New Milwaukee Tool Backpack

In recent months Milwaukee has come out with a USA-made toolbox and a smaller bucket-sized toolbox. We’re still in the process of testing both, but have seen enough to know that they’re quite good.

As you might have read in our 2014 and 2015 new Milwaukee tool preview, Milwaukee’s not stopping with just two toolboxes – they’re also coming out with new tool pouches, zippered storage, and the new backpack shown here.

The new Milwaukee tool storage backpack, model 48-22-8200, was designed with professional tradesmen in mind. There are two large zippered compartments, with the front section configured with plenty of pockets for organizing and storing hand tools, and the rear section is designed to carry and protect a laptop or tablet.

The backpack also features 1680D ballistic nylon construction a hard molded base, a fold-down front pocket for holding large items such as drills, extension cords, or fish tapes, padded breathable straps, a sternum strap for better weight distribution, water bottle pockets, and daisy chains for additional clip-on storage.

The water bottle pockets look sized for 0.5 liter disposable bottles, and it looks like the daisy chain webbing loops are built into the front, just behind the flap that opens to secure bulky items.

Price: $100
Available: Now

Buy Now(via Home Depot)

First Thoughts

Milwaukee designed the backpack with a larger front pocket and smaller rear pocket, which is somewhat counter-intuitive if you’re just looking at the image of the closed bag. Looking at the closed bag, one might be mistaken into thinking the laptop/tablet pocket is the star of the show and the front tool pocket is smaller than it really is.

So why did Milwaukee design the backpack to be different than traditional backpacks? I’m thinking that this design offers improved tool visibility and access without too much compromise in load stability.

Typically, you want the heavier backpack load to be closer to your body and center of gravity. With this bag, the laptop/tablet pocket pushes the tools outwards a little more, but it doesn’t look to be enough to be an issue. Cinch straps might have been a nice touch, but the zippered laptop/tablet/tech section is narrow enough where such a feature really isn’t necessary.

The tool bag offers pockets galore, but everything looks spaced out enough to minimize the time it takes to hunt down and retrieve the correct tool. I like that there are zippered and flapped compartments within the main zippered tool section, which allows for easier stowing of small items, such as batteries or accessories.

While some might grumble at the $100 price, there’s a limit as to how inexpensive a bag can be before compromises are made.

If you want a backpack with even more storage pockets, check out the Veto Tech Pack, but be prepared to pay heftily for it. Veto’s tool backpack is priced at $240 via Amazon.