Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L Review

The Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L is sleek-looking and has ample organization to keep your daily essentials in tow, whether you're at home or across the globe.

Our Verdict

7.4 /10
Good info

Form

73/100

Design

77/100

Value

73/100
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Pros

  • The recycled nylon fabric is durable and sleek-looking
  • There is ample organization, giving every piece of gear a home
  • It's possible to bring an umbrella or travel tripod with the attachment straps

Cons

  • The main compartment’s tall and skinny design can be challenging to fill
  • The strap has no padding or aeration
  • It has a large footprint for a five-liter sling

Technical Details

100 %

Carry-on Compliance

View 145/145 Airlines

62 %

Like the Look

Polled on Instagram

  • Capacity

    5l

  • Weight (lb)

    0.8 lb (0.4 kg)

  • Dimensions

    7 in x 11 in x 4 in (17.8 x 27.9 x 10.2 cm)

  • Notable Materials

    Recycled Nylon, Ripstop Nylon, YKK Zippers, Woojin Hardware

  • Manufacturing Country

    Vietnam

  • Warranty Information

    Rework Gear Limited Lifetime Warranty

Full Review

The Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L looks sleek and utilizes durable materials and hardware. However, we’re curious how well the four compartments work in unison and whether we’ll end up wishing there was more space and less organization. Let’s dive in and find out!

External Components

The sling’s primary material is MIPAN® regen, which is 420D recycled nylon. It feels durable, it’s fairly lightweight and does well in light rain. The fabric is a little crunchy, however, no more than others that feel similar, recycled or not.

Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L Front
Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L | The sling looks sleek.

The crossbody sling utilizes YKK zippers, the Pack Hacker team’s favorite brand. They’re durable, easy to use, and last a long time. In the modern gear era, if a bag doesn’t use YKK zippers, we often start our testing process by questioning why.

The strap buckle is from Woojin; however, it isn’t the standard one you often see. It’s thin, and the side buttons are different. The design takes some time to get used to, but it’s easy to use once you’re accustomed to it.

Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L Full
Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L | In the Pack Hacker studio.

There are loops on the sling’s left and right sides, which are handy for attaching gear. Additionally, there are two small attachment points on the top and bottom of the sling, totaling four. The bottom two are for connecting the included compression straps, which hide under the front face of the pack when not in use. You can use them to compress the bag or to stow an umbrella, travel tripod, or a water bottle. They’re easy to remove if you don’t want to use them; however, we prefer stowing them instead. After all, if you find the perfect fetch stick on a walk, don’t you think your dog might want to take it home?

You can order a stabilizer strap to work with the sling if you want extra security and stability. For $10, it isn’t a bad addition, especially if you plan to use it while cycling.

Fit Notes

Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L Side By Side
Left: Eric Hergenreder, Height: 6’0″ (183 cm), Torso: 18.5” (47 cm) | Right: Lauren Maternowski, Height: 5’6” (168 cm), Torso: 16.5” (42 cm)

The back panel has minimal padding; however, there is enough thickness between the materials and the internal padding to remain comfortable. That said, there’s a pocket on the backside of the sling, so it depends on what you put inside. If you place an oblong-shaped item here, it can be uncomfortable. In most situations, it works well, though the materials aren’t breathable, so it can get hot in the sun.

The included strap is fairly wide but lacks padding or aeration. Generally, this isn’t an issue. If you overload the sling, it may dig in. In most situations, it isn’t an issue. The strap is removable using G-hook clips, so you could change it if you wanted.

Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L Back
Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L | It’s comfortable on your front or back.

Overall, the sling is comfortable but feels slightly larger than a five-liter sling should when compared to others on the market.

Inside The Sling

The lining of the Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L is 210D PU-coated nylon ripstop, which is PFAS-free and a good shout from a sustainability perspective.

Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L In Use
Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L | The front two pockets are handy.

The front pocket has a fabric welt over the zipper, which ensures water stays out. Inside, there’s no organization; however, there’s a small loop at the top where you can attach the key leash if you want to move it from the main compartment. Or, you could attach your own clip to this loop. You can fit your phone, a tablet, and other similarly-sized items here. We don’t recommend stowing breakable items here long-term, as there isn’t much padding to protect this pocket from the outside world.

Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L Pocket
Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L | The upper pocket is smaller.

There’s an additional front pocket on the top of the sling. The zipper for this one has a garage, which will keep water from entering through the small hole between the zipper head and the end of the zipper track. This pocket is relatively small, not even fitting most modern cell phones; however, it’s a solid place to stow sunglasses, AirPods, or snacks.

Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L Back Pocket
Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L | The hidden pocket is handy.

The back panel has a semi-hidden pocket, which we dig for travel because you can stow sensitive items here, like a passport or travel documents. Be careful what you put here, as it’ll become the back panel of the sling. Odd-shaped items can be uncomfortable!

Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L Stuffed
Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L | The main compartment.

The main compartment has a ton of open space to stow gear. The front side has no organization; however, the back wall has segmentation for tech and everyday items. There are four mesh pockets, two on either side, stacked on top of one another. These work well for accessories and small tech items you don’t want bouncing around the main compartment. Behind that, a large tablet pocket works well for an iPad mini or a paperback book. A key leash at the top of this compartment generally stays out of your way when not in use; however, you can remove it or put it into the front pocket we mentioned earlier if you want to.

There’s a lot of space in the main compartment, but it can be challenging to use efficiently. The sling isn’t very wide; however, it is tall. So, if you aren’t stowing tall and skinny items inside, you have to stack them to make it work. You can fit a cased Nintendo Switch here, which we dig, but it can be challenging to fit other large items alongside it.

Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L Walking
Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L | One last look at the crossbody bag.

Overall, this sling is very usable, especially when you pair it with a capable daypack or travel backpack; however, using all of its capacity can be challenging. It looks sleek and is comfortable to wear, too. In a pinch, it can be used as a tech pouch and transitioned into a sling once you arrive at your destination. Plus, you can bring your umbrella!

Usage Timeline

Initial Usage

Condition: Excellent

  • The materials feel durable, sleek, and malleable
  • We’re curious how this new style of Woojin buckle holds up
  • There are no issues with the carry so far!
2 Weeks of Use

Condition: Excellent

  • The materials look almost brand new and handle all kinds of weather well
  • No issues with the hardware, and everything is fairly easy to use
  • Comfort isn’t the best, but it is usable all day long
mm
By Eric Hergenreder
Created January 28, 2025 • Updated January 28, 2025
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