic design that is both comfortable and convenient.

This medium-sized bag is quite modest compared to other beastly bags we’ve reviewed, but it still has a reasonable carry capacity thanks to its large main compartment. The main compartment zips down to reveal 40 tool pockets of varying sizes.

PROS	CONS
Waterproof rubber base	So-so zippers
Adjustable pouch	Limited storage capacity
The large main compartment opens wide	Small exterior pockets

AmazonBasics Tool Bag Backpack

The AmazonBasics Tool Backpack may not have the bells and whistles of pricier bags, but it is still a great way to get up and down a ladder with tools on your back. There are several different sizes of this tool backpack available, but its budget price is probably most appealing to a beginner handyman with a smaller overall selection of tools.

We think the 23-pocket version of Amazon’s tool backpack is the best option for a lightweight yet durable tool storage option out of their offerings. Its main compartment houses 23 tool pockets of varying sizes, and there are three separate compartments and a water bottle pocket.

PROS	CONS
4 compartments	Limited tool pockets
Lightweight and durable	No room for bulky items
Padded laptop sleeve	Bottom of the bag is not reinforced

CONCLUSION

One of the biggest issues you have on remote job sites is when you have to manage multiple small tools. Carrying multiple tools and accessories at once is only possible when you have something like a tool backpack.

These tool backpacks reviewed above are reliable, and sturdy, you should select the one you prefer and purchase it.