The only way you’ll wear this thing out is by losing it.
Tool organization is key to being productive and being able to easily transport needed tools to each project is essential. If you are wondering if the Klein Tools backpack is the right solution for you, read this.
Summary
Pros
- $100 at Amazon
- Electrician-focused organization
- Tempting for a remodeler’s hand tool storage
- 1680d ballistic nylon…will outlive cockroaches…never relaxes
- Systematically designed
Cons
- Velcro flap pockets?
- Nice top-handle, but backpack?
Real Deal Detail
First things first. I don’t think that I’m exactly the target user for the Klein Tools 55421BP-14 Tool Bag Backpack, Heavy Duty Tradesman Pro Tool Organizer / Tool Carrier with 39 Pockets and Molded Base. But, I am always on the lookout for innovative portable tool organization systems that make my life easier as a remodeling contractor.
It seems like the target users are electricians. In my experience, electricians typically have a few tools that are vastly outweighed by the parts, pieces and wires they need to manage. And, they bring what they need, not everything they own.
How Did I Test the Klein Backpack?
No kidding, I used it as my mobile office. In the vertical pockets, I stored pens and markers. In the main cabin, as it were, I stored the file folders I keep for active projects along with my old-school aluminum clipboard for client meetings and notes.
Evaluating the Design of the Klein Tools Backpack
I compared the Klein Tools Backpack to my centuries old and, I think unimproveable, cotton rigger’s bag. Mine is decades old and sits in my truck enabling me to easily access the “stuff I need sometimes.” Vise grips, nail nippers, locking pliers, spud wrench, adjustable wrench, etc. If you work like I do, and don’t need every hand tool you own all the time, the incremental weight of these things adds up. I lost one once and, after adding up everything in there, and adjusting for today’s prices, there’s easily 10K in a small bag.
Hard Plastic Bottom
The Klein backpack is heavy and buttressed. And that’s before there are 40-ish pounds of tools in there. The hard plastic bottom is a pinch point. It’s so hard that if you don’t put it down right, it can tip. It’s a 2-half unit which requires opening a center zipper (a little like a roll-aboard suitcase) and, each, the zippers flare to open this thing up, but the hard plastic bottom is inflexible amd ballistic nylon is just a little better at the hinge point.
Not the end of the world, but I can also just put a riggers bag down and get what I need out of it. Sure, it’s cotton and a lot floppy, but there are blessedly ZERO (also inexplicable) pockets with Velcro flaps. (Are these for hiding the small gold bars I may/may not be traveling with?).
Pockets
On the back-facing-panel, there are some nicely designed pockets for small stuff and large stuff. Pens, pencils, calculator, notebook, side cutters, dikes. The front panel has pockets deep enough for an adjustable wrench and larger spud wrench (I’m not an iron worker; I use it to align fittings on my tractor implements), a volt meter and other sundries.
On the exterior of the back panel of the Klein backpack, there is a small top pocket. In there, it was easy to store my phone and wallet. Maybe an earbuds case. Inexplicably, this pocket has a divider, which adds to the noise of the 1680d material and–for me–is overwrought design.
Below the top-pocket is a larger pocket that was perfect for my iPad.
Neither pocket ever quite relaxes, so neither one is quite all the way open. Nor is it all the way closed. So there is a micro wrestling match with every interaction.
Vertical Sleeves and Clips
There are a few more vertical tool sleeves on the outside along with a 1/2-in Round Eye Swivel Bolt Snap (I had to look up the name of this thing) that is OUTSTANDING for storing not my keys, but the keys customers give me. Between the strap and the bolt snap, those keys are hard pressed to get lost.
It also has a tape measure clip on the outside. Much like all the other tape measure “solutions” I never used it because I don’t need it. As an old truck owner, it was perfect for sticking a key through. It didn’t hold a tape for me, but it’s the best key storage ever.
Backpack Design?
Finally, the Klein backpack set-up itself. Sure, whatever I can sling over my shoulder, I’ll sling there. But for hand tool storage–and for the way I work–that, like much of the effort, is a solution without a problem.
Again, I’m not the target market here, but I also see how my subs work and I don’t see this solving their jobsite needs. What I do see, as an ersatz tool designer, is an attempt that may well meet the needs of other users. I’m just not one of them.
And, it’ll outlive nuclear war, so, if it is for you, the only way you’ll wear this thing out is by losing it.
