Packout Garage Storage: What It Is, How It Works, and Whether It's Worth It

Milwaukee Packout is a modular storage system designed around interlocking bins, drawers, and toolboxes that stack together and lock to each other and to storage racks. For garage storage specifically, the system shines because you can pull a bin or drawer unit off the wall rack, carry it to your job site, and bring it back without ever repacking anything. If you've been frustrated by tool systems that look organized on the wall but fall apart the moment you need to move them, Packout addresses exactly that problem.

This guide breaks down how the Packout system works in a garage, what pieces you actually need to set it up, how it compares to other modular systems, and whether the price tag is justified for most homeowners.

How the Packout System Works

The Interlocking Mechanism

Every Packout unit has a bayonet-style interlocking system on the top and bottom. You set one unit on top of another, twist it slightly, and it locks. The connection is firm enough that you can lift a fully loaded stack by the top handle without anything separating. Milwaukee rates the connection to hold up to 250 lbs. Per stack.

The bottom of each unit has IP65-rated weather sealing on storage boxes, which means they resist dust and low-pressure water jets. The industrial grade units are rated for IP54. Not all Packout pieces are weather-sealed, so check the individual product listing if that matters to you.

The Wall Rack and Mounting Options

The Packout Low-Profile Wall Plate is the anchor point for your garage setup. It mounts flat against the wall and has a series of slots that Packout units attach to directly. You can hang a toolbox, a tray, a rolling chest, or a combination of units directly on the wall plate.

The wall plate comes in a standard size that handles about 4 to 6 units side by side depending on what you're mounting. For larger collections, you run multiple plates across the wall.

Milwaukee also makes the Packout Crate, which is an open top bin, the Packout Tool Box with three drawers, a 15-inch Tool Bag that attaches to the system, and a Compact Organizer with small parts bins. All of them stack and mount to the same system.

What You Need to Get Started

A minimal Packout garage setup runs around $200 to $400 depending on what pieces you choose. Here's what I'd recommend for someone starting from scratch:

The Starter Kit Approach

1. One or two Packout Wall Plates (mount these into studs first)
2. A Packout Large Tool Box for bigger items like a cordless drill, charger, and bits
3. A Packout Compact Organizer for smaller hardware
4. A Packout Crate or two for loose items and accessories

The wall plates cost around $30 to $40 each. The large toolboxes run $80 to $120. The compact organizer is around $30 to $50. So your entry cost is roughly $200 for a functional setup.

Growing the System

The beauty of modular systems is you add pieces over time. Every unit you buy works with everything you already own. A lot of Packout owners start with two or three pieces and end up with a full wall of 15 to 20 units over a few years.

Milwaukee releases new compatible accessories regularly, including a Packout Radio and LED Light Tower that also attach to the system, which is useful if your garage has poor lighting in the work area.

Packout vs. Other Modular Storage Systems

Packout vs. DeWalt TSTAK

DeWalt's TSTAK system works on a similar stacking-and-locking principle. The cost is comparable. The main difference is ecosystem lock-in: if you're already a Milwaukee tool user, Packout integrates with their One-Key Bluetooth inventory tracking, which lets you log which tools are in which box. If you're a DeWalt user, TSTAK makes more sense.

TSTAK units are slightly lighter overall, which some people prefer for job site portability. Packout is heavier-duty and better suited to a permanent garage setup.

Packout vs. Standard Shelving

Standard shelving holds more volume for less money. A good set of metal shelves costs $150 to $300 and holds hundreds of pounds of bins, boxes, and supplies. The tradeoff is portability. You can't grab a shelf and bring it to the job. If everything you store stays in the garage, regular shelving may give you more storage per dollar.

Packout earns its premium if you regularly take tools to job sites, a second property, or your vehicle. The combination of organized garage storage and portable job site storage in one system is what justifies the price.

How to Mount Packout in Your Garage

Stud Location

Mount the wall plates into studs, not just drywall. When fully loaded, a Packout wall can hold several hundred pounds. Standard construction screws that come with the wall plates are adequate but use 2.5-inch or 3-inch screws into studs for peace of mind.

Height Planning

I recommend mounting the wall plate so the lowest unit sits at around waist height. That puts the most-used items at easy reach without bending over. If you're mounting above a workbench, account for the bench height and plan accordingly.

Combining with Other Storage

Packout works well alongside other garage storage solutions rather than as a complete replacement. Heavy items like bins of hardware, seasonal supplies, and bulk materials are better on standard shelves or in cabinets. Packout handles your frequently used tools and portable items. For a broader look at garage storage options, the Best Garage Storage roundup compares systems across different price points and use cases.

For overhead storage of bulkier items you don't access often, Best Garage Top Storage covers ceiling platform options that free up your prime wall and floor space for systems like Packout.

Is Packout Worth the Price?

For a homeowner who only works in the garage and never needs to bring tools anywhere else, Packout's portability premium may not justify the cost versus standard storage options.

For anyone who regularly takes tools to job sites, works on multiple properties, or wants a system that stays organized even when you're pulling pieces in and out constantly, Packout is worth every dollar. The interlocking system is genuinely robust, the units last for years of hard use, and the expanding ecosystem means you're always adding compatible pieces rather than starting over.

FAQ

Can I mix Packout with non-Milwaukee tools? Yes. The Packout system stores anything that fits. The interlocking mechanism is for stacking the units together, not for tool compatibility. You can put any brand's tools inside.

Does Packout work in cold garages? The plastic construction holds up in cold temperatures. Milwaukee doesn't publish a minimum temperature rating for the storage units, but real-world experience shows no issues with the plastic cracking or the latches failing in freezing conditions.

How many units can I stack? Milwaukee recommends a maximum of three units high in a freestanding stack for stability. On the wall rack there's no height limit since the plate supports the weight, but keep in mind your reach limit.

Can I buy Packout at hardware stores? Yes. Home Depot stocks the most common Packout pieces. Specialty configurations and newer additions are sometimes online-only. Checking the Milwaukee website gives you the complete current lineup.

The Bottom Line

If portability matters to you, Packout is the best modular garage storage system available. Start with a wall plate and two or three core units, see how you actually use it, then expand from there. The worst thing you can do is overbuy on day one and end up with a bunch of empty Packout boxes sitting on a shelf doing nothing. Buy what you need now, add more later.