Milwaukee PACKOUT Modular Storage System Review

Our Milwaukee PackOut Modular Storage System review had us covering everything the company currently offers. The system lets you easily stack and lock together boxes, organizers, and totes of multiple sizes and configurations. Through an intuitive and quick attachment mechanism, you have the freedom to stack and lock various PackOut tool boxes, organizers, and totes into any variety of configurations to suit your needs. What’s more, Packout keeps expanding to things like the Packout Radio, Packout light, Milwaukee Packout drawers, and even a Packout vacuum.

The initial PackOut Modular Storage System consists of 8 products – 3 tool boxes, 2 organizers, and 3 storage totes.  All of the items in the PackOut line are built with an emphasis on convenience, organization, and durability. Since then, however, the system has expanded almost exponentially.

We’re going to break down our review of the Milwaukee Packout system in a couple of phases. First, we’ll look at each class of storage as a group.

Milwaukee PackOut Modular Storage System Tool Boxes

The foundation of the Milwaukee PackOut System is the rolling toolbox. In the same category are two other non-wheeled toolboxes. For common features, they all sport an IP65 rating against dust and water along with reinforced corners.

Milwaukee constructs all of the tool boxes in the PackOut line from impact-resistant polymer.  There are also Milwaukee Tick mounting locations on the lids.

We paid special attention to the latches on each of the tool boxes in our Milwaukee Packout review. The stout latches give plenty of reason for confidence. I like that Milwaukee includes a metal washer to reinforce the padlock hole. However, one of our boxes already lost one, so you’ll want to keep an eye on those.

What I’d really like to see is for the internal boxes on these to nest onto the Packout lids. But the design feature that allows the boxes to lock together requires some extra tooling for the boxes and bins to sit in them nicely.

Milwaukee PackOut Organizer Options

Things begin to shrink slightly when you move to the PackOut Organizers. The latches aren’t as substantial but are still excellent for the application. The handles are a bit smaller as well. However, the attachment points are just as solid as the tool boxes.

You’ll notice a strong resemblance to the Milwaukee Jobsite Organizers from recent memory. The internal boxes are the same and you can organize them the way you like. The lid also recesses into them so bits, fasteners, etc. don’t go wandering next door. The lids are transparent, so it’s easy to identify what’s in each box. Milwaukee crafts each bin using impact-resistant polymers that have an IP 65 rating.

Like the internal boxes on the tool boxes, what’s missing here is the ability to set the bins into the top with a level of security.

Milwaukee PackOut Totes

Unique to the PackOut system is the integration of soft storage tote bags, which clip onto the top of any PackOut toolbox or organizer. You can attach the tote to the top of your PackOut gear for easier transport. These totes are available in three sizes – 10″, 15″, and 20″ with a variety of pocket and loop combinations.  All of them feature 1680D ballistic material construction, as well as impact-resistant molded bases.

What I really like about the integration of totes in the PackOut system is that it allows me to keep my hand tools organized separately from my power tools. Realistically, how often do you go to a job with no hand tools?

In the end, it’s a great way to ensure you can customize the entire system and grab just what you need for each job.

Milwaukee Packout Shop Storage and Customization

Starting with wall/floor plates, you can hang your Packout-compatible tool boxes, radio, and other solutions more conveniently.

In 2022, Packout took the next step by adding shop storage and organization to the mix. Two new wall plate sizes (one smaller and one larger) now make customizing the use of your space easier. From there, we have all kinds of accessories from hooks and shelves to battery organizers and long-handle tool holders. There’s even a cabinet and paper towel roll holder.

Whether you’re organizing your shop or garage, it’s the best overall system we’ve used.

Bottom Line

I’ve had a lot of requests to review the Milwaukee Packout system in comparison to what you get from DeWalt or Ridgid. The short story is it’s a much better system—but it’s more expensive. That’s a slippery slope, though. It’s kind of like comparing an SUV built on a car frame to one built on a truck frame. Yes, they’re both SUVs, but they’re not in the same class. That’s where the Milwaukee PackOut system is compared to the other portable storage options – it’s simply a different class.

What I love about the system is the customization that goes along with so many storage options. Optimizing the toolboxes for power tools and accessories, the organizers for fasteners, and the totes for hand tools, I can grab the components I need for any job and leave the rest in the shop or the truck. Plus, you have a tough system that offers unique and flexible options for each component.

Is there room for improvement? Absolutely. I’d really like all the internal bins and boxes to fit onto the PackOut locks and each of the components has tradeoffs here and there. But overall, this is the system every tradesman is going to want to get into. And Milwaukee has already told us this is only the beginning for PackOut.

