Builder Magazine: Tool backpacks are the next big thing in personal tool management for contractors and their crews on the go. They provide an efficient way to transport tools to and around a jobsite and keep them organized, visible, easily accessible, and at hand where you need them during the day, whether working on the ground or up a ladder.
5 comments:
I LOVE TOOL BACKPACKS!!!! I think they are so efficient and way less awkward to carry than a tool bag or box. They are so sturdy and organized and have cool features like water bottle holders and tablet pockets. I think these backpacks are especially amazing because of the thought that goes into them like water proofing and making the backpacks extra durable and having pockets designed to fit certain tools most people need on job sites. Sure, none of them are perfect, but with all this thought already being put into them, I'm sure they will get very close to perfect very soon.
While I do have a tool backpack I think there are some serious pros and cons you have to consider before deciding that a backpack is the best choice for you. One thing I quickly learned with mine is that you need to be selective about what you put in it. I bought mine to use as general tool storage which means I have a ton of tools in mine making it weigh a ton. I use it more for storage than actual jobsite use. If you are going to be carrying it around all day you need to put exactly what you know you will need and not a whole lot more. I would agree that it is considerably more convenient than a bag or box simply because it is easier to carry and frees up both of your hands to do other things. There are definitely some applications where a backpack is the right choice but it’s not the best for everyone.
I think that tool backpacks are an efficient and effective way of carrying tools on site, but as Philip touched on, you have to be very selective with what you put in them. Some people try to use these bags to carry all their tools despite whether or not they need them for their current specific job. This negates almost all of the pros of having these bags because now they are no longer as portable or as safe to bring up on ladders or in genies. However, I think that this is a pro of having a tool backpack, because you have to be aware of everything you are trying to carry and whether or not you need it, as oppose to just carrying around a bunch of tools you no longer need or use.
What I want to see in a tool case is the modularity of an open box or pegboard, with the protection of a Pelican box, and the efficiency of a backpack.
Tool backpacks are great if you do the same work most of the time, or if you only need a limited selection of tools. If you need many different tools, maybe they aren’t the way to go. They can quickly get heavy, and full, and things can get lost down in the depths of them.
I guess personally I have to let go of the notion of having every tool I could possibly need on me at any given time. If every tool you could possibly realistically need at a jobsite is 100%., I guess every tool you will probably need is about 25%.
Maybe a tool backpack for that 25% and a rolling box for the other 75% is the way to go.
Oh my gosh! I want one! These are great, because it will better distribute weight on your shoulders. I agree with Philip, however, that you would need to be careful about how much weight you put in a backpack for it to be more helpful than hurtful. Tools can get heavy really quickly, especially if you are carrying them around on your back. I will stick to my opinion that I want one, however. I think normal backpacks never have enough pouches and sleeves to carry around tools if you need to bring a few to school or work without them getting all jumbled up together. This is perfect for a worksite and doesn't require carrying a bag or box around with you. They all seem really well made, and look like a good investment if you are physically safe with them.
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