Background information
Zips: an ingenious source of frustration
by Michael Restin
Wenger Tool Pro: Strong tool backpack with a small weak point
2.3.2026
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Michael Restin
Everything about the Wenger Tool Pro tool rucksack is just as I would like it to be: it is spacious, well equipped and sturdy. Only one tiny detail starts to get on my nerves over time.
I'm not a plumber, but I sometimes carry my tools back and forth. From the cellar to the flat. To lend in the neighbourhood. Or into the car. I've become increasingly annoyed by the dragging around since my good old toolbox and my good old intervertebral discs are slowly falling apart. So when I'm offered the chance to try out the Wenger Tool Pro tool backpack, I jump at the chance. Even though I'm hopelessly underqualified.
With the Tool Backpack Pro for plumbers, technicians and construction professionals, every task is a breeze.
I won't measure it by the results of my craftsmanship. I just want to know what I can fit in it, how practical it is and whether it leaves anything to be desired.
Overview and first impression
The backpack has a volume of 36 litres, the majority of the outer material is made from recycled PET bottles and overall I can expect the following:
- A 17-inch laptop compartment with connection to the integrated USB port
- a main compartment with removable tool holder and two side compartments
- A break-proof (protective) glasses compartment
- a smaller main compartment with two open pockets and four elasticated loops
- a half-open slide-in compartment for cables or other items that can be closed with two buckles
- a front compartment with five non-elasticated loops, a key hook and space for small items
- two non-elasticated side pockets, one of which can be closed with an elasticated strap
- A rain cover in signal colour
I'll come to that in detail in a moment. But first I'm interested in the external aspects. For example, the carrying handle, which is not only visually reinforced, and the sturdy base tray, on which the rucksack stands securely whether empty or loaded. The well-padded back section and the equally padded carrying straps with chest strap. The large zips, which are easy to grip even when wearing gloves, and discreet reflective elements. All of this conveys the impression of high quality.
Over time, I load the Wenger Tool Pro with the complete contents of my toolbox, a Dremel and a cordless screwdriver including case and accessories, my laptop including second screen and power supply, a power strip and other small items until the payload is well over the 20-kilo brand.
I don't creak or groan. I creak and groan less than when I carry my toolbox around. The thing is more than solidly constructed. No-one is likely to go hiking with it, but the rucksack would certainly prove its worth on longer journeys. It is certainly very comfortable to carry on short trips. It also has a «trolley strap» for transport on a trolley case. Airport style.
My sample has not yet flown, presumably the Wenger Tool Pro came with the ship. Because it's always a topic when a logo with a Swiss cross is emblazoned on the product, it should be said: it's not Swiss Made, but is manufactured in China.
The main compartment with the tool carrier
When I pull the zips all the way down on both sides, it looks like the rucksack is sticking its tongue out at me. The part that folds forwards contains a large zip compartment and a large Velcro compartment.
The core element is revealed behind this: the removable tool carrier with five open compartments as well as six elasticated triple loops at the top and a further ten individual loops at the bottom. Heavy items are better stored at the bottom. This prevents the rucksack from tipping over. Apart from that, everyone has the option of organising themselves according to their own needs. The removable part is held in place by Velcro fasteners and I can hang it up at my workstation. Practical.
The laptop compartment offers plenty of space
The laptop compartment is located directly on the back. There is space for up to 17-inch devices and other accessories. I slide my laptop into the open pocket and easily fit my additional mobile monitor in front of it. With the two 14-inch devices, this area is far from full.
There is another elasticated pocket for the power supply unit or power bank, and a USB-C cable connects the interior to a fixed connection on the backpack, which ensures a power supply even when the compartments are closed. This allows me to charge my laptop or my cordless screwdriver. The laptop compartment is not particularly thick, but sufficiently padded.
The other tool compartments
To access the second-largest tool compartment, I first have to undo the two buckles on the slide-in compartment, which holds rolled cables in position, for example, and has elasticated side elements at the bottom. Behind this, I can open the tool compartment wide, the story of which is quickly told: it has two pockets and four elasticated loops.
It might be worth loading these two pockets with longer items so that they stabilise the rear wall of the compartment. This might have prevented the only major annoyance, which I will come to later. The third and smallest tool compartment has space for a key (on the plastic carabiner) and other tools in five non-elasticated loops.
Glasses compartment and outer pockets
A small hard case is built into the top, directly in front of the handle. It offers space for (protective) glasses and is softly lined so that they should remain undamaged. Even if it is not specially reinforced towards the top, where the compartment opens via the zip. I would have to be a hammer thrower to smash something in there. The outer side pockets are not elasticated. One of them has an elasticated band to close it at the top. Both are twenty centimetres high and relatively spacious - a 1.5-litre PET bottle fits in each one.
An annoying little zip on the zip
You can see that I have become very fond of the Wenger Tool Backpack Pro overall. However, the more often I open and close it, the more one little detail annoys me: the zip.
At first I thought Wenger had the perfect solution with its large, very solid zips. Then I thought it would be nice if they were lockable. This detail is missing on my tested backpack. When I see in the product description that the main compartment should have eyelets for a lock, I ask and find out that my test model is a pre-production sample.
When you order it officially, you don't have to do without this detail either. So everything is perfect after all? Unfortunately not: more and more often, I find that the zip on the main compartment snags a little when opening and has already eaten into the material underneath.
When the inner compartments of the main compartment are filled, it folds halfway down when opened. This creates a crease and the zip always seizes up at this point. The more the material frays, the more annoying the problem becomes. I help myself by stabilising the second tool compartment as described above and being more careful when opening it. This makes opening and closing a little smoother again. But I don't really want to have to make such compromises with a high-quality brand backpack.
In a nutshell
Strong tool rucksack with a small weakness
The Wenger Tool Pro tool rucksack is not only useful for the plumbers of this world. It offers many options for organising yourself according to your own ideas and impresses with its material quality.
From the reinforced carrying handle to the bottom tray, from the removable tool carrier to the generous and well thought-out compartments - it cuts a fine figure everywhere. One tiny detail costs it the fifth star: the zip on the main compartment eats into the material underneath after just a few weeks and starts to snag.
Pro
- is stable and wears well
- Plenty of space and flexible configuration
- doesn't lose weight even with a lot of weight
- Removable tool tray
- Laptop compartment
- Good details such as glasses compartment and USB-C port
- large zip, main compartment lockable
Contra
- Zipper on the main compartment seizes up
Michael Restin
Senior Editor
Michael.Restin@digitecgalaxus.chSimple writer and dad of two who likes to be on the move, wading through everyday family life. Juggling several balls, I'll occasionally drop one. It could be a ball, or a remark. Or both.
DIY
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