Rework Gear Toshi Sling V2 (5L) Review

The Rework Gear Toshi Sling V2 is made with durable materials and features rugged hardware and spacious compartments for ample gear storage. This, paired with a sleek look, makes a compelling argument for use as a travel or everyday carry sling. But what can you fit inside? Let’s dive in and find out!

External Components

The exterior is crafted from 100% 840D nylon. It is very sturdy, feels nice and structured to hold onto, and looks stylish without appearing too formal. It doesn’t look too out of place at the beach or on the trail, but it certainly feels most at home in an urban setting.

The pack utilizes YKK zippers, further illustrating Rework Gear’s attention to detail regarding materials and hardware. The fabric is hardy, and so are the zippers. YKK is the best brand in the business as far as we’re concerned, so we’re happy to see them used here.

On the strap, the buckles are from Woojin, another top hardware brand. The buckle is snappy and placed near the edge of the strap, allowing you to wear the sling comfortably with a backpack. The buckle is also thin, which we appreciate, as it gives the design a sleeker look.

The bottom of the pack features two compression straps that remain hidden under the front face until needed. There’s a magnet closure on this, so they don’t pop out unexpectedly. When required, you can quickly attach them to loops on the bottom of the back panel to secure gear, such as a travel tripod, umbrella, or water bottle, with ease. Or, just use the straps to compress the bag to save space. We appreciate this system, as it’s useful, but it doesn’t look out of place when not in use or when it’s not fully loaded.

There isn’t much going on externally, which adds to the sling’s sleek look.

Fit Notes

Have you ever wanted to BYOS? Wait, you’ve never heard of the phenomenon sweeping the nation? BYOS, or Bring Your Own Strap, refers to the option where you can remove the strap that comes with a sling and use your own if you prefer. Jokes aside, we appreciate that the strap comes off, allowing us to use the sling as a pouch or for storage inside a backpack.

The included strap is a worthy one, so don’t think you need to get a new one just because we wanted to make a joke about bringing your own. It lacks padding and aeration, though we didn’t miss it much. On a few occasions, when the sling was jam-packed with heavy tech gear, the strap dug in a bit. Apart from that, it performed well.

The back panel has little to no padding, but it does feature a flat back pocket, so whatever is stored there becomes the back panel. As you’ll see later, we recommend stowing flat gear here, so you don’t get uncomfortable carrying the sling.

Overall, the Toshi Sling V2 is comfortable, but it may be too large for some travelers to wear it as they’d traditionally wear a sling. It has a large footprint, which can be challenging to handle.

Inside The Sling

The lining inside the sling is made of 210D PFAS-free, PU-coated ripstop nylon.

The hidden back pocket we mentioned earlier is quite large, which is a unique feature. Typically, these pockets are smaller and will only fit a passport. This one is large enough to accommodate some small tablets, so a phone, wallet, and other small items will fit here. Whatever you stow here becomes the back panel, so keep that in mind.

The front pocket features a fabric welt that covers the zipper, providing a nice look and protection from the rain. The pocket is a large, open area that lacks organization. It’s a great place for snacks, headphones, and other items you’ll want quick access to while on the go.

There’s also a top pocket, which is long and skinny. It works well for sunglasses, pens, pencils, and other long items. Typically, we store sunglasses here, although there is no extra padding or soft lining material. If you have sensitive glasses, we recommend bringing a case.

The main compartment features a large, open area that can be used to store big travel gear, such as a Nintendo Switch, over-ear headphones, or a packable jacket. Sometimes, it can be challenging to utilize all the space, though it doesn’t look bad if the bag isn’t filled all the way.

There are four stretchy mesh pockets, two large and two small, which are handy for storing small gear. There’s a larger liner pocket on the back wall that features padding to store a tablet or other sensitive gear, as well. There’s a key leash here, too, but generally, the compartment lacks wholesale organization. As mentioned, this promotes the storage of large gear, but may deter some users who prefer every piece of gear to have a designated home.

Overall, we enjoy using the Rework Gear Toshi Sling V2 and believe it excels in urban settings, for travel, and in everyday use situations, thanks to its sleek design and large main compartment.