The search for the perfect bag for everyday photography continues. In this case, we take a closer look at the Rework Gear Toshi Sling.
Rework Gear
The Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L is a sling bag designed for daily urban use. Developed by Rework Gear, a small design team from Singapore based in San Francisco, the name Toshi (Japanese for “city”) reflects its primary intended use.
Material & Size
The Toshi Sling 5L is made from 420D recycled nylon, offering a balance between light weight and durability. The material is water-repellent and easy to clean. Unfortunately, dust particles tend to cling to the fine pores, but they can be easily removed with a damp cloth.
With an empty weight of 360 grams, the bag is relatively light. The material feels quite premium. The external dimensions are 28 cm in width, 18 cm in height, and 10 cm in depth. The volume is stated as five liters.
A key feature of the design is the bag’s ability to adapt to its contents. It can be compressed flat when not fully packed, yet maintains a stable basic shape without collapsing. Simultaneously, it can expand to accommodate bulkier items. The slightly trapezoidal shape of the bag enhances this flexibility.
The interior lining is made of PU-coated ripstop nylon. The light, white color of the material increases visibility of the contents in the main compartment.
For zippers, Rework Gear uses YKK Racquet Coil Zippers with a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating, providing basic protection against light moisture. The zippers consistently run smoothly and fluidly in use, even when opening the bag with one hand or when it’s very full.
The plastic buckles and hardware are from Woojin and give a functional impression. The branding is subtle; a small logo is sewn inside, and there’s no external brand indication.
Features
A central feature of the Toshi Sling is its modularity. It has multiple compartments and attachment options, allowing for individual customization to the user’s needs.
The main compartment opens wide with a two-way zipper, providing good access to the contents. Integrated into the back panel is a padded compartment sized for an iPad Mini or an e-reader.
In front of that is an organizational panel made of elastic mesh. This panel is divided into four pockets: two deeper lower ones and two flatter upper ones. This tiered design allows smaller items to be placed in the upper pockets, while larger ones fit underneath. The longevity of the stretch pockets is a question; it’s conceivable that their elasticity might decrease after several years of intensive use.
A zippered pocket within the main compartment would also be desirable for securely storing very small or loose items. However, users can improvise with a small, separate pouch.
On the exterior, there are two additional pockets. An upper, quick-access pocket is suitable for frequently used items, while the one below is an admin pocket. Both pockets lack additional internal dividers. The smaller pocket is particularly useful, perfect for sunglasses, pens, or a small wallet. Even a reasonably sized smartphone could fit here.
On the back, there is another zippered compartment. This is a secure place for a passport, cash, or credit cards. Hidden within is a smart tracker pocket (Air Tag), noticeable only if you’re specifically looking for it.
The integrated key leash system is very well implemented. Each compartment has a loop for attaching the leash. The owner can freely decide which compartment makes the most sense for them or if they want to omit it. Of course, there’s also the option to use your own additional key leashes.
The key leash has a metal buckle at the end for quick and easy key attachment. The length is sufficient to unlock your door without removing the key. It can be attached here or in an additional loop in the main compartment.
The carrying options are also versatile. The main strap has a comfortable width that distributes weight well even without additional padding. The slightly rough surface of the nylon strap provides good grip on clothing and prevents slipping. It can be adjusted up to a length of 120 cm. The adjustment mechanism is okay but could be improved for faster length adjustments.
The strap is completely removable and can be replaced with other models; Rework Gear itself offers a softer strap as an optional accessory. Several loops allow the strap to be attached in different positions. A side buckle facilitates quick on and off of the bag.
The length adjustment is functional, but not as smooth as on some other straps. An optional stabilizer strap provides extra security during movement-intensive activities like cycling. However, this must be purchased separately. It would be nice if it were included in the standard package.
Removable straps are attached to the bottom of the bag. Attaching these straps to the corresponding loops can be a bit fiddly, but the small buckles allow for quick attachment and detachment of gear like a small tripod or umbrella. If the straps are not needed, they can be stored in a discreet, magnetically closed compartment or removed completely.
A missing feature is a handle on the top of the bag. Especially when removing or lifting the bag from the ground or a vehicle, such a handle would facilitate handling and could potentially serve as a pass-through for attaching to a suitcase.
Suitability for Photographers
The Toshi Sling’s flexibility is evident in the range of items it can hold. In addition to a typical EDC setup with a wallet, notebook, and power bank, larger tech like a Nintendo Switch or an 11-inch iPad Pro can fit in the main compartment.
A compact rangefinder camera or a small DSLR can be stored, and the inner mesh pockets are well-suited for organizing multiple rolls of 35mm or 120 film. Of course, it should be noted that there is no significant padding. If you are concerned about this, you should store your camera in an additional case or pouch.
Conclusion
The Rework Gear Toshi Sling 5L presents itself as a versatile and functional bag. Its main advantage lies in the combination of a discreet appearance and adaptable internal and external organization.
The bag can carry both a minimalist everyday kit and more extensive technical equipment. It’s evident that the designers put a lot of thought into it and have tested and used the bag themselves repeatedly.
The four compartments allow for good organization without being overly restrictive. The upper compartment, in particular, allows quick access to keys, sunglasses, or even film rolls.
Features like the key leash system or the magnetic storage for the straps for additional items are noteworthy. These details might seem simple at first glance, but once you use them, you wonder why they aren’t standard in other bags.
For a revised version, I would wish for a handle. Additionally, variants with different materials and subtle color accents would be interesting.
Overall, the Toshi Sling is a suitable choice for users seeking an adaptable bag for various scenarios, prioritizing organizational flexibility over maximum protection or weather resistance.
The Toshi Sling can be purchased from Rework Gear’s online shop.
Updates
29.11.2025
There is now a revised version of the bag. It also comes in two additional sizes.
I’ve been on the hunt for a low-profile sling for my Fuji setup, and this Toshi bag looks like a strong contender. My only hesitation is the lack of padding you mentioned—do you think a small padded insert would fit inside comfortably, or would that eat up too much of the 5L capacity?
The search for the ‘perfect’ bag is honestly a never-ending journey. Every time I think I’ve found ‘the one,’ a new design like this pops up and makes me second-guess my current setup. It’s a fun hobby, but my closet is starting to look like a warehouse!
The hidden AirTag pocket is a brilliant touch. For street photography in busy cities, that extra bit of security—combined with the very subtle, low-profile look—makes this a very tempting option for my next trip.
The clean, unbranded exterior is exactly my style. It’s refreshing to see a bag that doesn’t scream ‘expensive gear inside.’ However, the lack of a top grab handle might be a dealbreaker for me since I’m constantly moving in and out of transit.
The modularity here looks great, but I have a question about those bottom straps. Do you think they’re sturdy enough to hold a heavy stainless steel water bottle, or are they strictly for lighter items like a travel tripod or an umbrella?
5L is definitely the sweet spot for a day bag. It’s big enough for the essentials and a compact camera, but small enough that you don’t overpack and end up with a sore shoulder by the afternoon. Thanks for the detailed breakdown!
@Marcus_T I own one and that is not a problem.
@Liam I have a similar setup and it fits
Interesting read. I’m a bit skeptical about those internal elastic mesh pockets. In my experience, that material usually starts sagging after a year or two of stuffing chargers and batteries into them. I wonder if they offer any warranty for wear and tear?
Please do a review on the new V2 bags!!
If you find the strap adjustment a bit slow, I’d recommend swapping it for a third-party strap with a quick-pull tab. It makes a world of difference when you’re shooting on the move and need to swing the bag around frequently.