Tool backpacks are a smart solution for transporting your gear while keeping everything organized, protected, and within reach. Whether you’re heading to a job site or tackling DIY projects around the house, the right backpack can make all the difference.
To help you choose the best one, our team evaluated many of today’s top sellers. Here are the five that really stood out to us.
Top 5 Tool Backpacks
- Klein Tools Tool Backpack: Best Tall Bag
- LeatherCraft CLC Custom Tool Backpack: Most Pockets
- Klein Tools Durable Electrician Backpack: Best Hanging Hook
- DEWALT Lighted Tool Backpack: Best Small Bag
- SWISSGEAR Work Pack Pro : Best USB Port
Compare Top Tool Backpacks
| Product | Dimensions | Number of Pockets | Material | Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Klein Tools Tool BackpackCheck Price | 14.5 x 7.25 x 20 inches | 39 | Ballistic Weave | Black and orange |
LeatherCraft CLC Custom Tool BackpackCheck Price | 13 x 9 x 17.5 inches | 75 | Polyester | Black |
Klein Tools Durable Electrician BackpackCheck Price | 13.5 x 11 x 19.5 inches | 48 | Ballistic Weave | Black with orange and gray |
DEWALT Lighted Tool BackpackCheck Price | 8.5 x 7.4 x 4.5 inches | 57 | Synthetic fabric | Black and yellow |
SWISSGEAR Work Pack Pro Check Price | 13.5 x 8.5 x 19 inches | 60 | Polyester and PVC | Black |
Best Tall Bag
Klein Tools Tool Backpack
This 39-pocket tool bag is made from water-resistant woven fabric. The molded base and hard front pocket make it durable and sturdy enough to store delicate items, such as safety glasses.
Pros and Cons of Klein Tools Tool Backpack
- 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 People Are Saying About The Klein Tools Tool Backpack
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
LeatherCraft CLC Custom Tool Backpack
This heavy-duty tool backpack features a total of 75 pockets, with six of them having zippers for additional protection. The bag is made from durable ballistic polyester and comes with a plastic tray for even more organization.
Pros and Cons of LeatherCraft CLC Custom Tool Backpack
- 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 People Are Saying About The LeatherCraft CLC Custom Tool Backpack
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
Featuring 48 pockets, this tool backpack is optimized for electrician’s tools with thicker fabric and extra waterproofing. The included removable tool carrier has carrying handles and a D-ring.
Pros and Cons of Klein Tools Durable Electrician Backpack
- 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 People Are Saying About The Klein Tools Durable Electrician Backpack
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
For those who want a smaller bag, this tool backpack is more compact. However, it still features 57 pockets—48 on the inside and nine on the outside. The padded feet on the base of this bag also keep it propped up.
Pros and Cons of DEWALT Lighted Tool Backpack
- 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 People Are Saying About The DEWALT Lighted Tool Backpack
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
This backpack has a total of 60 interior and exterior pockets and tool slots, ensuring that it will comfortably fit a lot of tools. The USB port on this backpack also allows you to keep your devices and tools charged at all times.
Pros and Cons of SWISSGEAR Work Pack Pro
- 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 People Are Saying About The SWISSGEAR Work Pack Pro
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.
Tool Backpack Buying 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:
- Hanging hooks
- Laptop sleeves
- LED lights
- Padded handles
- Removable bases
- USB ports
Tool Backpack FAQs
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.
Our Methodology
To provide our readers with the best product recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of tool backpacks with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down by comparing each model’s feature-set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIYers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.
Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products for the home, from doorbell cameras and dining room decor to circular saws and snow blowers.
Once we conclude the research and testing phases, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.