Klein backpacks are garbage

[zer0cell]

I bought a Klein tech backpack at about $100. I got quite a few compliments on it... After less than 6 months of LIGHT usage, the zipper shattered. When I mean shattered I mean it. It is made of cheap chinese pot metal. You can see it was cast out of a very weak metal. This is unacceptable. When I was in middleschool/highschool I carried around a Jansport backpack for about 8 years and I did abuse it. I threw it around, loaded it with more books and junk than it was meant for and didn't care. I paid about $30 for it and the zipper never broke. Now Klein wants me to spend $30 to ship it back to them under warranty.

I have had a great experience with Klein screwdrivers and especially their pliers. They have held up great and I have no complaints... but their backpacks are garbage. I don't even want a replacement, I want a refund. What's the point of a replacement backpack if they send me one made of the same materials? I will still use my other Klein products but their reputation has been tarnished in my experience now.

you've been warned...

 

[Gmonkee]

Outsourcing at its best my friend.

Would you believe Caterpillar makes boots and hats?


Stick with core products, you have been advised.

 

[zer0cell]

I agree with you 100%... their core products that made them great are the only ones I will buy going forward. I don't even buy their new hacksaws (chinese). I searched ebay for their classic model and even though its 40+ years old and has almost all the paint gone it works beautifully.

 

[Pwaley]

Core products and USA made are KEY terms here guys. Cheapskates take note.

 

[DHCrocks]

you were in middleschool/highschool for 8 years? hmm...it usually only takes 6.

 

[davethorik]

you were in middleschool/highschool for 8 years? hmm...it usually only takes 6.

Where I went to school, middle was grades 5-8, high school 9-12. That was without failing and taking a year over.

 

[bobcatdan]

What is with adults wearing backpacks? 100% don't get it.

 

[malibu101]

What is with adults wearing backpacks? 100% don't get it.

I don't own a backpack, BUT, I can see it being very useful if you have stuff to carry and want to keep your hands free.

 

[Strouty]

What is with adults wearing backpacks? 100% don't get it.

First they make fun of my murse, now my backpack, WTF?

 

[JonnyMac]

Pay a little extra for a Veto pack and you'll never look back...

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

What is with adults wearing backpacks? 100% don't get it.

Because carrying tools around in grocery bags doesn't look quite as professional, and poor guys with tiny little hands can't always pick all of their tools up at once.

Although I will admit, last time I went hunting, I just duct-taped everything to me - backpacks were just so out of fashion for deer season last year, I couldn't bear to be seen wearing one.

 

[zer0cell]

Within the job I have it's practically a requirement - I'm sorry if your mind is too small to imagine that in some jobs/activities a backpack is the best option - I can tell you from experience that it is. MS/HS was 7 years and yes I used it for about 8. (Some usage afterwards) How is scrutinizing this point even relevant? I thought we were talking about tools here.

 

[bobcatdan]

Hunting and camping I see back packs useful. Climbing towers, I can see that. To me younge professionals going into an office building with a backpack instead of their case or other form of carry bag just makes it look like high school, not a multi million corporation. For trades man, how much **** do you need that can't fit in a tool belt or bag. Then there are people just out and about. I must just be a light packer that I can fit what I need in my wallet.

 

[DSLTRK]

What is with adults wearing backpacks? 100% don't get it.

Who cares what the bag looks like? I mean really?

I wouldn't want to work for someone like that, going and judging you by your tool bag. The tools don't make the man, attitude and experience though....


I've used the Klein backpack, and gave it to my cousin who's getting into the electrical trade with no issues. If a zipper tab breaks, I use a key fob and quit worrying about it. If you spend your job living on ladders and climbing though attics, you'll feel stupid without a backpack.

Pay a little extra for a Veto pack and you'll never look back...

Veto is way, WAY, WAYYYY too expensive for what you get, Husky bags (especially the total tech) serve me well and are cheap to buy/replace.

 

[fatfillup]

I'm sorry if your mind is too small to imagine that in some jobs/activities a backpack is the best option

How is scrutinizing this point even relevant? I thought we were talking about tools here.

