I carry a Milwaukee hard bottom tool backpack. This is just going off memory.
Contents:
Laptop
Logitech Anywhere 3 Pro mouse
iPad (never use, but it fits in the fishtape pocket)
Klein Scout Pro Jr 3
Klein RJ45/RJ11 crimps
Klein RJ45 pass through crimps
Klein punch down tool with 110-block and 66-block cut, and 66-block no cut blade
Milwaukee 5 in 1 long shaft screwdriver
Milwaukee #1 Phillips
Milwaukee 3/16 flat head
Milwaukee 5/32 flat head
Klein 5-in one socket screwdriver
Klein Gravity Snips
Klein 24 to 16 gauge strippers (rarely used since I’ve got my snips, but they have a crimped on the back)
Klein crimper
Klein lineman’s pliers
Klein digital clamp multimeter with spare set of alligator clip leads
Fluke tone and probe set with voltage filter, and a busted ass wand, plus RJ45 network filter
Fluke banjo for RJ45/RJ11
Small box with dividers with beanies, bell caps, and waterproof b-caps
3-4 3’ patch cables
7’ Patch cable
25’ Patch cable
Serial cable with a couple brand specific connectors
HDMI cable
HDMI to DP adapter
VGA cable
AUX cable
USB A to B cable
USB C cable
USB micro cable
USB mini cable
Various USB drives
Pens
Milwaukee Markzall markers
Not even all my tools. Just what I keep on me at all times. The rest stays in my truck.
I’ve got a separate tool bag with my less used hand tools, small drills, tape measure, bits, security screwdrivers, etc. plus Packouts with the bigger tools I use even less frequently like band saw, sawzall, hammer drill, plus hardware I might need like screws or connectors. A ladder, 100’ fishtape, push rods, flex bit, various crap I “might” need… a dolly, etc.
Ironically I’m not even in the field much anymore, but every time I ditch stuff I end up regretting not having it on me cause I’ll go check on a shit or have to go fix something and I just prefer to be over prepared than under prepared. Hell I’ve even got a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit (has been useful), tow cables, straps, a travel pillow, travel blanket, hand warmers, a small with waters… Shit my middle console is a medicine cabinet with aspirin, bandaids, floss, a travel toothbrush, various charging cables. Probably a bunch in forgetting. Coozies in my glove compartment cause bottles rattle in my cup holders… lol
Guess I misunderstood [tech bag] as something else. Might be going more in depth than you even planned so take my spiel with a grain of salt. If it’s work stuff that’s a bit harder but you could try separating some of that stuff out into a secondary bag. Sounds like you’ve thought pretty hard about ditching certain things, I’d just encourage continuing to assess, maybe even making an inventory of your stuff and recording how much you use each item in a certain period of time. Consider within your budget what you could replace for lighter/smaller options, ex I used to EDC a full size multitool until I realized a small one gives me most of what I need daily and only carry the big one during certain work days. Hopefully some of that helped.
My pocket EDC is a Milwaukee box cutter with a fold out screwdriver (Phillips and flat head reversible bit) and it serves me well. Used to just carry a box cutter but so many times I’d need a screwdriver and not have one physically on me
I traded my standard Milwaukee box cutter for a new one they put out that has a fold out screwdriver and bottle opener. It’s very useful. Definitely don’t regret buying it
It’s actually all work stuff.
I carry a Milwaukee hard bottom tool backpack. This is just going off memory.
Contents: Laptop Logitech Anywhere 3 Pro mouse iPad (never use, but it fits in the fishtape pocket) Klein Scout Pro Jr 3 Klein RJ45/RJ11 crimps Klein RJ45 pass through crimps Klein punch down tool with 110-block and 66-block cut, and 66-block no cut blade Milwaukee 5 in 1 long shaft screwdriver Milwaukee #1 Phillips Milwaukee 3/16 flat head Milwaukee 5/32 flat head Klein 5-in one socket screwdriver Klein Gravity Snips Klein 24 to 16 gauge strippers (rarely used since I’ve got my snips, but they have a crimped on the back) Klein crimper Klein lineman’s pliers Klein digital clamp multimeter with spare set of alligator clip leads Fluke tone and probe set with voltage filter, and a busted ass wand, plus RJ45 network filter Fluke banjo for RJ45/RJ11 Small box with dividers with beanies, bell caps, and waterproof b-caps
3-4 3’ patch cables 7’ Patch cable 25’ Patch cable Serial cable with a couple brand specific connectors HDMI cable HDMI to DP adapter VGA cable AUX cable USB A to B cable USB C cable USB micro cable USB mini cable Various USB drives Pens Milwaukee Markzall markers
Not even all my tools. Just what I keep on me at all times. The rest stays in my truck.
I’ve got a separate tool bag with my less used hand tools, small drills, tape measure, bits, security screwdrivers, etc. plus Packouts with the bigger tools I use even less frequently like band saw, sawzall, hammer drill, plus hardware I might need like screws or connectors. A ladder, 100’ fishtape, push rods, flex bit, various crap I “might” need… a dolly, etc.
Ironically I’m not even in the field much anymore, but every time I ditch stuff I end up regretting not having it on me cause I’ll go check on a shit or have to go fix something and I just prefer to be over prepared than under prepared. Hell I’ve even got a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit (has been useful), tow cables, straps, a travel pillow, travel blanket, hand warmers, a small with waters… Shit my middle console is a medicine cabinet with aspirin, bandaids, floss, a travel toothbrush, various charging cables. Probably a bunch in forgetting. Coozies in my glove compartment cause bottles rattle in my cup holders… lol
Guess I misunderstood [tech bag] as something else. Might be going more in depth than you even planned so take my spiel with a grain of salt. If it’s work stuff that’s a bit harder but you could try separating some of that stuff out into a secondary bag. Sounds like you’ve thought pretty hard about ditching certain things, I’d just encourage continuing to assess, maybe even making an inventory of your stuff and recording how much you use each item in a certain period of time. Consider within your budget what you could replace for lighter/smaller options, ex I used to EDC a full size multitool until I realized a small one gives me most of what I need daily and only carry the big one during certain work days. Hopefully some of that helped.
My pocket EDC is a Milwaukee box cutter with a fold out screwdriver (Phillips and flat head reversible bit) and it serves me well. Used to just carry a box cutter but so many times I’d need a screwdriver and not have one physically on me
Get the tirant ultra instead of Milwaukee box cutter, save some weight
Doesn’t appear to have a screwdriver on it
Didn’t realize the Milwaukee box cutter had a screwdriver. Hmmm maybe the roxon multitool although it doesn’t have titanium
I traded my standard Milwaukee box cutter for a new one they put out that has a fold out screwdriver and bottle opener. It’s very useful. Definitely don’t regret buying it