Toshi Pack 20L V2

I had been happy and satisfied with my tomtoc T65 until I recently fell down the EDC rabbit hole and started doing some serious research into EDC backpacks.

I eventually narrowed my options down to four: the Rework Toshi Pack V2 (20L), Aer City Pack Pro 2 (24L), Alpaka Elements Backpack Pro, and tomtoc T77 (22L), and eventually decided to go with Toshi.

These are the must-have features for me:
1. Compact size: I’m 173 cm / 5'7", so I didn’t want something that would look or feel like a huge shell on my back.
2. A separate laptop compartment: This is one of the things I always wished my tomtoc T65 had.
3. A sternum strap: Another feature missing from the T65 that I really wanted this time around.
4. Two water bottle pockets: This was especially important to me because I use one for a water bottle and the other for an umbrella.

The Toshi Pack V2 checks all of those boxes (I'm sure there are plenty other backpacks do, too), but a few nice-to-have features are what really won me over:
1. Easy access to the clamshell main compartment: Thanks to the swooped-back zipper design, I can still access the main compartment from the top without fully opening the bag. I really like having the flexibility of both top access and a full clamshell opening.
2. Minimalist design: I wanted something clean and sleek that wouldn’t stand out too much in a crowd, and the Toshi fits that style very well. I picked 840D nylon instead of X-pac because the latter is just not my thing.
3. Well-thought-out organization: The storage layout gives different types of items their own logical places, which makes it much easier to keep everything organized instead of having things pile up in the main compartment.

My only complaint so far is the top handle. omg it's too tight to grab.

As for shipping, it took roughly six days from placing the order to receiving the package in Shenzhen, China.

Overall, the Toshi Pack V2 gives me the compact size and understated look I wanted while still offering the practical features and organization I was missing from my previous backpack.

good

I placed my order from Taiwan on launch day and received the backpack super fast! The V2 is absolutely beautiful and incredibly functional.

Pros:
• It doesn't have a flashy or head-turning exterior, but it really grows on you the more you look at it. It goes well with almost any outfit!
• The organization in the top pocket is brilliantly thought out—it feels slightly roomier than my Aer CPP2.
• The main compartment offers generous space while maintaining a clean, sleek profile even when fully packed.
• The laptop compartment offers great protection without adding unnecessary bulk or excess padding—nicely done!

Cons:
• The water bottle pockets don't extend all the way down to the bottom of the bag, which feels a bit odd. If your water bottle is heavier than the contents inside the main compartment, the entire bag tilts to the bottle's side, which can get a bit annoying.
• When the main compartment isn't fully loaded, the middle section shows noticeable creases and sags inward.
• The top grab handle is honestly way too tight...
• The lack of a side handle is a bit of a missed opportunity.

Overall, Jia & Zhi did a fantastic job with this!

I picked up the Toshi Pack 20L V2 in 840D, and I'm tremendously impressed with its design and build quality.

The Toshi Pack V2 has several features that make it a clear upgrade on my previous packs:
• The main compartment zipper is cleverly designed so that the pack can function both as a toploader and as a panel loader. This helps the pack excel for both EDC use and travel.
• Its laptop compartment is well padded and has a large and effective false bottom.
• The pack stands very well, even when it is only lightly packed out.
• The pack compresses very well, maintaining a sleek profile when it's not fully packed out.
• As a fan of front dump pockets, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the ambidextrous side access pocket, but the ability to quickly access items while on the move is quickly growing on me.

The Toshi Pack V2 manages to include all these features and more while keeping its overall price and weight lower than most competitors.

In sum, the Toshi Pack V2 is a fantastic bag full of clever design decisions, and an easy recommendation for folks searching for one bag that can do it all.