Customize and Build Your Own Packout System at Milwaukee

You can actually customize and build your own Milwaukee Packout System by dragging and dropping components together to decide what works for you. It’s an interesting module Milwaukee Tool added to their Packout sub-site. Check it out for yourself if you haven’t already.

Milwaukee PackOut Modular Storage System Components

Tool Boxes

Milwaukee PackOut Rolling Toolbox

At the base of our review of the PackOut system, we had the rolling toolbox.  Boasting 9″ all-terrain wheels and a metal through-axle, Milwaukee designed this toolbox to easily roll over a variety of surfaces and job site conditions.  This toolbox includes an industrial-grade, ergonomic extension handle designed to support box loads of up to 250 lbs.

Unless you’re an electrician or HVAC Pro that really can get away with carrying your tools in a bag or backpack, you want to get the PackOut rolling box as your foundation. It’s great for bulk storage and can fit a variety of power tools and accessories. As long as you’re not OCD about everything sitting exactly where you placed it, it’s a good bet.

As we reviewed the Milwaukee Packout review, we loved that the lid stays open on its own. This held true even when sitting at an angle. You can feel it gently snap into place. The latches are stout, which is always a win.

The telescoping handle seems awfully close to overbuilt. Just keep in mind that it’s going to potentially support the rest of your PackOut system and its contents.

Our rolling box managed to take some damage in shipping. While it’s always a bit of a bummer for your new tools to be imperfect when they arrive, it’s actually the perfect opportunity to see how the reinforcement protects the box and its contents.

• Model Number: Milwaukee 48-22-8426
• 250 lb Weight Capacity
• Industrial Grade Extension Handle
• 9″ All-Terrain Tires
• IP65 Rating
• Interior Organizer Tray
• Length: 22.1″
• Width: 25.6″
• Height: 18.9″
• Weight: 23.4 lbs
• MSRP: $139

Milwaukee PackOut Large Tool Box Review

With two carry handles, our review of the Milwaukee PackOut large toolbox showed that it gives you the best of both worlds. Based on what you’re carrying, you can hold it like a lunchbox or a suitcase. The only real negative on the exterior is that the lid won’t stay open while you have it attached to the rolling toolbox. However, you can alleviate that by dropping the rolling box’ handle all the way down.

On the inside, you’re looking at the same accessories organizer as the rolling box. The rest is bulk storage. The only thing I’m missing is the tool storage points for drills and impact drivers that you find in the 24″ Work Box.

• Model Number: Milwaukee 48-22-8425
• Metal Reinforced Locking Point
• 100 lb Weight Capacity
• Interior Tray Organizer
• Mounting Location For One-Key Tick
• IP65 Rated Weather Seal
• Length: 22.1″
• Width: 16.1″
• Height: 11.3″
• Weight: 12.1 lbs
• MSRP: $89.97

Milwaukee PackOut Tool Box

The smallest Milwaukee PackOut toolbox offering we reviewed dominated with its organization. There’s little bulk storage, but plenty of room for 2–3 drills or drivers plus a charger and batteries.

Storage on either end reveals 4 smaller boxes. One of the top boxes is open while the other snaps shut and offers 4 separate compartments. Accessories like Sawzall blades can go in the open one and smaller bits are a great fit for the locking lid box.

Below the top boxes are identical deeper boxes. They have 3 compartments each and are a great fit for fasteners.

• Model Number: Milwaukee 48-22-8424
• 75 lb Weight Capacity
• IP65 Rated Weather Seal
• Interior Organizer Trays
• Mounting Location For One-Key Tick
• Length: 22.1″
• Width: 16.1″
• Height: 6.6″
• Weight: 10.1 lb
• MSRP: $79.97

Milwaukee Packout Drawers

One of the most highly-anticipated reviews had to be out time with Milwaukee Packout Drawers. Found in two styles, Packout Drawers provide a really convenient way to store tools or accessories while providing locking abilities.

• Model Number: 48-22-8442 (2-drawer); 48-22-8443 (3-drawer)
• 2- and 3-Drawer Tool Boxes
• IP65 Rated Weather Seal
• 50-lb weight capacity
• Impact Resistant Body
• Internal Organization
• Metal Ball Bearing Drawer Slides
• Quick-Adjust Dividers (Includes 1 set of dividers)
• Metal Reinforced Corners
• Length: 16.3″
• Width: 22.2″
• Height: 14.3″
• MSRP: $149.99 (2-drawer), $164 (3-drawer)

Organizers

Milwaukee PackOut Organizer Review

This full-width organizer features a combination of 10 internal bins. You can remove and hang them during use. You can also move them around any which way you like inside. And if you get more than one or a combination of this model and the compact organizer, you can swap the bins around in any combination you want to.

