CLC Custom Leathercraft L255 Tech Gear 53 Pocket Lighted Backpack, Black

Why it's worth it

The CLC L255 Tech Gear packs 53 pockets and a three-level LED light into a soft-sided backpack at a fraction of what the premium packs cost. It's a smart entry point for DIYers and a reasonable second bag for pros.

The built-in LED is more useful than it sounds. Three output levels let you flood a work area or aim a narrow beam into the pack to find a specific bit. If you've held a flashlight in your teeth while sorting through a dark bag under a sink, you'll use this constantly. It's the kind of feature that shows up on a budget pack precisely because it's cheap to add and genuinely handy.

Fifty-three pockets is the most organization in this guide. CLC splits them into 28 tool pockets, 14 bit pockets, and 11 multi-use slots across a dual-compartment design. There are two straps for a cordless drill and a charger. For a homeowner building a first real kit, having a slot for everything is how you stop losing things.

From our review of 8 tool backpacks

What we like

• +The built-in LED is more useful than it sounds
• +Fifty-three pockets is the most organization in this guide
• +The base is where the budget shows
• +At five pounds empty it's the lightest full-size pack here, and the padded straps and sternum strap carry it fine

What to know

• –If you're in the trades daily, expect this to be a one-to-two-year pack
• –There's no laptop compartment and no meaningful water resistance rating