Lot of that goes on here.

I have a used tool store and folks are amazed I sell more SAE then metric, especially auto techs. Seems some folks can't imagine that someone else may need or want something they have no use for.

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

Hunting and camping I see back packs useful. Climbing towers, I can see that. To me younge professionals going into an office building with a backpack instead of their case or other form of carry bag just makes it look like high school, not a multi million corporation. For trades man, how much **** do you need that can't fit in a tool belt or bag. Then there are people just out and about. I must just be a light packer that I can fit what I need in my wallet.

Culture paradigm shift. Backpacks are often more comfortable, more practical, and easier to deal with than the "classic" briefcase or laptop man-purse. I'll take utility and ergonomics over "looking professional" - especially when I'm normally wearing jeans and work boots regardless of where I am.

Plus, sometimes when you have to carry wrenches and drivers, multimeters and dataloggers, and a laptop and all the assorted junk that goes with it, the only way it works is with a backpack or trolley and a laptop bag.

 

[bobcatdan]

To each it's own, I guess. After high school I never saw a point to one or where it could make the transport of supplies a necessity. I'm more a grab what I need type of guy. If all I need is three wrenches and a screwdriver, I'm not dragging the laptop along.

 

[Brian_WK]

I have the veto propack that is converted into a back pack with tool belt suspenders. I like the lay out of it more then the back pack. I did it because I needed to carry all my tools on the job and not take multiple trips back to the van (that wastes time) . A big deal when you climb a 30foot wall mount ladder then walk 1/2 mile across a rooftop to a rooftop unit. I had 58 pounds of tools in that pack that slung over one shoulder was causing some serious issues with my shoulders neck and back.

Back packs make sense to me ***** that yours gave out so quickly. The vetos are expensive but im going on 6 years with mine and have had zero issues they are strong.

Brian

 

[Ign]

Interesting. Where I've read comparisons of the Klein pack to Milwaukee's most professionals seemed to speak highly of the Klein. Reviews on the Milwaukee are mixed (I have it have only used it lightly a couple times).

I understand this thread isn't a comparo, just saying until this I've read only good things on the Klein.

 

[FigureItOut]

Who cares what the bag looks like? I mean really?

I wouldn't want to work for someone like that, going and judging you by your tool bag. The tools don't make the man, attitude and experience though....


I've used the Klein backpack, and gave it to my cousin who's getting into the electrical trade with no issues. If a zipper tab breaks, I use a key fob and quit worrying about it. If you spend your job living on ladders and climbing though attics, you'll feel stupid without a backpack.




Veto is way, WAY, WAYYYY too expensive for what you get, Husky bags (especially the total tech) serve me well and are cheap to buy/replace.

There are some nice Husky bags, I have one that I used daily for a long time and I loved it. Still love when I do use it, but it's been replaced by a Veto for daily use and that thing is in a class by itself. For what I paid though, you're right, they're damn expensive.

At that price or even a bit more I'd love to be able to have them configure the pockets and such to my needs. I'd pay $300 or more for a Veto quality bag if could go into a store with my tools and supplies, show them how I want it set up, and pick it up two weeks later.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Pay a little extra for a Veto pack and you'll never look back...

+1! I've got the Veto Pro PAC LC. It's great!

Personally, my problem with tool back packs it that they can interfere with your movement while climbing a caged ladder or going through confined spaces.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I've got the veto backpack. It's heavy unloaded. Loaded, uggh.
Bulletproof though

 

[JonnyMac]

Veto is way, WAY, WAYYYY too expensive for what you get, Husky bags (especially the total tech) serve me well and are cheap to buy/replace.