I like the long middle section of the organizer for longer bits, fasteners, or recip blades. It’s not removeable, but it’s definitely useful.

• Model Number: Milwaukee 48-22-8430
• 10 Removable And Mountable Bins
• IP65 Rated Weather Seal
• No-Travel Bins Prevent Small Part Migration Between Bins
• Length: 19.76″
• Width: 15″
• Height: 4.61″
• Weight: 6.5 lbs.
• MSRP: $49.97

Editor’s Note: Check out how we used these types of organizers to create the best Lego storage and organization system we’ve ever used.

PackOut Compact Organizer

Unique to the Milwaukee PackOut system are a couple of half-width options and the compact organizer is one of them. This one has 5 removable bins and doesn’t have the long storage area that the full-size organizer has.

What’s interesting here are the latches. They are on the corners rather than flat on the front or sides. That exposes them a bit more than the other latches on both the tool boxes and organizers. However, I like the closure security they provide.

One thing to note here on interlocking – the compact organizer can fit on any of the other toolboxes and organizers. You’ll only be able to lock another compact organizer or 10″ tote on top of it, though. If you have two of the compact boxes locked in side by side, you’ve opened the entire line back up to lock onto them. Realistically, you’re probably going to have these on top or just one or two of the totes on top of it.

• Model Number: Milwaukee 48-22-8435
• 5 Removable And Mountable Bins
• IP65 Rated Weather Seal
• No-Travel Bins Seal Prevent Small Part Migration Between Bins
• Length: 9.72″
• Width: 15.24″
• Height: 4.61″
• Weight: 3.31″
• MSRP: $34.97

Storage Totes

Milwaukee PackOut 20” Tote

As the largest of the PackOut totes, you get 32 pockets to work with. Realistically, Milwaukee could have put more in there. But they decided to leave one side pocket-free. With this size tote, I can carry a variety of power tools in the open side – including a Sawzall.

One really nice consideration is a pad on one side. As you’re carrying the tote, it helps reduce the pain that can come from the side of your bag rubbing against you. The metal tape measure clip is a must-have for every Pro as are the hanging loops if you’re an electrician or plumber.

The divider isn’t removable, but you have a gap on either side. It’s not a big deal, but it’s possible for anything loose in the bag to switch sides. I’d like the zipping pockets to be a bit deeper. As it is, you can fit several Sawzall blades, pencils, or longer accessories in them.

• Model Number: Milwaukee 48-22-8320
• 1680 Ballistic Material Construction
• Impact Resistant Molded Base
• All Metal Hardware
• Padded Shoulder Strap
• Durable Overmold Handle
• 32 Total Pockets
• Length: 11″
• Width: 20″
• Height: 17″
• Weight: 7.65 lbs.
• MSRP: $109.97

Milwaukee PackOut 15” Tote

The PackOut 15″ tote is essentially the Mini Me to the 20″ model. The only difference is it’s a little smaller, there’s one less pocket, and it locks onto just one half a PackOut toolbox or organizer. It has the same pros and cons as its larger brother.

• Model Number: Milwaukee 48-22-8315
• 1680 Ballistic Material Construction
• Impact Resistant Molded Base
• All Metal Hardware
• Padded Shoulder Strap
• Durable Overmold Handle
• 31 Total Pockets
• Length: 11″
• Width: 15″
• Height: 17″
• Weight: 6.15 lbs.
• MSRP: $99

Milwaukee PackOut 10” Tote

The smallest member of the PackOut tote family is actually the widest. It has a total of 28 pockets and the middle divider is removable. Both external zipping pockets are deeper than the other members. Like the 15″ tote, this one also locks in on half the width of any full-size PackOut toolbox or organizer.

• Model Number: Milwaukee 48-22-8310
• 1680 Ballistic Material Construction
• Impact Resistant Molded Base
• All-Metal Hardware
• Padded Shoulder Strap
• Durable Overmold Handle
• 28 Total Pockets
• MSRP: $62.97

Milwaukee Packout Tool Bags and Low-Profile Organizer Expansion

Milwaukee Packout Tool Bags

I love that Milwaukee started with open top tool bags as a new concept in modular storage. They’re taking it to the next level with zipper top tool bags. These go beyond just the standard duffel-style that you just throw a bunch of tools in, though you’re welcome to do that if you like.

Milwaukee Packout 15″ Tool Bag

The 15″ tool bag gives you bulk storage space for a variety of tools up to the size of a circular saw or Sawzall and you can fit a combination of smaller tools with their accessories. You get large outside pockets on both side and thin MOLLE-style straps to clip other gear on. This bag takes up a half-width area on your system, leaving you room for a second piece next to it.

