Rework Gear Toshi Pack 20L Review

The Rework Gear Toshi Pack 20L combines intuitive functionality with thoughtful design in a sleek, urban aesthetic. This everyday carry option can seamlessly transition between professional and casual environments, making it ideal for commuters, students, and travelers. Inspired by Tokyo’s infrastructure, the pack’s minimalist aesthetic conceals a nice degree of practical features and innovative organization. Built with solid materials, including water-resistant nylon and PU-coated ripstop interior lining, the backpack provides plenty of durability and longevity. The YKK reverse coil zippers have a DWR finish, and sturdy hardware will ensure this pack stands up to whatever you throw at it. With plenty of capacity, easy-to-use pockets, and ample protection for your gear, this pack can be incredibly flexible and customizable. The pack’s comfortable harness system, adjustable sternum strap, and ventilated back panel help ensure an ultra-comfortable carry.

Rework Gear excels at creating intuitive products with urban explorers in mind. This pack is part of their Toshi line, drawing inspiration from Tokyo’s understated yet reliable infrastructure. This design philosophy is reflected in their functional products with minimal aesthetics, ideally suited for daily commutes, classroom use, and international adventures.

External Components

The Rework Gear Toshi Pack 20L is made of high-quality 840D Nylon with a water-resistant shell that feels smooth while providing excellent protection and durability. Inside, you will find a PU-coated ripstop lining that adds another layer of durability. The YKK reverse coil zippers have a DWR, or durable water repellent, finish and feature understated or concealed coils for a streamlined appearance. This type of zipper provides additional water resistance and protection against elements like sand and dirt and glides quite smoothly, even around corners. Additional hardware includes Woojin buckles, well-known in the industry for their durability, versatility, and reliable performance.

There is only one grab handle on the top, but it is super densely padded and comfortable to carry even over extended periods. However, due to this design and positioning, the pack tends to lean forward slightly when held this way. External attachment points are thoughtfully placed, with one on each side near the top of the pack. These anchor points are minimal and unobtrusive when not in use, yet their large openings can fit fairly large carabiners. This is an ideal place to hang a Hero Clip. Additionally, the zipper pull tabs at the bottom of the pack, which work well for their intended use, can serve as extra attachment points, adding versatility to the pack’s external carry options.

The shoulder straps have an ergonomic S-shaped curve and generous padding, with a wide design that evenly distributes weight across your shoulders. Each strap includes a convenient attachment point for clipping on extra gear or hanging sunglasses, though the positioning may be higher than some prefer. While the padding and shape are super comfortable, it is worth noting that the shoulder straps do not have a long adjustable length, which could be limiting for users who prefer a looser or more relaxed fit.

This pack has a sternum strap on a rail system that is easy to adjust and remove when you don’t need it. A plastic buckle in the center connects the two sides, with an elastic component that provides extra stretch and security for additional comfort. While the strap can be entirely removed by sliding both pieces off the rail, reattaching it is a straightforward process that requires slightly more effort.

The back panel features a vertical luggage pass-through positioned horizontally along a densely padded plus-shaped air channel, keeping it out of the way when not in use. This air channel design provides excellent comfort with substantial padding while maintaining good ventilation in warmer scenarios.

Fit Notes

The Rework Gear Toshi Pack 20L has a sleek design that looks professional, whether placed on an office desk or coffee shop table. The modern, urban aesthetic in all black makes it equally suitable for professional and casual environments. This versatility extends beyond just looks—with its spacious capacity and intuitive organization featuring easy-access pockets, the pack adapts well to various scenarios and carrying needs. It also has a nice degree of stability and can stand upright in most situations, although this may be slightly less reliable when empty.

Inside The Pack

Before diving into the secondary compartments, one of the simple yet intuitive features of this pack is its modular key leash with a WETOOL Aluminum key clip that feels robust and durable. The versatile design allows you to attach it at multiple points throughout the pack. You can secure it on either side of the front side-access kangaroo-like pocket, the top quick-access pocket, or the admin compartment. This simple yet effective system combines a decently long nylon webbing strap with an easy-to-use clip mechanism, making it both practical and reliable for securing your keys.

Another intuitive yet straightforward feature of this pack is a convenient ambidextrous quick-access pocket with zippered openings on both sides. This kangaroo-style pocket is handy for storing everyday essentials you might need to grab quickly, as you can access it without entirely removing the pack. This design also allows you to access it without wasting effort or thought on which side to sling the bag over. While the design is sleek and unobtrusive, blending seamlessly with the pack’s aesthetic, it is important to check both zippers to ensure the pocket is fully secured. If both zippers are open, it would be far too easy for all your gear to fall out.

Above the ambidextrous kangaroo-style pocket, an admin compartment features a dual-zippered U-shaped opening for easy access. This compartment offers minimal but thoughtful organization with two stretchy mesh slip pockets and a larger zippered pocket behind them. Beyond the organization panel, you can find plenty of room for storing larger items like a portable battery bank or external hard drives in the remaining space.

Located in front of the harness system and top grab handle, a dedicated device sleeve features dual-zippered access with a U-shaped opening for convenient accessibility. It is designed to accommodate up to two devices up to 16 inches each, separated by a padded divider for additional protection. A false bottom adds an extra layer of security. While the sleeve is straightforward and user-friendly, it is worth noting that the lack of a magnetic or hook-and-loop closure at the top of the divider means smaller devices run the risk of potentially sliding around. This should not be a concern for larger devices like laptops or tablets, but it is something to remember when carrying smaller devices.

A top quick-access pocket provides minimal storage space but is ideal for frequently needed items like a wallet or phone. While an iPhone Pro Max can fit inside, there is not much room for anything else. Due to the lack of padding or soft interior lining, we recommend avoiding storing sensitive items with glass or a screen like sunglasses here.

Water bottle pockets on each side sit flush up against the pack when not in use. They include gussets that allow for expansion when needed. With some careful maneuvering, these pockets can accommodate larger bottles like the 32 oz Owala FreeSip, a Nalgene bottle, or even an umbrella. Each pocket includes drainage outlets at the bottom, a thoughtful detail for dealing with condensation or wet items.

The main compartment features a dual-zippered clamshell-style opening that provides an excellent overview and access to your gear. Although the zippers occasionally catch when gliding around some corners, the pull tabs at the bottom do a fantastic job of helping with the overall experience. This clamshell design allows for both top-down and side access, making it exceptionally convenient to pack and organize your gear with a clear overview of everything inside.

Inside, you will find plenty of organization, including a zippered mesh pocket with a hidden smart tracker pocket, a floating slip pocket with black accent trim, and an elastic gusset that keeps contents secure. This proves ideal for storing flat items up against the back panel. The rest of the main compartment offers ample space that adapts well to different packing styles, whether you prefer to pack items freely or organize them with packing cubes and tech pouches.

The Rework Gear Toshi Pack 20L does an excellent job of balancing form, function, and aesthetics. The thoughtful organization, high-quality materials, and clean face make it an excellent choice for urban professionals and daily commuters. While the pack excels in organization and build quality, some users might find the shoulder strap length limiting for a looser fit. The pack’s versatility and flexibility are some of its standout features, thanks to its multiple access points, robust construction, and adaptable storage capacity. The Rework Gear Toshi Pack 20L provides a reliable everyday carry option that does not compromise style or durability. It is an ideal backpack for those looking for something professional to handle daily use while maintaining a sleek appearance.