Ok then.....but ask anyone else who has one and theyll tell you they are worth every cent.
Plus the clue is in you last sentance... husky is cheap to replace.. aint no regular replacement of a veto needed

 

[a52-830]

[...]When I was in middleschool/highschool I carried around a Jansport backpack for about 8 years and I did abuse it. I threw it around, loaded it with more books and junk than it was meant for and didn't care. I paid about $30 for it and the zipper never broke.

i had one of those too. did you know jansport has a life time warranty? i am on the third backpack. i had to send the first two back, but rather than try to fix them, they replaced them with what was honestly a better backpack each time.

if you still have it, fill out this form:
http://images.jansport.com/is/content/JanSport/PDF/2016-JSP-warranty-form-pdf.pdf

and roll it up and put it and the form in one of those usps flat rate boxes and send it over. they will fix it, or if unfixable replace it, or return it if you'd rather have it back.

 

[cdseven95]

I have that.

About 6 months.
Open and close it about ten times a day in different locations.

Mine is still like new. And I like it.

Hopefully it doesn't explode now

The veto ones are to heavy for me.
And the Klein is more discrete as I leave it in my car

 

[NUTTSGT]

..... Now Klein wants me to spend $30 to ship it back to them under warranty.

......

$30 ? Will it not fit in a USPS priority box ? If it fits, it ships.

 

[reader2580]

i had one of those too. did you know jansport has a life time warranty? i am on the third backpack. i had to send the first two back, but rather than try to fix them, they replaced them with what was honestly a better backpack each time.

Good to know as I have a Jansport backpack where the Cordura material is unraveling and the threads of material get caught in the zipper. I'll have to send it in and see what they do. I have not used it in years due to this issue.

 

[reader2580]

I ride a suburban commuter bus every weekday. Almost nobody carries briefcases or briefcase style laptop bags these days. Men who have bags usually have backpacks. I am in my 40s and feel somewhat conspicuous carrying a laptop bag. I want a backpack, but too cheap to buy a good one yet. My co-workers are my age or older and all but one has a backpack. (I work in an office.)

Sorry to be so far off the original topic. For tools I use a tool belt with pouch around the house when I do work where I need it. I have a McGuire one that fell apart with only about a month of 8 to 10 hour a day use.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I use a Kifaru backpack quite regularly. American made, great warranty, great company, and the pack is built to last.

 

[Thephranc]

Outsourcing at its best my friend.

Would you believe Caterpillar makes boots and hats?


Stick with core products, you have been advised.

I bought a pair of Cat boots back in 96 and had them until last year when the leather finally rotted out because of salt from the winter with out me cleaning them. Steal toe and steel shank along the bottom. I can't find anything that good anywhere.

 

[Jmonnty]

What is with adults wearing backpacks? 100% don't get it.

I have a backpack to carry my tools into hospitals and office building, keeps hands free to carry materials and open doors.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[TigerDude]

What is with adults wearing backpacks? 100% don't get it.

you carry stuff in them. not too hard a concept

 

[TheGrooveking]

I have two Klein backpacks, one Klein and one City Electric Supply made by Klein for them for two years and haven't had any issues. I have them loaded as that I sometimes have to lug tools over to another facility that has 1,700 employees and a huge parking lot and I also carry a Tumi briefcase with my laptop and have to walk what equals a half mile so a backpack comes in handy, plus its best feature is being able to safely carry tools up a ladder onto a roof.

TheGrooveking

 

[B_Bimmer]

... I have a fanny pack for my tools.

I'm kidding, lighten up. Use what works for you. I wish a backpack even began to cover the variety I have to work on, it would be a lot easier to keep what I need close. If an adjustable, a pair of channellock 548's, and a couple basic screwdrivers won't do it I'm gonna be making a few trips.

 

[DSLTRK]

Ok then.....but ask anyone else who has one and theyll tell you they are worth every cent.
Plus the clue is in you last sentance... husky is cheap to replace.. aint no regular replacement of a veto needed

Every bag wears out, Veto included. I could buy 5 total tech husky bags for the cost of one Veto. Also, warranty is simple 5 year replacement, no BS, plus HD is everywhere.

I look at value, and IMO, no Chinese made bag is worth $270. I picked a Veto Pro Pac up, asked for the price, and put it back down.

Not trying to persuade anyone or discount anyone's opinion on the matter, this is just how I look at the tool bag market. Buy what works for you is my closing statement