• Model Number: Milwaukee 48-22-8321
• 1680 Ballistic Material Construction
• Impact Resistant Molded Base
• All Metal Hardware
• Heavy-Duty Zippers
• Daisy Chain Strap Points
• Padded Shoulder Strap
• 2 Outside Pockets
• Reinforced Side Walls
• Top and Side Handles
• MSRP: $59.97

Milwaukee Packout 20″ Tool Bag

The 20″ tool bag starts with the same feature set as the 15″ bag and extends the storage space. There enough room to fit a full 4-piece combo kit. You also add 5 interior pockets – a medium size that’s perfect for meters and 4 small pockets for hand tools and small meters like a voltage tester. This is a full-width item, so it will make up the top of your Packout stack.

• Model Number: Milwaukee 48-22-8322
• 1680 Ballistic Material Construction
• Impact Resistant Molded Base
• All Metal Hardware
• Heavy-Duty Zippers
• Daisy Chain Strap Points
• Padded Shoulder Strap
• 6 Interior Pockets
• 2 Outside Pockets
• Reinforced Side Walls
• Top and Side Handles
• MSRP: $54.97

Milwaukee Packout Low-Profile Organizer

The Low-Profile Organizer is essentially a shorter version of the standard Packout Organizers. If you’ve been filling your Organizers with washers or small fasteners, you know they start packing some weight pretty quickly. Both Low-Profile models give you a shallower way to store them while still keeping items from traveling between bins.

They also have dividers that can help you organize into even smaller areas. Be aware that these dividers don’t prevent travel from one part of the bin to another. If you’re thinking you found the perfect replacement for your tackle box, those hooks and small weights are still going to mingle.

One feature I really like is the long middle space. It’s perfect for storing Sawzall blades and is also on the original Organizers.

This one is a full-width Organizer and you can stack more Packout products on it.

• Model Number: Milwaukee 48-22-8431
• Slim Profile
• 10 Removable Bins
• IP65 Rated Weather Seal
• No-Travel Bins Prevent Small Part Migration Between Bins
• Length: 19.76″
• Width: 16.38″
• Height: 2.52″
• Weight: 4.55 lbs.
• MSRP: $44.97

Milwaukee Packout Compact Low-Profile Organizer

The half-width Compact Low-Profile Organizer has all the same features as the full-width version minus the long center storage area. It’s a half-width product that can lock another item on top of it.

• Model Number: Milwaukee 48-22-8436
• Slim Profile
• 5 Removable Bins
• IP65 Rated Weather Seal
• No-Travel Bins Prevent Small Part Migration Between Bins
• Length: 16.38″
• Width: 9.76″
• Height: 2.52″
• Weight: 2.35 lbs.
• MSRP: $29.97

Milwaukee Packout Tech Bag

58 pockets surround the Tech Bag with protection against the elements and abrasion. There’s a Hardshell pocket that gives your tablet or laptop some additional survivability as well. The pack has a pretty large volume with a variety of different spaces for those pockets to help you really organize your bag. The top zips closed to offer some protection against the dust and debris floating around on site.

• Model Number: Milwaukee 48-22-8300
• 58 pockets
• Hardshell tech pocket, jab saw pocket, and daisy chain straps included
• 1680D ballistic material
• Depth: 16.93″
• Width: 10.63″
• Height: 17.72″
• Weight: 8.27 lbs.
• MSRP: $119.97

Milwaukee Packout Backpack

Packout’s backpack features 48 pockets to go along with the convenience of keeping both hands free to climb or carry other equipment. Like the Tech Bag, Milwaukee includes a Hardshell pouch to protect electronics and other tech. They take their backpack a step further than most with extra padding in the shoulder straps. There’s a sternum strap to help stabilize the load.

• Model Number: Milwaukee 48-22-8301
• 48 pockets
• Hardshell tech pocket, jab saw pocket, daisy chain straps, and tape measure clip included
• 1680D ballistic material
• Depth: 15.75″
• Width: 11.81″
• Height: 15.75″
• Weight: 7.34 lbs.
• MSRP: $129.97

Milwaukee Packout Cooler

At first glance, the Packout Cooler looks like Milwaukee’s job site cooler. That’s alright by me. The soft side design is one that I carry frequently and that friends who borrow it are reluctant to give back. It’s perfect for carrying your lunch and plenty of liquids while the exterior pockets keep other items where they can stay dry. Now you get the same benefits with Packout compatibility.

• Model Number: Milwaukee 48-22-8302
• 24-hour ice retention
• Food-grade leakproof liner with no sweat exterior
• 5 storage compartments
• Tape measure clip/bottle opener
• Depth: 15.75″
• Height: 11.81″
• Width: 15.75″
• Weight: 3.8 lbs.
• MSRP: $74.97