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Tool backpacks are a smart solution for transporting your gear while keeping everything organized, protected, and within reach. Whether you’re heading to a jobsite or tackling DIY projects around the house, the right backpack can make all the difference. To help you choose the best one, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the top-rated tool backpacks on Amazon. Here are our five standout picks.
Top 5 Tool Backpacks
- Best Tall Bag: Klein Tools Tool Backpack
- Most Pockets: CLC Custom LeatherCraft Tool Backpack
- Best Hanging Hook: Klein Tools Durable Electrician Backpack
- Best Small Bag: DEWALT Lighted Tool Backpack
- Best USB Port: SWISSGEAR Work Pack Pro
Compare Top Tool Backpacks
| Product | Dimensions | Number of Pockets | Material | Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klein Tools Tool Backpack | 14.5 x 7.25 x 20 inches | 39 | Ballistic Weave | Black and orange |
| CLC Custom LeatherCraft Tool Backpack | 13 x 9 x 17.5 inches | 75 | Polyester | Black |
| Klein Tools Durable Electrician Backpack | 13.5 x 11 x 19.5 inches | 48 | Ballistic Weave | Black with orange and gray |
| DEWALT Lighted Tool Backpack | 8.5 x 7.4 x 4.5 inches | 57 | Synthetic fabric | Black and yellow |
| SWISSGEAR Work Pack Pro | 13.5 x 8.5 x 19 inches | 60 | Polyester and PVC | Black |
| Product | Dimensions | Number of Pockets | Material | Color |
Best Tall Bag: Klein Tools Tool Backpack
Klein Tools Tool Backpack
- $98.26
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a large 20-inch height
✔ Has two front pockets with close with zippers to secure small items
✔ Includes molded bottom that helps protect from elements
✘ Has a somewhat top-heavy design
✘ Has fewer pockets than some other models
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who gave this product positive reviews liked that it was durable, had a lot of tool storage options, and was easy to open and close. However, others found this bag to be not well balanced, and others complained that the zippers often got stuck.
Most Pockets: CLC Custom LeatherCraft Tool Backpack
CLC Custom LeatherCraft Tool Backpack
- $133.88
- $149.95
- 11% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has 7 x 5.5-inch plastic interior for organizing small tools like drill bits and nails
✔ Shoulder strap has an extra layer of padding
✔ Is made from durable polyester material
✘ Some people may not need that many interior pockets
✘ Has a somewhat heavy, bulky design
What Customers Are Saying
Those who gave this product positive reviews liked that it was made from tough materials, had an ample number of pockets, and was long-lasting. However, others were disappointed that this bag didn’t expand, and some felt that it was not ideal for fitting multiple large tools.
Best Hanging Hook: Klein Tools Durable Electrician Backpack
Klein Tools Durable Electrician Backpack
- $198.84
- $280.64
- 29% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Top handle is reinforced with aircraft cable to prevent snapping
✔ Zippers are lockable
✔ Has built-in hook that attaches to table or other surface for easy access to tools
✘ Has a high price point
✘ Has a somewhat bulky design
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who gave positive reviews for this product liked that it was made from high-quality materials, could fit a large amount of tools, and several were impressed by the protective front compartment. However, we saw some customers note that this backpack was overly heavy even with no tools in it, and others said the zippers broke easily.
Best Small Bag: DEWALT Lighted Tool Backpack
DEWALT Lighted Tool Backpack
- $127.13
- $149
- 15% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Comes with rotating LED light
✔ Allows you to choose between three brightness setting
✔ Comes with padded carrying handles
✘ Zippers are not the highest quality
✘ Carrying handle lacks quality
What Customers Are Saying
Those who liked this product said that it had a wide capacity, was easy to organize with and had comfortable straps that had good back support. However, others found it to be uncomfortable and heavy, while some had issues with the zippers.
Best USB Port: SWISSGEAR Work Pack Pro
SWISSGEAR Work Pack Pro
- $135.99
- $149.99
- 9% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Includes a removeable caddy
✔ Shoulder straps are padded with mesh to allow airflow
✔ Features crush-resistant side pocket for keeping delicate hand tools
✘ Has a higher price point than other bags
✘ Has a heavy design
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who gave this product positive reviews liked that this bag had a comfortable strap, was made with durable materials, and was versatile enough to also work as a travel bag. However, there were others who felt this bag was too heavy, and others were disappointed the inside loop pouches weren’t more flexible.
Buyer’s Guide
A backpack is a convenient way to transport your tools. This buying guide covers all the important factors you should consider when purchasing a tool backpack.
Size
A tool backpack should be large enough to fit all of your frequently used tools like screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, and wrenches, but not so large that you can’t carry it comfortably on your shoulders. Also make sure that it can fit in your garage, shed, or workspace when it’s not in use.
Pockets
Tool backpacks can have anywhere from 20 to 80 pockets of varying sizes and shapes. These pockets are designed to hold different types of tools and keep them from knocking against each other. Some pockets may also close with a zipper or hook-and-loop fastener to secure smaller pieces, such as nails and screws.
Straps
A tool backpack should have padded shoulder straps to make it comfortable to carry even when it’s full and heavy. Some tool backpacks may also have a carrying handle on the top or side.
Material
A high-quality tool backpack should be made from a waterproof, tearproof material. Polyester is a popular material, though leather and faux leather are also common. Molded plastic is sometimes used to create a firm outer coating, especially on the bottom of the backpack to keep tools safe when the bag hits the ground.
Other Features
Additional features that can make a tool backpack more useful include:
- Laptop sleeves
- USB ports
- LED lights
- Padded handles
- Removable bases
- Hanging hooks
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I keep my tools in a tool backpack?
Moving your tools around by hand is a tedious task, as you can only carry a few of them at once. A backpack serves as an excellent tool organizer that helps DIYers cut transportation time down while also keeping your tools in separate pockets.
Do I need to clean my tool backpack?
Most tool backpacks don’t require frequent cleaning. However, if you’re working in dirty or dusty conditions, your tool backpack may require some cleaning. You can wipe it with a damp cloth to remove caked dirt. Don’t put it in the washing machine unless it’s specifically labeled as machine-washable.
Are there any tools that I shouldn’t keep in a tool backpack?
Pretty much any tool in your tool kit can go in a tool backpack as long as it’s not too large to fit. However, if a tool has a sharp blade, you may want to wrap the blade or put it in a holder so that it doesn’t damage your backpack. In the case of power tools, make sure that they are turned off and have their safety locks engaged before loading them into your backpack.
Why Trust The This Old House Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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